simonstown

Simon’s Town Civic Association
STCA Reports on Amenities, Environmental & Glencairn (AEG)
Posted: 18 Jun 2008 12:23 AM CDT
2008 June 12th STCA Reports on Amenities, Environmental & Glencairn (AEG)
Amenities
                1.1  The Hawk System
Much thought and discussion around this system has taken place by Leslie, Nicki, Desiree and us, provoked by three things:
We have a very efficient Sub Council Manager and a dedicated Ward Councillor, both of whom like to know what is happening in their ‘cabbage patch’.   The Hawk System frequently left them out of the loop.  
The Sub-Council have introduced a tracking system to monitor response to problems and at the end of each week, a list of issues raised is circulated to the Councillors so they know what is happening in their wards, so keeping them in the picture.   In this way, duplication will be weeded out and there will be careful monitoring of outstanding work required.
Many people prefer to report directly to someone in ‘authority’ and only when things aren’t happening do they call in my help.   This is largely due to them not understanding the workings of CoCT officials and the fact that we are not considered a priority area and so things are not remedied immediately.   Double reporting only increases paperwork and wastes time and energy.
Therefore it is proposed that we adopt this procedure and introduce it to Simon’s Town in the next Newsletter together with a template for reporting matters either by email or dropping off a note at the Sub-Council in Fish Hoek – it is important to have these requests in writing with specific contact details if anything needs clarification.   Something along the lines of the following though it needs to be checked out with Desiree before publicizing.
Request Form for the Sub Council Manager , Fish Hoek or  <desiree.mentor@capetown.gov.za>
Date         (of submitting the request)
Category        (Roads, Waste Management, Parks etc)
From (full name of person submitting the request)
Contact details (email, geographical & telephone)
Detailed Description          (the more specific, the easier it is to respond to)
To minimize work, each request should be submitted separately so they can be quickly forwarded to the correct person.
                        Perhaps copies of the forms could be left at the library for people to fill in and to publicize the process.
1.2  Self Help
It can’t the stressed enough that people take responsibility for and rectify the little things that they see amiss rather than the attitude of calling for ‘Council action – after all, what do they pay their rates for?’
1.3  Outstanding Requests
Disabled kerb lowering on the corner of Queen’s & Seaforth Roads – have heard nothing further from Donald Stechman and so assume this has been finally accomplished to his satisfaction.
Waste Management – this is still an area of great concern.   The lack of litter bins in strategic places only sends out a message of disinterest in litter management.   A convenient bin means people can be reprimanded for not using it if they drop litter.   No bin = No concern about litter.   Bins should be freely available upon request and the person requesting a strategic bin should be appointed the bin monitor and take responsibility for the servicing of that bin (regular emptying).   This system has been tried and works extremely well in Glencairn.   If the bin monitors consistently fail to do their jobs properly, the bin could be removed unless another monitor can be found.
1.4   Supervision of Casual Labour – it is a source of constant annoyance to watch casual labour teams being sent out unsupervised.   They show absolutely no incentive to work or respect for the job/pay they are being given.   It is understood that there simply isn’t enough City management personnel to tackle this.   But there are a huge number of concerned residents who would be only too willing to assist within certain parameters.  f certain ‘approved’ residents could be informed of a team working in their area, they could keep an eye, knowing what was required of the team, and report on any deviations as they occurred.   eg ensure road sweepers bagged the sand, litter and gravel rather than chucking it into the bushes or litter bins.
1.5  Metro Rail & the CSIR report on Glencairn.   The 1987 Glencairn Beach Management Plan by the CSIR has been found in Howard Gould’s office and is being copied for circulation.
2.   Environmental
2.1  Burgers Walk alien clearance & restoration – work has begun but has been hampered by rain. on the situation at our meeting on the 8th  and it will obviously come up again at the STEAC.
2.2  Whales – the whale spotting season officially started on 1st May but some put in an early appearance in April.     Go to www.awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za to see what is happening on the whale watching front.
Glencairn — GEESE
Water Levels & Stepping Stones – great agitation was caused when the level in the top pan dropped a metre but this was deliberately done by Chris Bonthuys in expectation of heavy rains.   The level then slowly rose but with the very latest rains, water is now flowing over the causeway.   Chris has promised to install the stepping stones across the causeway which are essential for workers to get to their jobs without having to paddle or walk for miles.
Wiley Bridge Approaches – the stone wall on the up valley side has been completed – Elvis ‘Jaques’ stone work is being much admired.
Southern Right Hotel Colour Change – public participation has been invited to chose the new colour for the hotel.   They are trying to pick out a similar colour to the sand stone backdrop.   Go to their website to caste your vote <www.southernrighthotel.com> – non-participation means no criticism of the result! 
Relationship between Glencairn & Simon’s Town -
        Rupert and Cilla Bromley, June 2008
STCA: REPORT ON URBAN CONSERVATION – JUNE 2008
Posted: 18 Jun 2008 12:19 AM CDT
SIGNAGE
SANLAM signs  on St George’s Street
Having promised in April that their signs would be removed “immediately”, six weeks later, on Saturday 7 June, Sanlam’s signage was at last removed.  (What a good thing that I had decided not to hold my breath when they initially promised to remove their signs all those weeks ago!) 
The signs were the oversized neon sign between the columns on the façade, the one underneath the verandah and the metres of tacky sticker-tape festooning the shop-front windows. 
Sanlam’s Gussy Kriel was surprisingly acquiescent after I explained why Simonstonians would raise the flags and rejoice at their removal.   He was left pondering the concept put to him that signs should be designed to enhance a place or building and that by adhering to that maxim, vast national organizations would be less likely to be viewed as bully-boys by a public sick and tired of being visually hammered by their inappropriate, unrestrained signage. He actually said he would bear the notion in mind when next considering signage in a conservation area.    Seeing is believing.
SHELL signs on St George’s Street
The empty metal frame which previously housed the SHELL sign at the garage on St George’s Street has been removed.
ADT signs at the Panel Beater’s ST Station premises
Although ADT have removed two of the larger signs at the above premises, there are still far too many of their smaller security signs stuck to the boundary wall and gates facing incoming traffic to Simon’s Town.
The by-law states that unless approval has been granted by the Municipality, “Only one such sign may be displayed on any public road or street frontage of such premises.”   What a visual improvement there would be if only ADT and the operator of the workshop would co-operate and respect the law.
Prince Alfred Community Hall sign
A way must be found to rid this quaint historical lane below the Mosque of this thoroughly out-of-place, obtrusive sign (for discussion at the next meeting?).   The hall is already clearly indicated by a sign set in relief on the façade of the building and again on the side abutting Juter Square (another inappropriate sign, but at least it is set flat against the back wall of the building).
Estate Agencies’ Signs on Runciman Drive (a scenic drive)
Regina Sauer agency promised to remove her signs, has reneged on the promise to remove the signs.  This is most disappointing seeing that it had been pointed out - and professed to be sympathetic to the fact - that Runciman Drive is a scenic drive and as such no advertising is permitted.
Pam Golding have also chosen not to comply with the law. 
There are several other estate agencies who leave their “SOLD” signs up on walls and erfs/plots well past the TWO WEEKS they are allowed to advertise their sales.   They know who they are and they are well aware that both residents and the wider public wish they would be considerate and show more respect for both the visual environment and the law.  
URBAN CONSERVATION
Hospital Steps and the lanes on the “Scenic Walk”
In my report of 1 May 2008 to the STCA forwarded before going on holiday, I mentioned the problem of Hospital Steps lane being used as a lavatory and the extensive littering of other lanes, in particular, the one alongside the National Monument “Union Tavern”.   
On our return, having taken a walk along the latter lane, we were delighted to note that the ‘old’ vast heaps of litter had been removed (praise be to those who organized that), but disappointed that already clumps of ‘new’ litter had been dumped by who-knows-who?   The question is how to stop who-knows-who from being a public nuisance.
Metrorail – removal of fencing and stancheons
The Bad News is that it was very disappointing on my return to note that Metrorail had yet again reneged on their promise to remove the dilapidated fencing alongside the grass parking area from Mackerel Bay to Klein Vishoek and the rusty stancheons on the sea side of the railway in front of the flats and Fire Station.  They had promised in an email dated 22 April 2008 to do so “by Friday coming”.    Since that Friday is still coming I am glad yet again that I had decided not to hold my breath on that promise either.
Metrorail have apologized once again and have promised to “come back to me on Wednesday”, which is today.   So far, silence….. but we live in hope.
The Good News is that the unsightly damaged palisade security fencing at the Simon’s Town Station staff parking lot has been fixed and looks as good as new (several panels had been smashed in and broken down the moment the fencing had been erected over a year ago).
Damage to the stone wall at Disa Valley Cemetery
A corner section of the stone wall (beside the Marine Oil boundary end) has broken away from the rest of the wall and fallen on to the pavement.   To prevent damage to the rest of the wall the stones should be replaced and cemented.    Who? How?

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