Question period is generally a quite time at Dufferin County council, but comments by the warden last month brought two members of the community out looking for clarification and an apology.

Warden Earl Lennox was not present Thursday night to face the questions from concerned citizens, and it was left to Mono Deputy Mayor David Baldwin, Chair of the General Government Services Committee, to deal with the issue.

The concern was over statements the warden made last month about scientist Peter Turrell of Orthogenics, a consortium interested in developing a gasification facility on the county's 200-acre proposed landfill site in East Luther.

"It was reported in the paper that someone here said they didn't want to do business with this man," Mr. Dillman said.

Chair Baldwin asked if Mr. Dillman had a question.

"Was it said?" he asked.

Chair Baldwin said he recalled that something like that was stated.

"I was at the meeting when this man made his presentation and everyone was falling all over him, now I read that he is being degraded by this council," Mr. Dillman said.

There was some discussion of whether the statement was documented or recorded and Dufferin CAO Linda Dean said the county does not keep a verbatim record of the meetings.

Orangeville Councillor Jim MacGregor said everyone knew who made the comments, and the person was not in attendance.

"Yes we do - we all know who said it," he said. "And I know the warden is the type of man who would stand behind what he says, so I have no problem telling you it was Warden Lennox who said it."

As reported here last month, Warden Lennox personally attacked the face of Orthogenics by calling his science inaccurate and then stating that he did not want to do business with him.

Mr. Dillman said he wouldn't have come if he knew the man who made the comments wouldn't be there and hoped that council would make him aware of the issue.

"We will raise your point with the warden," Deputy Mayor Baldwin said.

However, that was not the end of the issue. The next question was from a taxpayer in the warden's municipality, Juergen Garbe.

He asked councilors about their oath of office to be impartial.

"Where was the impartiality in that statement?" he asked.

Councillor Don MacIver said the question had already been asked and answered as the warden was not in attendance.

Mr. Garbe went on to say that the warden's behaviour was a breach of his office.

Chair Baldwin said the issue could be appealed to a higher level and Mr. Garbe agreed that the Ontario Municipal Board could be involved.

Amaranth Township's often-candid Mayor Bob Currie said he respected those who speak their mind regardless of what they are saying.

Again, Chair Baldwin assured the concerned resident that the issue would be raised with the warden.