Green Mountain Falls Police Department resigns

Amid news of the swearing in of a new town mayor, all staff members of the Green Mountain Falls Police Department resign.

“I don’t know why. That was discussed in an executive session last Thursday before I was sworn in,” Mayor Jane Newberry said.

Newberry was sworn in as Mayor Tuesday night, after serving on the board as a trustee for ten years. Newberry beat incumbent mayor Lorrie Worthey during the April 5 elections.

Marshal Timothy Bradley and his three volunteer reserve officers put in their resignations April 14. Newberry says it came as a shock.

“He had a job. His job was not going away. We had promised him that,” Newberry said.

The department building is left empty and patrol cars remain in the vacant lot. El Paso and Teller counties will assist and patrol the town in the meantime.

“The Sheriff’s Department does a marvelous job at patrolling. So, no, I don’t see that as being a problem at all here in town,” said Lana Fox, resident.

Other residents find it concerning.

“I think he was an absolute asset and I cannot understand why local government would even begin to give up local government,” said Sue Annmeals, another resident.

Several residents told KRDO news that Bradley resigned because of his strong relationship with former mayor Worthey.

“I don’t know what his reasons were for resigning except maybe he didn’t want to work for the new board but the board had nothing against him,” Fox said.

Newberry says she wants to start her term on a good note.

“I hope that the Marshal and his reserves are pursuing great opportunities. I wish them all the luck. Nobody needs to be afraid. I think we need to look forward, look to moving ahead,” Newberry said.

Bradley was given a $12,000 severance package, which the mayor says is unusual. It will be up to the town board if it wants to hire a new one.