Westview Clinic cancels Highway halfway house
After a public meeting and public outrage, Westview Clinic puts its plans on hold.
After public outrage over the possible opening of a halfway house in a Florida neighbourhood, the urgent public meeting held over the saga seems to have resolved most of the issues.
Florida rehabilitation centre Westview Clinic was hoping to open a halfway house for residents that have completed their care program and are reintegrating in society. The potential new premises would have been opposite Florida Park High School and next to a crêche. The purchase of the house by a third party that wanted to donate it to Westview Clinic was not yet finalised when residents of The Highway Street heavily criticised the Clinic for its neglect to inform and consult with them.
“How do they suppose parents will leave their children in the care of crêche personnel if they know that drug addicts and perhaps ex-convicts reside right next door to it?” complained a long time resident of The Highway Street that preferred to stay anonymous.
“Is it a good idea to have children, both toddlers and teenagers, exposed to these ‘rehabilitated’ addicts?
“The rate at which addicts relapse is not exactly comforting, and should they relapse, they might involve the children in procuring or selling drugs,” complained another.
Ultimately residents wanted none of it and went as far as to sign a petition, through the office of ward councilor Dave Dewes, expressing their disapproval. The petition was presented to Westview Clinic director Freda Steenkamp at the public meeting last night (Thursday 28 August).
“All the concerns raised were addressed and resolved amicably,” reported Steenkamp this morning (Friday 29 August).
“The public meeting was well attended and that we did receive email and telephonic enquiries with regard to the halfway house.”
Although satisfied with the turnout and resolve, Steenkamp said that Clinic staff were saddened by the wording used in the petition with regards to the desciption of residents of halway houses, as well as comments that the Clinic was not being transparent and did not plan communication with the public.
“We would like to maintain a positive relationship with our direct community and secondly we want to ensure that the residents benefitting from our services experience the best possible care we can offer.
Therefor the possibility of using the property in The Highway Street was cancelled, said Steenkamp, but luckily they are still “in the beginning phases of planning such a house”.
“Although not being able to find suitable property closer to the Clinic before, we will make an effort of searching once more.”
Steenkamp hopes to eliminate future rumours by inviting residents to contact her with any queries. Steenkamp can be contacted on 011 472 7707.
Ek lees vanoggend die berig oor die Westview Kliniek wat nog n perseel wil aanskaf
Ek is n ongelukkige buurman wat toevalig naby hulle woon en laat ek julle as publiek so bietjie inlig oor wat daar aangaan
In die nag “deal” van die mense daar met drugs Hoe weet ek dit want ek het dit met my eie oë gesien,hulle sal n pakkie oor die muur gooi na n kar wat buite staan en wag ek neem aan dis die geld en die volgende oomblik word n groter pak oor die muur gegooi
n Paar maande gelede het dieselfde dinge gebeur toe vang die persoon aan die straat se kant mis en weet julle die gesoek na die geld want dit het in die rank plante geval en weereens is almal in die naby se lewe in gevaar agv die.Die wagte aan diens doen ook niks omtrent dit nie sal my nie verbaas as hulle kop in een mis is met die mense daar nie
Waar kom die geld nou van daan om nog n plek aan te skaf as hulle nie eers hulle bome instand wil hou nie wat my as buurman laas jaar duisende rande se skade gekos het omdat my geute verstop geraak het en dit het gelei tot skade aan my woonstel se plafonne want die water kon nie gou genoeg uitloop nie en toe ek met hulle daaroor praat toe word ek vertel as dit my pla moet ek self iets omtrent dit doen want hulle het nie geld om dit te doen nie Ja sure met 7 voertuie op die perseel en waarna hulle hulle eie afdakke reggemaak het na die storm maar daar daars geld vir dit maar nie om die bome te sny nie
7 voertuie se instandhouding is nie goedkoop nie ek weet eks in die motorberdyf myself
Party aande is die lawaai so erg dat ons nie kan slaap nie so wild gaan hulle tekeure en as jy die nag suster aan diens gaan inlig dan word jy aangekyk asof jy mal is en as jy Mev Steenkamp bel en sy hoor dis die buurman kan jy in haar stem hoor”ag nie alweer jy nie” Ja dis alweer ek jou buurman wat siek en sat is vir julle stront
Die weldoeners wat die geld skenk volgens Mev Steenkamp wil julle nie geld skenk sodat die bome AF GESNY KAN WORD nie want eks ook gatvol om naweek in en naweek uit my erf skoon te maak agv van julle bome en dit kos my tyd waarvoor ek nie betaal word nie ek werk hard genoeg deur die week wil nie my naweke so deur bring nie
So ja mense kom ons stop die oprig van nog n perseel wat nog net meer probleme gaan wees as hulle n perseel wil hê laat hulle hom op die maan gaan bou of iewers op n afgeleë mynhoop vêr weg van die mense wat meebring tot die ekonomie van ons land en nie n las is op die mediese fondse wat betaal vir die behandeling van mense daar want vir my lyk dit meer na n lekker betaalde vakansie
Groete die burman