The Olympics and other tit bits..

Yesterday's Mercury (August 7, 2008) had a front page story on Durban's Olympic bid having received a boost. This is all to do with the fact that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has chosen the city to hold their 2011 congress where, among other things, they will be announcing the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Having the conference here is going to be good for the city but I'm not sure how is that going to boost our own Olympic hopes. In fact, it might even be bad for them because the delegates are going to get a first-hand look at the litter and mess, a fire department that's critically understaffed, traffic lights that don't work, and a public transport system still being run by a company that's proved that it can do no such thing. I can just imagine the delegates all making mental notes to vote for the city for 2020.

** Brigid Oppenheimer was robbed at knifepoint in her Umhlanga House last Wednesday night. but was fortunately unhurt. Somone should collect the stories about her. I remember one that circulated long ago where the manager of a Mayville supermarket received a suspiciously large phone order for delivery from an unknown woman. He was then unwise enough to ask who she thought she was; "You're Mrs Oppenheimer, I suppose"?

** An aggrieved veteran yachtsman was reported as saying that stinky sludge had been pouring into the bay, at Lavender Creek near the yacht clubs, for five days and that nothing had yet been done. I'm surprised that it was only for five days.

** Gino Leopardi, owner of the revolving restaurant on top of John Ross House, said that the restaurant may not be sold after all. It went on auction recently but no offers above the reserve price of R7-million had been received. Great restaurant but finding your seat after going to the toilet does get a bit difficult after a couple of beers.

City council mouthpiece Ezasegagasini Metro (EM), which accompanied the Friday issue of the Mercury, reported that residents of the Metro area have not cut their electricity consumption by the required 10%. A new load-shedding schedule was published in the paper which will be implemented in the event that Eskom requires the municipality to do so. The loadshedding will only effect residential areas and some industrial areas fed from residential areas.

EM also reported that the demolition of the Ocean Sports Centre is to go ahead after it was agreed at a council meeting. I say agreed but, according to opposition parties, the decision was procedurally flawed because a full 24 hours notice had not been given of the emergency executive committee at which it was taken. Why did they need an emergency meeting anyway?