A Sarnia city councillor has issued a formal apology for derogatory comments captured on videotape at the close of council's November 14 meeting.
Bev MacDougall's remarks were directed at Margaret Bird, a ratepayer who had spoken to council as part of a public input session on the 2017 draft budget.
After the speaker addressed the city hall workplace harassment issue, MacDougall said, in part, "Who the hell does she think she is? I think I'm going home for a drink after that, Christ Almighty."
In an email to the people of Sarnia Tuesday, MacDougall apologizes saying "harsh words fell out of my mouth out of frustration and I have to own them. I screwed up and I'm here in a very public and personal way to say I'm sorry."
Bird also complained about the conduct of councillors' Cindy Scholten and Andy Bruziewicz during her presentation and filed a notarized complaint to be considered by the city's integrity commissioner.
She says the apology doesn't change anything.
"Because they're just looking for an excuse, an easy way out, they were caught with their pants down, so to speak, and they're just looking for a quick way out," says Bird.
Bird says her complaint, since it's notarized, stays on record.
The integrity commissioner can either launch a formal investigation or dismiss the complaint outright if he determines it’s frivolous.
Sarnia City Councillor Bev MacDougall's formal apology with respect to events November 14. #SLont pic.twitter.com/8PH1eFTKVt
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) November 22, 2016
