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EAGLE — Dick Cheney’s motorcade caused a minor stir in Eagle last week.
Eagle Town Manager William “Willy” Powell was issued a summons for disorderly conduct and obstructing a peace officer in connection with an incident that occurred while the vice president's motorcade traveled through Eagle on June 15. Powell was not summoned until June 18.
Powell strongly denies the charges and said he will defend himself to the fullest extent of the law.
“My day in court will come when I can demonstrate that my conduct that evening was fully acceptable and those who made the allegations are wrong,” Powell said.
Eagle Town Manager William “Willy” Powell was issued a summons for disorderly conduct and obstructing a peace officer in connection with an incident that occurred while the vice president's motorcade traveled through Eagle on June 15. Powell was not summoned until June 18.
Powell strongly denies the charges and said he will defend himself to the fullest extent of the law.
“My day in court will come when I can demonstrate that my conduct that evening was fully acceptable and those who made the allegations are wrong,” Powell said.
The sheriff's office reports that Powell got into a confrontation with a firefighter who was blocking the intersection of Highway 6 and Violet Lane — the street to Powell’s home, and his only access to Highway 6.
Kim Andree, Eagle County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, said the road was closed for about 10 to 15 minutes during Cheney’s ride from the airport, and as is typical with such motorcades, all roads that have access to Highway 6 were closed. The Fire Department typically handles those closures.
Volunteer firefighter Michael Montag told sheriff's deputies that Powell was waving his arms in the air, yelling, and cussing when he was unable to leave his house. Powell told deputies he needed to take his son to Denver International Airport to catch a flight.
According to the report, Montag explained to Powell that the road was closed because of the Cheney’s motorcade, and that the road would re-open in five minutes. Powell allegedly told Montag he was going to go through the roadblock.
Montag said Powell tried to walk around him, and that he had to block Powell four or five times. The firefighter told deputies that Powell said that he was in charge of the town and the vice president could not stop him.
“I have read the Sheriff’s Office reports and the allegations are wrongful, deceptive and exaggerated,” Powell said in a written statement on Wednesday.
Powell eventually returned to his car and waited for the road to open.
“In the highly charged atmosphere accompanying emergency services, certain functions can be extremely hyped up,” Powell said. “I can only conclude that this atmosphere colored the judgment of those who have made allegations against me.”
The misdemeanor charges carry a possible fine of up to $1,000 or one year in jail.
Vail, Colorado
Kim Andree, Eagle County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, said the road was closed for about 10 to 15 minutes during Cheney’s ride from the airport, and as is typical with such motorcades, all roads that have access to Highway 6 were closed. The Fire Department typically handles those closures.
Volunteer firefighter Michael Montag told sheriff's deputies that Powell was waving his arms in the air, yelling, and cussing when he was unable to leave his house. Powell told deputies he needed to take his son to Denver International Airport to catch a flight.
According to the report, Montag explained to Powell that the road was closed because of the Cheney’s motorcade, and that the road would re-open in five minutes. Powell allegedly told Montag he was going to go through the roadblock.
Montag said Powell tried to walk around him, and that he had to block Powell four or five times. The firefighter told deputies that Powell said that he was in charge of the town and the vice president could not stop him.
“I have read the Sheriff’s Office reports and the allegations are wrongful, deceptive and exaggerated,” Powell said in a written statement on Wednesday.
Powell eventually returned to his car and waited for the road to open.
“In the highly charged atmosphere accompanying emergency services, certain functions can be extremely hyped up,” Powell said. “I can only conclude that this atmosphere colored the judgment of those who have made allegations against me.”
The misdemeanor charges carry a possible fine of up to $1,000 or one year in jail.
Vail, Colorado
