A review of Keen's expense reports between 1/1/15 and 3/25/17 reveals that that he's made 16 trips. Most have been overnight stays. He's been to Valley Forge, Mechanicsburg, Lancaster (4 days), Altoona (4 days), Gettysburg (2 days), State College (2 days), Cranberry Twp (4 days), State College (1 day), State College (3 days), Carlisle (2 days), Atlantic City (4 days), Woodloch Springs Resort (4 days), Camden, NJ, Bellefonte (1 day), Gettysburg, and Windham, Maine (3 days). He must have used his county issued credit card, called a P-card, to pay for his hotel stays at Harrah's Resort, Springs Resort, Penn Stater Hotel. I failed to ask for those records. But over a two year time frame, he's been away 39 days.
Keen is a very dedicated NorCo employee. He is careful in his expense reports to avoid charging the county any more for meals than he is permitted. And he always responds to emails or calls, usually within a few hours. But 39 days over two years above and beyond the normal holidays and vacations is bound to breed resentment, and has. I wrote him once before about complaints that he is never at the jail. He said he was surprised at the complaint because he is on the go 24/7. As much as I appreciate what he does, it is irresponsible and poor management to put a prison director on the road for 39 days over two years.
That is no fault of Keen. That's on Executive John Brown, who should recognize that Director of Corrections is not a wandering hockey goalie.
Keen tells me his travel this year is related to his investigation and research into a new jail. Well, he's not going to be able to house county inmates in Windham, Maine. Besides, a new jail is very far from reality. It will be extremely unpopular politically and require a hefty tax hike.
Blogger's Note: The information contained in this story is based on information contained in a Right--to-Know request filed with Northampton County on 4/6/17.
Sounds like he is in a training program. Time away is excessive.
ReplyDeleteDust in the wind. Isn't this just the Brown MO.
ReplyDeleteAnother Brown Director abusing the system. That's why professional corrections consultants are paid the big bucks in forming a workable Jail system. [The Penn Stater is an excellent hotel with a top notch dining facility]. This abuse goes on and on in NC. A housecleaning, from council on up is needed!
ReplyDeletehE IS A TRUE ROLLING STONE... UMM MAYBE MORE LIKE A PATTY OF BROWNS STAINS POOP?
ReplyDeleteDoes this really seem like he needs all these trips? How about a comparison to what was submitted by the person who held the job before? Woodlock resort, really? Come on this sounds like BS and not what is need for work. Thanks Bernie, for letting the people who pay for this crap know where the county dollars are spent. NOT ON SERVICES!
ReplyDeleteAnother overpaid Brown consultant. The beat goes on. Lamont got to be licking his lips in anticipation. JB might as well raise the white flag right now and let the R's find a suitable candidate instead of flushing money down the drain on the current county despot.
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't be shocked by this story at all BO, numerous people have been trying to alert you about this issue. Sadly these numbers don't begin to tell the entire tale. He averages between 2-3 days per week since he's started as DOC and is a human vacuum on the wallets of taxpayers of this county. You might want to dig a little deeper into his jaunts out to Penn State because he's grabbing some extra cash via a side gig at state college. He's basically delegating most of his duties to an executive secretary who has proven time and time again that she is in over her head. This executive secretary is an underling of Amy Trapp's who fancies herself as an HR wiz. She's been filling in for Al Crivellaro since he "retired" and she's actually making most of us wish he'd return as hard as that may be to believe. I've been through several DOC's in my time as an officer and he is by the far the worst in the history of NCP (even worse than Cindy Marakovits). The calendar and cameras don't lie so please don't try and deny his appalling attendance. If we had more time I'd address other members of his administration but that can wait until another day.
ReplyDelete