{"id":18658,"date":"2013-03-10T08:46:30","date_gmt":"2013-03-10T06:46:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/ward-1-report-to-the-summerstrand-residents-association\/"},"modified":"2013-03-10T08:46:30","modified_gmt":"2013-03-10T06:46:30","slug":"ward-1-report-to-the-summerstrand-residents-association","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/ward-1-report-to-the-summerstrand-residents-association\/","title":{"rendered":"Ward 1 Report to the Summerstrand Residents Association"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 1<\/a> councillor, Stanford Slabbert\u2019s newsletter below.<\/p>\n

You may contact Ward 9 using the contact form at the bottom of this report.<\/p>\n

Many thanks to the wonderful Atlas Security team who sponsored the flyers that were distributed over the past weekend. If you did not receive a flyer in your post box, please let us know.<\/p>\n

Yolande Gerard has resigned as Ward 1 secretary and she leaves the Ward office on 28th March after three years of exemplary service to both the residents of Ward 1 and the Metro. We wish her well in her future endeavours.<\/p>\n

We now need to find someone to fill this position, and that of office assistant. Please spread the word that CV\u2019s must be submitted to the Ward 1 office by latest noon on Monday, 11th March. The Secretary must have their own transport and be able to run a busy office and work extended hours. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed soonest, as we hope to appoint people before 15th March.
\nIf keen, please call Yolande on 041 \u2013 583 1732 and she will send you the details.<\/p>\n

At last Thursday\u2019s Council meeting, DA Spokesman for Budget Treasury, Cllr Angelo Dashwood, made the following plea during discussion on the adjustments budget.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all aware that the budget this year was cut to the bone and then again cut to accommodate the unbudgeted item, AFCON, leaving us with insufficient budget for essential services:<\/p>\n

Safety and Security: Disaster relief \u2013 R800 000 is needed.\u00a0 There is no budget to cover disaster relief.\u00a0 We are forced to ensure that money is found for the period 01.3.2013 to 30.06.2013.
\nThe fire department budget runs out end of March at best.\u00a0 Beginning April to end June we have no budget, what is the plan?\u00a0 We will be forced to close some fire stations if budget is not found.<\/p>\n

Health: On the bucket eradication programme, page 54 of the adjustments budget, R500 000 was allocated in the budget.\u00a0No extra funding has been found for this critical item in the adjustments budget.\u00a0 We already have a massive backlog. We urgently need to find funds for this critical item.<\/p>\n

Electricity and Energy: Lighting along the N2, we need approximately R2m minimum to cover us until the end of June.\u00a0We cannot just ignore this issue, already this city has half of its lighting non-functional.\u00a0 By end of June, if we do not start work now, we will be \u201cin the dark\u201d or at best \u201cdimly lit\u201d.<\/p>\n

Infrastructure and Engineering: Stormwater, minor flood control repairs and storm water canal cleaning.\u00a0 We have run out of budget, we need R1.5m to cover us this financial year \u2013 or else!<\/p>\n

Parks: Bush clearing, rough mowing and weed spraying.\u00a0 R700 000 is needed, our budget is now on the verge of being depleted.\u00a0Already our city is in a disgraceful state, we cannot allow the city to deteriorate any further.\u00a0This amount must be found.<\/p>\n

The DA must register\u00a0our grave concern, how can we tell the public \u2013 sorry, but you will have to wait until July for service delivery.\u00a0I plead with our Chief Financial Officer and Municipal Manager to ensure that we address the lack of budget in the areas we have mentioned.\u00a0I would also ask that we check all directorates and ensure that all essential services are covered\u201d.<\/p>\n

We all must get involved and voice our concerns\u2026..we cannot allow our once proud Metro to deteriorate any further. Make some noise \u2026 write letters \u2026 attend meetings \u2026 do something!!<\/p>\n

Here is your chance\u2026.The Metro is to host a series of public participation meetings focussing on the IDP \/ Budget \/ 2012 annual report \/ by-laws, and we need your support and participation at our designated meeting for Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.<\/p>\n

Wednesday, 13th March, 17h00 to 20h00 at the Walmer Town Hall, Main Road, Walmer. Please try and attend and raise concerns. Click here to see the latest Ward 1 IDP plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. NMB Service Delivery \u201cWar Room\u201d:<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Best and his team continue to do a superb job and they are having a massive impact on service delivery. The JOC call centre, also known as the Service Delivery War Room, is efficient and friendly operators issue a reference number for each complaint, and feedback is provided.<\/p>\n

Water leaks, pot-holes, broken street lights, electricity problems and blocked sewers are just some of the everyday problems that can be reported, 24\/7.<\/p>\n

Please report any service delivery problems to 0800 20 50 50.<\/p>\n

2. Crime in the area: All incidents of Crime must please be reported to 10111.<\/strong><\/p>\n

House burglaries: Summerstrand continues to be targeted by gangs and there have been many incidents of house burglaries and theft out of motor vehicles. Ensure that your house alarm is always switched on at night and whenever you leave the property. Always exercise caution. Be aware of your surroundings. Always park your vehicle inside your property and do not leave anything visible inside it. Be proactive and work together with your NHW team.<\/p>\n

NHW patrols: Patrollers are working closely with SAPS and Security Companies but we do need more \u201ceyes and ears\u201d to help extend these patrols.\u00a0More volunteers are needed!! Refer to the annexures and get involved. Join the NHW and take control of your suburb!!<\/p>\n

Gangs are still targeting shopping centre car-parks, using remote devices to block the remote locking of your vehicle. Please ensure that your vehicle is locked before walking away from it. Remember that insurance does not pay out if there is no forced entry to your vehicle!<\/p>\n

Illegal car guards and vagrants look for opportunities: When at the beach, please do not leave your belongings unattended when you go for a swim. Do not leave items visible in your car. Lock them in the boot. Illegal car-guards and vagrants are responsible for most incidents!! Please be careful!!<\/p>\n

Beachfront Safety Sector Forum \u2013 BSSF: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month, at 12noon, and the next meeting is on Tuesday, 12th March, 2012, at Pine Lodge, Cape Recife.<\/p>\n

Report of stoning incident \u2013 Humewood Train Bridge \u2013 Tuesday, 26th February, 8.45am: \u201cMy wife was driving to work this morning at about 8.45 when she saw an object (looked like a brick) falling from the Humewood \u00a0train bridge\u00a0 \u2013 as she was coming out from under it . It just clipped the body work next to the left wheel. She immediately went to the Humewood SAPS to report the incident\u201d\u2026\u2026. Please be alert and report any suspicious activity in this area.<\/p>\n

3. Problems in the area:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Household garbage being placed on roadside too early: Please note that it is an offense to place your garbage bags on the verge too early, ie. the day before collection. There is a Municipal by-law that will be enforced, see annexures, and your help will be appreciated. Let\u2019s keep our suburb neat and tidy, and only place the bags on the verge on the scheduled morning of collection. Please report offenders to the Ward office, or JOC.<\/p>\n

Sewerage system blockages cause for major concern: Efforts will continue to get senior officials to act and implement projects to resolve this issue. Have you had regular blocked sewers? Please email me with the details, so that all the problem areas can be monitored and included in our efforts.<\/p>\n

Storm-water remains a major concern: Continued delays in implementing the planned upgrade of the Summerstrand storm-water system are cause for major concern. This project might only happen in three years time. More and more effluent is finding its way into the system and this ends up on our beaches.<\/p>\n

Vagrants and street children: Large gatherings of vagrants continue to be reported near the Admiralty Beacon. The BSSF continues to work with all role-players in looking at the many complex issues involved. Please do not give money or food to these people, as it encourages them to stay in the area. If you really want to assist, please send any donations to Maranatha, in Southdene, behind the airport. Then you will be making a real difference!!<\/p>\n

Mercado Centre: Efforts will continue to have pedestrian crossings installed across both Admiralty Way and Strandfontein Road. Complaints re noise, littering and drinking in the car-park continue.<\/p>\n

Illegal dumping continues: Do your gardeners dispose of any garden waste properly, or do they take it down the road? To where? Please check on them, and do the right thing. Please report any offenders to the JOC or the Ward office. Fines of up to R2000 can be imposed!!<\/p>\n

4. Student Accommodation<\/a> \/ Digs and Noise issues:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember that for any noise issue, at any time of the day or night, please call 10111 and lodge a complaint. The SAPS must visit and warn the culprits. If the problem continues, they will return and issue a written warning. If a third visit is required, they must confiscate the sound equipment. Keep me advised, via email, and we will add the property to our investigations.<\/p>\n

The following is our latest list of alleged problem properties relating to student noise, and the owners contact details are included, so that you can make direct contact with them:<\/span><\/p>\n