Recall Team Statement
Recall Team Statement
Effective leadership is not a one-person show. It is about listening, considering feedback, and collaborating with a team to serve the community. It's an approach that values public accountability and transparency. Criticism of an elected official’s policies or behavior is not bullying—it is a vital component of a healthy democracy.
Unfortunately, Commissioner Charlie Knapper's tenure has been marked by a different style of governance. His website and actions reflect a consistent pattern of taking credit for group efforts, deflecting legitimate concerns, and dismissing critics with personal attacks. This is not the behavior of a leader, but rather of a self-serving politician.
On Facts and Fiscal Responsibility
A true leader relies on facts and official data from the most direct source. It is reasonable to expect that financial and policy data guiding county decisions come from official sources, such as the Treasurer and the Assessor’s offices, rather than publicly available aggregate websites. Any resident, and certainly a commissioner, can access these records. Yet Commissioner Knapper frequently relies on secondary, aggregate data, which can be misleading. When constituents request official sources for the claims he, an elected official makes, this is not harassment. It is an essential part of public accountability and civic engagement.
On Community and Collaboration
Commissioner Knapper presents himself as a reformer, but his actions often isolate him from the community. A leader works with people, not against them.
Knapper’s sports tourism vision, while potentially valuable, seems to disregard the community’s demonstrated fiscal conservatism, evidenced by the rejection of a ballot measure to fund critical improvements to the Gering Middle School, and the similar failure in Scottsbluff for a new aquatic center. The Playbook, an official document representing the findings of The Huddle Up Group hired to conduct a feasibility study of our area’s viability for sports tourism, highlights serious deficits in our infrastructure and potential detriments to existing tourism assets. A collaborative leader would address these concerns openly, rather than cherry-picking positives and dismissing citizens as "haters" with an "axe to grind” when they have valid questions.
On Accountability and Transparency
A failure of leadership is starkly illustrated by the situation involving Brenda Leisy, the Scotts Bluff County Director of Tourism. Despite a 13-year tenure marked by glowing reviews, she was unjustly suspended. Knapper’s unprofessional handling of her suspension included the creation of five corrective action forms on a single day, some post-dated, and all delivered to her for the first time on the very day of her suspension. This left her with no time or opportunity to address the alleged concerns.
The county subsequently commissioned a taxpayer-funded independent investigation into allegations of misconduct and retaliation. Despite this, the investigation's findings have not been released to the public, reinforcing a lack of transparency and a fundamental failure of public accountability.
Matters of misconduct by an elected county official, especially regarding county staff, should be handled openly, not behind closed doors, especially when the staff member has requested an open, public hearing. Shielding Commissioner Knapper from the consequences of his actions by keeping secret the reality of a costly independent investigation into his behavior undermines the very accountability that his position demands.
The fact remains that Brenda's reinstatement has held firm for five months, and Commissioner Knapper has not been reinstated as Tourism Liaison.
Characterization of concerned citizens, called his “adversaries”
In the "adversaries" section of his website, Commissioner Knapper has used photos without permission and labeled critics as "bullies," "Keyboard Warriors," "legacy tourism assets," and "solar farm zealots." These ad hominem attacks sidestep the real issues at hand and mock the people raising them.
The Recall Team has intentionally focused its efforts on inviting Scotts Bluff County residents to be directly involved in the county government as informed citizens, encouraging attendance at meetings, publishing agendas, and reviewing recordings of the meetings. Commissioner Knapper’s behavior in the board room, officially recorded and available on YouTube, speaks clearly to our concerns.
While some members of the public have taken potshots at commissioner Knapper’s appearance, these are not the actions of Recall Team members, a group of serious-minded concerned citizens who desire leaders to represent Scotts Bluff County in a professional and dignified manner.
For these reasons—a lack of collaboration, a disregard for accurate data, and a failure to be accountable to the public—Commissioner Charlie Knapper should be removed from office.
District 3 voters, when your recall ballot arrives, please vote “Yes” and return it to County Clerk Kelly Sides at the Scotts Bluff County Administration Offices by September 9. A secure ballot drop box is available outside, or you may mail your ballot—please ensure your mailed ballot arrives on time.