CLINTON - The leader of a community-based watchdog group opposed to the permitting of chemical wastes at a landfill in Clinton is accusing a DeWitt County official of erasing an audiotape of a county board meeting.

Matt Varble, president of We're Against Toxic Chemicals (WATCH) Clinton Landfill, says he requested the tape of the Aug. 23, county board meeting from DeWitt County Clerk Jayne Usher on Oct. 5. After waiting in her office for 20 minutes, a DeWitt County deputy arrived in her office, and she informed Varble that the tape had been accidently taped over or erased and was not available.

Varble contacted Andrew Killian, DeWitt County assistant state's attorney, to lodge a formal complaint and inquire about a potential violation of the Open Meetings Act.

"Our office has received a complaint and it has been forwarded to the attorney general's office because of the conflict of interest," Killian said.

Because of the ongoing investigation, Usher said he could not discuss the case.

On Monday, Terry Mutchler a public access counselor from the attorney general's office, responded to the allegations in a letter to Varble, Killian and Usher.

"A local public body generally must wait 30 days after the date of the approval of the minutes to destroy such a recording as the one at issue," Mutchler stated. "Even then, a local records certificate of disposal must be filed and approved prior to its destruction."

Varble believes that the audio record of the meeting is significant because it was at that meeting where the amended Clinton Landfill hosting agreement was voted on and passed with respect to the proposed Chemical Waste Landfill in DeWitt County.

"This, again, unfortunately demonstrates the pattern of a lack of open government in DeWitt County and the need for reforms," Varble said.

Varble organized the WATCH group after the DeWitt County Board approved an amendment to the host agreement with the owners of the Clinton Landfill to apply for a chemical waste permit at the landfill. The permit must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The county board supported the amendment and the application but has no jurisdiction over the matter.

Kevin Barlow can be reached at kevin. barlow@yahoo.com.