RANGELY I Last week, the Town of Rangely announced that Rangely Area Chamber of Commerce Director Kristin Steele was no longer with the chamber.
According to Lisa Piering, president of the Rangely Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, there is an ongoing criminal investigation into “financial matters” within the chamber.
The investigation is being handled by 9th Judicial District Attorney Sherry Caloia who said Tuesday that her office is waiting for all the bank records, at which time a decision about charges will be made.
Steele, who has been with the Rangely Chamber of Commerce since January 2014 and is a Rangely native, made the following statement regarding the situation:
“I have chosen to resign my position as the director of the Rangely Chamber of Commerce due to the fact that for a while I have neglected to take care of myself mentally and physically. Because of this, it has led to some poor choices. My priorities for now are to focus on my family and to take time for myself to work on me as a person. The next couple months will be a tough road for not only me but for my family. However, I know because we have each other we will get through anything.
“I would like to thank the wonderful people of Rangely. Growing up here you always knew you were loved by so many people. At 23, those wonderful people still continue to show me love and support. I’d like to especially thank the chamber board for their belief in me the last two years. I will miss many of the people my job allowed me to work with.”
Steele has also served as a Rangely Town Trustee since she was appointed by the board last year to fill a vacancy.
According to Town Manager Peter Brixius, Steele did not have access to municipal funds in her position as trustee.
Steele did not seek election to the seat earlier this month and her last meeting will be Tuesday.
