Local ward councillors share festive season messages to their communities
Local ward councillors talk about how things have gone in their areas in 2022 and provide some information on their plans for 2023.
AS we approach the end of 2022, local ward councillors reflect on the past year and share their messages to their respective communities for the festive season.
Gavin Hegter (Ward 64 councillor):
The year 2022 was not an easy one as there were numerous challenges, including the devastating floods that ravaged our province. Most notable was the loss of the Coedmore Bridge and the emergency housing of the flood victims in the Yellowwood Park Hall. Fortunately, after a lot of pressure, eight months later, the displaced people have eventually been rehomed. With regard to the building of our bridge, there is also some positive news. Some money has been made available to the City and our bridge is on the list.
Unfortunately, not all is good news. Many residents have experienced electricity and water outages for long periods, the lack of refuse collection and the general neglect by the Parks Department. The sad reality is that it is not going to get better anytime soon. With the downward spiral of our municipality, we can expect the situation to get worse before it improves. The good news is that the national and provincial elections are a little more than a year away. There is hope.
However, as 2022 winds down, I would like to wish all residents of Ward 64 all the best for the festive season and for the year ahead.”
Aubrey Snyman (Ward 68 councillor):
I have experienced many challenges with poor service delivery in our communities such as DSW not picking up black garbage bags as per the schedule, due to breakdowns of vehicles, sewer blockages due to aging infrastructure, load-shedding, faulty streetlights and enormous electricity bills. Next year, we are going to hold the City, including the various departments, accountable for their poor service deliveries. We have been accommodating this type of behaviour for years, and there is a need to change the current government by voting in the party with whom you can see good service delivery taking place.
Further to this, next year, the overcrowding and lack of accommodation are matters that we will be seeking to address with utmost urgency. I wish to take this opportunity in thanking the Ward 68 committee members for assisting wherever they could and for giving their undivided attention when addressing the complaints coming from the community. We are now in the festive season, and I take this opportunity in wishing you and your families everything of the best for this festive season, and may 2023 be a prosperous year for all. Please don’t drink and drive. Stay safe.
Zoe Solomon (Ward 66 councillor):
THE year 2022 has been an uphill battle to keep the most basic amenities in functional order. Aging infrastructure and lack of resources has affected every department and reduced everyday life to new levels of frustration for most residents across the ward. Keeping a positive outlook while constantly forcing solutions to electricity, water, sewage and solid waste issues is no small feat.
Now that the ward has an established ward committee, and the community has mastered communication in the form of street groups and social media communication, it has become a lot easier to get help where and when we can in the shortest turnaround period – as is humanly possible with a severe lack of resources across all departments.
We will continue to band together and resolve to report and escalate and give feedback until our problems of outages are solved, and we will report to the officials and council the issues we face and remain determined to get the services the residents and ratepayers deserve.
Although I am not around for the holidays, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones and families a safe and festive time, and please be safe. I will see you all back in the new year. Let’s make 2023 a year of hope and joy. I will be tackling various service delivery issues in the new year.
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