Michele Clarke not to blame for state of Bedfordview
Leaving politics aside, I would like to reassure the residents of Bedfordview that if our area of yesteryear is periodically looking sad and neglected, it is not for lack of trying on the part of Michele Clarke.
EDITOR – For the last five years I have attended most of the Bedfordview Ward 20 monthly meetings chaired by Councillor Michelle Clarke.
Leaving politics aside, I would like to reassure the residents of Bedfordview that if our area of yesteryear is periodically looking sad and neglected, it is not for lack of trying on the part of Michele Clarke.
I have also been with her on a few of her regular inspections of roads and problem areas within the ward. The fact that the managers of the relevant departments from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) made themselves available to accompany her on some of these inspections is evidence of her effectiveness in establishing good working relationships with the various Heads of Department, particularly those responsible for Community Safety, Parks, Roads and Waste Management.
Added to that is the fact that some of them regularly gave of their own time to personally attend monthly ward committee meetings to answer questions and address concerns raised by community members.
I have no doubt that she must be one of the most committed, hard-working councillors and not just before election time.
As she explained at some length in her comments, councillors operate within the constraints of the EMM’s policies, budget priorities and management effectiveness, which is under the control of the EMM and province respectively, however that is another debate.
MARIO COMPAGNONI
BEDFORDVIEW
r Letter received on Tuesday, April 22.
EDITOR’S COMMENT – The letter was sent to the acting spokesperson and media manager for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Ms Lebogang Ramashala, for comment by Friday, May 2, at 9am. Comment was not received at the time of going to print. @BedfordJourno
