Asecond invitation to visit Millicent has been extended by Wattle Range Council to Bedford chief executive Myron Mann.

His company announced last month that it would be closing its commercial laundry and garden maintenance service in Millicent leading to the loss of employment for 17 local people with disabilities.

Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll immediately wrote to Mr Mann to express his disappointment and invite him to Millicent.

Mr Mann responded to the mayoral letter and expressed his regret that Bedford had made the closure decisions after several years of consideration of alternatives.

However, there was no reference to the invitation from Mayor Noll.

Both letters were tabled at the December monthly council meeting in Millicent with councillors expressing their displeasure at the response.

Council decided that it would respectfully request the Mayor write back and insist the Bedford chief executive visit Millicent and attend a public meeting to address the families and clients affected by the closure decision.

The motion was moved by Councillor David Walshaw and seconded by Cr Deb Agnew.

Cr Walshaw said it was appropriate for Mr Mann to see the human face of the Millicent closure decision while Cr Agnew claimed it was “rude” that he did not respond to the mayoral invitation.

Bedford has been approached for comment.