Ward 64 residents encouarged to attend rates meetings
Councillor Gavin Hegter says even those renting are ratepayers and are welcome at these meetings.
WARD 64 councillor Gavin Hegter says a lot more can be done to uplift the community if residents get involved with the upkeep of their areas. His comments follow the observation of dipping numbers at the various association meetings for residents in ward 64. Hegeter said that the various associations in the ward assist the councillor in the upkeep of the area and residents take ownership of their areas.
“Unfortunately these bodies aren’t well supported, people will complain on social media but will not attend meetings. These organisations used to be very strong and in areas where they are still strong, they actually have a lot of clout in putting pressure on the municipal departments to actually get the job done. And when we refer to them as rate payer’s associations, they’re not, they’re actually residents’ associations for anybody residing in the area, whether they are a home owner or not, because even someone who is renting is indirectly paying rates,” said Hegter.
Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings as a way to uplift their area and to work together with likeminded people. According to Hegter, a lot can be done when residents stand together for the common good of their ward much like the building of the Yellowwood Park Civic Hall which was built by the residents and the management and maintainence of the Montclair Recreational Hall by the Montwood Rate Payers.
READ ALSO: Bluff Ratepayers Association responds to councillor Prinsloo
“People can only act when they are well informed. I’m at all these meetings where I give a councillor’s report back, if people would like to interact with me, that’s a perfect platform, come along, not just when you have issues or complaints,” said the councillor. “Everybody lives hectic lives or are trying to make ends meet but it’s time to step up and say ‘what can I do?’ Even if it’s to do a little bit like reporting a pothole or a streetlight that’s out, these are all things that help maintain our area in the standards that they should be. Unfortunately the municipality is in a shocking state of decline and unless residents start taking back what’s theirs, it’s just going to deteriorate and get worse.
Ward 64 associations meetings:
- Yellowwood Park Rate Payer’s Association meets on the first Monday of every month at the Yellowwood Park Civic Hall at 6.30pm.
- Seaview Neighbourhood Watch/Rate Payer’s Association meets on the first Tuesday of every month at Seaview Primary School at 6pm.
- Montwood Rate Payer’s Association meets at the Montclair Recreational Hall on the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm.
- Umhlatuzana Rate Payer’s Association meets every third Thursday at Umhlatuzana Civic Hall at 7pm.
Ward 64 councillor, Gavin Hegter’s office is on 1 Pelican Way, Yellowwood Park. You can also call, SMS or WhatsApp him on 072-821-1917 or send an email at gavin.hegter@gmail.com.
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