SEDGEFIELD NEWS FLASH - Sedgefield residents were invited to attend three public participation meetings on November 16 to discuss the hotly debated proposal by the Knysna Municipal Council's to allow the public consumption of alcohol in designated areas at certain times.
More than fifty Ward 2 residents gathered at the Sedgefield Community Hall where their councillor, Louise Hart explained that this issue surrounding consuming alcohol in designated areas and at specific times was not a new issue. "We have been faced with this since we came into power four years ago," she said.
A handful of residents trickled into the Smutsville Community Centre to give their councillor, Irene Grootboom their mandate. Instead of debating and commenting about the merits of the consumption of alcohol in designated public areas, the residents debated the lack of both SAPS and municipal policing in the area as well as the lack of picnic facilities close to Smutsville.
Hart called a similar meeting in Karatara (also Ward 2) at 19:00 to discuss the council's consideration of the by-law.
Only four people attended. The vote was unanimously against the change of the by-law as it now stands.
Residents of Knysna Municipal Ward 2 vote against the consumption of alcohol in designated public areas at certain times. There were no votes for the proposed changes to the by-law.
In contrast to the Ward 2 meeting, the Ward 1 meeting was not well attended. Photos: Fran Kirsten.
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