Do we stand a chance for ‘Town of the Year’?
Residents feel PA not worthy of title due to sewage, potholes
alk of the Town’s Facebook question of the week was: Do you think Port Alfred stands a chance of winning a “Town of the Year” competition? Why or why not?
Although some people pointed out Port Alfred’s beaches as something in its favour, most respondents felt infrastructural problems, potholes and untidiness in public places counted against it.
Greg Olsen said: “Yes, on the beauty of our beaches and surrounds but unfortunately no, on performance of our municipality!”
Beverly Young said: “No, too many unkempt municipal areas.”
Young followed up with a lengthier comment, saying: “Van der Riet Street used to be the ‘Tree Walk’ many years ago — nearly all gone now.
“I had a brochure for the tourists to follow. Also the City Hall was a showpiece, particularly the gardens.
“I don’t mind that Main Street looks like a Nigerian market, just clean it up. While there are some lovely spots overall in the area/town, and
Tyou cannot always trot out the beach area, it’s the core of the town that is neglected. I can offer no solutions, by the way.” Ann Atteridge-Tyrrell said: “Certainly not. it will be hard to find one anywhere, except in the Western Cape.”
In response, Colleen
Figg said Jeffreys Bay had won “town of the year” last year.
Joc Guest said Jeffreys Bay had won it under the DA.
“Their mayor is very experienced, qualified for the job and has all the people’s needs in his big heart,” she said.
Patrick Schreiber said: “Small things can make a difference .... The new sidewalk paving next to the newly refurbished main road down into town (from EL) already has weeds pushing through in many, many places... Doesn’t look good on a supposedly smart sidewalk.”
Tony King agreed, saying: “Was just thinking how bad it’s looking already.”
Glen Fenthum said he believed Port Alfred did stand a chance.
“Very clean beaches and friendly people all over there. It’s my home town, [wish] I was back there.”
Terri Elkonin Harrewyn said: “Maybe if we had water and the potholes were properly repaired.”
Zola Tokota was certain Hermanus would win.
“We could, if we cleaned the area, sorted the smell and sewerage seepage. Port Alfred is a hidden gem,” said Bridget Webster.
Colin Taylor said: “No... not with its poor infrastructure and sewer river.”
Sonelle Nella Muller agreed with Taylor about the infrastructure.
“We need much more to make PA win. Sad but true. Water always a problem. Road[s] not kept in a good condition.”
Jo Styles WorthingtonSmith was of the opinion that “If we all jump in to help, like Harrismith residents are doing, we could make a huge difference.”
Mickey Witthuhn said: “No, open spaces, pavements and beach loitering is disgusting, besides any vehicle now just stopping on the R72 through town with zero traffic police visibility.”
There were several other ‘no’s”, including from Nico
Muller, Leatitia Kruger, Jenni Nicholabest, Ari Purdon and Stephani de Bruin.
Grahame Martin said Port Alfred stood a chance if the only other entries were Butterworth and Idutywa.
Angi Bezuidenhout said: “I wonder how it’s assessed. A certain amount of the assessment should be quality of infrastructure, which is not always visible. The knowledge that services actually are working [and] delivered to the Taxpayers at large.
“The salinity of the water in PA is terrible. Having to rely on rain water tanks should not have become completely essential.”
Colleen Denniss said: “I can’t [see] the point of winning the town of the year competition with the water problems we are enduring here. Winning will only encourage people to visit and this will cause an even bigger crisis than we are in already.
“And secondly, our little town is really looking very tatty presently. It needs to be spruced up... The pot holes, the verges and the beach areas, especially tidying up the Guido’s car park... and it needs to stay that way, not just for the day.”