It is with great concern and absolute horror that I read the article regarding Alan Mounter in this morning’s Herald (7 June 2012). The first thought that came to mind was “how dare they”, how dare they dig up old trash in order to further the sales of their newspaper or taking up the crusade of one individual, without taking into consideration the opinion of the rest of Richmond Hill residents.
To set the record straight, Alan Mounter is not employed by the residents as a security guard nor do we expect him to act as one. He has made himself available to all Richmond Hill residents for whatever purpose we need him, last year he delivered a baby and is not a registered doctor and was considered a hero. The statement “If you do not pay, you do not get help” is utter rubbish. The article makes out as if all Alan does is wait by the phone and react to emergencies when in fact he does way more than react to phone calls. The fruits of his hard labour are reaped by one and all regardless of donations or not. How do you think Richmond Hill has become one of the safest and most sought after areas in Port Elizabeth? How is it that we can a have a safe and vibrant Stanley Street? Why did the drug dealing and prostitution move out of the area? Magic? SAP? 10111? John Preller? Jeremy Davis? ….. nope!
The so called ‘concerned’ resident of Richmond Hill who prefers to stay anonymous is nothing other than a coward and malicious person and my advice to you sir/madam is MOVE ! Pack your bags and leave, we don’t want nor need you in our area, you are not welcome! GO!
Alan Mounter is a kind, generous and selfless human being, a person whom gives his time to keep us safe, keep our streets clean and always ready to lend a helping hand even to those that do not or cannot contribute financially. Yes, we the residents donate money and we voted that Alan may draw from this, it is our money and surely we can do with this as we please? Are you telling me that should I donate a bag of groceries to a neighbour in need I have to be a licenced Supermarket? Also the amounts you suggest Alan withdrew is not much taking living expenses into consideration, I wonder how he does it?
The saddest of the entire article is that one person whom chose to change his life a long time ago and is no longer a ‘bad boy’ will be crucified publically by one single person for whatever vendetta, hidden agenda or is it that just maybe see him/herself as the proverbial Pontius Pilatus and he wasn’t a very nice character either.
Those residents that voted him in and made the effort to get to know Alan, would know that he was a bit of a ‘wild child’ in his day. Perhaps it is these experiences that make him so good at what he does, and perhaps the negative exposure in The Herald was totally unnecessary. Remember our greatest President spent 27 years in jail and he is still a hero!
Alan you have our full support and appreciation, I am sure I am speaking on behalf of the majority of the residents if not all of the residents of Richmond Hill but for the one personal crusader or one dead fish in our little pond called Richmond Hill.
Regards
Amanda Wellmann
