Another year to rest is laid,

Another year of taxes paid,

And how we wonder if they’re spent

To the best of our intent. 

It will forever be the work of the Prince Albert Ratepayers’ & Residents’ Association to ensure that Prince Alberters’ money is used in the most effective and economical ways possible... and in ways that will benefit our many different communities.The past few months, since our Annual General Meeting on 29th September have seen a pleasant change since this time last year. Contact with the previous municipal council was infrequent and seldom productive, and not many wrongs were put right.

However, after the May 2011 municipal elections there was an air of optimism as newly elected officials declared their intentions. It was plain that they intended to be transparent in all their duties and to do the right thing for the whole of the municipal district.

Verskeie van ons lede het Munisipale vergaderings bygewoon en was aangenaam om 'n duidelike gees van samewerking tussen raadslede en amptenare te sien. Party politiek – gif aan die goeie van enige gemeente – lyk na 'n agterste sitplek geneem het. Konstruktiewe debat, goeie idees, vooruitbeplanning en wyse leiding van Burgemeester Lottering, beteken goeie nuus vir ons dorp. Dit lyk asof ons kan uitsien na 'n stabiele en goed-bestuurde vyf jaar, en dat ‘n gees van goeie buurmanskap sal seëvier as beamptes toeslaan meer ernstig op laat nag feesvierders, onwettige drank verkope en soneringoortredings.

Several of our members have attended municipal meetings and were pleased to observe an obvious spirit of co-operation between councillors and officials. Party politics – poison to the good of any town – seem to have taken a back seat. Constructive debate, good ideas, forward planning and wise guidance from the Mayor Lottering, mean good news for our town. It seems we can look forward to a stable and well-managed five years, and that a spirit of good-neighbourliness will prevail as officials clamp down more severely on late night revellers, illegal liquor sales and zoning infringements.

Now is the time that some residents drift off to the coast to enjoy the cooling waters of the Indian Ocean. While others stay home to water their gardens and welcome friends and family for a festive Karoo Christmas. But whether you’re going, staying, or just visiting our Association wishes you a peaceful festive season and all good things for 2012.