WESTERN Bulldogs president David Smorgon has called on councillor John Cumming to apologise for an email that insults welfare agencies and public housing tenants.

Mr Smorgon has accused the Labor councillor of mouthing off about a Bulldogs and HomeGround plan to introduce an affordable housing development at Whitten Oval without knowing all the facts.

Cr Cumming called public housing tenants socially dysfunctional people “with drug addictions and criminal records”, an exclusive Star report revealed last week.

“Next time you come to Footscray, I could introduce you to some of the hapless recipients of our government (sic) ill placed generosity,” Cr Cumming wrote.

“Then a tour of the welfare agencies who benefit from the misery they contribute too (sic), and are over funded to manage … After all they are paid to care!”

The email was in response to a resident’s message of support for the Whitten Oval development.

Mr Smorgon said Cr Cumming owed Footscray and welfare organiations an apology.

“They are inappropriate, irresponsible comments for a councillor that should be setting a standard in the community,” he said.

“John should get off his backside and talk to the welfare agencies because he wouldn’t be making those comments otherwise.”

The email has also attracted the ire of Yarraville resident Janet Greenwood, who was shocked that Cr Cumming used his council email address to send the email.

“The councillor is using his position and ratepayers’ money to talk down his own community, express his personal opinions and abuse a member of the public for having a different point of view.

“This sort of behaviour brings the council into disrepute and reflects badly on local government’s claim to be representative of its constituents.”

Greens MLC Colleen Hartland called the email “insulting, inaccurate and patronising”.

“It is an indication that he is not suitable to be a councillor in the City of Maribyrnong,” Ms Hartland wrote in a letter to the editor.

Prominent youth worker Les Twentyman accused Cr Cumming of “shooting the victim” earlier this month.

Cr Cumming did not return Star’s calls last week.