Cr Sven Thelning said he would not give ‘‘abusive’’ comments ‘‘the time of day’’ and he would ‘‘leave it to the appropriate authorities to deal with’’.
The majority of correspondence he received was ‘‘genuine’’, he said in a statement.
Waitaki District councillors approved the 22% rise at a meeting last month.
Rates are due to be set on June 30 at an extraordinary general meeting when the annual plan is also adopted.
Facebook page Oamaru Today posted an apology yesterday after Cr Thelning was identified in a ‘‘name and shame’’ thread about a councillor and subsequently abused online.
In a statement, Cr Thelning said he accepted ‘‘the apology and want to emphasise that the majority of correspondence I have received is genuine’’.
‘‘I have huge respect for the people who are organising in a peaceful, respectful and admirable manner — including those who have consistently called for positive community action.
‘‘You are being heard and we have a big job ahead to balance all factors in our decision.
‘‘While people are entitled to be critical, I am not giving abusive comments the time of day and will leave it to the appropriate authorities to deal with.’’
Ahead of the June 30 meeting, protesters are circulating a petition calling for the 22% rates hike to be scrapped.
They plan to present the petition to the mayor and chief executive on the steps of the council building during a ‘‘peaceful’’ rally planned for Thursday, June 25.
The rally will start at Takaro Park in Severn St at 11.30am.
