Dungog Mayor Harold Johnston has stood by his remarks that Maitland councillors are cowards who have bent to the will of the state government, which has called for Maitland City and Dungog Shire to merge.
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The Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, refused to hit back at Cr Johnston's comments this week but said the issue of mergers was highly emotional.
While Cr Johnston agreed that his response had been emotional, he said he stood by his comments.
"It is emotional but what we're talking about is our future," he said.
"Why wouldn't someone get emotional about an uncertain future?"
Despite his comments, Cr Johnston said he believed rational discussions would still be possible.
"It's purely a matter of politics now," he said.
