The Butler County commissioners still are unsure what they should allow people to say during the public comment portion of their meetings.

The discussion of what comments should be permitted arose again Wednesday after Commissioner Jim Eckstein complained about an internal e-mail Sheriff Mike Slupe sent June 27.

In the e-mail, Slupe questioned why public service messages are being given during public comment.

“I was deeply saddened by reading this rhetoric,” Eckstein said.

Slupe declined to respond during the meeting. But he said in an interview that his goal was simply inquiring what is allowed to be said at a meeting.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, conceded the policy, which states any comments must be regarding issues that may come before the board, is not rigidly enforced.

“We’ve been very liberal with our policy,” McCarrier said.

He recalled public comment topics in the past straying as far as butterflies.

Eckstein, whose administrative assistant Margaret Abersold gives public service announcements at each meeting, said he took offense at the e-mail, terming it a restriction on free speech.

Since the individual commissioner report period was eliminated earlier this year, Eckstein has been speaking during every public comment session.

Slupe’s e-mail mentioned public service messages, including one about donating to a family in need.

According to his e-mail, “My question is, are these announcements covered within the public comment policy of the board or not. If they are, then I believe that every single person or nonprofit entity should be able to make their pitch at the commissioners’ meetings.”

Eckstein chided Slupe for his view considering the sheriff was restricted last year from giving updates on the number of warrants being served.

Slupe said in the interview that he was asked by McCarrier to stop giving the served warrants updates.

The sheriff said his e-mail was not an example of sour grapes.

“It’s not. If I can’t do it, they can’t do it,” Slupe said.

The sheriff said he was seeking clarification. He said there are other ways to present information from his office.

“We just have to find other avenues,” Slupe said.

During the meeting, Eckstein described the e-mail as a “tirade.”

Slupe disagreed.

“The commissioner is entitled to his opinion,” he said.