He demanded an apology but over six months he’s the one saying sorry.
Former Bega Valley Deputy Mayor Mitchell Naden has conceded he was wrong to use his council email account to send an insulting email.
Councillor Naden was angered by a social media post from local state MP Michael Holland critical about the lack of progress on the Cuttagee Bridge Project.
He emailed Dr Holland asking him if he was high on self-prescribed drugs and called him “a complete moron.”
“Councillors I rise to apologise for an email sent from my council email address earlier this year concerning the Member for Bega,” he told the chamber.
“The email was written in response to public comments he made about the work of council staff on the Cuttagee Bridge project, comments I considered inaccurate and unfair to our staff.
“My concern for the staff was genuine, the way it was expressed was not. The wording of the email fell short of the standard expected of a counsellor and of the courtesy owed to another elected representative whatever our disagreements.
“I apologise to the Member for Bega for the tone and language of that email and to this council.
“I will continue to stand up for council staff when I believe they have been treated unfairly but I will do so through proper channels and in proper terms thank you Mr Mayor.”
