A former city councillor and now a citizen-at-large, George Kalman, was forcibly removed from city council chambers by a police officer on Monday evening after he tried to bring a concern about policing to city council.

Shortly after Mayor Don Schlosser opened the council meeting, Kalman jumped to the podium and demanded to know why he wasn't placed on the agenda. He said he had contacted Coun. Dick Michel on Saturday and indicated he wanted to come before council to discuss his concerns, following a noisy house party incident early on Saturday.

"We have no problem if anyone wants to come to council, but it has to come to the city clerk by noon on the Friday prior to the council meeting," said Mayor Schlosser. When an item is brought to the city clerk, Cheryl Rommann, she will ask what it's about. In this case, the matter would have been sent to the police commission first and council wouldn't have dealt with it at all, said Rommann after the meeting.

Kalman insisted that he talk about his issue with council, and when told he was out of order he refused to leave. The mayor shut off all the mikes, which also cut off all the audio for those watching the meeting on Access.

"Oh, that's democracy," said Kalman, who then walked up to Mayor Schlosser's desk, demanding, "What are you afraid of? I'm a citizen in this community."

In the meantime, Sgt. Sonny Reinfelds had arrived in the council chambers, and was asked by Coun. Bill Rudachyk to remove Kalman. The sergeant approached Kalman and asked him to leave, to which Kalman replied, "Why? You tell me why I should leave."

Sgt. Reinfelds took Kalman by the arm and forcibly led Kalman from the chambers, as Kalman demanded to know if he was being placed under arrest.

Contacted on Tuesday, Kalman said he had requested Chief Rod Horsman to be present so he could ask him what his policy is on handling noisy house parties, and how he directs his officers to handle them.

Asked why he doesn't take the matter to the police commission, Kalman said he tried that route before and it would be a waste of time to try again.

"I did go to the police commission a couple years ago. The mayor was chair of the commission at that time, and he told me to get lost," he said, adding he ended up taking the matter to the provincial police complaints body, and they did deal with his matter.

As to why he couldn't wait for this matter to be heard at the next council meeting, which would be July 12, he said it was too urgent a matter to wait that long, explaining that noisy house parties that get out of hand are serious problems and lead to physical and sexual violence in many cases.

His assertion is the new officers on the city force are not getting the proper leadership in dealing with house parties that get out of hand, and noted with a new city bylaw on the books, the police should be able to deal with it. He did note he was told of a recent incident where an arrest was made at a noisy party, and said this needs to happen more often.

For the city's part, Mayor Schlosser said he had no problem with Kalman coming to talk to them, as long as he follows the right protocol of giving adequate notice to council.

He said they had also been notified by Coun. Michel that Kalman had intended to come to council, and a police officer was requested to be present. On Tuesday, Insp. Russ Chartrand said the incident was still under review, and he didn't know if any charges would be laid.

The Environmental Resources committee will continue to do research into how to more efficiently run the city landfill, said Coun. Rob Stephanson, and expand the use of recycling to prolong the life of the landfill.

He said the committee will be looking at some provincial landfills where tipping fees are set determined by the weight of the refuse instead of by volume.

A needs survey on recycling services will be circulated to city businesses soon, and may also be pursued with residents in the fall.

Part of the research the committee will do includes touring Weyburn's SARCAN depot to see what they recycle, with a view to possibly expanding the recycling that's currently available.

In other council business:

· Entries are beginning to come in for the Zone 1 People's Choice Art competition, to be held in conjunction with the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games, said Coun. Ray Hamm on behalf of the Arts Council. The entries will go on display on July 25 and will be in place until near the end of August. The award for the most votes will be presented to the winning artist at the closing ceremonies for the Games on the weekend of Aug. 14.