Ward 74 councillor David Fisher believes that when residents become responsible, active citizens with a positive attitude, there is hope for seeing the improvement and change that our country needs.
Fisher works in the Melrose, Melrose Estate and Birdhaven suburbs within the Rosebank Killarney Gazette distribution area, dealing with the affluent suburbs as well as the areas of Bramley, Kew, Rouxville and other suburbs struggling with urban decay.
Fisher’s interest in politics began at age 17 when he joined the Progressive Party and continued late in life as he got involved with community affairs through the Atholl Area Residents and Ratepayers Association.
Since assuming the role as a councillor in August 2016, Fisher has strived to strike a balance between assisting the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ in the suburbs within his ward.
Challenges facing residents within the Rosebank Killarney Gazette area include issues of densification, development, service delivery and infrastructure upgrades.
“I encourage residents to be proactive and report issues and then follow up. I will then escalate the issues if they remain unresolved. Residents need to work cooperatively with City Power, Joburg Water and other City entities to see change,” said Fisher.
He believes this was exemplified when residents worked together to oppose the proposal to move existing depots including Pikitup, JRA and City Parks from Patterson Park to Cydna.
Fisher explained that he worked with a committee of residents, who wrote 85 letters of objection to the City regarding the proposal. In the end, the only depot moving to the Cydna portion of the park is City Parks, which had a nursery and associated activities there for many years already.
“What made this successful was the involvement of community members working together with the City’s planners to express their views, resulting in a win-win situation,” said Fisher.
Having retired from a career in the computer industry, Fisher says he enjoys the ongoing challenges involved in being a ward councillor.
“I’ve always had this need for community involvement and seeing justice done. Seeing the increasing display of a lack of rule of law in our country regarding areas of crime, town planning, roads etc, I wanted to make some impact in bringing about change.”
When he isn’t escalating problems or sitting in council meetings, Fisher enjoys reading about international world affairs and politics. He also enjoys travelling and gardening alongside his wife Deborah.
Details: dfisher@iafrica.com
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