Gekkedag is op 1 April gevier en televisieberigte en nuusflitse het vertel van verpligte groen motorbande vir alle voertuie, hoe sepies net op sekere dae uit-gesaai gaan word om krag te be-spaar en hoe alle outomatiese bank-tellers gesluit gaan word oor dit te veel krag gebruik. DistriksPos se susterpublikasie, HelderPos, het vele met 'n glimlag gelaat toe daar Dinsdag berig is dat die jetty wind-kragopwekkers gaan kry...

'People are dying on the streets'
JOAN HALLY from Somerset West writes:

At the AGM of the Helderberg Street People's Centre, Ian Greer, the chairman (who does an incredible amount of work for these people) told us about two men whom he found lying dying on our streets.

'Keep dogs off the fields'
Phil Beesley, Vice Chairman, Somerset West Hockey Club, writes:

I would like to appeal to all dog owners that use Radloff Park to please keep their dogs off the main hockey and cricket fields in front of the clubhouse.

'Clean up around you'
"Zap-it-in-a-Ziggy-Bin" from Strand writes:

In a recent DistrictMail, there were many articles and reference made to the pollution and litter of our town.

'Daar is 'n uitweg'
JOHAN KIRCHNER van Somerset-Wes skryf: Na aanleiding van die brief "Geraas maak hulle ook mal' (DistriksPos 11 April), wat kla dat hulle nie kan slaap weens die geraas snags nie, wil ek net sê hulle kan hul beroep op artikel 25 van die Wet op Omgewingsbewaring (Wet 73 van 1989) wat op 20 November 1998 in die Provinsiale Koerant gepubliseer is.

'Gebrek aan insig'
Dawie de Wet van die Strand skryf: U voorblad en hoofartikel van 11April, behandel die probleem met Kusweg wat gereeld verspoel. Daar word verwys na die swak herstelwerk verlede jaar en raadslid Middleton se woede daaroor.

Rubbish is a disgrace
CONCERNED CITIZEN writes: I am an tenant at Greenways Golf Estate in Strand. My concern is all the rubbish lying all around on the beach.

'Licence renewal a joke'
FR Spangenberg from Somerset West writes: Ask anyone who recently has had to renew his/her driver's licence and they will tell you that it took (at least) a full day, it cost (at least) R200 and it made his/her blood boil to be subjected to the filth of the offices (that I experienced at Gordon?s Bay) and the incompetence of the whole system.

'Animal cruelty has to stop'
ANOUX MASSEY of PETS - Pet Empowerment in TownShips - in Somerset West writes: On Friday, April 4 PETS while on feeding rounds were alerted to a dog in urgent need of help by some of the kids playing in Boundary Street, Strand.

'Pubs must stay'
"Grateful Parent" from Somerset West writes: In response to Sleepless's suggestion to move the clubs, I say a resounding "Let them stay".

Geraas maak ook hulle mal
"SLAAPLOOS" van die Strand skryf: Ek verwys na brief van "Sleepless" in verlede week se koerant.

Kerk word tikhuis
"Inwoner van Boschstraat" skryf: Ons as inwoners van Boschstraat in die Strand is die afgelope tyd wreed ontnugter toe 'n kerkperseel in 'n tikhuis omskep is. Sedert die onheiligheid wat daar aan die gang is, het inbrake toegeneem wat nog nooit daar plaasgevind het nie.

'John Heuvel op die regte pad'
Ek is dankbaar dat daar darem iemand is wat wil opstaan teen die groot euwel van drankmisbruik in ons dorp.

'Move the clubs'
On Friday, March 28, the infernal racket emanating once more from one of the clubs at the Bizweni end of Main Road in Somerset West was nothing short of obscene!

Help the children
We would like to put out an appeal to the Helderberg community to please donate their unwanted children's clothes and toys to PATCH/Helderberg Child Abuse Centre.

Service bouquets - Diensruikers
The work of the Animal Welfare staff is never an easy task and their time off is surely sacred and used to replenish their energies tapped during the week.

Service bouquets - Diensruikers
I would like to give the biggest service bouquet to the management and staff of Gordon's Bay Security.

'We just complain'
Obviously, crime has managed to reach into this beautiful town of ours and infest it with its dirty, meaningless, senseless and infuriating disease.

'Time to re-check public phones'
We had the displeasure of hopping backwards in time recently whereby we had to find a Telkom "tiekie" box to make a phone call.

'Tyd om publiek kans te gee'
"Dis sommer nonsens" van Strand skryf: Ek is teleurgesteld in die antwoord van raadslid Dave Venter in verlede week se DistriksPos oor die jetty.

Criminals have no regard for anything
JUDY BROWER writes on behalf of Newberry House Montessori Primary in Somerset West: Newberry House Montessori Primary in Dirkie Uys Street is devastated by a recent burglary where two of our computers, a CD player, ceiling and standing fans, and more were stolen. The school was broken into three times over the period of March 14 to 17.

'Verkiesing nie in Wyk 83 nie'
DAVE VENTER, raadslid van Wyk 83, Strand, skryf: Ek wil graag reageer op die brief wat verskyn het in die DistriksPos van 14 Maart, geskryf deur "Inwoner van Firgrove wat omgee en 'n verskil wil maak".

'Strate hier baie onveilig vir kinders'
BERTHA KOK skryf: Maandagoggend 25 Februarie is 'n persoon op die hoek van Campbell- en Reigelaan deur 'n motor raakgery. Druk verkeer kom in die strate rondom Laerskool Beaumont voor, wanneer kinders by die skool af- of opgelaai word - ook tydens sportgeleenthede. Motors parkeer aan beide kante van die straat, wat die sigbaarheid beperk.

'Jetty - tyd om aan te beweeg?'
ONTWIKKELAAR Deon Smit skryf oor die jettie: Die Strand jetty - is dit tyd vir aanbeweeg? Is dit moontlik of nie?

Staan saam - selfs ná verkiesing
"'n Inwoner van Firgrove wat omgee en 'n verskil wil maak", skryf:

How safe is the water?
Eugene van der Merwe writes: I am a resident in the Strand and enjoy the privilege of having drinkable water right from our taps and also access to one of the best beaches in the Western Cape.

Service bouquets
Barbi Desmedt - Fellow thespian; Valda Haarhoff from Somerset West & CHRISTINE AND PAUL SAUERWEIN from Somerset West writes:

'Daymom took away innocence'
Valeska Van Zyl writes via e-mail: I am best friends with one of the mothers who's little angel was in the care of Monica Helm (the Somerset West woman accused of drugging children she was responsible for).

'Skipper to be applauded'
MIKE from Gordon's Bay writes: I am writing in reply to the article on the yacht in distress (DistrictMail, February 15).

'Thank you'
Marjie Penninkhof writes via e-mail: I wish to thank and praise the service rendered to us by Willie Engelbrecht of Helderberg Crime Watch.

'Why waste manpower?'
"Still a Proud Helderberger" writes: In response to the article "R115 miljoen wag" (DistrictMail February 22).

'Concert was ruined'
What a brilliant show and what a superstar! However, the evening was ruined by the following:

'Failure to spend - a shock'
We read with a sense of utter dismay the lead article of the DistrictMail about the failure of the Council to spend its annual budget.

'Aanmerkings is ongegrond'
Intussen moet inwoners maar die besonderhede van alle insleepvoertuie neem wat hulle in hul omgewing sien.

'R44 a frustration'
Like Karen Geldenhuys (last week's DistrictMail), I also commute daily between Somerset West and Stellenbosch, and have also become extremely frustrated with the long tailbacks on the way there. Synchronising some of the lights would probably help, but I believe the greater problem is that the green phases for the R44, especially at the Annandale Road and Jamestown lights where the greatest problems seem to be, is too short for the huge volume of R44 traffic.

'R44 nou nagmerrie'
Ek is een van duisende motoriste wat daagliks die R44 tussen Somerset-Wes en Stellenbosch gebruik. Ja, in spitstyd verwag 'n mens swaarder as die normale verkeer, maar dit wat die afgelope twee maande op die R44 gebeur, is regtig 'n groot frustasie en 'n groot gemors.

'Trust wil nie geld uit jetty maak'
Ek wens Deon Smit sterkte toe met sy konsepvoorstel om die geskiedkundige jetty te herbou. Ek hoop regtig hy kry alles wat hy beoog, reg binne drie maande. Glo my die mense van die Strand en in besonder die SJT sal hom ewig dankbaar bly.

'Reaksie op jetty baie interessant'
Die reaksie op my Strand Jetty-konsepvoorstel was regtig baie interressant.

Nog 'n lewe verwoes
So herhaal 7 Oktober 2007 homself weer 'n keer - nog 'n tref en trap en die skuldige lafaard kom weer weg.

'Kritiek is ongevraag'
"Inwoner" van die Helderberg skryf: Ek wil graag my opinie lug oor die artikel, "Car disappeared into thin air" in verlede week se DistriksPos.

'Die man kan nie skotvry gaan'
Milinda de Villiers van Strand skryf: Ek was erg geskok toe ek die berig in DistriksPos lees: " Man lok peuter met lekker-goed".

'Verbied honde hier'
"PENSIONARIS" van Somerset-Wes skryf: Op Maandag 4 Februarie om ongeveer 16:00 uur gaan stap ek langs die rivier by Radloff Park. Hier word ek aangeval deur 'n hond.

'Beware of pickpockets'
JH from Somerset West writes: I am writing this in the hope that my experience will prevent others from becoming victims of the same or similar scams.

'Cheers for your help'
I would like to thank the many, many people, both private citizens and those employed by the local authority, for the assistance given, and their hard work in controlling the recent inferno on the slopes of the Helderberg.

'Dankie'
Kersvader het ons verlede jaar sommer vroeg besoek en die geskenke het nog tot in Januarie aanhou kom.

'Eateries chip in'
On behalf of Be Free Lifestyle Inc, we would like to say a big thank you to all Somerset West restaurants and food stores (Waterstone Village in particular) who generously donated food and beverages upon our request on Saturday.

'Beware'
MARGARET Lawrence from Somerset West writes: I walk my dogs in Radloff Park every morning early and a few weeks ago my nine-year-old German Shepherd went off her food, my tiny cross breed was also reluctant to eat, but at least he did eat something. By the fourth day of very little food I made an appointment to see the vet.

'Rectify this now'
Sue Venter writes: I am sending this letter on behalf of my sister, Gill Hollands of Hailsham, East Sussex, UK, who is out here in Somerset West on a three month holiday.

'You need counselling'
Margaret Barnard from Somerset West writes: One recent Thursday morning at 08:15, I parked in the mother's parking space in front of Checkers to quickly return a DVD through the slot provided.

'There are objections against development'
"RAT EXTERMINATOR" from Somerset West, writes: It was with some alarm that I read the article (DistrictMail, December 20, 2007), where Dave Venter (DA Councillor) contended that only (three) objections had been received against the development of the 10 Hectare site.

'Projekte gaan aan'
DAVE VENTER, raadslid vir Wyk 83 skryf: Al die projekte wat wyle rdl. Edward Pietersen van Wyk 15 beplan en geïnisieer het, sal ongetwyfeld voortgaan.

They enjoy the fireworks
Chez from Somerset West writes: In response to the letters complaining about the Lord Charles Hotel's annual fireworks, I just need to add my two cents' worth.

'Plan ahead'
"Sparkler 11" from Heldervue writes: Mr van Jaarsveld's letter of complaint (DistrictMail, January 11) about the fireworks from the Lord Charles hotel is an interesting one. I wonder what Mr van Jaarsveld does when we have one of these recently more regular, prolonged thunderstorms, in our changing climate.

'Stop the misery'
YVONNE PIENAAR writes: After many years of enjoying the uncaring attitude of "dog owners" within our midst, it is now time to put a stop to this misery once and for all.

'Stop the fireworks'
In response to the letter from Ian van Jaarsveld on the fireworks display at a hotel in Heldervue on New Year, I would like to point out to the hotel that they are in a residential area and there should therefore be no fireworks displays.

Dink aan die diere
'n Magtelose gevoel spoel elke jaar oor my wanneer ons rustige huisdiere deur skynbaar ongevoelige plaaslike sakelui met massiewe vuurwerkvertonings op Oujaarsaand getraumatiseer word.

'Name the business'
I was disgusted to read the report in last week's DistrictMail about the treatment received by Agnes Schaake at Checkers Centre.

'Stop the fireworks'
Ian van Jaarsveld, Heldervue resident, writes: After many years of enduring the consistent, uncaring attitude of the international hotel within our midst, it is now time to put a stop to this misery once and for all.

'Dankie'
"Dankbaar" van die Strand skryf: Ek wil die Gordonsbaaise polisie bedank.

Thank you
Avril Small from Gordon's Bay writes: I would just like to thank the very kind gentleman who phoned me after 21:00 on Christmas Day to say he had picked up my Jack Russell, Milo, running around, absolutely frantic, on Faure Marine Drive.

'I feel unsafe at Mall'
"Upset" of Somerset West, writes:

I took my nine-year-old daughter to the women?s toilets in the middle of the 09:45 movie we were watching at the Somerset Mall last week. As she came out of her cubicle, a man emerged from another. I was talking to her, so he must have been aware of our presence.

'Why stop the recycling project?'
ELISABETH MOSS writes:

One could foresee problems with the waste removal. We are charged as residents R54, 06 per month for refuse removal. I believe that Hlumani are only paid R13, 54 of that - where does the rest of the money go?

'Vendors a nuisance'
Chantal Botha from Strand writes:

We are really getting fed-up with the state of our beaches due to the street vendors in Beach Road. We receive several complaints daily regarding the constant noise ranging from 07:00 until as late as 22:00 at night, as well as the state of the parking area at our slipway and jetty.

'Driving with a toddler on your lap is irresponsible'
"A VERY concerned Mother" writes:

To the driver of the silver Honda CRV 4x4 with a CEY registration number: What are you thinking? First we thought it was a ?once off?, however, we see you regularly, in the morning, driving down Aerodrome Road with your toddler on your lap!

'Is hulle gereed vir die seisoen?'
S. Burger van die Strand skryf: As jarelange inwoner en belastingbetaler van die Helder-berg, voel ek dit my plig om die volgende onaanvaarbaarhede onder die aandag van die Stad Kaapstad se verkeersdepartement te bring.

'Where to recharge'
John Clark from Gordon's Bay writes: I have recently moved here to Gordon's Bay from Durban and I have a problem with your parking meters.

'Toestande is haglik'
"VIES" van die Strand skryf: Die goudprys daal op die Goue Myl.

Looking for her friend
Julia Konings writes: I am sending this message in the hope that you will publish it in the DistrictMail in Somerset West to help me find a dear friend over there.

'Mense ry roekeloos'
C. de Jager van die Strand skryf: Strand se bestuurders hou goed kers vas by die Somerset-Wes-bullebakke op die pad. Die probleem het twee oorsake, geen opgeleide verkeersbeamptes en dan die bestuurders self.

No control
PC VAN DEN BERG of Orange Street, Somerset West writes: It is with a sense of desperation that I write to you about the total lack of traffic control in our town. On several occasions I have contacted the Traffic Department, all to no avail. Just nothing gets done about the situation.

'Berig nie waar nie'
DAVID DAMONS, sekretaris en Marilyn Grootboom, voorsitter van die Erijahville Gemeenskapskomitee, skryf: Met die lees van die berig op 9 November, en mev. C. Afrika se beweerde beswaddering van die subraadvoorsitter, Demi Dudley, wil ek my misnoë te kenne gee.

'Treat all the same'
FRANK DU TOIT writes an open letter to NERSA (National Energy Regulator of SA): You are a monopoly and any increase in electricity will have a profound affect on our living standards without us having alternative choices, because you are an essential service.

Help seniors
"DISGRUNTLED senior shopper" of Somerset West writes: I would like to complain about the appalling lack of dedicated parking for senior citizens at the Somerset Mall. There are only plus minus four parking spaces for their use.

'Wettelose publiek'
N. Naude van Rome Glen skryf: Kyk jy by die meeste verkeersligte, is dit skrikwekkend om te sien hoeveel motoriste ry deur rooiligte, voor verkeer in. Daar word gevleg deur verkeer en dan moet jy rem om nie een van statistieke te word nie. Die meeste motoriste weet nie hoe word 'n verkeerssirkel gebruik nie.

Verskille by kusgebiede kom
Andries van der Merwe, Helderberg Artisionele Vissers Vereniging, skryf: Ons wil dankie sê aan die antwoord wat die jettytrust ons verskaf het via die koerant. Ons is tans in gesprekvoering met die minister en het ook verskeie ander punte opgehaal tydens die onlangse vissers-gemeenskap kongres van Suid-Afrika wat in Port Elizabeth gehou is.