Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden — A former employee at Hayden Town Hall is calling for the resignation of the town manager.

Jean Temple requested that Rob Straebel resign from his post of five years Thursday night at the Hayden Town Board meeting.

Temple, who worked for the town's public works department, claimed Straebel did not respect her as she thought he should.

"I live here because I want the respect of my neighbors," she said.

Temple, however, would not name any specific circumstances that suggested Straebel's disrespect.

She questioned why the Town Board would renew Straebel's contract.

Trustees told Temple they had confidence in his management capabilities and cited several instances in which Straebel made decisions that benefited the town.

The town manger had netted several grants for the town, Trustee Chencho Salazar said.

Chuck VeDepo, a Hayden resident, lent his support to Straebel.

He said, contrary to Temple's statement that many townspeople were upset with Straebel, he had never heard any complaints leveled against the town manager.

"He's an asset to the community," he said.

People should keep in mind the Town Board instructs Straebel what to do, he added.

Temple directed several questions at Straebel.

She asked him if he thought he had a good relationship with the people who worked for the town.

"I have a good rapport with employees in the town of Hayden," Straebel said.

Temple reminded the audience that, as a longtime resident of Hayden, she intended to make it her home until she died.

Straebel, on the other hand, she said, would eventually be going.