Cody demotes police officer

CODY - A Cody police officer has lost his appeal of a disciplinary action that included a demotion.

Cody Police Chief Perry Rockvam and city officials have declined to comment on the matter involving Officer Vincent Vanata, citing state laws and city policies requiring confidentiality in personnel issues.

Vanata's rank with the department was reported last week as sergeant.

When asked Monday, Cody City Administrator Andy Whiteman provided the rank of all officers in the department. Vanata was listed as a patrol officer.

Public documents indicate Vanata was likely demoted because of his actions during an investigation at the scene of a party last month where he was called by Park County sheriff's deputies to assist in locating his high-school-age daughter.

The party involved underage drinking, according to a report by the Park County Sheriff's Office. Vanata's daughter was not among those minors cited during the investigation.

The details of Vanata's actions during deputies' investigation of the incident remain in question.

The extent of the disciplinary action against Vanata, which may have been limited to the demotion or could have included other elements, has not been disclosed.

Vanata declined to comment.

BMW bikers select Gillette

GILLETTE - Up to 6,500 people will descend on Gillette next summer during the 37th annual BMW Motorcycle Owners of America International Rally.

Executive Director Ray Zimmerman said the rally will bring motorcycle owners from across the continent and overseas to Cam-plex. The rally starts July 17.

Zimmerman said he expects half of the people to stay in tents at Cam-plex, while the other half will fill hotels.

Safety seminars, vendors and mechanical workshops will be the main attraction for the BMW enthusiasts, who are estimated to add $500,000 to $750,000 a day to the local economy, said Zimmerman, who was in Gillette last week touring Cam-plex and planning for the event.

The rally is a closed event that is not open to the public. But Zimmerman said it is open to club members and their guests, as well as BMW owners who are not members of the organization.

Unlike the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, Zimmerman doesn't think the BMW riders will be noticeable in the community.

Tribe eyes own attorney general

RIVERTON - The Eastern Shoshone Tribe is looking to save money and improve its legal representation through the formation of a tribal attorney general's office.

The tribe has traditionally contracted with attorneys to handle its legal affairs. But Shoshone Business Council Chairman Ivan Posey says concerns that the attorneys didn't necessarily have a vested interest in the tribe and had other legal matters not pertaining to the tribe to deal with prompted the change.

In addition, Posey says private attorneys are expensive.

The tribe has been advertising the tribal attorney general position at $80,000 to $100,000 per year.