April 10, 1987		INDEX
Council leader fends off hate mail NOW IT TURNS NASTY
COUNCIL leader Neil Gerrard has been receiving vicious hate mail and offensive phone calls after a mystery leaflet gave his personal telephone number and address to irate ratepayers of Waltham Forest. Angry ratepayers have been leaving nasty messages on the Labour leader's answerphone in protest over the 62 per cent increase. The circular headed "Rates: Don't just grumble, confront Neil Gerrard" was produced by an unknown group calling itself the Friends of Waltham Forest. It urges residents angry with the increase to turn up for the demonstration outside Waltham Forest Town Hall due last night (Thursday) to register their feelings and phone or write to Mr Gerrard. Mr Gerrard admitted that he had received several offensive calls and hate mail in the last week. He said: "Obviously someone is just trying to stir things up. But I don't understand why it seems to be personalising the attacks. "I am not trying to disclaim any responsibility for the rate increase but it was not the decision of one individual." And he went on: "Although these attacks are personal the group has not identified itself and said who they are. That is very interesting." Yet despite the mail and calls, Mr Gerrard said that the Labour council was sticking resolutely to its original plans and was not about to do a U-turn. He believes that the local ' community has been grossly misinformed about the reason for the rate increase and the council was intending to put out another circular of its own, showing in greater detail just how the money is being spent. ' - He repeated the council's election pledge to improve council services and upgrade housing, schools and social services. Mr Gerrard added that all inoffensive letters would get a reply. ** A business protest meeting is planned for Tuesday, April 14 at Unit 25, Billet Road, Walthamstow, at 6pm.

Waltham Forest Guardian April 10, 1987.