Copper theft endemic in the US

Not just us in South Africa, after all ...

Early one morning last month, thieves drove up to the back of the church, gutted all nine industrial-size units and sped off. They caused roughly $60,000 in damage to get their hands on about $400 of scrap metal inside — the long coils of copper that serve as the arteries of air-conditioning units.

This summer, copper thieves have been keeping law enforcement officials busy throughout Texas and around the country. In Parker County, about an hour outside Dallas, air-conditioning units at seven churches have been damaged or stolen since late May, including Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, where someone used a ladder to climb onto the roof and dismantle five of the eight units.

Last week in Lexington, Ky., where the police arrested two men for felony theft, the air-conditioners were not at a church, but at Mary Todd Elementary School.

In recent days and weeks, copper thieves have damaged or stolen heavy-duty air-conditioning units at the nonprofit Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers, Fla.; the main post office in the Chicago suburb of Riverside, Ill.; Morningside Elementary School in Mobile, Ala.; and the Shackelford Funeral Home in Adamsville, Tenn., forcing the relocation of a cancer victim’s funeral.

The 29-year-old man arrested in the Adamsville case is accused of taking a 97-pound coil and selling it to a scrap metal site, for $1.50 a pound.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/12/us/12heat.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha23

Our Edenvale rugby neighbours are in trouble

Lions suspend ‘racist’ club

The Golden Lions Rugby Union has banned Edenvale Panthers Rugby Club from all rugby affairs with immediate effect after their racist spat against Soweto Rugby Club last Saturday.

The GLRU confirmed this on Friday morning after its Anti-Racism and Development Committee convened on Thursday afternoon under chairman Ayanda Mjekula.

Edenvale were found guilty after a mass brawl broke out between the two clubs towards the end of their match last weekend. According to the Sowetan, about half a dozen of Soweto’s players spent Sunday nursing bruises and getting medical help for their injuries after Edenvale allegedly turned to violence with players, support staff, fans and parents descending on the field.

Friday’s press release read: ‘The committee considered allegations of racism against Panthers Rugby Club (Edenvale), made by Soweto Rugby Club. After deliberation it was decided that in terms of the mandate of this Committee it has been recommended that the Panthers Rugby Club (Edenvale) and its members be suspended from all GLRU activities with immediate effect."

http://www.keo.co.za/2011/08/12/lions-supsend-racist-club/

Cable theft stops Gautrain

We all know the feeling.

Johannesburg - The Gautrain service between Pretoria, Hatfield and Centurion was disrupted on Wednesday morning due to cable theft, according to a statement on the Gautrain website.

The disruption was caused by cable theft at a substation and was expected to be repaired by 10:00.

According to the operator, a bus service between Hatfield, Pretoria and Centurion was running as an interim measure. This would double the frequency of the service from 12 minutes to 24 minutes.


http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Cable-theft-disrupts-Gautrain-20110810

Update on petrol and gas

Adam Darby advised that Builders Warehouse at Stoneridge had gas. It did indeed.

It has none now.

Our gas is so low we can barely cook an egg.

So Wendywood seems to be the best place for now.

My PA Sheryl-Ann Lance is also taking orders as of tomorrow, in volumes of 10.

Hilton Road to be closed for several weeks

Intaprop advises:

Hilton Road will be closed from some day this week to September.

It will be closed temporarily between Clifford and Ronald Roads for construction of the new road crossing.  All residents currently taking access off this section of Hilton Road to their properties will continue to have access to their properties.

It should be noted that this is a very important road closure as Hilton accepts as an escape valve for drivers coming off N3 congestion. So please advise everyone you know.

The road will be reopened once the JRA have inspected the works and authorise that the road may be reopened.  It is anticipated that the road will be reopened towards the beginning of September.

All access into Linbro Park from the London Road bridge side is to be from First Road during the construction of the road crossing.

Through this blog, we have also advised 702.

World's oldest cricketer turns 100 on E Rand

Norman Gordon first Test cricketer to 100
Sidharth Monga

August 6, 2011

Norman Gordon, the lone survivor from the final timeless Test, has become the first Test cricketer to have lived 100 years. Gordon, a South Africa pace bowler, was renowned for his fitness and athleticism during his playing days. He bowled 92.2 eight-ball overs during that timeless Test. He could play only five Tests because his career coincided with World War II. He lives in Johannesburg.

The reception around his 100th birthday has been emotional, according to his son Brian. Exhausted, Gordon was not available to talk. "The reception they had for him at his school was overwhelming," Brian said. "That brought him to tears."

Jeppe High School for Boys, the school that Gordon went to, felicitated him a day before his 100th birthday. "He has been pretty pleased, and a bit nervous," Brian said. "The reception they gave him at the school today was unbelievable. Marching bands were there, and three of the previous headmasters were there. Ali [Bacher] was there. And the choir, and the whole assembly, all the boys at the school assembly. And they named a board at the school after him."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/story/526096.html?CMP=NLC-DLY

It is snowing on Table Mountain ... pics to come

This an archive pic.

Food update

1 A lady, Patty, was referred to me by a friend of hers. We have engaged her services, but not on food.
2 Alice, referred by Steff, is welcome to come and see me.
3 A most engaging young man, Austin Pope, came around, flat tyre and all. We will see each other Saturday, if his parents approve.

Further enquiries welcome.

Traffic advisory

Bram Fischer, formerly Hendrik Verwoerd, closed in both directions due to a sinkhole. This is near DSTV. If you work in the area or are going anywhere, find another route. Such a busy road, it is apparently chaotic all-round.

Job available for hard-working woman

Everyone needs to eat each day. Breakfast and lunch, in particular. We have a vacancy for a woman who would like to be part of a food business serving the building sites adjacent to the reservoir.

The worker would have to come from the area, as she would need to start early.

We have created the infrastructure, and the sky is the limit for a hard-working person. We will help finance her, and there would be all the necessary support, so if anyone knows of a candidate, please ask her to contact me on 082 550 2797.

Men are not suitable for this position, as I have found.

In a country with 45% unemployment, I am sure this will be a no-brainer.

Massive increase in power price

(And that's when it works) ... as reported on 93.8FM

Electricity Mark up on Eskom bulk 117%, increases domestic 35%, Commercial 27%. Johannesburg City Power. 20110802. Listeners. "On the Spot" with Jim Powell - Mix FM 93.8

 ON THE SPOT TUESDAY 26^TH JULY 2011 - AMENDMENT TO RATES BILL

Jim Powell - Host (JP)

Jonathan Davies - Pam Golding Estates (JD)

Jaap Kelder – National Tax Payers Union (JK)

JD is manager of Hyde Park Branch. Pam Golding is fortunate being a big brand. Good reputation. Gained market share

JK Vote once every 5 yrs. Proposals swept under carpet if you not in majority.

JP How many councils under administrative

JK. 5 or 6 under administration. 95% should be under admin. Government has not got expertise.

Sannieshof running independently. Feb 2008 town dry. 7 boreholes. Mrs. Visser saw manager who said pipe from Katze Dam R 12 million. Repaired motors for R 12000 and water flowed. Ottosdaal DelaReysville and Sannieshof run on 20% of the budget.

JK Property act. Absolutely devastating for inflation, property. Sect 1 Raising of taxes not linked to any particular service. Money can be spent on whatever they want.

JP Ratepayers have to pay but do not know what it will be spent on.

JK Budget for municipalities is in place but not adhered to. Years ago no municipal budget was exceeded, now the norm.

JD As it stands lots of questions raised. People will hold back from purchase, there is a dip in market, wait and see. Sales and rentals will be affected. Landlords will hold back.

JP Deputy Minister invited but ignored invite. So here is funeral march in their honour and applause to those present

JD Important to understand this could create anarchy. Businesses such as B&B should pay rates as hotels. 2^nd homes / investment not will be affected unless act is amended.

JD Heading for’ mild mayhem ‘

JK People trying to provide for pension, putting that in jeopardy, young people not have properties to rent any more

JP Townships. Those who have shacks on their properties will be affected

JK RDP houses let out and owners live in squatter camps

JP in JHB no rates for properties under R 150,000 value.

JK Agreed

JD I hear what JK says. My feeling is initial panic, people get used to things and I think this bill needs tweaking. Short term investors will sell. Supply and demand will sort out the situation. Rentals will increase.

JP Toll roads extra taxes coming in. Strangling the goose that lays the golden egg. More & more taxes. Reducing taxes and would increase jobs. New equilibrium. If rates go up so will rentals. Lower value of properties. Negative effect

JD Disagree … Initially under pressure, fewer props on market for rental. Relocating people will always rent. Higher price will be paid.

JP Rental market

JD Rental market improving after recession. Downscaling pushes up rentals.

JP prop buying to live in as opposed to renting out.

JD With increase in rental people will want to buy. Rather pay off bond.

JK National Taxpayers Union has 335 towns on mailing list. Full payers are members.

JP members pay R 20 to local organization.

JK money in is solely for legal expenses. Run from homes so no expenses

JP saves money for people being abused by the councils

JK Phalaborwa wanted to run the people down and the ratepayer’s assoc sorted it out. The council lost all their cases. Now no political parties on council

JP all people should join so email Jaap on info@zanli.co.za

JD Councils using money for what they like. Council should be more open with what they spend their money on.

JP General arrogant attitude of councils. Should consider who they work for.

How is market affected?

JD recession, weathering storm. Nice turn around. Prop market will be destroyed by this bill. Market will soften. Sideways at moment. Similar volumes but prices corrected

JK increased anger amongst people. People will have to down scale. Young stay with parents longer.

Rental will not be affordable

JK 76% of debt level at present. Councils trying to increase income.

JP Sannieshof a good example

JK R 62 billion not collected by local government. Over and above what is written off? Townships don’t pay.

JK One way to fix. Residents to get involved. Water important, no streams, rivers or damns not polluted. Need resident’s councils. Withhold rates, keep money in trust acc. Decide with council what is to be done. Phalaborwa got rid of city manager. Now getting things done.

JP Frankenwald. When the community organisation challenged illegal operation of council, the council’s attitude was “you use your money and we use your money” in the legal battle

JK Phalaborwa turned around.

JP A quote from someone in the legal department of Johannesburg was a week’s work in a whole year.

Incompetent cadres’ deployment. People with skills a threat so they get rid of them. All inexperienced people so no one knows what to do.

JK Western system does not work in Africa. Majority votes.

JD Agree. Situation if something isn’t done system will destroy itself. Solidarity of people tricky.

JP Switzerland has system where voters are in charge of politicians

JK Meeting on Saturday on Cantons. In constitution there are allowances for people to make contribution. Oranjeville example. Forgotten in 1994, so not part of New South Africa.

Between Hopetown and Petrusville. Run by Afrikaners no labour from outside. Safe area.

Own currency Ora.

JD in closing. Yes we have journey, will be solvable. Property market. Efficiently run council will help.

JK Unless Government Ministry of COGTA take notice there will be repercussions.

Let's throw our weight behind this in getting our share of fixing roads

You get incompetence. Then you get incompetence. Then finally you get incompetence.

Then you get cadre deployment (sorry, AK, it does not work).

This woman who gave herself a R1 million bonus last year is the reason our roads are collapsing. Let's all hold her feet to the fire. We need our share, but there's no chance of that unless we all hammer the ANC, which really does not understand or care for the electorate.

Amandla!

http://mg.co.za/article/2011-07-27-joburg-unleashes-rejuvenation-blitz-on-citys-roads/