Ratepayers 'threatened' with Stubbs Gazette

RATEPAYERS who owe Mayo County Council money have been 'threatened' with Stubbs Gazette.

Two business people who owe rates have contacted Councillor Ger Deere after they received letters from the council stating that if they didn't pay their outstanding rates they would be on the defaulters publication.

“That is heavy-handed,” Councillor Deere told a Castlebar Municipal District meeting this afternoon.

To most people the words Stubbs Gazette means default and your name being there would have serious implications for a business.

Councillor Deere asked that the council desist for using threatening language like that.

Councillor Blackie Gavin said he too knew of a case involving man who employed a number of people, never failed to pay his rates, and who got a threatening letter.

It was 'outrageous' and he asked whoever was responsible to stop.

Councillor Al McDonnell was disappointed to hear this and said it represented a change in the rates office. He had brought people in over the years and deals with struck.

He proposed someone from the rates office attend the next area meeting to indicate if there has been a change in policy.

Director of services John Condon said he couldn't comment on individual cases.

The reality was that the council needs the rates to fund services. Enforcement was only taken as a last resort, he said. If ratepayers had a difficulty he urged them not to ignore the matter but to come and talk to the council's finance department.