Year-end messages

ROLEPLAYERS in the community are wishing residents a safe and happy festive season and look forward to a good new year.

Ward councillor, Martin Meyer:

We come to the end of the year which had many ups and downs. From rezoning fights, to increased community involvement, we have seen changes positive and negative to our ward. And now it is the time for us to come together with our families, to celebrate all that is good, and to reflect on a year gone past.

Our ward also plays host to thousands of visitors who will make use of the many world class facilities we have to offer, from the beach to Moses Mabhida and of course Florida Road. I want to urge all residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly, make use of our many meter taxi companies and to not drink and drive. Let us aim for an accident free holiday period.

Lastly, I want to thank the residents of Ward 27 for their ongoing support. All the calls, the e-mails and the taps on the shoulder while I am out and about is why I do this. Your criticisms, positive and negative, is also appreciated as this helps me to grow, not only as a councillor but also as a person. It remains a huge honour for me to serve the people of this community, and I look forward to another exciting year in ward 27.

Ward councillor, Jethro Lefevre:

I wish everyone in Ward 31 a merry Christmas and festive new year. All I ask is that they enjoy the merriment responsibly and take care on the roads, be patient with the visitors because they’re good for our economy and enjoy the break after a long, hard 2014.

Ward councillor, Nicole Graham:

I would like to wish the residents of Glenwood and Umbilo a very happy festive season, and a blessed Christmas to those who celebrate. This has been a long year for many and hopefully this period will provide us all with time to relax and recharge our batteries.

Our community continues to face many challenges but retains a human and community spirit that makes it so special. It is an honour to be able to serve and represent ward 33, and I hope that my efforts have and will continue to improve this great place. Thank you to everyone who has supported and worked with me this year.

Cheryl Johnson from Save Our Berea:

The genesis of Save Our Berea began with our outrage at what we saw as the serial neglect of our Berea by city officials. We started a campaign, a movement to inspire social change through democratic means. We investigated and exposed unfair and suspect town planning issues. We identified and challenged illegal buildings and businesses operating illegally in residential areas. We supported residents when they called for officials to remove criminals and vagrants from their parks and streets. We praised City Hall when it got it right and criticized it when it got it wrong. We sent open letters to the mayor and the president of our country. We wrote letters to the newspapers. We wrote opinion pieces. The press listened to us. They published us and for this we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. Moreover we encouraged residents to stand up for their rights. Our call to action resonated with the values and aspirations of people everywhere, not only the Berea. As the year comes to a close, we hope we got it more or less right, we hope we encouraged residents to be more proactive, to look out for each other, to become activists, to speak out, to object to unfair town planning decisions that favor a few but impact negatively on our community. We have met the most amazing and inspiring people. We have learned so much from all of you and we have formed friendships with many of you. We may not yet have won the war, but we have won a few significant battles, and we would never have managed this without your words of encouragement and support. Save Our Berea would like to send a huge thank you to the Berea Mail for inspiring and supporting us and last but not least, we send thanks to all of you out there, our friends, colleagues and supporters, may you stay safe and find joy and peace during the holidays.

Heather Rorick, chairperson of the Bulwer Community Safety Forum:

I have watched many changes taking place during 2014, especially here in Glenwood, some good, some bad, but I am happy to say, a lot more positive things have happened around the community this past year. It is so good to see the community coming together, not only to keep their own neighbourhoods safer, but also the whole community. A lot has been done by residents in the community, to make the area more family orientated and friendly. It makes me so proud to be a part of this amazing community. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone reading this, a safe and merry Christmas and a happy crime free new year.

Guy Perrins, chairperson of the Glenwood Community Watch:

As chairman of the Glenwood Community Watch I would like to thank all the members of the patrols and committee for their continued and unselfish support over the past year. In reviewing the past year we had many challenges, but at the same time it can only be regarded as a success in terms of combating crime and making our neighbourhood one of the safest and greatest places to live. As the GCW, we would also like to say many thanks to the community, sponsors, Umbilo SAPS and Metro Police for their continued support and wish everybody and their families a safe, blessed and peaceful Christmas. Be vigilant and keep safe.