At a Special Meeting on Monday, July 7, called by the Speaker Michelle Wasserman for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected ward councillor, Eleanore Bouw-Spies, the councillors also said goodbye to Wasserman who resigned as Speaker.
The Council welcomed Bouw-Spies as the new Speaker. She received the majority vote during a secret-ballot voting process. Richard Dawson also stepped down from the mayoral committee, making way for Ray Barrell who will be the new chairperson of the Governance and Economic Development Committee and Irene Grootboom replaced the late Magda Williams as chairperson of the Community Services Committee.
In her mayoral address at the meeting, Wolmarans welcomed Bouw-Spies as new ward councillor for Ward 5, congratulating her on her "outstanding achievement for retaining Ward 5 for the Democratic Alliance" at the municipal by-election of Wednesday, July 2. Bouw-Spies received 74.63% of the votes and Alberto Marbi of the ANC, 25.3%. Both Stephen de Vries, chief whip of the ANC, and Elrick van Aswegen of COPE congratulated Bouw-Spies on her victory. "We hope you do good work, caring for all those people who live in your ward and that you don't allow your emotions to be carried away," said De Vries.
"The voters confirmed their confidence in the DA as the vehicle to deliver their mandate and in you, their new ward councilor," Wolmarans told Bouw-Spies. She said further that she was "confident that the people of Ward 5 will continue to receive the personal attention and care they so richly deserve".
Wolmarans said that Bouw-Spies re-entered Council "at a very exciting time. Knysna is on a new trajectory with exciting changes happening inside and outside of Council. Our new long-term strategic plan is nearing completion, the Council-wide organisational review will strengthen our approach to service delivery and in addition we are reviewing the role of tourism, aimed at revitalising the Knysna brand."
Bouw-Spies thanked everyone for their vote of confidence in her. "I'm ready," she said. She said that she knew her two appointments "are not going to be an easy ride", but she was committed to improving the lives of the residents of Knysna and specifically of her ward.
The Knysna municipal manager, Lauren Waring bid Wasserman farewell as Speaker, saying that it was a wonderful opportunity to work with her. Wasserman resigned to study for a Master's Degree in Law. Although she has stepped down as Speaker, she will still remain the councillor for Ward 9. Dawson has stepped down from the mayoral committee because his ward (Ward 10) is one of the largest in Knysna and includes both the CBD and industrial areas, which play a vital role in the economic recovery of the town. "Now I will be able to devote more time and energy to serving the residents of my ward."
Deputy Mayor Esmé Edge's position in the mayoral committee remains as chairperson of the Finance Committee and Louise Hart remains chairperson of Planning, Infrastructure and Development Committee.
The new members on Knysna's Mayoral Committee was announced on Monday, July 7 at the Council Chambers during a Special Council Meeting. Here are: (Left) Irene Grootboom, Chairperson of Community Services Committee, Esme Edge: Chairperson of Finance and Knysna's Deputy Mayor, Georlene Wolmarans: Knysna's Executive Mayor, Louise Hart: Chairperson of Planning, Infrastructure and Development and Ray Barrell who is replacing Richard Dawson as Chairperson of Governance and Economic Development.
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