FIRST the friendly visit. Then the scolding letter.

Melville mayor Russell Aubrey didn’t take kindly to the public complaint from Attadale pensioner Dawn Davies (right) about the 30 per cent kick in her council rates (“Seniors fume over rates hike,” Melville City Herald, August 2, 2014).

Mr Aubrey wrote to Ms Davies to express his disappointment in the criticisms she’d reported to Herald readers.

Delivered by hand, the letter asks Ms Davies to retract her comments and correct “the public record” by stating in writing that her rates had dropped.

Ms Davies, who used to own the iconic Oyster Beds restaurant, says the mayor can write his own letter rather than waste time questioning her integrity.

In his letter, Cr Aubrey agreed her general rates charge had increased by $699.10, but says the Herald fails to mention, “the decreases that are also reflected on your rate notice”.

His calculations include the removal of the rubbish collection charge, “a saving of $403.50” and an increase in the general rates rebate, “a saving of $349.55”.

“In total, your account shows a total decrease of $42.25,” he concludes.

“I’m sure as an honest resident you would wish to correct the public record by writing a letter to the press, reflecting the reduction in rates and convivially open and friendly discussions we had.”

Rubbish, Ms Davies says, pointing out the increases on her rates statements for 2013 and 2014.

“The waste collection charge hasn’t been removed, it’s still in my rates. The rebate for general rates has nothing to do with what the rates are.”

Mr Aubrey told Ms Davies “in the interest of honesty and integrity” she should correct the record, and he even did a bit of spruiking for our Rupert Murdoch-owned rival paper.

“It would be appropriate to put it into both local papers so the city does not have to suffer criticism in a year in which we have worked hard to reduce your rate burden,” he said.

by CARMELO AMALFI