As the year winds to an end the NEWS met with Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart to discuss 2017.
“This year has been busy since day one,” Hart said.
Earlier this year Hart set out to attend to a number of matters in her ward, which included:
• Preserving Horwood Farm’s homestead.
• Fighting the use of drugs.
• Calling for greater regulation around fireworks.
• The rehabilitation of the Illiondale wetlands.
Many of the projects she set out to complete were successful.
Also read:Â Councillors, residents upset over long grass
A fence was erected by EMM around the Horwood’s Farm homestead and work was begun on the rehabilitation of the Illiondale wetland.
The fence was erected to prevent further vandalism and destruction of the only heritage site in Edenvale.
Hart, who has been requesting EMM to protect the homestead for many years, said erecting the fence was a small success.
“The fence will help protect the homestead but it is still at the mercy of the elements,” she said.
Hart’s biggest highlight of the year was the reopening of the Edenvale public pool.
For most of the year the pool was closed to the community as it did not have a working pump.
The pump was struck by lightning in January.
Also read: Hart presents final chairperson’s report
“Another big positive was that Edenvale was not flooded again this year,” said Hart
Despite the accomplishments there were some difficulties for Hart in 2017.
She said the fight against drugs did not make much progress and a motion calling for greater regulations regarding fireworks had failed.
“Drugs are still a concern in our community. We can still win the war on them with the assistance of the Edenvale Youth Desk and SAPS,” said Hart.
Hart encouraged anyone who has information about drug dealers to report it to SAPS.
She thanked residents for all their assistance during the year and wished them a happy festive season.
