thrown out for doing it. I've not seen this happen in the nearly five years that I've been on council."

In the map approved on first reading Tuesday, she and another incumbent from the north end, Ornaldo Ybarra, objected to being located in the same district and having to run against one another. She was evicted before the vote was taken.

'She just kept talking'

Ybarra and the other two from the north end denounced the map and walked out in solidarity with Van Houte prior to the vote. The map was approved with the mayor and the four council members from the south side supporting it.

Isbell said he had granted Van Houte an extra minute beyond the two minutes normally allowed.

"We have rules that we have to adhere to," hesaid. "When the timer went off, she was told her time was up. I warned her several times. But she just kept talking over everybody."

Councilman Cody Wheeler reported seeing the mayor with what looked like a handgun at a March meeting.

"We were talking to citizens at the end of the meeting and the mayor leaned over to pick up something. The gun fell out onto the floor in front of me and some other citizens," said Wheeler. "I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. The mayor just picked it up and put it away."

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Isbell said Wednesday that the weapon was an unloaded pellet gun delivered to him by a friend. He said