The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Oak Creek Town Board is calling for an independent investigator to examine Kathy “Cargo” Rodeman’s July 19 arrest and police Chief Russ Caterinicchio’s subsequent internal investigation of the matter.

The scope of the investigation will include looking at whether Oak Creek police followed Town Board-approved policies on the night in question as well as the thoroughness and the validity of Caterinicchio’s internal review, Mayor J. Elliott said.

Caterinicchio did not return calls for comment Wednesday.

Beyond deeming all actions by his department reasonable and necessary, Caterinicchio has declined to share any further information with the Oak Creek Town Board or the town’s police commissioners — elected officials appointed to provide oversight of the department. At a special meeting last week, the Town Board found its efforts at oversight and review stymied, learning that its members are not entitled to any of the information they are seeking under the law.

“There are so many questions out there,” Police Commissioner Dave Ege said. “I don’t understand how releasing information from the internal investigation would be contrary to the public good, but I can’t make that call.”

Rodeman, 54, was arrested July 19 on suspicion of charges including driving under the influence and resisting arrest, after Sgt. Erik Foster used a Taser on her in her Oak Creek home.

Foster tried to stop Rodeman’s vehicle after she failed to signal a right turn from Lincoln Avenue onto Meyers Street, while driving home from the Colorado Bar shortly before 2 a.m.

Police said Rodeman sped to her residence and ran inside with passengers Tashena and Shoshanna Montoya, who allegedly sandwiched Foster between the house’s door and its frame to prevent him from entering. Shoshanna Montoya also was arrested, on suspicion of third-degree assault and obstructing a peace officer.

Whatever the outcome, the independent review it is hoped will satisfy concerned citizens, Elliott said.

“With the citizens in the town, because they don’t have any information, the rumor mill has taken over,” Elliott said. “We’re unable to give them any assurances or information regarding it.”

“We’d kind of like to put it behind us, so to speak,” Ege said.

Familiar faces

The Town Board also is due to appoint a new trustee tonight. Two familiar faces from the most recent town election — Gerry Greenwood and Bernard Gagne — have submitted letters of interest in being appointed to fill former Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Krall’s seat, Town Clerk Karen Halterman said.

Greenwood serves on the Oak Creek Planning Commission and spent 10 years on the Oak Creek Fire Protection District Board. He also served a one-year appointed term as mayor after five years on the Town Board in the 1990s. Greenwood fell only three votes short of incumbent Mayor J. Elliott in the town’s most recent mayoral race. Gagne ran for Town Board earlier this year but fell short of gaining a seat in the heavily contested April 1 election.

Also on Thursday’s agenda:

■ A hearing for Chan Zwan­zig, regarding a minor land use change for the establishment of a warehouse at the Old Kayak Factory at 230 Arthur Ave.

■ Discussion of water meters

■ Discussion of the town’s on­­going sewer project

■ Ordinance regarding the filling of truck-mounted water tanks

■ Municipal judge pay rate

■ Seimens contract

■ Britina Group’s request for $1,320, for additional meetings on town’s comprehensive plan and land use plan review in relation to survey data

■ Schmoyer appeal results