Chief resigns

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The resignation of Newcastle Police Chief Jim Owens was accepted on July 6 during the regular Newcastle City Council meeting. After adjusting the agenda to make sure that steps were taken in legal order, the council approved the appointment of officer Sam Kellar as interim chief until the position is properly filled. The motion to appoint Kellar to the position was made by Councilman Roger Hespe before being voted on unanimously.
According to City Clerk-Treasurer Greg James, the police committee meeting was held Thursday, July 2. James said he did not attend the meeting but that Hespe and Newcastle Mayor Deb Piana were present. Other members of the committee are Councilwoman Pam Gualtieri and Councilman Don Steveson. James said that he could not confirm who else was in attendance. 
Wyoming open meetings laws require notification for any meeting of a governing body at which a quorum is present. The expressed purpose of discussion, deliberation, presentation of information or taking action regarding public business must be announced prior to the meeting. Any meeting deemed as an emergency may be held to take temporary action without notice. 
The agenda initially had Kellar’s swearing in as the first order of business. The agenda had to be modified to allow Owen’s resignation to be formally accepted by the council. The motion to appoint Kellar was then approved.  
Owens’ resignation is effective at midnight on July 10. The position was declared as vacant to coincide with the effective time of resignation. According to a letter to the editor written by Owens (see page 3), he has decided to retire after 19.5 years with the department, eight of those as chief. 
Hespe said that the committee had discussed the interim chief position and recommended that the council appoint Kellar. 
“I suggest we offer $27 an hour. That is half way between where he was and what Chief Owens was making,” Hespe said. 
Kellar was sworn in. He told the councilmembers that he is excited to work with them and will do everything in his power to make the police department the best it can be.