Sir
For the past twenty years, Glencoe has been neglected. It is surprising now that Lloyd (Letter: Glencoe wants radical transformation” article dated May 19) has come out of his hibernation after the Democratic Alliance won the ward.
As a Ward Committee Member, it is good to note that the community of Ward 7 is not satisfied with the proposed budget. Yes, Ward 7 has been left out as if it does not belong to Endumeni and yet we are legitimate ratepayers.
It is a pleasure to work with Councillor Dr I Bedassi. He is very tough and as the young citizens of our ward, we need changes. The majority of us were born and brought up in Ward 7 and its only now that Ward 7 has some life. At least now Glencoe looks like a town -roads are clearly marked, potholes are being filled and grass is cut regularly. A lot has been achieved in eight months.
Mr Lloyd, who is affiliated with a particular party, has in his company friends that belong to that same party and he is being ill-advised. In the past when one Councillor met community members and was questioned about issues his reply was always, “my hands are tied”. The previous Councillors were not known to the community especially the last Councillor from Wasbank.
Community members know Councillor Bedassi as a man of principles. This goes back to his teaching days as the Principal of ML Sultan school. Record keeping and good governance are of utmost importance to him and this is what he preaches. So how is it a joke in Ward 7? He is praised because he does his job and, as mentioned above, many were born and brought up in Ward 7. We are now in 2017, when were the last houses built? Suddenly now that
Dr Bedassi is the Councillor, he must put his foot down to make sure that ratepayers get theirs monies worth and all poverty and unemployment is eradicated. Houses are provided for by the national government – yes we do need houses. During canvassing a particular party promised houses.
Dr Bedassi, even when he was not a Councillor of this ward, he attended to issues such as grass cutting, potholes etc.
Through his intervention, some tombstones on Burnside Road were repaired and the cemetery blocked. He is always persisting that old buildings be renovated in order to give our town a good image. Dr Bedassi ensured that laws are obeyed, for example, it is illegal to keep goats and cattle in residential areas. Letters are being sent to those residents to comply. If such animals are found on the streets or in one’s yard please contact the pound master on 073 879 1924.
One seems to be concerned about spouses being on Ward Committees, but what about family members of Councillors being employed at Endumeni. What about spouses of workers being employed as well? Our ward committee has been properly constituted according to the legislation and it is representative of all sectors and not only for a particular race group or political party.
As far as my knowledge is concerned, Dr Bedassi always responds to phone calls unless he is in a meeting. He is not only a ward Councillor, but is also involved in numerous community organisations – too many to mention.
We are indeed grateful to have Dr Bedassi as our Ward Councillor.
Anisha Nehro
(Ward 7 committee member)
