Dear Obs residents
Many of you have been concerned about the way large developments are changing the face of Obs and have joined in civic actions over the past few years (signed petitions, or written objections, or helped to staff petition tables) to express our views. In fact, more than 1400 of you are out there who have signed on to an Obs that is not over-run by large developments but one in which development reinforces the things that we value in Obs.
However, this is time for you to do a little more than just indicate your concern. We need to you be part of the OCA as a member to ensure the OCA is able to keep a people-centred view of development in the suburb.
Our outgoing chair’s letter below outlines what happened at our last AGM.
In short, there were elections held in which people who were not eligible to be OCA members were recruited to vote in particular candidates on the OCA committee.
This was only possible because the OCA operates in an open fashion allowing members to sign up at the AGM and participate in elections. However, that means that people who may want something different for Obs – for example, an easy ride for developers and development – can over-run an AGM to elect members favourable to their views.
Without the participation of members like you, there is no obstacle to a small and well-organised group pushing through a radical change in the Civic direction.
I am therefore urging you all – if you believe in protecting the values and approaches developed through the OCA work and through our Large Development Group – to get yourselves to the Special General Meeting of the OCA on Tuesday 28th November 2017 at 18h00 at the Observatory Community Centre, Observatory – to elect a new Committee.
Membership for individuals is R 50 and for businesses is R 250.
Democracy is something that South Africans fought for, at a high price. But it is also something that needs hard work to ensure it is protected.
So, please attend and please participate
thanks
Leslie