Española City Councilor Eric Radosevich and Española interim Police Chief Stephen Branch nearly came to fisticuffs at the Española City Council meeting Oct. 23 over a disagreement that carried out into the parking lot at City Hall.
The next day, Branch filed a police report against Radosevich with the State Police for assault against a peace officer.
The tension between Branch and Radosevich began when Radosevich told Branch and city of Española Public Works Director Marvin Martinez that they were being disrespectful by making noise during the Council meeting. Radosevich then asked the pair to settle down.
“I told (Branch) to quiet down and behave in the Council Chambers,” Radosevich said Oct. 26. “It makes it hard for people in the back to hear.”
Branch became offended by Radosevich motioning to him to be quiet and the verbal disagreement escalated.
According to the police report, Radosevich clenched his fists as he pointed toward the door, and Radosevich motioned to Branch to exit the Chambers so he could “kick Branch’s ass.” Once outside, a verbal confrontation ensued. The report states that while outside Radosevich told Branch that he did not appreciate being called a “little girl.”
Radosevich has been advised by city attorney Frank Coppler not to respond to the police report before Coppler has had a chance to review the case. Coppler could not be reached before press deadline to answer why he advised Radosevich and not Branch, who are both civil servants.
Councilor Corey Lewis, who sits to the immediate right of Radosevich on the Council dais, witnessed the disagreement unfold.
“I didn’t necessarily see anything with Marvin but I’ve caught the chief a couple times making fun of us,” Lewis said. “They’re always laughing together. I saw them back there, laughing and joking, and I thought that maybe the chief had something to say.”
Branch could not be reached after multiple attempts by phone and email for comments about the incident.
Lewis witnessed Branch and Martinez allegedly behaving inappropriately for a Council meeting and said their actions were disrupting the meeting’s proceedings.
“This is a public meeting and I would expect a little more respect,” Lewis said.
Mayor Pro-Tem Dennis Salazar also recalled the incident as it transpired.
“What I did notice when I looked towards the audience at the Council Chambers was Public Works Director Marvin Martinez putting his hands up and appeared confused,” Salazar said. “He was looking towards the members of the City Council, Eric Radosevich and Corey Lewis, but I was unsure who he was motioning to. I did look towards where Councilor Radosevich was sitting but I did not notice anything unusual from him or others sitting near him.”
Salazar said about a minute later he watched Councilors Radosevich and Lewis, Martinez, Branch and interim city manager Joe Duran exit the Chambers.
“As I mentioned, Marvin did appear to me like he was a bit confused and possibly upset about something but I did not know what about or what the reason was that they all got up and left the Council Chambers and appeared to go outside,” he said.
A few minutes later, Salazar observed that all parties except for Martinez had returned inside the Chambers.
Duran and Mayor Alice Lucero declined to comment, citing how the incident is a personnel matter and that any comments could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
According to Salazar, Branch instigated the incident, setting off Radosevich by allegedly laughing at the Councilor from his seat in the audience.
“At this specific meeting though, prior to this happening, I did notice acting Chief Branch appear to joke around, pointing towards Eric Radosevich and Corey Lewis and whisper to a couple of other department heads and start laughing,” Salazar said.
Salazar then shared support for Radosevich, citing his fellow Councilor’s perceived good nature and respect for others.
“Councilor Radosevich has never, ever been disrespectful towards anyone and has the utmost respect for all people all of the time during any meeting I have ever been to with him,” Salazar said. “I am sure that if acting Chief Branch did file a complaint I would think it has absolutely no basis.”