Open Letter to the Chairman
Dear Mr. Chairman and Excom I am a single mother with two school-going children. I live in a small house just off Prince George Drive. I don’t know you personally, so I can only judge you on what happened at the OGM and the AGM and what you have written in the newsletters and the press.
When this whole palaver started, my mind had not been made up one way or the other. As I said, I have two small children, and their security is of the utmost importance to me. On the other hand, I also have to deal with rising inflation, increases in municipal rates, bond rates, etc., so I have read everything that has been said about the subject with acute interest.
Up until your last security bulletin, I was still not sure what I wanted. Quite frankly, what was said in the “pink paper” is shocking. It seems to me that the council decided that the process under which the changes were made to the constitution, was undemocratic. You admitted that this is what happened at the Council meeting, yet you seem to be prepared to support a version of the minutes which were, at your own admission, not true. Why?
I also noted that there were some inconsistencies in the “pink paper” from what had been written and said before. A couple of months ago we were told that there were only two people who were halting the process. Now we are told that they have a “substantial following”. We were told that they are ill-informed, and now you tell us that they have some valid points.
I also cannot believe that the only service address one can have is one in the Marina. Surely one can change your service address should this become appropriate?
I am also shocked to read how high-handed the people in the Marina are treated. I don’t care whether people are opposed to your views or not, but calling them “Pied Pipers”, “misguided”, “free riders” etc. is just not acceptable, especially now that you are forced to admit that they have some valid points.
You have lost my vote, and quite sadly, I don’t think I will be able to trust you again. A very concerned resident.
JA
4 users commented in " Concerned Resident "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackStrange that ordinary people like me go to the AGM and note with appreciation that the Marina Da Gama Ass. are trying to increase my personal safety, and naturally there will be costs involved, and then the process is vehemently opposed by a minority who don’t seem to care about decreasing crime in the MArina.All they care about is their personal vendetta against the Association. If a home owner isn’t prepared to pay their subs, where do they think the mponey must come from to uphold the parks, etc. in the Marina Da Gama ? If they don’t take the trouble to attend AGNM’s or fill in a proxy form,then in my mind they do not deserv eto be heard at all !
Dear Karel
You seem to be under the misimpression that the objectors are a stingy lot who want to save a buck or two by depriving you of a Marina-wide security scheme.
You cannot be more wrong. I, personally, have already spent many years’ LEVIES in fighting the changes to the constitution, and I am not the only one. Please note, I am referring to the yearly subscription, not about the minimal yearly subs.
You may not be able to see the dangers this constitution holds, but I assure you that we only have the best interests of the whole Marina at heart and that we too are fighting for your security. We only come from a different angle.
May I ask you – HAVE YOU READ YOUR CONSTITUTION AND DO YOU UNDERSTAND ITS IMPLICATIONS?
If you have not done so and do not understand its implications, you have no right to criticise us.
One question: How concerned is Anita Koetsier about my personal safety?
I do not know you, nor where you live, but I do take the safety of my neighbours and community to heart. I have, personally, gone out with a baseball-bat in the middle of the night to see why my neighbours’ dogs were barking and their alarm was blaring. I have personally chased after the burglars when they ran away. I would do the same for you, or any other stranger, if I were to notice something untoward.
Similarly, I cannot sit back and see how large parts of the community are being forced into a situation where they are being robbed of their property rights. We bought our homes freehold, not sectional title with monthly levies hanging over our heads. You may not understand the dangers in the situation we are facing, but I do, and I see them as so dangerous that I have been prepared to spend lots of my own money and many, many hours of my time on protecting the community. I would not be able to live with myself if I did not.
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