Craig Harrison, 47, Democratic Alliance (DA) local elections candidate councillor for Ward 7 which includes Eike Park, Helikon Park, Culemborg Park and Homelake from Food Corp to Laerskool Randfontein recently answered the Herald’s questions regarding the upcoming elections.
1. What have you done during your time in office?
I have lived in Randfontein for 47 years and have been living in Ward 7 since 2007. I have been the ward councillor for Ward 7 since 2004.
2. What are you going to do differently?
We need people who can invest in our town, but we need to make sure the basic services are in place first. Without investment, the town will remain in the starting blocks while other towns grow and expand. We need to take the municipality head to head and make sure that services are provided. We are the only party that ‘gets things done’. We pay our taxes and we have to insist on services.
3. If you were elected, what would you focus on and why?
Service delivery, service delivery, service delivery – that is what we need to ensure the ratepayers receive. My focus for the next term is to ensure that the ratepayers of the ward get the service they deserve. We need to focus on the basics and start getting this right like roads that you can drive on and not being called ‘Potholefontein’, street lights that work, sewerage systems that work and are not overflowing in the streets day and night, traffic signs to be painted and maintained, and the list goes on.
I have created four WhatsApp groups for the ward. I use this to communicate with the ratepayers of the ward on issues the residents have like potholes, electricity, water etc. This seems to be very effective. When I know of a planned power outage or water issue, it works well to keep the community informed of what is happening. To join send me a WhatsApp message on 083 325 0151.
4. Why should the community vote for you?
I am community-driven and try to ensure the ward receives the services it deserves. In the last five years the ward has had 10 roads resurfaced, potholes fixed – including a generous donation of five tons of tar that we (residents and my committee) used to fix potholes ourselves, several new streetlights have been fitted and thousands of service delivery complaints submitted and followed up on. When the DA governs, we govern with excellence, and the proof is in what we have done in Midvaal in Gauteng as well as all the other municipalities where we have governed for more than five years. Now is the time to unite and vote for a councillor and party that fight for the residents of the town.
5. Outside of your council duties, how are you involved in the community?
I’m an active director at the Randfontein Publicity Association (RPA) and a relevant member of the community. We as DA and in my personal capacity we do active community service. We have done a ‘trolley drive’ on several occasions for a few organisations where we also got the community involved.
6. What past experiences make you uniquely qualified for this role?
I have been a councillor since 2004 so by now I have worked with several mayors and MMCs to understand the ropes within council. I understand how I can be the bridge between council and residents, and how I can help to ensure the ratepayers receive the service they deserve.
The municipal elections will take place on Monday, November 1.
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