To SC of proposed Camps Bay CID, I am writing to address my concerns regarding the proposed Community Improvement District (CID) in Camps Bay, as discussed in my recent letter published in the Atlantic Sun on September 21, 2023 (“Analysing CID proposal”).
Firstly, I regret any confusion caused by the typographical error in point 4 of the second part of my letter, where I intended to express concerns about the 40% of residents who may oppose the implementation of the CID.
I appreciate your engagement with the community, but I was disappointed that my concerns were not directly addressed.
Instead, there seemed to be a focus on critiquing the writer rather than engaging with the valid points raised.
It appears that you are willing to “kill the messenger if you don’t like the message”.
In year 2008, my wife and I actively participated in neighbourhood patrol duties and for several years financially supported the neighbourhood watch. However, over time, due to a lack of transparency in financial matters, I discontinued my monthly contributions. Access to financial statements is crucial for building trust and ensuring accountability.
I understand the importance of community involvement, but age and other commitments have altered my capacity to engage at the same level as I did 15 years ago. Nevertheless, I remain invested in the well-being of Camps Bay and its community.
I can only quote the following: the leader of the Bolsheviks democracy Joseph Stalin said, “It’s not the people who vote that count, it’s the people who count the votes.”
I quoted Joseph Stalin to emphasize the significance of a fair and transparent decision-making process, particularly regarding the survey conducted prior to presenting the CID business plan.
It is essential to ensure that the views and concerns of all residents are taken into account, not just those in favour of the plan.
To address my trust concerns, I propose that those advocating for the CID project consider personally financing its initial year. If the project proves successful and beneficial to the community, residents can then be approached to assume financial responsibility.
Regrettably, based on the current communication and interaction, I find it challenging to trust the approach and intentions of you and your associates.
Therefore, I must express my opposition to the proposed CID in Camps Bay.
I sincerely hope we can engage in a constructive dialogue that addresses these concerns and contributes to a more informed and inclusive decision-making process for the benefit of our community.
Thank you for your attention.