As Chair of the HRA I felt that I could play a meaningful role in mediating a solution between the parties and my offer was accepted. Since the process of mediation began early in May one of the key questions has been where the Market would be in the long term. The bottom line is: there is progress!
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. — Winston Churchill
The last few months have been busy with a number of challenges taking a chunk of our time. Preparations around the AGM, Ward Committee and OMAF meetings, commenting on the municipal Budget, correspondence with a variety of people and institutions on a range of topics and assisting ratepayers with queries. These are the things that take time and effort and are at the heart of why the HRA exists. We are not political, we are an organisation in, of, and for our community.
Elizabeth Van Niekerk has agreed to join the EXCO of the HRA as our Secretary. Elizabeth lives in Voëlklip and rendered sterling service to the HRA on a temporary basis when we assisted homeowners with lodging objections to their property valuations. Throughout the process she showed kindness and compassion coupled with keen attention to detail as she led people through the objection process. We look forward to working with Liz as we take the HRA forward in the coming months.
As Chair of the HRA I felt that I could play a meaningful role in mediating a solution between the parties and my offer was accepted. Since the process of mediation began early in May one of the key questions has been where the Market would be in the long term. This has been a bone of contention between the Market operator and the Overstrand Municipality (OM) for a long time. It was also the subject of a public participation process that took place several years ago.
On Thursday 18 the question was answered – the Market will move towards the mountainside next to BOSKO. For some of the regular faithful supporters this may be a disappointment. The old familiar layout and the way it all hung together will become but a memory. What the new site offers is a unique opportunity to start from scratch, to conceptualise something new, something that works well, and complies with building standards, and is safe. The agreement to move has had the effect of galvanizing the parties into action to conclude negotiations regarding the long-term lease and to deal with the myriad consent and approval requirements which apply.
The bottom line is that there is progress!
It is not all beer and skittles however as the question of the granting of an extension of the short-term lease in the current location is still under discussion. Wrapped up in this is the question of the liquor licence as well as the soundness and safety of the existing structures. At the heart of the matter is the lifeline that the Market represents to the many people who trade there and those who depend on them as well as the considerable benefit to tourism in Hermanus.
What the mediation process aims to achieve is
A friend has suggested that the process of relocating and redeveloping the market is a project that the wider community can be drawn into, creating a sense of belonging and ownership in the process so that it becomes OUR MARKET. More about this as the process unfolds.
The BYPASS is a misnomer. It should be called the THROUGHPASS
At the FIRST THURSDAY engagement with Premier Alan Winde, I presented a document to him and the MEC for Transport setting out the opposition of the HRA, and by implication most residents of Hermanus, to the proposed trunk road through the heart of our town. This comprised of a two-page motivation with supporting documents. The Premier did me the courtesy of listening attentively to what I had to say and then offered his perspective on the question of forward planning to anticipate future growth. He acknowledged having had discussions with our Mayor and promised to study the document and to respond once he and his team had applied their minds to the issues. I emphasised the fact that there were alternatives for which the environmental cost had already been paid and that Hermanus is a destination and not “a dorp on the road to somewhere”. A few days after the event I received a call asking for the HRA’s email address so that we could be sent a response. As an eternal optimist I feel encouraged.
Without wishing to duplicate the comprehensive feedback from Pat Redford regarding baboon management we are concerned about the fact that the current contract ends in just 5 weeks. Responses to requests for meetings on the subject have been slow in coming and there is a concern that all the gains made over the last few years will be lost. For more comprehensive information and their latest newsletter please visit HBAG at www.hermanusbaboons.co.za.
Since the amendment of the rules Ward Committees have been meeting at two-monthly intervals which have included IDP and Budget presentations. I wish I could give the assurance that the system is working, and everything is hunky dory but that’s not the case. We have this week a schedule of meeting dates and times for the balance of the year many months after requesting it. There remains a concern that issues raised at the meetings do not make their way up the chain through Portfolio and Mayco meetings and eventually to Council. The items submitted by members are often omitted from the agenda and meetings have taken on a sometimes-acrimonious flavour because of a perceived lack of action. On the plus side the minutes are more accurate and inclusive than in the past and there is a renewed focus on the legitimacy of the participation by some of the current members. The Ward Committee Rules are also to be reviewed before the next round of Municipal elections. Anne Stern, an EXCO member, has undertaken to make a study and a submission on behalf of the HRA.
The next public meeting will take place in mid July.
Credit is due to Jobre Stassen and her dedicated team of supporters in gaining the approval to join the two major sections of the Cliff Path. This has been a lengthy and difficult process and we look forward to a sensitive and environmentally friendly solution with will enhance the experience of traversing this most magnificent stretch of our coastline.
At our recent AGM the EXCO and I undertook to hold a Strategy Session on the challenges we face as an organisation, to identify the issues impacting on us as an organisation and to chart a course for the future. The session was held on April 13. I wish to share with you the following issues that we’ve identified:
We believe that if there were no HRA there would be a need to create it and it is therefore worth preserving and fighting for.
Some of the portfolios we believe there should be:
Rather than continue to ask for volunteers, we will in the short term be seeking out people, including a possible future Chairperson, who might be willing to join the EXCO. We are currently in conversation with several people, and we will give feedback in due course.
We are collaborating with other ratepayer organisations on the format of the Member Survey because of the relevance of the issues across the municipality and as a means of sharing the cost. After having analysed the feedback, we will then make changes to the EXCO portfolios and create an appropriate structure to take the HRA forward.
In business we talk about Form before Function, so having fixed the structure of the EXCO we will go ahead with a re-launch and recruitment campaign.
Throughout this process we will keep you updated more frequently and in line with the progress we make.
As is always the case we will be relying on your continued support.
With a number of EXCO members either overseas or busy with other commitments we will be in recess during the month of June and we will not be holding any meetings. We will however be forging ahead with the process of finding new talent to fill vacancies on the EXCO.
Brian Wridgway and the EXCO
If you are not yet a member, please join our ranks!
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