PAUL Manasse’s letter, ("Letter to Ward 8 councillor to do job,” June 26) refers.
On January 23, I invited him to visit my office but he has, so far, opted not to accept my invitation. It seems that he would prefer to deal with me through the newspaper, when how much simpler it would have been to have discussed these issues at my office.
To address the issues you raise (once more…) Crime: I meet with the crime sector manager, Walmer and the Lorraine Neighbourhood Watch on a weekly basis and plan accordingly. The sad attack and death of the housekeeper touches us all – but she worked in Broadwood, which is not part of my ward, as you infer.
Why try to make political capital out of this tragedy, Mr Manasse?
In 2006 I, along with resident volunteers, established a Neighbourhood Watch in Lorraine.
These men and women give up their time to make a safer environment.
Interestingly, I do not see your name on the list of volunteers.
On June 22, the Lorraine Neighbourhood Watch held an event called Operation 100. Once again, I saw no Mr Manasse.
Overgrown areas: At present, this ward is dealing with 93 overgrown areas. Mr Manasse should prepare himself, as the situation in the metro is going to become much worse in the future.
For the 2012/2013 budget, we have a weed spraying budget of R490000; a bush-clearing budget of R500000; rough cutting budget – R155000. And that is for the entire metro. Ward 8’s capital and operating project budget for 2012-13 is a mere R1.6-million.
Street lights: I fully concur with Mr Manasse.
There are many street lights that are not working across the metro. In Ward 8, I can assure him that we are more than aware of the problem. The Lorraine Neighbourhood Watch plays a key part in bringing these to my attention and every reported light outage is recorded and forwarded to the relevant department.
Rates and taxes: The Kabuso Report effectively highlighted details of previous years’ problems in this area.
Residents of this metro are surely aware that the financial mismanagement has occurred on the ANC’s watch, with the DA and other opposition parties doing their utmost to act as a handbrake and curb the worst acts of wasteful expenditure.
To mention but a few:
R11.8-million to sponsor nine soccer matches at the new stadium;
R21-million wasted on the bungling of a security tender;
R50-million for an unfunded mandate from the Provincial government for libraries;
R54-million unpaid by the provincial health for primary health care services provided on their behalf;
R32-million outstanding from the Kouga municipality for water;
R47-million theft of electricity over a six month period; and
R15-million is paid for unproductive political appointees to be found in the mayor’s office, the chief whip’s office, the legal division, communications and in the traffic department.
I acknowledge that there are many challenges and as the councillor for Ward 8, I am doing my utmost within the limitations of the budget provided to us.
I am open to any suggestions. And once again, I invite Mr Manasse to be part of the solution!
Gustav Rautenbach, Councillor, Ward 8, Nelson Mandela Bay
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