Outburst was unnecessary

I feel it would be unjust not to respond to some of the comments made by Tina Cook in her letter “Sorry to burst your bubble . . .” (Courier, May 6).
Firstly, I would like to question why she says she had no choice but to behave the way she did, ordering Docrra members to leave the meeting. She did have choices, and the choices she had were: a) to behave in a mature manner by approaching the chairman timeously before the meeting and discussing the legalities, or b) to deliver her comments dramatically when the meeting was due to start. She chose the latter. For this reason, an obvious determination to cancel the meeting, she is the one who owes an apology.
Secondly, had she read the audited financial report, which was available for all to see, she would have noted that R47,222.00 of the amount paid for advertising is listed as an intangible asset, after a 10% annual depreciation had been deducted from the original cost.
Thirdly, Ballito Estates had been carrying over as bad debt, as an asset, an amount of R25 335,00, which was actually invoices sent out annually to people who probably, like me, had decided years ago not to remain a member because of lack of communication and action, and had requested no more invoices be sent. Therefore, the tally of members included many who had opted out.
Tina was co-opted onto the committee after the decision had been made to appoint Cutting Edge to design and develop our new website, and was advised accordingly. Obviously she is unaware that I requested a quote from another local company but they were unable to provide part of the programme we requested, as was Tina. Cutting Edge administers our website free of charge.
No-one on the present Docrra committee is paid for their work, or given a petrol allowance or any other costs. It would seem Tina is suggesting otherwise. People who work voluntarily for an organisation are doing it from the goodness of their hearts, and do their best against such negativity as we have seen here. The existing committee took over a dying association and are doing their best to revive it and bring it into the 21st century.
Members at the AGM decided to ignore Tina’s outburst and voiced their desire to continue the meeting. To make a point, no less than six people agreed to serve on the committee.
It is untrue that the current committee decided to write off all the complexes and estates who were members at the time of the take-over. It was felt that it was important to reach each individual member and such a list was unavailable from Ballito Estates. We still do not understand why.
As a footnote, we do object to being referred to in the Courier as an unruly bunch or even worse, a mob. We are doing our best with little support as well as the unwarranted and aggressive criticism we have received.
We are just Ballito residents who are voluntarily trying their best to improve our beautiful town and environment by working with other local organisations as well as our municipality, contrary to the unnecessary and derogatory comments made in the Editor’s biased column, which have probably been instrumental in dividing our community.
Many thanks for the opportunity to present the other side of the matter.

PAM MILLS (Docrra treasurer)
Ballito