Port Elizabeth: MyPE

www.MyPE.co.za: To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9's councillor, Heinrich Muller's newsletter below, and don't forget to see what Jeremy Davis has been up to in Ward 5, Andre Goosen in Ward 3, Retief Odendaal in Ward 6, Stanford Slabbert in Ward 1, Gustav Rautenbach in Ward 8, Chris Roberts' in Ward 7 and Dean Biddulph in Ward 2.

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From Councillor Heinrich Muller ...

WARD 9 NEWSFLASH - April and May 2010

1. FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL MEETING

Kindly take note that the Operating and Capital Budget (2010/2011) as well as the IDP of the Metro have been approved at the council meeting held 31 May 2010. The Democratic Alliance however strongly opposed and voted against the approval of the abovementioned as there are certain issues in the budget that will definitely have a negative impact on all residents of the Metro. (For example the increase in electricity of 22 % as the DA proposed an increase of 16 %.)

Some of the tariffs, approved by the ANC, to be increased as follows with effect from 1 July 2010 are:

Property rates - 11 %
Water - 12 %
Sanitation - 11 %
Electricity - 22 %
Refuse - 11 %

The DA opposed the 22 % increase in electricity as we felt that it was unnecessary as the overburdened ratepayers could ill afford such a huge increase. Especially since this can be overcome if the municipality can take responsibility and start by collecting the R105 million outstanding traffic fines.

2. FERNGLEN/SUNRIDGE PARK SECTOR CRIME FORUM COMMUNITY DAY

A community day was arranged by the Fernglen & Sunridge Park Crime Forum on 1 May 2010 and I want to thank Steff Schenk for a well organized event. The DA Branch of Ward 9 also had a table and I would like to thank all DA members who renewed their membership as well as say welcome to a few new faces. Once again thank you to all who attended and participated at this wonderful community day.

3. STRICT NEW POLICY FOR DOG OWNERS TO ENSURE SAFER AND CLEANER BEACHES

I want to urge all residents to adhere to the strict new policy. Herewith some info received:

"Dog owners beware that a strict new Dog Control Policy, as approved by a full sitting of Council of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently, are currently in place to ensure that visitors and residents alike enjoy cleaner and safer beaches. The motivation for imposing the new regulations is that the relevant areas are set aside for human recreation, form part of a nature reserve or are the breeding places of the endangered oyster-catcher.

The municipality also received more complaints ranging from dog attacks on members of the public as well as staff, public health and dog faeces, the washing of dogs at these prime public amenities and soil contamination.

In areas where dogs are allowed, they must be on a leash and the owner must have the means to remove dog faeces.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is currently in the process of increasing the number of signage erected on our beaches to alert dog owners of the new regulations since enforcement will take place."

I will keep you up to date with any further developments.

4. VERKENNER LAERSKOOL – 50 JAAR FEESVIERINGE

Graag wens ek Mnr Oosthuizen, skoolhoof van Laerskool Verkenner, sy personeel, al hul leerlinge, oud-leerlinge en ouers geluk met die 50ste verjaarsdag vieringe van die skool. Hulle het 'n feesnaweek vanaf 7 – 9 Mei 2010 gehou en dit was 'n reuse sukses. Ons is regtig trots om 'n skool soos Verkenner in ons wyk te hê – hou so aan!

5. DILAPIDATED HOUSES IN WESTERING

I have received information that the matter of the dilapidated houses / erven in Cosmos Street, Westering is receiving the attention of Adv Puwe of the municipality. I have requested a report on the progress of this case as well as the one of the dilapidated house on the corner of Cape Road and Boshoff Street, Westering. You will be kept up to date as soon as I receive any feedback.

6. KRAGGA KAMMA TIP SITE

Due to complaints and the deterioration of the tip site, I have tabled a motion for debate at the Public Health Standing Committee Meeting on 26 February 2010. Herewith a section from the motion:

"The condition over the past couple of years at the Kragga Kamma transfer site in Kragga Kamma Road, Sunridge Park has shockingly deteriorated. It has become a serious health and safety risk for all the residents of the Metro.

The DA requests that a full report be tabled for debate at the next Public Health meeting regarding the operation and progress the Metro intends taking to address the safety and health issues at said transfer site as this has a direct impact on ALL the residents of the Metro."

Due to the municipality cancelling and postponing meetings, the abovementioned motion could not yet be fully debated in council. I have however received a written response from Waste Management Department:

"Waste Management Sub-directorate will be advertising a tender in June 2010 to ensure the structural integrity of the raised ramp and to create an additional two "temporary" container bays. This will ensure the safety of the public whilst using the site and increase the site capacity. In addition the use of CCTV cameras is being investigated to assist in identifying those responsible for the illegal dumping that takes place outside the site after hours.

A request has been made to the Safety and Security Sub-directorate to assist in the control of the situation."

Please note that this motion still needs to be debated as urgent action is required to address our concerns at this tip site. I will however keep the residents up to date as soon as I receive any further feedback.

7. SIDEWALK: CANNA AVENUE, SUNRIDGE PARK

After receiving numerous queries with regards to this sidewalk, I sent the following e-mail to the contractors:

"....received a query regarding the pathway in front of the petrol station situated in Canna Avenue, Sunridge Park. This section of the sidewalk is cracked and not level at all. We have noted that the contractors currently busy on the site have skipped this section and we presume that they are not going to repair this section? I feel that this portion needs to be upgraded together with the rest of the sidewalk as the residents can not use it in the state it is in now."

I am pleased to report back that although this section was not included in the work, the contractors agreed to fix this section as well. I want to request all residents to be patient while construction is under way, but also urge you to report all irregularities and/or dangerous areas to my office immediately.

We have received complaints w.r.t. rubble not being removed on the verges and the contractors informed me that they will send out a team to clean up within the next couple of days.

8. DA LIDMAATSKAP HERNUWINGSVORMS

Graag wil ek almal bedank wat hul DA lidmaatskapvorms voltooi en die vorms tesame met die gelde na my kantoor of na die DA-kantoor te Clydestraat gestuur het. Ek doen egter 'n beroep op die wat nog nie hul vorms voltooi het nie, om dit asb. so gou moontlik te doen en my kantoor te skakel sodat ek kan reël om dit by u te kom optel.

9. SOCCER MATCH SCHEDULE

All soccer fans in Ward 9, kindly take note of the following matches to be played in our world class stadium:

Saturday, 12 June 2010 - Korea Republic vs Greece - 16:00
Tuesday, 15 June 2010 - Ivory Coast vs Portugal - 16:00
Friday, 18 June 2010 - Germany vs Serbia - 13.30
Monday, 21 June 2010 - Chile vs Switzerland - 16.00
Wednesday, 23 June 2010 - England vs Slovenia - 16.00

Hope you have bought your tickets already!!!

10. MOEDERSDAG

Graag wil ek aan al die moeders van Wyk 9 'n geseënde Moedersdag toewens. Hoop julle het jul Moedersdag op Sondag, 9 Mei 2010 geniet.

How can I be of assistance? Please feel free to contact me.

Best Regards

Councillor Heinrich Muller (Democratic Alliance)
Ward 9: Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
78 Kragga Kamma Road, Sunridge Park, 6045
Phone: 041 3600447 / 083 648 1916
Fax: 086 504 6380
E-Mail: ward9[at]mandelametro.gov.za

"Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand." (Chinese proverb)

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From Councillor Heinrich Muller ...

WARD 9 NEWS - April 2010

1. LINTON GRANGE KLINIEK

Graag wil ek Sr Ruppersburg, wat vanaf Februarie 2010 aangestel is om Linton Grange kliniek tot op standard te bring, sterkte toewens vir die groot taak wat voorlê. Ek het reeds met haar vergader en sal inwoners op hoogte hou van alle verwikkelinge wat daar aangaan.

Please take note of the pending Polio & Measles Campaign 2010 – the first round will take place from
12 – 23 April 2010. During this first round all children 9 months to less than 15 years will receive one dose of Measles Vaccine and children under 5 years (0 – 59 months) will receive 2 doses of polio 4 weeks apart (during the 1st and 2nd round of the campaign). The doses are given regardless of immunization status of a child. It will not be necessary to produce the Road to Health Card during the campaign. All children outside the target age groups must attend the clinic on routine dates.

Sr Ruppersburg vra egter dat die publiek asb. geduldig wees tydens die veldtog aangesien die kliniek se eie personeel gebruik gaan word tydens hierdie periode en die wagtyd sal dalk ‘n bietjie langer wees as gevolg daarvan.

2. EXTRACTION OF WATER FROM BAAKENS RIVER VALLEY

After numerous enquires from our office, I have received the following feedback from the Metro:

"The incidence of "illegal" water abstraction from water bodies within Nelson Mandela Bay is on the increase. Actions of this nature have wide ranging repercussions on the environment in times of drought as we are now experiencing.
Municipal officials are advised that in order to abstract water from natural bodies (Baakens river for example), a necessary permit must be obtained from the Department of Water Affairs. Failure to have such permission could result in prosecution in terms of the National Water Act 36 of 1998."

Should you witness any such incidents, please report it to my office immediately and I will forward it to the relevant department.

3. DA LIDMAATSKAP HERNUWINGSVORMS

Alle geregistreerde lede op ons lys, sou gedurende die maand DA lidmaatskap hernuwingsvorms ontvang het. Voltooi dit asb. so gou moontlik en stuur dit terug na my kantoor of maak gebruik van die selfgeadresseerde, voorafbetaalde koevert VOOR 31 MEI 2010. Ek wil graag almal wat nog nie geregistreer is om te stem nie, aanmoedig om dit so gou moontlik te doen. Sou u belangstel om ‘n lid van die DA te word, kontak asb. my kantoor en die vorms sal aan u gepos word.

4. BLUEGUM TREES – BAAKENS VALLEY

Cllr Rautenbach (Ward 8) and myself were approached by Mr Shaun Devine (independent contractor) with regards to the cutting down of bluegum trees in the Baakens Valley – especially the area behind Flormay Road. Kindly take note that the meeting did take place on 18.03.10 and was attended by 40 directly affected community members. (Mr Devine did not attend said meeting.)

Take note further that the issue was discussed in depth and the community unanimously decided against the proposal of the removal of the bluegum trees. The reasons for this decision are that:

* As you are fully aware, this issue arose in 2004 and was discussed with the NMBM as to a plan of action was to be determined and tabled to rehabilitate the area (e.g. planting of trees, etc.) after removing the bluegum trees.
* After 6 years the NMBM has failed to produce such a plan of action and thus the community has no faith in the municipality regarding the project.
* A further concern of the residents is the direct impact on the wildlife in this affected area as it is common knowledge that the removal of the trees will have a negative impact and put further strain on the animals of this area.
* It must also be noted that one of the main reasons for the residents buying the properties adjacent to the Valley, was due to the natural beauty of said Valley - which surrounds them with peace and tranquility.
* The trees, although requiring lots of water, also play a vital role in respect of global warming. This is the main reason why we can not afford removing these trees without a rehabilitation plan in place.

Please be advised that myself and Cllr Rautenbach fully support and respect the decision of the community.

5. FIFA WEBTUISTE

Vir u inligting: besoek asseblief www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/fifaworldcup vir meer inligting aangaande die Fifa Wêreldbeker. Ek sal verdere inligting verskaf gedurende die volgende paar maande soos ek dit ontvang.

6. TRAFFIC REPORT

After numerous complaints received from dangerous driving conditions in Warbler Street, I have requested the traffic department to do speed checking. I have received the following feedback from Snr Superintendent, Gideon Botha:

"On 24 February 2010 from 13.00 to 20.00 the speed of 1501 vehicles were recorded, with only 14 prosecutions with the highest speed of 89. The offence rate for this survey was 0.93%.

During the second event on 8 March 2010 from 06.00 to 08.30 the speed of 1900 vehicles were recorded, with only 6 prosecutions with the highest speed of 88. The offence rate for this survey was 0.32%.

An offence rate between 3 and 5% is actually regarded as acceptable in terms of National Standards.

This Department does not regard Warbler Street as a speed problem and will only do speed enforcement occasionally.

In addition, joggers are able to select alternative routes, which are more safe, whilst pedestrians can safely walk on the wide verges. The amount of exhaust fumes in this street alone, can be more detrimental to the health of the joggers and they should consider an alternative route for that reason only, not forgetting the busy traffic volume.

7. STATE OF ROADS / GRASS CUTTING

Herewith an extract received from the NMBM w.r.t. grass cutting in our metro:

"Unfortunately we have been unable to cut the grass in this year due to contracts that expired in December and B&T was not ready with the new ones, but the process is now nearing an end. Our attempts to select overgrown areas temporarily by way of quotations, was also blocked as it is in contravention of the MFMA.

The grass mowing contract was at Adjudication Committee (final committee before MM's signature) on the 4th of March and a week later the minutes were sent to the Acting MM for his signature. Once that has been done Purchasing Division will issue letters of appointment and we can start issuing orders for cutting to resume."

I have noticed the mechanical sweeper in Sunridge Park / Fernglen on 23 March 2010 – hopefully it was not a once off!!! We trust and believe that clearing of the verges and grass cutting will take place during the month of April.

8. REZONING OF VARIOUS ERVEN 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 20, 2089 AND 2100 (WESTERING)

Please note that it was resolved at the Housing and Land Committee meeting of 9 March 2010, that consideration of the rezoning application for erven 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11 (Cape Road) and erven 2089 and 2100 (De La Rey Street ) and erf 20 (4 Boshoff Street ) be deferred pending the approval of the Local Spatial Development Framework.

9. PLOT CLEARING: MIRANDA STREET, WESTERING

After complaints received, I have reported the illegal dumping on this plot which is the property of Lafarge. I received feedback from Lafarge and would like to thank Lafarge, Jenny Clark and her team from Acres Wild Landscaping for clearing the plot.

Please remember to report any illegal dumping to my office or directly to 041 373-7641.

10. DOG TAX

Please note that although the NMBM Council moved that dog tax would not be enforced as from 1 January 2010, all outstanding dog tax for 2009 will still be recoverable.

"However the Dog Control Unit will enforce all by-laws and the Animal Protection Act, inclusive of:
a. The control of unsprayed bitches.
b. The amount of dogs kept per property.
c. The control of nuisance dogs.
d. The control of stray dogs.
e. The registrantion and monitering of dog breeders.
f. All aspects of cruelty cases and dog abandonment will be firmly dealt with."

"Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand." (Chinese proverb)