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In 2002, after being named the Steamboat Pilot & Today's "Newsmaker of the year," Kathy "Cargo" Rodeman said she had no intention of running for mayor of Oak Creek upon finishing her first term.

Last week, she lay on her coach, smoking a cigarette and reflecting on why she did indeed run for re-election - successfully - in 2004 and 2006.

"I love Oak Creek, man. I am going to die here. Probably on this couch," she laughed.

Rodeman, a boisterous and passionate woman, resigned as mayor on Oct. 15 after 4 1/2 years in office. She had come under fire in recent weeks from town officials and employees who questioned working conditions under Rodeman and alleged that she circumvents town policies and employees.

While meeting in an executive, or secret, session Sept. 25, Oak Creek Town Board members heard complaints about Rodeman from three town employees. At a special meeting Thursday, the Town Board agreed to release the audiotape recordings of that secret session to the public.

On Friday, Rodeman said that whatever is or isn't on those tapes isn't why she resigned.

"I really don't think I was the root of the problem, but maybe if I'm out of the picture, the town can move on," she said.

Rodeman admits she didn't always do things by the book, but she said she always had the town's best interest at heart.

Looking back on her reign, Rodeman said some of her accomplishments include overhauling the Oak Creek Police Department, building a hockey rink, securing millions of dollars in grant money for new water and waste water treatment plants and a Main Street Project and saving Old Town Hall from demolition.

Rodeman said she's always been results-oriented, which means she sometimes neglects the processes more traditional politicians might use to reach their goals.

"I realized early on that 'Git 'er done' isn't in the vocabulary of most politicians," she said. "Unfortunately, that attitude has no place in politics, because politicians like bureaucracy and red tape and planning. They'd plan something to death before it ever got done."

Some of Rodeman's critics counter that part of being a politician is playing by the rules.

Oak Creek resident Kelly Lipsie tried to recall Rodeman after the first time she was elected.

"I will say this about Cargo: I did try recalling her first term, but I can honestly say I'm glad things turned out the way they did," he said. "She's done a great job for our town."

Oak Creek police Chief Linda Koile said word of Rodeman's resignation "let the winds out of the (police) department's sails."

"Her office was directly across from mine, and I was most impressed when she was handling six or seven projects at once, answering phones, doing this and that," Koile said. "She was a very positive influence in my life."

Koile said that since Rodeman left Oak Creek Town Hall this week, "morale has been shot to hell."

"I am deeply sickened she isn't here," she said. "Just sickened."

Rodeman said leaving the office was one of the toughest decisions she has ever made, but she wanted to make sure the town would continue to function.

"I am very proud of what my first two boards accomplished, and my only hope is that this board will continue on with what needs to be done in the future," she said. "I hope I've left the town better off overall. I just don't want to see us move backwards."

Rodeman said she plans to take a few weeks off to figure out life before starting a job search.

"I don't care if I'm a bus boy, I just want to be happy," she said.