- There are two sides to the story.
The matter of membership of the NRU was discussed at length a few years ago at a special general meeting of the JBRPA. Protagonists argued that membership would enable ratepayers to bring greater pressure to bear on the local municipality in the event of a rates boycott. Others disagreed, citing the fact that many pensioners with limited incomes were nervous about additional charges and possible expensive repercussions associated with rates boycotts and membership of the NRU. In the end most members voted against becoming members of the NRU.
However, the Chairman of the NRU, Mr. Jaap Kelder, pointed out that it is not the purpose of his organisation to advise ratepayers’ organisations to enter into rates boycotts regardless of the consequences. It does so only as a last resort.
- Perhaps the time has come for the JBRPA to reconsider its decision not to join the NRU.
Om 'n lid van die NRU te wees, hou soveel voordele in dat dit dwaas sou wees om nie by die organisasie aan te sluit nie.
ReplyDeleteJeffreysbaai-belastingbetalersvereniging sal baat kan vind by:
1. die inligting wat die NRU verskaf en
2. die ondersteuning van die NRU.
Die NRU beskik ook oor baie bronne (resources) wat die JBBV voordelig kan benut.
LEE
Ek sou graag wou sien dat die belastingbetalers van Jeffreysbaai die BBV ondersteun, hetsy ons dal lid van NTU is al dan nie. Ek is bekommerd dat indien hulle nie nou eers die BBV as lede steun nie, hoe gaan ons hulle oorreed om aan te sluit as ons as BBV aansluit by die NTU, aangesien dit die ledegelde effens sal verhoog. Ek sien met afwagting uit na die reaksie van ons belastingbetalers, wat klaarblyklik nog nie mooi besef dat hulle belastings so gemors en wanaangewend word nie.
ReplyDeleteMr Botes, the ratepayers would support the association if the committee were to become more confrontational about issues where the ratepayers' money was being wasted. What has the Ratepayers Association done for their members up to now? Tell us about your successes (if you've had any) and your projects (if there are any) so that we can become enthusiastic support you. This blog is an excellent forum in which to advertise your benefits. No one is going to give their hard earned income to anything which does not prove to be beneficial to them.
ReplyDeleteI am tempted to respond to Nancy Bruwer's message posted on 27 May by paraphrasing an erstwhile US President: "Ask not what the JBRPA can do for you, but what you can do for the ratepayers of Jeffreys Bay." Of course, she is probably correct in implying that the JBRPA is, in effect, a toothless tiger. But what would become of us if we stopped trying to bring pressure to bear on the local municipality? I could refer her to various utterances in the local press (and this blog) by Gerrie Botes, Joe Oosthuizen and various others with regard to the incompetence of the local municipality. In fact, I would not be at all surprised if the municipal bigwigs actually read this blog! I have it on good authority that they are acutely sensitive to criticism published in the media. In addition, the president of the JBRPA, Henda Thiart, regularly meets with the local municipal manager and other officials in her attempts to right the wrongs brought to her attention by local ratepayers. In fact, this blog regularly reports on such contacts. Please page through the index in the sidebar.
ReplyDeleteSo, Nancy and likeminded ratepayers, take hands with the JBRPA and at least try to make a difference.