Though Monday evening’s Mentone Town Council meeting saw very little new business discussed, a heated argument between Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads and Council Member Shelly Krueger had everyone present on edge for the majority of the roughly 10-minute meeting.

The argument broke out after Kruger asked the other council members if they had reviewed the Mentone Police Department Code of Conduct. After some discussion among the council about setting up an executive meeting to make any necessary alterations to the policy, Eads loudly stated, “We are sitting here and have no idea what changes you are talking about.” Eads accused Krueger of “singling out the police department,” to which Krueger replied, “Don’t put words in my mouth.”

Krueger tried to explain to Eads that though there are parts of the new town employee policy that will apply to the police department as well as other town departments, there are areas that will apply solely to the police department. Krueger later explained that various aspects of the police department require its own set of policies, such as carrying firearms. The policy that was in question addresses the police department’s primary responsibilities, performance of duties, use of force, personal integrity and personal discipline policy.

Eads then shifted the conversation to an encounter that he had had with Krueger in the library at an earlier point. In a greatly elevated voice, Eads insisted that she had lied to him during the encounter. Krueger explained that during the encounter he had asked her why she had come in to ask for the police department time sheets, before closing with, “You keep changing the subject.” Eads responded by slamming his hand down on the table and shouting, “Oh my goodness.” After a few seconds he then pulled a tape recorder out of his pocket, stood up and asked, “Do you realize I carry one of these with me at all times?”

Krueger calmly responded, “Play it then Jim, let’s hear it.” Eads appeared taken aback by the request. He returned to his seat where, after another pause, he responded “So you are calling me a liar?” At that point Council President Tim Croy interjected in an attempt to get everyone to move on. The argument subsided briefly before quickly picking up again.

Eads continued to express his displeasure with the situation. Krueger stated to Eads, “Why you would have a problem with me writing a policy when this town has no personnel policy whatsoever is beyond me.” Eads said that the new policy had not been cleared with him, to which Krueger responded, “I don’t have to clear anything by you.” Krueger then told Eads that she would like to have a recording of the conversation they were having if he would like to give it to her. When no response came from Eads, Croy again interjected in attempt to move things along.

The claims were approved unanimously, and Croy wished the Tippecanoe Valley High School Girls’ basketball team well by stating “Go Vikings.” Following Croy’s sendoff statement in what was presumably a delayed response to their earlier conversation, Eads said to Krueger, “I will get you a copy of this, but in the future if you want something recorded I suggest you get one of your own.”