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Many of her clients park in the Square as parking in Hibernia Street is limited, but it has become an extremely untidy area with weeds growing around the bases of trees, the paved borders around some of the trees broken and litter defacing the area. A tree that had been broken off after a car drove into it was left lying in the Square for two weeks before being removed.
"I have made seve-ral calls to the municipality's environmental services section, but nothing is done. This is really not the kind of service that we expect for the rates we pay," said White.
The pharmacy maintains and cleans the alley next to their building that links the Square with Hibernia Street. It is locked at night, but White says many mornings they still have to clean up after homeless people who use sheltered corners just outside the alley for overnighting. "Surely the municipality can do their bit in Van der Stel Square?"
Upon inquiry, Chantel Edwards-Klose, the media liaison officer for the George Municipality, said that the complaint has been attended to. "There is a municipal worker employed to clean this area and these complaints have been brought to the attention of the supervisor for improved monitoring and to ensure that the area is kept clean.
"Our environmental department follows a programme of routine pruning every three years and the trees were trimmed recently. The grass around the trees is sprayed periodically. We welcome feedback from the public on damaged trees and will attend to all complaints of this nature as quickly as possible."
Contact the George Municipality on their toll-free complaints number, 0860 044 044, to report a complaint.
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The maintenance of Van der Stel Square is not adequate, says Leonie White. Photos: Alida de Beer
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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