To our best knowledge all the owners of properties within the Estate have been notified of the AGM. We therefore encourage everyone that owns property with in the estate to attend this very important meeting.
Included in the documents that was sent out, nominations were requested for individuals who are prepared to act as directors on the Home Owners Association Board. Over the last number of years a very heavy burden was placed on the current directors as there were multiple challenges with owners unable or unwilling to pay levies and even legal actions.
Residents are therefore encouraged to make themselves available as directors so that the group of directors can be expanded to lessen the load on those we have been working tirelessly over the last number of years.
What we need to address is security and the quality of life on the Estate.
1. Security needs to be the top priority in the estate. We need to eliminate all security incidents and have everyone safe when inside the perimeter. Technology needs to be improved.
2. Improving our sense of community is the next issue and therefore we should seriously consider the following :
a. Opening of a crèche or pre-school, (ask for proposals?)
b. Reactivating the tennis club and putting in lights and recreation area for players.
c. Consider putting a mini gym a common area by a resident that is fitness conscious and where residents can join and exercise (ask for proposals?)
d. Expanding the play area with more equipment - a swing(s), see-saw and small Ferris wheel?
3. On GROUPON the Ga'Rouge restaurant is regularly advertising 50% off on meals. We should consider approaching them for special deals for Candlewoods Property Owners only.
4. Have a monthly information / communication medium - this Blog can be expanded for that purpose.
POST COMMENTS and CONTRIBUTIONS BELOW PLEASE.
Thanks for the initiative. I agree on all the points above. I have noticed a couple of residents riding bike or jogging. Might be a better idea to start some scheduled events rather than a gym costing alot of money/maintenance etc?
ReplyDeleteJust my 2cents. :)
See everyone at the meeting.
I also agree to everything noted above.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the security appendices attached to the initial invite to the AGM on Thursday night, a suggestion is made for everyone to sign up to another security company (like chubb/monitor net/ adt) which would work as backup to the gate security company (if i understand the proposal correctly).
I find this totally undesirable and impractical. We should rather look at the same company providing security at the gate (or maybe look at getting other security companies' tenders in) and try to work out a feasible option. It doesn't seem like a good idea in fragmenting the general estate security and their corresponding responsibilities. What we would have to spend extra per month in getting an armed response team extra could rather be spend on effectively managing the basic estate security, via a possible increase in the levy - although this might not be a popular option to consider.
Henk, support your concern wrt the position we are in, specifically on Security.
ReplyDeleteOn the 2nd of June I requested a “Plan of Action” from the Management of the Estate after the attempted burglary at your premises.
A few weeks later a break-in happened at GaRouge and your House. Your wife told me that when she reported the incident at Security, the guard on duty called the wrong Police Station.
I have no faith in the Security Company and Security Director and would like to post the following:
a. I have not received any feedback from the Director of Security on my request of a Plan of Action
b. The Fingerprint System does not work
c. There is no control over temporary workers on building sites
My primary unhappiness came from the following recommendation from the Security Director in his report:
“All residents must belong to one security company (monitor net or ADT) to have an armed response with a vehicle to do additional security and to have a panic button system (ghost unit) in place that can also communicate to the main gate in case of emergency.”
This statement is unacceptable, coming from the person that is responsible to ensure a safe and secure environment to homeowners
Until recently I was not even aware of any burglaries within the Estate, thus fully supporting the monthly newsletter.
ReplyDeleteOther issues I feel needs to be discussed are contractors not sticking to the building regulations (ie, closing stands, removing rubble and garbage on a regular basis etc)
Division of stands - When I bought my stand in 2011, I was told the Estate is exclusive and stands are sized to create and enhance the "Country Style Living", but lately there have been numerous stands sub divided and built on. Not exactly what I was sold.
I agree with getting the advice from a Security professional regarding all the security issues we have had thus far. I believe a lot of these issues are caused by contractors and no supervision over their staff.
I saw guys washing themselves at the fountain at the entrance the other day...
I am more than willing to assist where I can as I would really like to see my investment grow.
I think it would be an awesome idea to recycle our trash, like cans and glass. With the aim to try and subsidise an estate gardener's salary? We could try and get the the guest house, events venue and Ga Rouge also on board with the project? As far as I understand, similar projects are in place at other estates (I've been to such a place in Wapadrand). If we can generate a little bit of cash, why not? To say green and blue bins, even when placed at a central point, is unsightly, is not taking into consideration that there are always 'unsightly' bins standing around in the restaurant's parking area.
ReplyDeleteWe are new to the estate in the sense that we are still building and plan to move in by the end of September. We have now rented in Midstream and are currently renting in Heritage Hill. This qualifies me to compare Candle Woods Estate with the other estates and have an opinion. The other estates work like clockwork and do not have any of these issues with break-ins, maintenance and contractors. Candlewoods Estate is simply lagging in all areas and this can only be blamed on management. We pay levies to live in a security estate. I shall never agree to pay any security company additional fees for securing my property. This is the responsibility of the estate and they must do what they have to do to ensure our uncompromised safety - this is not negotiable. Regarding workers not complying, again, this is not our problem. Fine the builder or the workers - they'll soon get the message. Make the builder pay a deposit and fines get subtracted from the deposit. Maintenance is non existing with weeds in the common areas nearly 1m high. I took fiends to the restaurant for drinks last night and were quite embarrassed. Every home can increase their security by closing off the street boundary. I propose that owners be allowed to close off their street boundaries with fencing and not a solid wall. This is something that should be voted on at tonight's AGM. The fact of the matter is Candlewoods Estate cannot guarantee our safety and we as residents have a right to secure our properties. Marius Halgryn
ReplyDeleteWe too are fairly new to the estate, we are currently in the process of building. Lately there's been quite a few complaints about builders not adhering to the estate rules. I had a discussion with my builder and he assured me that it's not his team. However, the only way to eliminate any builder is to get specific cases. A substantial building deposit have to be paid before any builder can enter the premises. As Marius suggested, apply penalties or fines on individual cases. This would reduce the amount of incidents currently and in future
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I think we should reconsider the size of the 2nd speed bump in Old Barn Rd. Perhaps the entire estate. The 1st speed bump in Old Barn Rd was replaced by what looks like a 50mm bump. I'm assuming due to it being in front of a residents entrance. The 50mm speed bump is more than efficient to reduce motorists' speed.
I understand that changing the speed bumps have a cost implication, but we have to consider that we as residents have to use it everyday
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ReplyDelete