To see Kagiso's presentation at the recent AGM on City Improvement Districts CLICK HERE
Looking to the future:
“We can’t control our money; Council or some BEE company is going to pocket it all; I’m paying rates and taxes already and expect of local government to provide just that: service; I’m not paying a cent more.”
Yes, there are a hundred reasons why Observatory shouldn’t investigate becoming a City Improvement District. But I put it down to one reason only: fear of the unknown.
Remember three years ago when the Observatory Ratepayers Association called a general meeting telling us about a possible Precinct Plan for the suburb? 400 people pitched up and screamed down the poor town planner that tried to convince us that’s the way to go. “We can’t have blanket sub-division; the infrastructure won’t cope; we’re a unique suburb with a unique character…”
And where are we three years down the line? Council formally adopted Observatory’s Precinct Plan in July last year.
The Precinct Plan is detailed, and although blanket subdivisions of no less than 1 000 square meters are allowed, it has strict guidelines on where and how higher densification can happen. It safeguards the residents from developers just moving in and building what they want wherever they wish.
THAT’s how you look after your suburb – with a plan that debunks myths and fears and works for all.
You have trusted ORA with your precinct plan; do the same with the CID. Nothing is cast in stone: maybe a RID is better; maybe certain sections of Observatory won’t work as a CID. You will, just as with the Precinct Plan, have a chance at several public meetings to voice your fears and ask the right questions.
All I ask is give it a chance. ORA will raise the R50 000-odd to get the process going – and if the majority of you decide against it, so be it. For me, personally, it would have been worth every cent we’ve spent, because I am convinced you will eventually see the benefits of a CID.
Remember the Precinct Plan…
The year that was:
We plan, but life happens. The one “goal” that just happened, was the Morpho Touch Fund for the Yeoville Police. ORA had a request from the Station Commissioner, Sen Sup Lobisi Motaung, for one of these portable fingerprint machines, valued at R22 500. That’s what we set out to raise – but within two short months we had about R60 000 in donations! We secured a Morpho Touch machine, plus three portable iPaqs AND fulfilled a wish list the Yeoville Police gave us. We bought water coolers, fans, computers, you name it – but here’s the red tape: Provincial must still release our donation after six months. But we’re fighting that battle.
We also kick-started the Observatory Crime Sector Forum last year. Under the capable chairmanship of Patrick Murphy, it has been instrumental in improving our working relationship with the Yeoville Police. ORA can now truly concentrate on neighbourhood issues, without bring the crime factor into every meeting. The Domestic Forum has also paid off with ORA paying out R800 in rewards to our very reliable “bush telegraph”
Our formal Precinct Plan was adopted in July – and paid in full, thanks to you.
We petitioned Johannesburg Property Company for nearly two years for one of our two disused bowling clubs as a meeting place for the residents – and it paid off. We should soon sign a lease for nearly ten years for the Observatory Bowling Club, exclusively for the use of our residents. We already had a successful donkey Derby and a rip-roaring Valentine Dinner and Dance here for Valentine’s Day. Needless to say, it is already used for community meetings, such as this Annual General Meeting. The Chinese community asked for a ping-pong table. We will get it. The Bonsai club wants to meet. They can. Our local artists want studios. They have it.
Because of the bowling club, ORA also have, for the first time ever, ASSETS: the chairs you sit in, the tables you lean on, the glasses you drink out of. And we achieved that without delving too deep into our pockets. Neighbours (24 Carats in Norwood) gave us free wood; more neighbours (Libby Meintjies’ Laurence) built the tables; residents (Sabera Makan) got us good deals on material and chair covers – and so the list goes on. This is but the start…
Our vision for a greener suburb is also gaining momentum: our residents recycle paper to such an extent that Mondi from October last year send their truck every Tuesday to pick up all the orange Ronnie bags dotting the pavements. In September nearly all the 100 households in Urania Village took part in a 5-week recycling project, run by Pikitup. The participation level of more than 90% tells us that our residents are ready to recycle on a daily basis. Now Pikitup must just come to the party…
Goals for this year:
To declare Observatory a formal, legal City Improvement District (CID) – or at least a part of it. As a suburb we must draw up a business plan outlining our needs: How will we use the Observatory Bowling Club? More guards? Satellite police station? Clean-up campaign? Recycling centre? It's all possible if we all pay our monthly percentage.
To target and secure the lease for the Jewish Guild Bowling Club too. An Observatory resident last week tendered for the lease. We, as a community, cannot allow that. It should be a collective space for all in Observatory to enjoy in tandem with the Observatory Bowling Club.
Build out our crime plan for Observatory. We envisage CCTV cameras on every main route; have one security company for the whole of the suburb with patrol cars and guards to strengthen the Yeoville Police in their fight against crime; and better our street lighting. This will only be possible if we can get the CID off the ground.
Get a new Yeoville Police station. The money to build it is there. The problem is appropriate land to be released. We will this year petition and fight to get it going. The current station is shocking with poor working conditions in prefab buildings, no parking, no holding cells and no detectives on the premises.
Build out our recycling more. Even if we tie it in with the Observatory Bowling Club. Empower our local workers, who formed the Observatory Garden Services nearly two years ago, to run an organic compost plant and/or indigenous nursery there.
Thanks:
You, as residents, have been amazing. We have your BIG support either through supporting our fundraisers or giving generously financially. Without you and your trust, ORA can close its doors, assets and all.
Which brings me to ORA. Thank you to Shelley Rohland for her invaluable help with the Morphotouch Fund; thank you to Rachel Browne and Rachel Stewart who are always there when we clean up – and Ms Stewart even makes a mean salad! Thanks to Elizabeth Gellitt who religiously takes minutes (even though the long hand frustrates me).
Thank you to the committee members who are strong on the e-mail: Peter Birkett, Thomas Mann, Jeremy Burnham.
But to come to a monthly meeting is NOT working. We need to strengthen the ORA committee this year with doers: we need a committee driving the CID; another one driving fundraising; another driving the bowling clubs, another strengthening Patrick Murphy’s Crime Sector Forum.
If you’ve found me “combative” and called me a “control freak” over the last two years, you are probably right. I want to do – and there’s only one way: jump in and DO IT.
But you are only as successful as the people who support you – and I had a backbone, especially in your deputy chair, Ane Niwinska. I ask; she jumps in. But what stressful fun we had!
I ask you now: put your faith yet again in me for a last term and I, together with Ane and a fresh committee committed to work, we will get things done.
Report delivered at ORA's AGM on 21 February 2008
Your new ORA committee: Carine Hartman (Chair) Ane Niwinska (Deputy chair and acting Treasurer) Pam McGurk (Secretary; CID co-ordinator) Paul Kgole : Bowling Club Diana Delmont : Fund raising Subra Makan : Fund raising Violet Gwanga : Fund raising Shelley Rohland : Crime Plan Implementation/ Fundraising Rachel Stewart : CID, labour Eamon Scott : Crime Plan Implementation/ Domestic Forum/ Observatory Crime Sector Forum Thomas Mann : CID, Bylaws Lawrence Masinga : Crime Sector Forum (including Domestic Forum)
Posted 25 March 2008
Promises, promises...
YEAH!
Another promise made good! You wanted a place to call home from home
and you have it. At the Observatory Ratepayers Association's
extraordinary meeting last night and after a flood of e-mails of support you gave us a unanimous vote of
confidence to sign a lease for the disused Observatory Bowling Club,
corner Observatory Avenue and The Curve.
What does this mean? You, the
residents of Observatory will, for the next 9 years and 11 months have
a meeting place at a rental of just R48 per month.
Why so cheap? The Johannesburg
Property Company knows the building is derelict - to the tune of R230
000 just for a "lick of paint" - and expects us to upgrade the
facilities.
Monthly rates and taxes will be about R2 500 per month and then we are
not even TALKING about cost for security, water & lights, salaries
for it to be run properly, etc. etc.
Scary, I know, but we have ventured into the unknown before (we needed
a LOT of money for a planner - and got it because you supported us).
And I have full faith this "village" will grow into a model that can be
used at all disused bowling clubs throughout the city.
Keep
in mind that a non-negotiable condition of the lease is that we must
have sporting activities there. The property is zoned as such.
What happens now? We need written commitment from investors (and we have some lined up) and will then hopefully early next week sign the lease.
And you can help: We need some legal eagles in the suburb to volunteer to read the fine print of the lease and help us form a proper body. Please?
Signed and sealed and then? We must raise a quick couple of thousand for the rates & taxes for a couple of months. Although ORA still have over R20 000 in the bank, that is earmarked for cameras in the suburb and can't be touched.
We will have a "donkey derby" soon at our "bad building" for the whole family: R50 will secure a plate of food and drinks, bring a chair - and then we play... I'll let you know what Friday/Saturday night you must keep open for us..
CLICK HERE to see the vision we are sending off to JoProp.
If you want copies of the addendums mentioned, e-mail me at
In for a penny...
Posted 23 November 2007 Bitter-sweet
I am saddened and ashamed. Sad because Observatory’s residents just do not care. Ashamed because I had to sit in a Yeoville Community Police Forum meeting last night and report exactly that back.
A handful of people in this suburb work hard to put tools in place to better YOUR life. But do we get any response? Nada. Nil. Nothing.
The silence is deafening…
Allow me a twinge of bitterness:
The Station Commissioner of Yeoville Police Station appealed to us to help raise R22 500 for a much-needed Morpho Touch machine. The chair of the Observatory Crime Sector Forum without hesitation pledged R1 000 – and two weeks later that is still where our barometer stands. Not one cent came in. Not R5. Not the price of a McDonalds meal even. Nothing. Our community is silent…
And that is what I had to tell our neighbours last night.
Must you be victim to a hijacking or armed robbery before you see the benefits of this “wunder” machine? It is a small handheld device that allows the police to not only run suspects’ fingerprints there and then in the street, but also verify suspicious vehicles’ registration numbers on the spot.
072-NO-CRIME at a personal expense of more than R8 000 erected four fully functional “panic stations” around Sacred Heart College. Why? Because the learners and helpers are forever mugged in this hot spot. Push a remote panic within 30-40 metres from the panic station and an unmarked, armed patrol car will rush to your exact location. What does it cost you? A once-off R100 for a panic button for your kid or helper.
We launched it last week and sold … not one.
But I’m sure the sale of panic buttons will now soar: did you know that FOUR learners from Sacred Heart were mugged on the corner of Steyn and Eckstein yesterday; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. In full view of the newly installed panic station – but not one kid had a panic…
Did you know that a domestic worker was attacked in Klip Street the day before on her way to work? Her attacker followed her from Judith – again in full view of the panic station. If only she had a button to push…
ORA has called on the more than 500 residents we reach electronically for the past three weeks to pay their ANNUAL R150 fee towards the Observatory Ratepayers Association. Thank you to the 30 households who paid their subs – but we have 850 households in Obs…
Wake up, Observatory. Nobody is asking you to sit through endless meetings or spend endless hours planning, scheming and working towards a better and SAFER suburb. But when we do call, please heed it.
Worry about the safety of not only your children, but also your helpers. They are the ones at risk in our streets. Buy a panic button today. CLICK HERE.
The Yeoville Police was 3rd out of 21 stations in Joburg last month only because their crime figures have dropped dramatically. That is how well they are winning the fight against crime – and you cannot support them? Do it now. CLICK HERE.
And you really need to pay your annual R150 ORA fee. It all helps, even towards the Morpho Touch. CLICK HERE
I have faith in our community.
Posted on 6 June by Carine Hartman Service, please!
As the Observatory Ratepayers Association we strongly object to any increase in our current Municipal Rates and Taxes.
We fully endorse the comments of our residents. Service delivery in our suburb has been wanting for years. Unless we threaten with legal action or get extensive press coverage, problems are not addressed at all.
Recurring potholes get only a "quick-fix"; missing traffic signs that are reported take months to be addressed (if ever); traffic calming measures are an eternal battle with the relevant authorities - and so the list goes on.
In the past month alone we know of six complaints just about water problems in Observatory that have been lodged - and new brooks are springing up by the day. Surely that is an indication that not only are stormwater drains throughout our suburb blocked (despite repeated requests for maintenance), but underground water pipes throughout Observatory need to be upgraded.
Yes, Council depends on our rates and taxes to address these issues. But surely one should only pay a higher fee for a higher service?
Carine Hartman Chair: Observatory Ratepayers Association 17 April 2007 In the chair again
You have put your trust in me to chair the Observatory Ratepayers Association for yet another year. This is what I promised you at our AGM last night:
Good evening and welcome all – and a special welcome to Councillor Carol Milner who works so tirelessly for our suburb.
First of all the thank you’s:
Carol Milner for helping us kicking open the right doors to fix problems in Observatory;
My committee who stood behind me the past year and did whatever they were asked to do. A special thank you to the vice-chair, Ane Niwinska, who storms in when I ask and does a splendid job on whatever needs to be done. She is truly the right hand. All the Rachels need a thank you: Ms Browne; Ms Stewart and Ms van der Merwe. Whether we’re cleaning up or saving Aids orphans, they do their bit whole-heartedly.
A special mention must go to David Stapleton who ALWAYS does ORA’s printing for free – he has saved us thousands!
Last but not least: a very big thank you to you, the residents of Observatory: When we ask for donations, you give royally; when we ask for gifts, you sponsor without questioning; when we ask for your input, you give it without hesitation – and you pay your annual ORA fees to keep the kitty full.
When I took over as chair in November 2005 I naively thought I could do the job with my left hand. I made you four promises: We’ll have the precinct plan for the suburb in place; we’ll address crime; we’ll find a venue for us to use; and fundraising.
Can I make good on my promises?
The fundraising was the easiest – because you supported us so well: whether we had a street party or a concert in the park or a golf day, you came through for us. Our finances are looking healthy, as the Treasurer, Christine Gracie, will assure you. The planner will be paid with even change in our pocket.
The precinct plan will be finalised in June. Our planner, Craig Pretorius, and I will workshop it with the various council departments next week, 5 March, to find out if its flawed – but I can assure you it is a good plan. Craig listened to all of you and made the changes you wanted: the Observatory ridge will have no higher density as originally planned, neither the section down Sylvia’s Pass. And the grime is addressed differently now: the purple strip on De La Rey to supposedly stop the Yeoville rot is no more. Instead, he starts from the inside out: the properties around the golf course are earmarked for higher density to attract investors, and that development, in turn, should spread towards Yeoville. The final draft of our precinct plan will be posted on your community web site, www.observatory.za.net towards the end of this month, before final approval in June.
A venue for the community? We probably had our biggest fights around this issue. Much heated discussion, many tempers flaring around the Jewish Guild Bowling Club. But the best possibility is the disused Observatory Bowling Club. ORA did put in a tender when Joprop put it out to tender in October and were in the final running, but Joprop withdrew our tender when they put a moratorium on all bowling clubs in the city. We were promised a lease for a year, just for Joprop to see what we can do with it, but are still waiting. Councillor Milner this week put pressure on the right people to come clean about the Obs bowling club. So we still live in hope…
And yes, we are addressing crime in our suburb. I know it seems that our crime is on the increase, but it is only because we for the first time TELL you about various crimes. The Yeoville Police nowadays regularly sends through their crime stats for Observatory, which is posted on the web. And you tell us about hot spots and incidents you know of. We are pooling our crime intelligence. And crime does happen here: from hijackings to burglaries to armed robberies and even petty theft.
But I’m pleased to announce that a pilot project for our crime plan was launched today: Patrick Murphy, the Irishman who has helped me throughout last year (without payment) to chase streetwalkers and catch the muggers of our school children, today took over the security of Observatory Estate. His presence in our suburb means much more than just the safekeeping of the 350 households in the enclosure.
We, from today, have a new crime number in operation for the whole suburb: 072 NO CRIME (072 66 27463). This is your safety hotline: if you see a suspicious car or people, this is the number to dial. If you are in trouble, 072 NO CRIME is there for you.
The mugging of our suburb’s school children is unacceptable. Every week we hear of yet another kid who has been mugged of his or her cell phone – and the muggers are armed, usually with guns or knives. Patrick made a plan for us: we will hopefully this month still supply the school children with panic buttons, when, if pushed in the vicinity of Sacred Heart College, will ring through to 072 NO CRIME. The cost for this is just the price of the panic button; no monthly fee.
Our ties with the Yeoville Police will grow even stronger. We met with them this week and received a wish list, which we will do our damnest to fulfil. They, for example, need a colour printer. To print out colour pics of suspects, they now have to go to Hillbrow to use their printer. Imagine the man-hours lost. It’s a simple difference we can and will make.
We must better our street lighting. Light is the criminal’s enemy. The solution is simple: sensor lights on your outside wall that will be triggered at night should a pedestrian walk past your house. We’ll next month ask whom wants sensor lights where – and who will be willing to foot the bill for them.
We must mobilise our helpers’ network. Gardeners, nannies and helpers know what’s happening in the suburb. We need to tap into this bush telegraph. Next month we want to launch a Domestic Forum. We’ll ask you where and what time – and to spread the word amongst your helpers.
Which brings me to the most important forum: the Observatory Crime Sector Forum. This forum is our monthly contact with the Yeoville Police. We have been battling to keep this forum going for about a year now: there is no chair for the forum and, although the Yeoville Police attend these meetings in full force, the residents are never more than five or six. It is just not good enough. We need to keep the arms of the Yeoville Police up – and this forum is our chance. It is at these meetings where we interact, express our needs and concerns and dole out praise. We need to address this issue tonight. We need to launch a strong committee who can worry about our policing needs tonight. If you are worried about crime and security, we call upon you NOW to volunteer. It is only one meeting a month, and it never lasts longer than an hour; promise. ORA will keep up their support by awarding the Top Cop of the Month a R200 voucher, as we have been doing.
Now for my wish list:
Not too many promises: I’ve learnt my lesson. I’m asking you to put your trust in me for yet another year as your chairwoman.
The only two issues we need to look at seriously this year, is a recycling program for our suburb and launching Observatory as a City Improvement District. Once our Precinct Plan is approved, we need a CID to generate enough funds to address problems in the area. You want speed bumps? Better streetlights? Better security? Cleaner streets? We can use this money, which will basically be a small percentage of your Rates and Taxes bill. We promise no more than 10% off each household – and it has to be that formal. We can’t afford freeloaders getting the benefit of a better suburb at the expense of payers.
The year that was:
What a ride it’s been! Truly an eye-opener... There were hundreds of complaints, hundreds of compliments and a lot of problems solved. We corrected some street name spellings; addressed the dangerous intersection at The Curve; vetoed some developments and passed some others; you’ve petitioned for speed bumps and WILL get them this year; our cleaning committee cleaned and I even went slumming in Yeoville to get to know our neighbours better.
But above all, we had fun building a strong, caring community. For the first time I feel as if I belong. And for that I thank you.
Posted 2 March 2007 by Carine Hartman
Up in arms
What a pity that a community can be so divided - and that the racial card rears its ugly head in our community.
At the Observatory Ratepayers Association's monthly meeting last Thursday about 30 residents pitched up huffing and puffing. About what? ORA's proposal for our two disused bowling greens. The residents did not care about the state of the Observatory Bowling Club, although we stopped development there hardly a month ago as the previous leaseholder sold his lease for a phenomenal amount to a six-a-side soccer club. Their concern was with the Jewish Guild Bowling Green that has been standing empty since December last year.
It was clear they do not oppose ORA's idea of using the existing buildings as a meeting place for the residents - in fact, they embraced it. What they were up in arms about, was ORA's proposal for a small, managed cricket academy for some underprivileged and local kids being run on the disused greens there. Most residents were under the impression that ORA was "taking a formal decision that night on a soccer club".
We had a vigorous debate and at least, after a fruitful meeting, the residents were correctly informed:
ORA is proposing a cricket academy for either one of our two disused bowling greens
It is exactly that: a proposal
Residents can input/change/vote for or against the proposal
Other proposals are more than welcome and will be discussed with equal vigour.
Both bowling greens are public spaces and municipal properties which, at Council's insistence, must be shared by all.
No decision on ORA's or any other proposal can be taken at any point as we have no investment and, more importantly, no lease agreement;
Should we succeed in securing a lease, it will be shared with other interested parties and with Council. We will not have exclusivity.
What is non-negotiable however, is that we as residents of Observatory will have full use of the existing buildings, which we will use as we see fit.
ORA submitted their proposal to Council in an attempt to secure the lease for the residents. Joprop has been selling off Joburg's green spaces left, right and centre the past 7 months (at least there is now a moratorium on that policy). As a residents' representative body, we can't just stand at Council's door hat in hand and hope the lease will come our way. We have to convince Council that we, as residents, can use that space better than developers/other bodies - and so our plan was made. It is not a studied plan worked out to the last cent. It is just an idea put to Council as to how these disused bowling greens can be fully utilised in future.
As a community, we cannot afford an "us" and "them". We need to be tolerant towards ALL human beings - and that is not politics, it is VALUES. Please take the following recent editorial from the Mail & Guardian to heart by CLICKING HERE
And let me stress what values ORA subscribes to:
The policies, functioning and actions of the Association shall be based on the following principles :
freedom of expression.
democratic decision-making.
non-discrimination.
non-alignment to political parties, religion, race and gender.
responsibility and accountability.
multi-cultural co-operation, and
any other principle enshrined in South African Bill of Rights of the Constitution of South Africa.
It is time to let your voice be heard. CLICK HERE to see the proposal and give YOUR opinion. If you can forge a plan that subscribes to all the above, your are more than welcome to submit it to
Posted 25 July 2006 by Carine Hartman Half-baked plans in the pan
The good news first: Lance Anderson is wide-awake, eating and out of intensive care "with his brain intact", as Billy Booth, father of Lance's girlfriend, Tanya, said last night. "A total miracle." And thank you, we have FOUR volunteers for the Mounted Police Unit. And Shelley Rohland and I are making headway with a comprehensive crime plan.
But the demon of ORA is "using carte blanche to make whatever decisions they please on the residents' behalf" has reared its ugly head again.
A month ago I stated: Plans and visions don't just happen overnight. Some of ORA's plans are still half-baked, some more advanced; some can happen within a year, others will take up to three/four years. (See "Say your say" when you scroll down.)
One of the plans, as I stated was: "We are actively pursuing a suitable venue for all residents to use; a community centre where we can all meet, play, work and use throughout the day into the small hours of the morning. We are talking to Council about two possible venues and should we secure a lease somewhere, the residents will be the first to get a chance to say how they want to use the venue/venues."
Call it a "lifestyle centre" with a good restaurant and pub; a place where YOUR kids can safely play; a meeting place - a need a lot of you have identified over the past months.
The two venues ORA has approached Council and JoProp in January about, are the disused Observatory bowling club in Park Street and the equally disused Jewish Guild at Sylvia's Pass. We would be happy to use either or.
Kapi Nkwane, Regional Manager of Sport and Recreation, had a site inspection with us in March this year and, after duly discussing it at our monthly meeting, it being accepted by committee members and residents attending and noted in the minutes, ORA accepted his proposal that we share the lease with SA Taekwondo for a joint venture.
What joint venture? Rumours are flying thick and fast about "soup kitchens", "poor black kids overrunning our suburb", "crime elements coming into Observatory", etc.
Not at all. You can today see what vision ORA has for either of the two bowling clubs - and that it is stated clearly in the document "it can be developed into a successful node... AFTER FULL PARTICIPATION AND INPUT FROM THE RESIDENTS".
Why is it not part of our 5-year plan for the suburb? For the same reason our green alternatives, crime plan, and CID is not there: it is still half-baked. We have asked far and wide for sponsorship for a joint venture and sent out numerous proposals, but had no luck yet. Yes, if a certain famous British club agrees to give us the much needed pounds, it will change the whole face of the proposal. But it will always stay small, formal and managed - not hundreds of kids invading your suburb begging for soup.
And yes, Observatory has very few green spaces and we, as a community, should make full use of all. We are planning a street party to raise funds for play equipment for the park in St Georges Street. Yes, a disused bowling club becomes a security risk and should be used by ALL.
And yes, ORA will take its cue from Councillor Carol Milner, a stalwart who has fought many fights for open spaces to be preserved for future generations. A park lost, is lost forever. It can never be reversed...
Why are you only seeing our vision now? Simple: the rumours must stop; we have NO lease; NO sponsorship; NOTHING to tell you yet. In short: a half-baked plan - but at least a plan...
So CLICK HERE, see it and tell us what you think of it so far..
Posted 26 May 2006
Till the end of crime...
Some of you might know that I was party to the wild shoot-out at the Zenex Cyrildene last week when 10 gunmen opened fire on staff and innocent civilians, killing a Chubb security guard and wounding 3 others.
Lance Anderson, who was shot in the head at point blank range, is still comatosed, but his vital signs are strong, his father, Rex, told me on Sunday. For that family a long, uphill road of many months is lying ahead. And why, just because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time?
How can such a devastating trauma happen in a quiet suburb? And how can a repeat be avoided? It can't, but we can try our damnest to address crime in our suburb - and ORA is swinging into action:
Ane Niwinska, you deputy-chair, and I are joining capt. Riaan Pretorius' Mounted Police Unit as volunteers. Give us about six months for a tough training course and you'll see the two of us patrolling your streets whenever we can on horseback.
I'm meeting with Shelley Rohland early next week to work on finalising our draft crime plan on how we can address the problems: the up to eleven prostitutes walking the streets around Observatory Girls Primary daily; the muggings; the armed robberies; you name it, we'll try...
And don't forget the new force in town: Pat Murphy, the Irishman who unpaid and willingly is working our suburb and its problems on a daily basis.
He is passionate about fighting crime - and willing to help whoever needs... I this month signed up my alarm to his two reaction rooms in Kensington and am paying R180 less than before. I have peace of mind because now, for the first time since I moved in 5 years ago, I have a better, personalised security service with a man I trust with my life.
How can you help?
Want to volunteer with Ane and I to ride a horse? The more volunteers, the more visibility in the street. Just e-mail
As soon as the draft plan is up and running, give you input - or e-mail me your ideas TODAY, before our meeting, so it can be included in the plan.
Support Pat Murphy. You won't regret it. Phone him on 082 690 3090 - and if you are not sure how to stop your current sercurity service and debit order, I'll help (it takes only 2 faxes, I've learnt). Phone me on 648 0027 and I promised to NOT call you lazy.
We're at long last there: Next Tuesday (9 May) and Wednesday (10 May) night is YOUR chance to give your input into Observatory's 5-year Precinct Plan.
We are holding two identical public meetings where our planner, Craig Pretorius, will brief us from 7pm in Sacred Heart's school hall about his vision for our suburb, whereafter the residents will break into their smaller groups to answer Craig's 8 questions and discuss their needs in more detail.
It is an open forum where ALL residents can give their input - and that input will then be worked into a final plan, which will again be discussed at a public meeting.
Why am I stating the obvious? It has come to my attention that a small group of residents are concerned that the Observatory Ratepayers' Association (ORA) "has carte blanche to make whatever decisions it pleases on the residents' behalf."
Far from it. Yes, the ORA committee is working on various issues they have identified over the last couple of months:
We are actively pursuing a suitable venue for all residents to use; a community centre where we can all meet, play, work and use throughout the day into the small hours of the morning. We are talking to Council about two possible venues and should we secure a lease somewhere, the residents will be the first to get a chance to say how they want to use the venue/venues.
We are working on an extensive crime plan for our suburb. You told us your concerns with our recent crime survey (115 respondents) and will have the results soon. We will use the survey input as the basis for a crime plan. Yes, we have formulated a plan, and once we think it is workable, you will be presented with it to say YOUR say.
We are investigating "green" alternatives to work into the precinct plan. Once we are happy with the answers, you'll be the first to know what they are and again say your say.
We are looking at solutions to various traffic problems throughout the suburb, especially around the schools and some roads that are used as Formula One tracks. Once we think our solutions are viable, we'll let you know.
We are in the process of identifying historical sites in the suburb and looking at how we can protect them. Your help will be asked.
We are formulating a plan to use and protect our four green spaces in the suburb better. Once we have our vision straight, you'll be asked for your input.
We are investigating registering Observatory as a City Improvement District. The costs are prohibitive and once we have a way of curbing it, you will be the first to know the way forward.
Plans and visions don't just happen overnight. Some of our plans are still half-baked, some more advanced; some can happen within a year, others will take up to three/four years.
As ORA we try to make good plans for the suburb. As residents we want and WELCOME all your input.
ORA "using carte blanche to make whatever decisions they please on the residents' behalf"? Definitely not. Apart from working hard to raise the R60 000 for the suburb to have a formal,
recognised precinct plan, ORA has been transparent in putting a process in
place and must, like all residents, follow due process.
The
precinct plan is at this stage Craig's proposal for Observatory and it
will only be finalised after all input from all residents in the months to come.
After next week's meeting, there can be further meetings as the residents see
fit.
Next week's public meetings will act as forums for the residents' input; meetings that hold no hidden agendas. All ideas will be tabled. The meeting's aim is exactly that: to get feedback from ALL residents of Observatory about what they want. Craig will then work all inputs into a final plan to be presented to the residents later this year.
Posted 5 May 2006
Bad buildings getting better
The victimization of the Buthelezi family has reached the stage where we fear for the family's lives.
Gun-toting hoods now visit them every couple of days and intimidate them.
The two Buthelezi kids were once again witness to this intimidation - and we removed them to a place of safety.
But there is hope: after last week's radio show a "Radio Today Task Team" was formed to help not only the Buthelezis, but to continue the fight to highlight bad buildings. The task team consists of city renewal guru Neil Fraser, building owner Brian Miller and myself - and our first task will be to find alternative accomodation in a better building for the Buthelezi's.
Easier said than done as all better buildings are filled to the hilt and their name is now on a waiting list.
We are also pressurising the relevant authorities to address the victimization.
And we are working on getting the Buthelezi's bad building into Council's Better Building project. Brian Miller has a very powerful black list for bad buildings and houses...
Read my think piece on bad buildings in the national Sunday paper Rapport tomorrow - and if you still haven't read the diary of my stay with the Buthelezis CLICK HERE
Posted 15 April 2006
Yet more people died this week in a bad building in inner city - and my bad building stay in Yeoville had deep repercussions: the Buthelezi family who kindly took me in for a couple of nights has been victimised since I moved out.
Yes, my stay was an eye-opener, and more... It was an attempt to highlight not only poverty, but also bad buildings and the way the poor is being exploited by slumlords. Exactly this issue will be discussed tomorrow (Saturday, 8 April)on Voice of the Suburbs, Radio Today1485am's new community show.
Listen from 12.30pm - 1pm to City renewal guru Neil Fraser and building owner Brian Miller trying to get to grips with this controversial issue. You can catch Radio Today on 1485AM or the DSTV audio channel 70
And the poor Buthelezis? I on Thursday sent out the following press release:
What started as an outreach to her poor neighbours, has turned sour for a journalist who gave up her suburban home to move in with a destitute family in Yeoville.
“The Buthelezi family allowed me to experience their poverty for a couple of days last week – but now they are victimized. Twice the door to their humble room has been kicked in and twice the illegal power has been ripped out. The little bit of money the family has, has also been stolen,” said an outraged Carine Hartman, chairwoman of the Observatory Ratepayers Association.
“The same two thugs who vandalized the Buthelezi’s ‘home’ on Monday, again showed up on Wednesday afternoon, and openly bragged to other flat dwellers that they will keep on coming until the Buthelezis have moved."
The family was not home on Monday, but when the two men arrived Wednesday, the Buthelezi’s kids, nine-year-old Kgauhelo and five-year-old Lerato were alone in the room. “The men apparently pushed them around and hurled abuse at the frightened kids,” Hartman said.
The father of the family, Stanley, is at his wits end. “How can I fight these people? At least I have a roof over my head – and now they want to take even that away from me. Why? Just because my family shared our room with a white woman?” he said.
“I cannot allow people to be victimized just because I wanted to expand my views on poverty. I wanted to experience extreme poverty firsthand – and through that highlight not only the plight of the destitute, but also the city’s bad buildings that are claiming lives every week. Instead of sending in thugs, improve the bad buildings,” Hartman said. “The Buthelezi’s are poor, but proud. They do not deserve intimidation of any kind because of me.
“My emotional bond with this family runs deep after my experience. They are lovely people who are, like millions of other South Africans, unfortunately very poor. They live in a slum building with illegal power and water. Who gives anyone the right to intimidate them just because they have no means to fight back?”
The head of Yeoville Police, Senior Superintendent Lobisi Motaung has vowed to personally investigate. “The Buthelezis laid a charge of housebreaking and theft after Monday’s incident. They now need to add a charge of intimidation and victimization – and the police will act to protect them,” he said.
Read the diary of my Yeoville visit by CLICKING HERE
Don't forget to tune in tomorrow 12.30pm to Radio Today 1485am's Voice of the Suburb - and every Saturday after that...
Remember, the radio show is invaluable exposure for us as a suburb - but not money in Observatory’s pocket – for that we need your 35,5c every day, so please JOIN US so that we can make a difference.
Posted 6 April 2006 by Carine at
Your suburb as a CID?
Yes! At last night's ORA meeting the committee members and residents gave a full vote of confidence for us to explore the possibility in detail.
What is a CID?
We want to register as a City Improvement District - the only way for suburbs to go if they want to survive, according to Anne Steffny, Director of Urban Management at Kagiso, who manages CID's for the City.
The principle is to add a percentage (normally 10%) to your rates & taxes bill and Council will allocate this amount to specific improvements/enhanced services desired by the residents of the CID. Added services could include security (extra guards/policemen) or environmental management (clean up/maintaining green areas/historical sites).
Up to now CID's have been limited mostly to urban business areas, but the legislation is written loosely and there is no reason why Observatory can't be a CID. Council has a budget of billions, but for each of their service providers that budget is too small for them to provide a good service. They are just not coping. The message is strong: council will assist where possible, but help yourself.
The cost? Anything between R60 000 - R120 000, but Steffny feels we've done enough groundwork already to get away with R60 000. To keep the cost to the minimum, Jeremy Burnham and I met with the representatives of Yeoville and Upper Houghton on Wednesday. The three suburbs have decided to stand together: all three will apply to become CID's, but only one body will control the three CID's, with representatives of each suburb serving on the CID body. All three suburbs will contribute towards setting up the seperate CID's and hopefully we'll keep the cost to the minimum.
How will it affect you? No more free-loading. No more some residents contributing and others riding on their backs. ALL 850 households will pay their 10% every month. But YOU will decide how the money will be spent. As a suburb we must draw up a business plan outlining our needs: More guards? Satellite police station? Clean-up campaign? Recycling centre? It's all possible if we all pay our monthly 10%.
We must, of course, have the support of 51% of the residents and register as a Section 21 company and will NOT be making profit - but I firmly believe it's a step in the right direction. Only by addressing our own problems, will we make a difference to our suburb: enhanced security, cleaner suburb, no more drugs or prostitutes - and your property values will soar.
Do you want Observatory as a CID? Say your say on new poll on the HOME page
Posted 20 January 2006 by Carine Hartman
I’m all yours…
You’ve put your trust in me as new chairwoman for the Observatory Ratepayers Association – and for that I thank you.
And another big thank you to all the young and fiery residents who volunteered to serve with me. Together we’ll work hard to make a difference in the suburb.
What difference?
First and foremost Observatory’s 5-year precinct plan: you chose your planner, you’re still contributing financially so we can pay him – and you trust the committee appointed under the chairmanship of Edwin Lanzaad to make the right decisions on your behalf. That ship has set sail and will be guided over the next year until we have the right plan for our suburb.
Addressing crime in Observatory: Yes, some live inside booms and are safer – but can your child walk safely home after school? Why are the hijacking figures for Yeoville more than double that of the previous year? My vision is simple: we need to address crime in our suburb with an active plan, implemented over the next four years, so that we can host a safe Soccer World Cup at 2010. We have completed our crime survey on the web site to a) gather crime stats for the past year and b) find a solution. Your input was vital - and I'll post the results soon.
We need a venue for all residents to use: not only for meetings, but also your parties, a safe place where our kids can play or work – and I will actively pursue this.
Fundraising: We can nearly pay our planner, we have just over R40 000 in the kitty. But why stop there? To support our crime plan, we need ALL residents to contribute; to buy/rent a venue we need ALL your support; to throw the odd Christmas party we need money – so should we ask, please give generously. You are only helping to build a strong community and add value to your property and leafy suburb.
You have my promise: I will work hard at all the above – and more. If you have a problem, we will find the answer together. All I ask for is your support.
Thomas Mann graciously led this community for five years as chairman. I will strive to fill those shoes...
Carine Hartman
171 St Georges Road, where the door is always open...
