Keegan's Insensitive Remarks Land Her In Hot Water

I closed out last week by reporting insensitive comments made by NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan about the murder of far-right influencer Charlie Kirk. Since then, I've received equally if not more offensive remarks from her before she shut down her Facebook page. I could post them, too, but the point has been made. Some of you have taken me to task for drawing attention to her remarks, but she is both an elected official and a nursing director at Easton Area School District. You should know what she said.

As an elected official, she can be censured by Council, which means nothing. County Council has no authority to do anything else. The only way she can be removed from office is if she is impeached and convicted or is convicted of an infamous crime.  She will remain in office unless she herself resigns. Should she choose to seek re-election two years from now, voters can oust her then. Or re-elect her. 

To be sure, she is political kryptonite at this point to other Democrats running for office. They will likely avoid her. She was a no-show at the Eston Democratic Blue Gala on Friday. She was sent home from Forks Community Days on Saturday. 

Her real problem is her continued employment at Easton Area School District. Superintendent Tracy Piazza has noticed what she said. I never spoke to Ms. Piazza but am told she's been inundated with complaints from parents and staff. As a result, she has sent this "Message to Our School Community Regarding Recent Social Media Post."

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

I am writing to you today to address a deeply concerning social media post made by an individual associated with our school district regarding the recent passing of Charlie Kirk. The statements made were deeply insensitive, without merit, and in conflict with all that we stand for as a district.

As your Superintendent, and on behalf of the Board of Education, I want to be unequivocally clear: this individual’s personal opinions and statements do not, in any way, represent the values, mission, or beliefs of our school district or those of the Board of Education.

Our schools are founded on principles of respect, empathy, and compassion. We believe in fostering an environment where every individual is treated with dignity, even in disagreement. We believe in the inherent value of every individual, and the unwavering importance of family. While we recognize that, as individuals, we all have our own opinions and beliefs, as a district, we also believe that public statements that diminish the value of human life or are indifferent to the importance of family are without basis. The social media post in question stands in stark opposition to everything we teach and stand for as a district.

As the Superintendent, I expect that all employees display respect and compassion, both in their professional roles and lives. Anything less is unacceptable and not representative of the conduct we expect from individuals associated with the Easton Area School District.

The administration and Board of Education are dedicated to ensuring that our actions and communications consistently reflect our fundamental beliefs and uphold the trust placed in us by the community, regardless of one’s political views.

We will not condone or tolerate such behavior. We are actively reviewing the situation and will take appropriate action in accordance with district policies and laws. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our school community remains a safe, respectful, and supportive place for all.

Thank you for your continued partnership in upholding the values that define our school community.

Do I think she should be fired? No. But I do think she owes an apology to the public she serves, both as an elected official and as a public-school nurse. She also owes an apology to her colleagues on county council. She has been County Council's most divisive member, attacking Republicans and even other Democrats who refuse to go along with everything that Executive Lamont McClure would like to accomplish before leaving office. At meetings, she has publicly attacked Council member John Goffredo over his numerous online comments, but she and Goffredo could both learn a thing or two from another Council member, Tom Giovanni. He only speaks when he needs to make a point, not to hear the sound of his own voice.