October 2011

In this newsletter:
 

o Halloween community picnic: Sunday, 30 October, The Living Link, 10am to 2pm.
o Annual association fees now payable
o Solar Heat live Q&A demo: Saturday, 26 November, 4th Avenue opposite The Cobbles Shopping centre.
o The BraamfonteinSpruit Forum, the local focus.
o Community driven crime continued – Reinstating the concept of guardians.
o Domestic Workers Watch: Thursday, 27 October 2011, 2pm, St Paul’s, 12th Street
o Verity Park users Group donation time
o Parkhurst Recreation Centre art market: Wednesday, 26 October 2011, 10:30am
 

Halloween community picnic

Many thanks to those donating items and cash for the event and the sponsors. The event is aimed to allow the community to mix and mingle and enjoy some food and time together. Children are encouraged to dress up and there will be prizes for the best dressed!
 

Parkhurst Village membership fees
 

Membership fees for the Parkhurst Village are R365 per household per year and R120 for pensioners.This goes towards covering costs for the association, paying for appeals, printing, communication mechanisms etc. Even the facilitation of the email accounts to reply to your questions costs money. Voluntary donation amounts will also be gladly accepted.
Please transfer payment to:
Account name: Parkhurst Residents and Business Owner's Association
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Jan Smuts Avenue
Branch code: 004205
Account number: 422263346
Account type: Cheque
Please send proof of payment to info@parkhurst.org.za and we will respond to collect your information.

Solar Heat live Q&A demo
 

On Saturday, 26 November, Solar Heat will set up a demo and be available for questions on the solar heating products available. This will take place on 4th Avenue opposite The Cobbles Shopping centre.

The Parkhurst Village endorses Solar Heat’s exclusive spring offer to Parkhurst residents and businesses. Solar Heat is a reputable company with 25 years experience in solar heating and installs quality local and international products suitable to Gauteng conditions. The offer includes a 10% discount on each solar heating purchase and gives you an upfront Eskom rebate for a limited period (September – December 2011). In addition Solar Heat will donate R400.00 to the association for each purchase.
 

As part of our ‘Greening the Village Project’, the association encourages all villagers to enquire about the benefits of solar heating and the promotion benefits. Please contact Solar Heat Exchangers on 08611 Solar/76527. info@solarheat.co.za or at www.solarheat.co.za for details. Please note that should you elect to take up the offer, any agreement will be between you, the resident and the supplier. The association will not be involved.
 

BraamfonteinSpruit Forum gets local focus
 

The new BraamfonteinSpruit Forum has been launched. Please contact Chris Malan chris@co-arc.com for more information on their activities. Chris also leads the Environment Cluster for The Parkhurst Village.
 

The Environment Department at the City has noted in a recent report that the area along the Spruit is a category one risk for flooding and that action needs to be taken at various points in the river system. There are also new guidelines re development of properties adjacent to a wetland and river. The Forum will help identify where intervention is needed along the spruit. As usual, the squeaky wheel gets the oil - so if you get involved, then the chances are that the problems along the spruit in Parkhurst will get attention before other areas.
 

Community Driven Crime: Reinstating local guardians
 

In the last newsletter we started looking at what the community can do towards reducing the risk of crime by adapting our environment. The feedback was encouraging, and if we can continue to be responsible for our own contractors, we start moving towards a much safer environment. In addition to that, it became apparent that there was another view, what are the police and security companies doing to curb crime?
 

In the 90’s we placed our faith in the police and realised that wasn’t working. We then placed our faith in the security companies and now private security operations are thriving. However, we’re not crime free. Effectively we’ve run out of institutions to point fingers at. We need to take responsibility for our safety and the safety of our community as far as is possible.
 

Geoff Green of Precinct Web has spent some more time educating us about Environmental criminology. He recalls the idea of guardians and he talks about a lady who lived in his street when he was younger who knew everything on the street. She was their guardian, she knew if the kids came back from school, she knew who was having a new geyser put in, and she knew everyone by name.
 

Today, we have high walls, little time to snoop and our guardians aren’t as we remember them. In fact we do have guardians, but the concept has changed a little. We could rely on our domestic workers and gardeners who are home more often than we are, who walk the streets and talk to neighbours more frequently. If you can rely on your gardener keeping an eye out when he is working on the pavement, then perhaps your neighbour could as well. As such, the Domestic Workers Watch run by Penny Steyn is invaluable to help empower the guardians of 2011.
 

In addition to this we can take responsibility for ensuring that our pavements in the block don’t look like no-one cares.Do you have rubble that’s been unattended for over a week near by, or even a giant skip that has been standing full for weeks? All of these are signs of decay and indicate to criminals that people close by don’t really care and the guardians are not on the look out. Part of the precinct Web project records these details, and tracks that against the actual crime in a street. There is a high correlation, and we need to be vigilent. Please address these issues directly with your neighbours in a friendly, community caring way.
 

Written by Jenny Clark for the Safety Cluster. Please send feedback to safety@parkhurst.org.za or comments at I Love Parkhurst on Facebook.
 

We are looking for local “block watch mayors”. There is no night time duty required! We simply need individuals to take ownership for your block, or perhaps two blocks in your vicinity and to record all items that are broken, decaying or look suspicious. We have a system in place to record and report these items. Please come forward if you can assist for your block and we can build a team to do this.
 

Domestic Watch update
 

Next date: 27 October, 2011 2pm St Paul’s Church, 12th Street.
There is an end of year certificate ceremony at Rosebank Union on 17 November. All attendees will need to buy tickets for this at the 27 October meeting for R100. The ticket covers snacks, transport etc. It’s a great way of rewarding and recognising our guardians.

THANK YOU PAM GOLDING PROPERTIES for supporting this initiative and covering the cost of running this! Parkhurst local agents: Carol Truter 082 466 1045, Alex Dicks 083 878 3083.
 

Councillor’s update
 

There will soon be a new Integrated Town Planning Scheme for the City of Johannesburg. This will replace the 17 or so pre-Apartheid town planning schemes that have been in operation.
 

Census Time in the Hurst
 

It’s Census time in Parkhurst until the end of October. The census enumerators will be visiting eachproperty/household in the suburb. The census interview takes about 15 minutes to complete and they don't have to come inside your property - you can do the interview through the gate, fence, etc.

If you are out, they should leave a note which will have a contact number which you can phone to make an appointment for them to visit. For those who didn't complete the form, you will be contacted by phone between 1 to 13 November.
What to do:
1. Ask the person for their official Census ID badge.
2. Answer ALL questions accurately
3. The information you give will be kept confidential as per Statistics Act 6, 1999
4. A barcode sticker will be left behind upon completion to verify that your house was counted. Census officials can be identified as follows:
1. A yellow satchel with the Census and Stats SA logos
2. An A3-size book with a map of the area on the first page
3. A yellow bib with the Census and Stats SA logo
4. A black cap with the Stats SA logo
5. An ID card with a hologram of the Census 2011 logo (SA map with the words “You Count” below it).
The enumerators can be verified by calling 0800 110 248 or 080 236 787 2, which is toll-free from a landline.
 

Important:If you do not want to grant an enumerator access to your home you are not obliged to, but you are obliged under the Statistics Act to provide your household information on the questionnaire. You may also either self-complete or give your information to the enumerator in your yard, over your gate or through a fence. It is your choice.
 

For further information please contact the Census Call Centre on 0800 110 248.
 

Verity park user’s group
 

The Verity Park User Group is looking for some committed park users (dog walkers, sitters, moms and dads, even kids) to join its management committee. Donation time is starting again - so if you want a poop free and maintained park, please make your small deposits (R200-R500) into Verity Park User Group, Nedbank, 1003267173 (branch code for other banks: 198765; Branch code for Nedbank account holders: 197505). More info - contact Tim 083-619-2419 / ttruluck@gmail.com.

Parkhurst Recreation Centre Art Market
 

The monthly art market will take place on Wednesday, 26 October @ 10:30 - 12:00
Meet the artists and models during their mid-morning tea break and view their sketches in progress.
Beautiful, affordable, unframed drawings for sale from R50 to R500!
For more information please contact Annette Volschenk 011 442-6717 volschen@mweb.co.za

The next committee meeting will be held on 23 November. If you have any matters to be raised, please email info@parkhurst.org.za with your agenda item.
General contact options:
In the next few weeks there will be a post box available for letters, cheques etc placed in the Friendly Grocer.
If you're not sure where or how to direct your request.
• E-mail (info@parkhurst.org.za)
• PO Box 84637, Greenside, 2034

Website: www.parkhurst.org.za
Facebook: I Love Parkhurst
Twitter: Parkhurst_Jhb
 

September 2011

In this newsletter:

o Solar power geysers offered at a substantial discount to the Parkhurst residents.

o Halloween community picnic at the Living Link, 30 October 2011

o Community Driven Crime - What can we do to reduce the risk of crime in our community?

o Domestic Watch meeting - 29 September, 2pm St Paul's Church, 12th Street

o Car Guard Program detailso Arbor month - What will happen to our White Ironwood trees?

o Billboard objection appeal denied.

New association, new logo!

The Parkhurst Residents and Business Owner's Association now has a logo. This has been designed by Christopher Gough Palmer of The New Black, a Parkhurst Resident and a dedicated member of the marketing and communications cluster. Chris applied input from a survey and feedback on a selection of logo’s to come up with the final version. Chris providessome insight on the design "The visual rebranding of Parkhurst was fundamentally guided by its heritage, residents as well as the strategic addition of business owners as an integral part of the Village. Our new identity pays homage to the neighbourhood's history with it's calligraphic flourish, while engaging contemporary change through its simple, clean typography." Thank you Chris!


Solar water heating can save you up to 80% of your annual geyser electricity consumption.

Solar water heating can save you up to 80% of your annual geyser electricity consumption and greatly reduce your carbon footprint. A 200 litre solar geyser can save up to 4.5 tons of coal/greenhouse emissions per annum.

The Parkhurst Village endorses Solar Heat’s exclusive spring offer to Parkhurst residents and businesses. Solar Heat is a reputable company with 25 years experience in solar heating and installs quality local and international products suitable to Gauteng conditions. The offer includes a 10% discount on each solar heating purchase and gives you an upfront Eskom rebate for a limited period (September – December 2011). In addition Solar Heat will donate R400.00 to the association for each purchase.

As part of our ‘Greening the Village Project’, the association encourages all villagers to enquire about the benefits of solar heating and the promotion benefits. Please contact Solar Heat Exchangers on 08611 Solar/76527. info@solarheat.co.za or at www.solarheat.co.za for details. Please note that should you elect to take up the offer, any agreement will be between you, the resident and the supplier. The association will not be involved.

Halloween Picnic

Sunday, 30 October

10am to 2pm

Living Link, 1 - 17th Street, Parkhurst

This day will be a fun day for Parkhurst residents who are young and young at heart. The day will be filled with kids activities, a competition for best dressed Halloween outfit, hamper give aways, music and all that is Halloween.
Please bring your picnic baskets, blankets, umbrella’s etc. Cold drinks and boerewors rolls will also be on sale.

Meet the Parkhurst Village committee members and sign up for more information about the Parkhurst Village.

No alcohol permitted.


Community driven crime

Criminology is made up of a number of different factors, the criminal, the victim and the environment. Geoff Green, a well-respected environmental criminologist and a Parkhurst resident has extensive knowledge in the area of environmental criminology.

Geoff introduced us to the theory behind some of the crime in Parkhurst. Not all crime can be prevented by the police or JMPD. As residents we are responsible for influencing the environment in which crimes take place, and the good news is we can actively seek to influence this for our benefit. Our actions can eliminate an environment conducive to crime.

One of the factors that currently influences our safety is the large number of building sites in Parkhurst. Currently there are over 100 building sites, and an estimated 600 labourers working on these sites. Although we trust that the builders earn an honest day’s living helping improve our neighbourhood, a sad fact is that this is not always the case. Wages are often low, and temptation high.

These are the points to note when engaging contractors to do work on your property:
1) The contracted company must ensure that all staff leave the area each night. A neighbour highlighted a camp being set up at the end of 5th Avenue one Friday night. They had lit a fire in the park, and were set to stay. These were labourers from a building site.

2) All employees must have had criminal record checks done by the police before coming on site.

3) All employees must have the relevant work permits where they are not South African Citizens.4) A copy of the employee’s ID and/ or passport should be held by the contractor. As the property owner you need to know, by name, who is working on your property at all times. Get the list of names, and ask to see the ID copies on record with your contractor.

While many new home owners haven’t moved in yet, and aren’t formally part of the community, it’s quite important that prior to being part of the community they’re still responsible for our safety. Similarly your actions may affect the well-being of your neighbour.

These conversations with neighbours may be difficult, but if I told you that this friendly conversation might prevent you from having a gun to your head or your wife being raped, would it not be worth it? Cheap labour doesn’t justify risking your or your neighbour’s lives.

The security companies serving our neighbourhood all echo this being one of our best ways of eliminating a large percentage of the crime we face.

So where to from here? Should we recognise responsible suppliers and contractors and publicise them? Should we as residents publish building guidelines and distribute these to building sites in our road? Please send your thoughts and feedback to safety@parkhurst.org.za or comment on the notes at I Love Parkhurst.

In next month’s newsletter we will highlight some other areas we can actively work on ourselves.
Story written by Jenny Clark representing the Safety Cluster safety@parkhurst.org.za

Domestic watch meeting

The next Domestic Workers Watch meeting will be held on 29 September 2011 at 2pm, at St Paul’s Church, 12th Street, Parkhurst. This will be run by Penny Steyn of Making a Difference.

(While aimed at domestic workers and gardeners, everyone is welcome to attend)

This takes place on the last Thursday of each month, same time, same place. Participants are issued with a certificate of attendance in November is they attend all sessions.


THANK YOU to PAM GOLDING for supporting this initiative and covering the cost of running this! Parkhurst local agents: Carol Truter 082 466 1045, Alex Dicks 083 878 3083.

Car Guard program

The Parkhurst Village will work with NYPD, a local security company and the police to implement a form of managed car parking in Parkhurst. The community will be well aware of some of the issues we face with errant car guards, bad parkers, etc. This program aims to make the car guards dependable and accountable.

From 30 September, the only car guards who are permitted to operate in Parkhurst will be wearing an NYPD vest and will be PSIRA registered. They will be issued with ID cards with their details and will be required to follow a defined code of conduct. The existing car guards have been notified of this.

From 1 October residents and visitors should:
Only support a car guard in an NYPD vest.
If you see a car guard in a group of people, or drunk on duty, call the NYPD number on the vest immediately. Try to get the name of the guard, and they should have their ID card pinned to the vest.
If a non-NYPD car guard is operating on the street call the Parkhurst police van number or the main station. 071 675 6062. This is a number you should keep in your phone.
This program is being supported by the police and regular raids will try to eliminate non-approved guards in the area.


Arbor month - focus on the village gems

With the arrival of spring we find ourselves in arbor month.

In our village a few notable trees occur in 4th Avenue in front of the former filling station. These are indigenous, White Ironwood trees (Vepris lanceolata). This species normally grows as a shrub or a small tree up to 5m tall, and is thus not commonly planted as a street tree.

The examples in 4th Ave were apparently planted by a former business owner in the village, and have over the years grown into fine specimen. Next time you are passing by, note the peculiar wavy edges to their leathery leaves, which give a lemony smell when crushed. The trees host caterpillars of three species of swallowtail butterflies, and the fruit attract birds like crested barbets and redwinged starlings.

We have been in touch with the developers of the former filling station site to request protection of these trees during construction, but they have instead been successful in obtaining permission from the Municipality to have these transplanted. We are in the process of coordinating with the developer a transplant by specialists, at the developer’s expense, and are looking at Verity Park as a potential location. This is not the ideal fate for these White Ironwoods, since there is a risk of failure in any transplant of established trees.

IF YOU’RE THINKING OF PLANTING A TREE IN ARBOR MONTH, THINK INDIGENOUS.



Billboard appeal denied
The appeal against the approval of a GIANT billboard in Parkhurst has been denied by the City. Any comments please forward them to info@parkhurst.co.za


R1 per day!
Membership fees for the Parkhurst Village are R365 per household per year and R120 for pensioners. This goes towards covering costs for the association, paying for appeals, printing communication mechanisms etc. Voluntary donation amounts will also be gladly accepted.

Please transfer payment to:
Account name: Parkhurst Residents and Business Owner's Association
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Jan Smuts Avenue
Branch code: 004205
Account number: 422263346
Account type: Cheque

Please send proof of payment to info@parkhurst.org.za and we will respond to collect your information.

The next committee meeting will be held on 19 October. If you have any maters to be raised, please email info@parkhurst.org.za with your agenda item.

General contact options:

If you're not sure where or how to direct your request.
E-mail info@parkhurst.org.za
PO Box 84637, Greenside, 2034
Website: www.parkhurst.org.za
Facebook: I Love Parkhurst
Twitter: Parkhurst_Jhb

Newsletter - August 2011

The Parkhurst Village
Parkhurst residents' and business owner's association.

With a newly-elected committee in place, The Parkhurst Residents' and Business Owner's Association is already hard at work. Minutes from the meeting held on 21 June are added here as well as the presentation presented on the night.

Here is a brief update of current activities and news. The official launch and rebranding will follow in the next few months.

General contact options:
If you're not sure where or how to direct your request.
• E-mail (info@parkhurst.org.za)
• PO Box 84637, Greenside, 2034

Website: www.parkhurst.org.za
Facebook: I Love Parkhurst
Twitter: Parkhurst_Jhb

The committee
Chair - Cheryl Labuschagne: 083 637 0394 chair@parkhurst.org.za
Vice Chair -  Annie Conway: 082 445 6174 chair@parkhurst.org.za

Safety - Domestic Watch, relations with police, JMPD, road safety, crime prevention initiatives.

Jenny Clark: 082 882 2700 safety@parkhurst.org.za

Green & Sustainable Environment  - Parks, open spaces, green initiatives etc.

Chris Malan: 082 829 9124 or 082 330 7240 environment@parkhurst.org.za

Marketing and Communications - PR, events, newsletters, website management, social media communication.

Velile Sithole, Christina Senne:  083 996 4517 or 083 749 0264 comunications@parkhurst.org.za

Administration, finance and legal -  Colin Braude: 082 852 8978 finance@parkhurst.org.za

Business Framework & Growth -  Development of business relationships for the community and advertising.

Heidi Pretorius: 082 940 3464 business@parkhurst.org.za

Infrastructure Maintenance & Development  - RSDF, precinct plan, building code issues, planning permission and building rights issues, roads etc.

Greg Hirschson: 083 450 8025 infrastructure@parkhurst.org.za

Relations with Public Services & Local Government

Cheryl Lauschagne: 083 637 0394 chair@parkhurst.org.za
 

SAFETY NEWS:

The second local Domestic Workers Watch meeting will be held on 25 August 2011 at 2pm, at the St Paul’s Church, 12th Street, Parkhurst. This will be run by Penny Steyn of Making a Difference.

(While aimed at domestic workers and gardeners, everyone is welcome to attend)

This takes place on the last Thursday of each month, same time, same place. Participants are issued with a certificate of attendance in November is they attend all sessions.

THANK YOU to PAM GOLDING for supporting this initiative and covering the cost of running this! Parkhurst local agents: Carol Truter 082 466 1045, Alex Dicks 083 878 3083.
 

• The safety cluster has met with the three major security companies within Parkhurst and will continue to build this relationship going forward.
• We are working with Parkview Police and NYPD to expand the car guard program. Car guards will be checked and approved for operation by the Parkview police. They will be issued with cards that confirm their authorisation to operate in the area. A log will be kept of who operates in which streets and on which times. A PR campaign will be started to educate visitors about the car guard program to ensure that only approved car guards operate in the area.
• Neil Archer has been elected to the Parkview Policing Forum(CPF). This will allow Parkhurst direct representation on this committee. The CPF manages the relationship between security companies, the police, the metro police and the community for the entire Parkview precinct.
• Attention to street lights and other road safety issues is being planned out. Please report your street lights that are out to the council 011 375 5555. If not fixed after 72 hours, please email safety@parkhurst.org.za

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING:

The New Parkhurst Residents and Business Owners Association Logo is currently being designed. In addition to that a new platform for communiction is being managed.

Monthly Newsletters will be distributed through email, published on www.parkhurst.org.za and placed in residents’ post boxes.

GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT:
Residents took a walk along the Braamfontein Spruit on 31 July with some local experts, to look at some cutting edge initiatives for rehabilitation of the waterway. It is encouraging that wild life appears to be returning including the Giant Kingfisher and Blue cranes.
Stef's memorial Garden is being planted in Parkview with the help of McNab's and in honour of all road accident victimes. If you would like to donate a plant to reember a loved one, please email environment@parkhurst.org.za

The objectives guide our activities. As a community-based organization we are keen to hear from the community, and would welcome anyone interested in contributing and collaborating towards a better environment.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTENANCE:
A task force is being formed to create the Parkhurst Precinct Plan. This will entail a public participation phase, and the public included in the planning and approval of this. If you have experience in town planning, you are a town planner, or involved with development or related fields, your skills would be valued on the task force. Please contact Jenny 082 882 2700 urgently.

Possum's, a new establishment next door to the Jolly Cool has applied for a liquor license. We await publication of this application on their premises for formal procedures to begin.
The Leopard, on the corner of 12th and 4th Avenue has also applied for a new liquor license. Should you wish to object, the objection process and template can be made available to you. Please email info@parkhurst.org.za An additional email focussed on this will be sent out once all of the details have been gathered.

SOLAR GEYSER GROUP BUYING DISCOUNT:
Heidi has been negotiating a group discount for Parkhurst residents when purchasing a solar geyser. The details of this are just about final. Please email business@parkhurst.org.za for the details of the supplier and discount. The Eskom rebate still applies. Further detail will also be in the next newsletter.

CHAMPION PARKVIEW POLICE!

Thanks to swift action by the Parkview police. A taxi driver was arrested within minutes after a hit and run accident with a Parkhurst resident on Jan Smuts Drive. The resident had the Parkview Police direct vehicle numbers on her phone and used these when the driver fled the scene. Constable Masupa is investigating.

Residents are encouraged to store these number in their phones: 071 675 6061/2/3/4/5 as it connects directly to vehicles in the area.

COUNCILLOR'S UPDATE:
www.ward117.co.za has been created so that residents can escalate problems relating to electricity, water, sewerage, billing, parks, etc. This should be used where problems are not resolved after the resident has reported it themselves. This will enable Tim Truluck to escalate the outstanding matters.

JOINING THE PARKHURST RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNER’S ASSOCIATION
Applicants to fill in the application form available on www. parkhurst.co.za There is a small annual fee payable of R365 per business or residence and R120 for pensioners. This goes towards covering costs for the association. Voluntary donation amounts will also be gladly accepted.

Please transfer payment to:
Account name: Parkhurst Residents' and Business Owner's Association
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Jan Smuts Avenue
Branch code: 004205
Account number: 422263346
Account type: Cheque

The next committee meeting will be held on 21 September. If you have any maters to be raised, please email info@parkhurst.org.za with your agenda item.