SCHERERVILLE | Moments after the Town Council meeting adjourned Wednesday, resident Lowell Shearer shouted at Council President Hal Slager, yelling, "Liar!" as Slager left the room, ignoring the insults.

Shearer was infuriated by Slager's reported recent attempts to remove Police Chief David Dowling from office.

"This is the kind of crap that goes on in junior high school," Shearer said. "It's immature."

Slager said it is unfortunate that Shearer called him a liar and said he didn't understand why Shearer suggested Slager was involved in a political firing.

"We have not fired a single person since this new council has taken office," Slager said.

In June, Councilmen Rob Guetzloff and Tom Schmitt confirmed that Slager asked Dowling to resign, a request that Slager later rescinded.

Slager has not commented on the matter and was advised by Town Attorney David Austgen on Wednesday night not to comment on the Dowling matter, citing personnel issues.

Schererville resident David Jaroszewski spoke in support of Dowling and suggested the council keep Dowling in place and give him a three-year contract.

Guetzloff made a motion to give Dowling a three-year contract, which was seconded by Schmitt, a fellow Democrat. The Republican councilmen - Slager, Jerry Tippy and Perry Ferrini - voted against the contract.

Slager said he has heard Guetzloff say he doesn't believe in contracts.

Guetzloff said he didn't, until this came up. The town has a problem and needs a solution.

"Unfortunately, we have some chaos going on," Guetzloff said.

Slager said he voted against giving Dowling a contract because he didn't want to set that kind of precedent.

"Since I've been on the council, the position has always been, 'no contracts,'" Slager said.

Tippy said he voted against the contract because no town employee has a contract and there's no need to start now.

"We accomplished a lot of good things tonight, and then a political hack from the audience got up, caused a commotion and now this is the story going in the paper," Tippy said. "No one was fired. No one was removed from their position."

The audience included former Schererville Councilmen Mike Troxell and Steve Kil.

"It was obviously a staged political event," Slager said.

Dowling said he's proud of the work he has done as chief the last four years and will continue to serve the people.

"I'm very humbled that so many people from the community have shown their support," he said.

Slager said the councilmen are professionals and were elected to do the work of the people.

"I don't want to be derailed from that," Slager said.