Dear Resident

If our Excom would only initiate half your suggestions, we’d all be far happier, less inclined to criticise and better placed to make a meaningful contribution. There are so many issues on which the MDGA could constructively engage its members – for the benefit of everyone.

I’d LOVE for example for the MDGA to let us know what their requirements are for us to install solar geysers – since we can’t just put up any old thing. They could initiate discussions which I’m sure would result in many residents offering their expertise and help not to mention making useful recommendations regarding suppliers etc. Have Excom even thought about this?

Or how about finding out how many members would be interested in an annual exterior house painting job – how long has the Marina been around? The Excom need only provide the platform…. And just think how such an initiative might lighten the inspection load.

An example of where the Excom are really making a difference is the work Toni Joubert is doing with the open spaces – for which I commend her. We certainly don’t expect Excom to paint, garden etc, but this is a wonderful example of how the Excom have initiated the effort and engaged Council to provide materials. Long live Toni…

But this is what I don’t understand about the Excom in general. The association could be utilised constructively in so very many ways, but the Excom would rather spend YEARS pursuing highly controversial (& possibly unlawful) amendments to the MDGA constitution, to the exclusion of virtually all else. Surely the MDGA should focus on its principal object (architectural stds) and then focus on initiating sustainable projects which culminate in happy members and a thriving community spirit? How about inviting residents to participate in a morning market outside the Spar on Saturday mornings – the Spar would benefit and members could socialise in a healthy environment (certainly better than a bottle store!). There are SO MANY positive initiatives that the Excom could kick-start but NOOOO they prefer to remain bogged down in their scary little world that is a Marina wide security plan and to get their grasping hands on every member’s dosh to pay for it.

As for getting a life, speak for yourself

I can only speak for myself, but I would like to get rid of this association. That, to me, is the most positive step this neighbourhood can take for itself.

Personally, I think it very rude to ignore people at robots. They are human beings, and although I do not support them financially giving handouts, I at least acknowledge their existence. Besides, since when does ignoring beggars at a robot make them go away? Tomorrow, when you stop at that same robot, that same beggar is still there, bothering you again.

If we do not do something about this association now, they will return again and again, like the proverbial bad penny (or beggar at the robot).

It would be so easy for me to ignore this Association. I know it is not legally binding on us to belong to them, and I have the proof thereof. I could take the easy way out and just ignore them, as Resident suggests, and believe me, there have been times when I have been sorely tempted to do just that and wait for them to take me to court for not paying my subs.

Unfortunately though, I am not alone in the Marina. When all this trouble first started, I got many phone-calls from other residents who, quite frankly, were scared out of their wits. People who could not afford levies being imposed on their properties and simply did not have the strength to stand up to ExCom. I promised them that I would help them as much as I could. I will not stop until I have done EVERYTHING in my power to stay true to that promise.

As I have said before, we want a voluntary, friendly association, which has the best interests of everyone at heart. We want a truly community spirited association where willing people can work together for the betterment of the area. We want to be able to resign if the association does not fulfil its mandate, but we will also support it fully, should it do what WE, the residents want.

I would like to ask William and Resident, or anyone else out there a question. Why is it necessary to have an Association where everyone is forced to belong? What is the point?

This Association has bred a lot of discontent and strife throughout the years. No doubt, some good has been done, but a lot of irreparable damage too. It is time to set the Marina free to become a community again. If you keep a dog on a short leash for too long, it turns into a vicious animal, while if you treat it with respect and dignity, it is your friend for life.

JT, I guess I see your predicament. Toni probably does do a good job in the wealthier suburbs of the Marina

I have jumped to no conclusions whatsoever. I just do not see why San Marina should be singled out. As I said, I have maintained my own verges for years and do not expect the Association to do so, but the inference was that we, here in San Marina, would “expect further services”.

The bottom line is that you do live in the wealthier parts of Marina da Gama. Whether that makes you wealthier or not, is of no concern to me. I am convinced that many people driving in 4X4′s and BMW’s are far poorer than I will ever be, despite their show of wealth, but the point is that San Marina is seen as the “poor relative” ie. there to live off the handouts and leach on the “wealthy relatives”. I resent that. I don’t ask them for anything, except to be treated as an equal.

Llewellyn
The one major problem is that we ARE at loggerheads about the LEGITIMACY of the association. The one side says “We have authority over you” and the other says “No you don’t. We do not accept your authority”.

The Association refuses to enter into a proper public participation process. They won’t even respond to people on this site. Remember the Chairman’s quote: “Talk of a consultation process is misplaced. There is no public to consult”?

Council has offered their help in a public participation process. The Independent Electoral Commission can even be involved, (from what I am told, apparently free of charge), should we have a referendum.

Meetings just don’t seem to work. People get annoyed and walk out, people tell one another to shut up and sit down. Let’s have a referendum, conducted in the privacy of our own homes, executed by an independent body, with questions both sides agreed upon, and let the majority decision count.