Sarnia City/County Councillor Bill Dennis has apologized for his outburst during council's meeting on October 16.
City council met in special session Friday morning to finish up the agenda from the previous meeting that was brought to an abrupt end.
The incident followed a presentation by Sarnia Environmental Advisory Committee member Greg McConkey, where an overview on findings contained in the group's report on carbon pricing was shared.
Dennis addressed council before regular business got underway Friday morning.
"Citizens of Sarnia deserve better than what I gave them during the last public meeting," said Dennis. "I'm better than that, but they are much better than that and I failed them. I want to apologize to my colleagues, the staff, and Mayor Bradley. My behaviour was unprofessional to say the least."
He said he embarrassed himself, council and the city.
"For that, I am truly, truly regretful," said Dennis. "I just want to say I'm sorry."
Later on in the meeting, Sarnia City/County Councillor Brian White brought forward a motion to have staff report back, in consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee on their experience from October 16, any concerns they have in regards to safety and potential security measures that could be implemented.
"Respectfully Councillor Dennis I appreciate your words at the start of this meeting, but given the events of October 16 what it did was highlight potentially a bigger issue," said White. "Those folks who have reached out to me have made it very clear that events like that really highlight a gap I think that we have here in the chamber, and that is a lack of security."
He said thankfully the incident in question wasn't a physical confrontation.
"But, it does raise the question as to if and when something does inflame to the point of a physical altercation, as if emotional and psychological confrontations aren't difficult enough for residents and staff and members of council to experience, that there are potential safety concerns."
Councillors Terry Burrell, Bill Dennis, Dave Boushy and George Vandenberg voted against the motion. It passed with a tie-breaking vote by Mayor Mike Bradley.
