Group issues statement regarding officer employment status

At the July 16 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at Town Hall, during the public comment portion of the meeting, Tonya Petty read a statement to the council.

Petty said, “On behalf of the Hot Springs Coalition for Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing social issues within our community, I am addressing you this evening. Our recent focus has been on the employment status of Officer Mike Mascarro. In a statement on June 4, 2024, from the mayor’s office returning Officer Mascarro to full duty, it states, ‘There is a possibility that POST would revoke Sergeant Mascarro’s license. We will deal with that potentiality if it becomes a reality.’ This statement clearly opens up the town for negligent retention. Negligent retention refers to a situation where an employer fails to terminate and an employee they know is unfit for the job, especially when that unfitness poses a danger or harm to others. Your decision to ‘arrive at a different legal opinion’ than the special prosecutor opens up to taxpayers, your constituents, to a legal liability.”

Petty continued and said, “A petition was started in October of 2023 requesting the removal of Officer Mascarro. It currently has over 3,600 signatures. We are urging you to take each of these signatures into account and remove this officer from our streets.”

Petty then went on to allege that the potentiality of escalated aggression from this officer could result in what she refereed to as “another execution of a citizen.” She stated, “That does not seem “prudent, responsible, or in the best interest of the community of Thermopolis.”

Mayor Estenson asked, “Are you presenting said petition?”

Petty replied, “We can present that petition.”

Mayor Estenson said, “I asked for that in March and it was not presented.”

One of Petty’s collaborators, Jason Bowman, replied, “We weren’t ready yet.”

Mayor Estenson said, “Okay, I’ve done everything I said I was going to do.”

Bowman said, “So have I, sir.”

Mayor Estenson said, “Okay. So we’ll look for that and I hope it’s broken down as I requested it to be. I thought that was a fair request. At this point, some of your language was fairly inflammatory in that statement, and that’s fine. We appreciate your comment, and Sergeant Mascorro will stand until further notice.”

Bowman asked, “May I add to what she said?” Mayor Estenson allowed Bowman to speak. Bowman continued and said, “I’m just going to ask you guys have a written copy of that with the supporting statutes and case law that you guys used to come to that opinion that you can provide to the public?” 

Mayor Estenson said, “It’s in the press release that was given at that time.” There was further discussion about if there was anything else written about the matter and Mayor Estenson said there wasn’t. Bowman and the Mayor agreed to meet later regarding the petition.

Town Clerk Treasurer Tracey Van Heule presented an Asset Disposal for equipment no longer in use. For the general fund, the assets are $56,235.09 and for the enterprise fund are $20,046.71. The council voted and passed the approval of the Asset Disposal.

Van Heule also presented a budget resolution for the end-of-year clean of the ledger to make adjustments that include depreciation and the landfill closure. The council voted and passed the approval of the budget resolution.

The council also voted and passed the approval of a street closure in the 800 block of Arapahoe for the Catholic Church Block Party for August 11 from 5-8 p.m.

Chief of Police Pat Cornwell was not present to report, but Sergeant Mike Mascorro announced they are now fully staffed with a new officer coming on board in the next two weeks.

Director of Public Works Basil Sorensen announced that they have a new track loader for the landfill and added that the machine is “working good” and that the crew is “happy.”

Town Engineer Anthony Barnett said that there were advertising bids for the chip seal project and that there is “some interest” in it. Also, they will be inspecting their fire hydrants and performing testing on them. 

Assistant to the Mayor Jim Jeunehomme presented a right of way fencing permit application for the 300 block of South 3rd Street which meets all the requirements for a chain-link fence. The council voted and passed the approval of the permit.

Mayor Estenson and the council discussed the recent fireworks approval for July 4 and said that they received only five total complaints and that they heard “a couple dozen” compliments from members of the community for the allowance of fireworks for the holiday. Mayor Estenson added, “We may do it again next year.”

Council member Rachel Hughes asked about the abatement of 117 Fremont. Mayor Estenson and Jeunehomme replied that the abatement was completed and met the requirements. If there are any future issues with the tenant and the property, they will be considered “new complaints.”