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We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Community Affairs and cleaning up our suburbs
Most of us notice the really grotty and unkempt areas in our suburbs - and what a let down they are for the overall appearance of our environment. Well - enough - we're doing something about it. If you drive along Rutland Ave just before Bompas, we hope you'll have seen a difference, as a number of CRA volunteers started cleaning the area on Saturday 13 June.
We'd like to do such clean-ups at least once a month and to start, we're asking you to identify an area that needs cleaning up and contact Sue Harris (082 659 1936). The plan is:
- We'll let you know which area is chosen and the date and time** (Saturday mornings seem to be best).
- We'll also alert neighbours in the vicinity and so also provide an opportunity for them to meet.
- The CRA will lay on refreshments.
It's our hope that this project will set the ball rolling for making a difference to the appearance of our suburbs and getting the community to meet each other - and why not combine this with some exercise and fun! We know people say 'What am I paying rates for" but let's take a positive proactive stance on what we can do and which is achievable.
** Have we got your cell phone number? And please! - send us email addresses for any friends/neighbours who don't get our newsletter. Please contact Wendy McAllister or use the update form.
The Public Spaces Security scheme is making a difference
We're really pleased to report that figures shown to us by SAPS Parkview for the period May 2007 to April 2009 indicate beyond doubt that since the PSS scheme was launched in October, from that time there has been an ongoing decline in crime in our area. We aren't out of the woods, however, by a long chalk and CSS - and the CRA - keep stressing that to reduce crime to insignificant levels, another patrol vehicle and cameras are vital. If you've been sitting on the fence, now is the time to join up - all you have to do is complete and fax the debit order form (R385 per household, R85 per sectional title unit). For more information contact Chris Taylor, RIchard King or Amy Allan.
OUR GOAL - CAMERAS BY CHRISTMAS
Advertising - another community service
Recently we've had a number of enquiries ranging from someone looking for a garden cottage to rent and additional employment for a domestic helper, to wanting coverage for a service offered. We used to have a Community Forum on the CRA web site but had spamming problems.
We've now decided to include short one-line requests/adverts at the end of each newsletter for residents and for businesses in our area - all we ask is that you are a CRA member in good standing, ie you have paid the modest membership fee for 2009 (R220). Any rate payer in CP/CHP - resident or business owner - is eligible to become a CRA member.
Just email Wendy McAllister with the information - eg "For all your tool hire needs, contact (Company name etc), or "Spacious garden cottage in Craighall to rent @R4000pm. Contact {xxxx). Please indicate if you'd like one or two insertions. See our first ads below.
CRA exec news
We're sorry to report that Sheay Harvey has had to step down. Our thanks to Sheay for the effort she put into the important Membership portfolio - and now we're urgently seeking a replacement. Call Wendy McAllister / 011 325 7165 if you'd like to assist or would like more information about what is entailed in this portfolio.
Welcomed to the CRA exec is Ralf Degni. Ralf at this stage is focusing on business liaison and marketing plans. If you have a business in our area, Ralf would be pleased to hear from you (082 540 1135). Sandra Dewes is also assisting us, using her architectural knowledge to consider precinct upgrades and signage suggestions.
The security portfolio is again at full strength. Headed up by Chris Taylor, he is being assisted by RIchard King, Amy Allan, Glen du Toit, Ryan Roseveare and Tony Webb. Chris attended the monthly CSF (Community Safety Forum) at Parkview Police Station in May. In the view of Snr Sup Moodley, this is the most important venue at which to raise security concerns and so to allow SAPS to put resource into problem areas.
By election Wednesday 8 July - local government 101
We urge all residents to vote. Without an effective Ward Councillor we are effectively at the mercy of Joburg Connect, the City's call centre - which has not been a good experience recently - and a small number of Council officials with whom CRA exec members have built up a relationship. A Ward Councillor who has a finger on the City pulse will know who to contact to escalate a problem upwards when we aren't getting the action we've asked for - he or she is thus a vital link in the action chain.
The CRA is in touch with the IEC to determine which parties will be fielding a candidate; at this stage all we know is that the DA candidate is Gordon Mackay, a resident in Ward 90. The CRA plans to meet each candidate and ask them how they will go about representing our best interests, even though we are only two suburbs in some 14 suburbs in the Ward (if you don't ask, you don't get!). We'll send you a special notice to report back before 8 July. And to reiterate - the CRA is a politically neutral body - our only objective is to make candidates aware that we expect service delivery and we want to see what is proposed for our best interests.
The CRA plans an all-day presence outside Craighall Primary School which is the main venue for voting for our suburbs. Come and meet us, grab a cup of coffee and sample Sue Harris' famous rusks!
Crime and security CSS report back on PSS
There are still incidents of vehicle gates being forced open. In the third week of May, CSS in conjunction with the SAPS conducted operations along the Spruit, resulting in arrests being made. CSS reported a drop in crime after this action.
Suspicious vehicles
Silver Nissan Murano WMK711GP (stolen plates?), followed a car to Dunkeld West Centre. The Centre manager reports, "After parking, the driver was held up and another robber held up my two guards in the area; the incident took about 40 sec, with a cell phone, wallet and watch taken."
Lookout for a suspicious car black Leon Cupra involved in business robberies in the Northern Suburbs
Crime incidents that we know of
21 May, 13:00, attempted armed robbery at Braemore, 8 Buckingham Avenue (cnr Jan Smuts Ave)
28 May, 15:00, attempted robbery, York Ave
30 May, 18:00, Buccleuch Ave, break-in (gate lifted off the rails)
4 June, Lancaster Ave, attempted break-in (five men in a white Volkswagen Polo, unknown registration details) - they couldn't derail the gate so they never entered the property.
Follow-homes haven't gone away - remember, DO NOT STOP outside your premises if you are being followed or if there are unidentified persons loitering around your house. Rather drive past your house and activate your panic button and / or call in the suspicious activity into the CSS Control Centre on 0861-911-119. CSS offers a complimentary "Meet and Greet" service to its clients.
Don't forget the cell phone based Home 911 panic button system which is being offered on a trial basis by CSS to PSS subscribers.
Town planning
The CRA was briefed by resident and well known town planner Les Oakenfull on town planning matters with particular reference to sectional title legislation. See the CRA web site Town Planning.
Update forms error
Many apologies - a query from a resident revealed that the newly-introduced 'Update your details' form was not being sent to us. If you completed the form in the past two months, may we ask that you resend it.
Community initiatives and dates to diarise
· Domestic Watch: Friday 26 June, 12-13:00, Wesleyan Church, Norfolk Ave, CHP, topic “How the Police work and the importance of giving them information." Anyone who brings a friend will receive a R50 Nando’s Gift Voucher. Contact Sue Harris for information.
· Craighall River Market: second Saturday of each month 08:30 - 13:00 - next one - 11 July - in Marlborough Ave, CHP next to Colourful Splendour Nursery. (Apologies for wrong information - we've been saying 'every 2nd Saturday' - this is a very special fun community event and an eco-project.)
· Don't forget to drop off your magazines at Craighall Primary.
· Another booksale at the Lions Boathouse at Zoo Lake - Sunday 28 June, 10:00-15:00. For info phone Mapule on 011 646 1976 or Penelope 084 595 9000 / zoolakeinfo@jhbcityparks.com.
CRA community adverts
For ceramics restoration - contactLeigh King.
Egoli Rangers will bring ponies to your venue for parties & functions. Call Peta 082 452 9321
Desperately need home for two cross Labradors, inseperable friends Pepsi and Luna. Contact Richard 083 401 5174 or Rob 076 394 6396
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. Will Rogers
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