A shocking remark stunned members of the Clay County Commission as they listened to comments about the county government.

Durwood Smith, a well-known local activist, brought up the killing of 7-year-old Somer Thompson while complaining about county spending for trash collection.

Smith addressed the commission during their meeting Tuesday night. He touched on several topics and criticized the hauling of Clay County trash to Georgia.

"When they could more cheaply dump it in Clay County where it ought to be, and they wouldn't be dumping little kids up there either," Smith told the commission. "Let them dump it in Clay County where they belong if they're going to dump them."

Two commission members said it was neither the time nor the place to bring up the horrible crime.

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Though Smith didn't mention Somer by name, it was clear he was referring to the girl who was kidnapped and killed last month. Her body was found a few days later in a landfill near Folkston, Ga.

The comments drew an immediate rebuke from several commissioners.

"My guess is the mother Diena Thompson would appreciate us not discussing that anymore on public record," Clay County Commissioner Travis Cummings said.

"You do a great disservice to the Thompson family," Doug Conkey said. "That's twice you've said it here, and I don't appreciate it."

Smith told Channel 4's Dan Leveton on Wednesday that in no way did he mean to offend anyone. He said he thinks the contract to haul garbage actually hurt the police investigation in the Somer Thompson case.

"I don't mean anything derogatory to that family," Smith said. "My heart goes out for them. ... I was trying to make the point that they made it possible for them to get it up there, and whoever did that thought that they had a foolproof system whereby they'd never be found out, and if they hadn't been real fast on it, they wouldn't have."

Commissioner Ronnie Robinson, who's known Smith for years, said what was said was undoubtedly over the top.

But he added, "I don't think he intentionally did anything to hurt anybody. I don't think there's any way in the world I don't think Durwood Smith would have said anything to hurt this girl's family."

Smith added: "I pray that they will find the moron that did that and bring him to justice. I'll be glad if they'll take him down to town square and hang him. I'll be glad to throw the trillit."