THANK YOU to all who continue to contribute funds, support, positive inputs, and workable solutions. With this letter I appeal to all to sign up as active members of the ratepayer’s association. R100 per year.
WELCOME to those who are new to Betty’s Bay and the BBRA. This is a platform where you may engage with your volunteer leadership in the BBRA and find a platform for you to exercise your passion in the service of this community. Our meetings take place every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 17:00 at the Crassula Hall. We have created a slot for you prior to our committee meetings. Spread the word and join the TEAM.
WHAT IS UNFOLDING
Looking back at the way things have been going in terms of our (ratepayers and Kleinmond administration) ability to fix, maintain and accomplish anything extra has always been a battle. Things are not going to get better as we try to catch up on COVID related backlogs and now the storm damage. Putting these two factors aside we have always struggled to function with ease as a ratepayer’s association and Kleinmond administration because of the lack of funds, the lack of resources, staffing issues, procurement red tape and contractor nightmares. We can cry foul, rant about the taxes we pay, question competency and attitudes as much as we like, this attitude and approach will not be able to produce or solicit what we need to keep Betty’s Bay beautiful and in ship-shape, in fact it does quite the opposite. It just provokes enemies and creates isolation. What we (ratepayers and Kleinmond administration) need to do is to stand together and agree on a strategic intent to overcome all our challenges. This we can do.
There is a bottom line here that would be best to understand. Organised crime is on the increase in the Overberg, and we are not exempt of this dangerous upward trend. Eskom electricity is not a given any more and nor is the infrastructure. Water is abundant and our water distribution system is on the mend, but sabotage and vandalism could cut that short in a very short time. Sewage is a vital operational need for us living in this area and this too is not guaranteed during a time of turmoil or riotous behaviour. Food security for us may also become problematic if we are isolated between our bordering rivers. Medication, medical care, and chronic treatment is already a challenge and might even get worse. There are a whole host of factors that could have a devastating effect on our village if we are not prepared.
We are not the village we were fifty, thirty, twenty or even ten years ago. The dynamic has changed and continues to do so regardless of our objections and disdain. The ratepayer’s association in partnership with the Kleinmond administration will endeavour to do the best we can with what we have available to us regardless of what some people think. The overarching factor to drag along with everything we do is to understand that the cost of everything has skyrocketed exponentially over the years, and we can’t change that.
So, what is it that we need?
It would be smart to have cool heads and positive attitudes, participation and leadership in all categories of our existence here. We need extra funding and lots of it, less dependence on institutions like Eskom, government, and the municipality, a local economy that can support our local population, and to have everyone who lives here become a contributor to the upkeep of Betty’s Bay over and above the standard delivery from the Kleinmond administration.
We have debated, researched, and discussed various solutions to keep us ahead of the curve, one being a special ratings area concept. However, I am not in favour of a special ratings area because it would immediately increase our rates, it would need us to endure a long and tedious process with volunteers we just don’t have and we would have to go through the same process every 3 years. To be frank, I don’t think I am up to all of that.
The other option is forming a non-profit company. It is my feeling and suggestion that the chairman, the secretary and the treasurer of the ratepayer’s association form a non-profit company. The reason I say this is because these members are also in the driving seat of the BBRA. The other important thing is that, as the ratepayer’s association committee discusses and approves activities, the directors of the company are already on board and could announce a decision straight away. To what end must this company operate?
To acquire enough funding to supplement the shortfall from our Kleinmond administration;
To beautify our village and maintain its beauty;
To institute modern technology in crime prevention and safety initiatives;
To ensure community care programs are adequate;
To encourage education, sport, and tourism in Betty’s Bay.
For this mammoth endeavour to become a success story we will need an unwavering commitment by all. I will make myself available to the end of 2025.
WHAT ARE OUR STATS?
We have 1465 members on our database. (Only 1032 email addresses)
Active members total at 375. (These members are paid up members contributing R100 a year) This money we use for everyone’s benefit. (Thank you once again, you carry us).
Passive members total at 1090.
There is a potential to have 3846 plus members if everyone in Betty’s Bay was a member. And how much better it would be if everyone became an active member.
POLITICS
We are entering into a political space where none of us has ever been before. It is going to be interesting, different, and challenging for all of us especially prior to the elections next year. Who knows how it is all going to turn out. Whatever the outcome is, we should be on the front foot … no matter what.
BANK DETAILS
Account Name: Bettys Bay Ratepayers Association
Branch: ABSA Hermanus
Account type: Cheque
Account Number: 4066616439
Our Ref: Your Surname & Erf Number