Thanks David. Some of the folk at the meeting last night voiced a determination to secure the additional votes.
Politicians....(aaaaaarrgghhhhhh) are becoming a worldwide scourge. _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of David Raphael Sent: 14 April 2009 07:44 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [obsnw] Left in the Lurch The situation as regards the Obs Improvement District is uncertain and depends on the outcome of 2 Council meetings in the next few weeks. The ID appear to have suddenly changed their view and oppose our situation. I feel that the state of affairs should be made public. I therefore, in my personal capacity, wrote the following letter as published in the Cape Times. Left in the Lurch "ID's 12-Point plan to tackle crime gets to the root of the problem" (Cape Times April 9) sounds like the same electioneering we are hearing from the DA. I question what solid action the ID can and will take against crime. In Observatory crime has been tackled by involving the community and starting an active neighbourhood watch which patrols 24/7 in close co-operation with SAPS. There are even "guerrilla gardeners" who clean up, plant and tend Council areas. However the big hope has been to start an Improvement District and thus make the funds available to fight crime and clean up the district properly. For 15 months volunteers have been slogging away at signing up residents and businesses and have obtained the over 50% resident and business agreement that Simon Grindrod, representing the Council and ID, said was necessary. This process has suddenly been thrown into doubt by the ID. They now appear to be opposing approval all Improvement Districts where the full 75% agreement is not obtained. For Observatory to do this would take a few more months and would mean that a complete year would be lost with commencement only on 1st July 2010. The ID media representative stated that the basis for their opposition is that, as a pro-poor party, they would not support any matter that could possibly perpetuate the imbalances of the past. I find this political action difficult to understand: * It is the less well heeled who are particularly vulnerable to crime. Observatory is a mixed but cohesive suburb whose only additional way to fight crime and grime is a levy to pay for increased security and cleaning. * Part of the Improvement District budget will go to alleviating social problems and providing a 'level 1' shelter to homeless people. Observatory works closely with Loaves and Fishes in feeding the homeless. Observatory concern for the poor and the marginalised was reflected in the support given to refugees of xenophobic violence last year. (Observatory provided a level of support that according to SHADE was 'unique' in Cape Town.) * The increasing number of exploitative landlords charge maximum rentals regardless. The effect of not having a surcharge on rates is thus likely to benefit the landlords rather than the tenants. * It seems strange for political parties, who are voted in on a simple majority, to act against the expressed wishes of a community as demonstrated by a simple majority in a democratic signing process. Great to plan for long term action to tackle the underlying causes of crime! However I feel immediate action is needed. Grindrod, now with COPE, says that COPE will support Observatory with 6 councillors. It would be wonderful if all the politicians in the City would work together with constructive actions to fight crime. David Raphael David Raphael (0)21 447 2486 or (0)72 065 7223 14 Lytton Street, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa __________ NOD32 2960 (20080319) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.48/2048 - Release Date: 04/09/09 19:01:00 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
