Residents of New Horizon, in Pelican Park, welcomed a visit from Mayor Patricia de Lille last Friday, August 17.
Ms De Lille was joined by ward councillor Gerry Gordon for a walkabout and a visit to the field on the corner of Starling and Weaver roads where residents aired their views about issues in the area during the Mayoral Pop-Up Office.
Ms De Lille asked her officials to record the issues raised.
She said although she has resigned as mayor and will step down at the end of October, she will still be active in the community to help “people live a decent life”.
Some of the residents’ gripes included household issues such as water meter problems. Ms de Lille said pamphlets had been circulated with guidance about the water meters.
One woman said she had not received the title deed for her house yet. People were also complaining about the lack of jobs, the lack of resources to keep younger children busy, and the need for a new school.
One man said his water supply had been cut off for a month.
Another issue is huge water bills and there was a request for assistance with a walking bus, where adults help to take small children to and from school to keep them safe from criminals.
Another woman’s house had burnt down due to faulty electrical wiring, which left her stranded.
People also complained about Phase 2 of the Pelican Park housing development, which was due to be built across the road from New Horizon.
They felt the City should make provision for schools, sports fields as well as other social infrastructure.
Ms De Lille promised them there will be a public participation process before the development takes shape.
Laylah Ryklief, chairperson of the New Horizon Civic Association, said people are welcome to lay their grievances on the association’s table and they will take it up at the next meeting with the City.
“On the school issue: the civic members are doing a survey next week to find out how many young children are out of school but it will be taken up with the Department of Education,” she said.
Ms Ryklief said there are youth activities in place such as the marching bands. A celebration will be held on Heritage Day to showcase the different bands.
Pastor Steve Flandorp said he had been living in Pelican Park for many years before New Horizon was built. “I am working with the youth to help them with education and other projects such as to help clean up the area. We could see people taking responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean after that initiative. The community just needs to get involved with their children and they should not tolerate lawlessness.”