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Tide Timetables
On the Lighter Side
Weird Facts
There are more than 40000 different species of spiders.
The creator of Peter Pan gave the rights to a children’s hospital so they could always collect royalties and fund the hospital.
Former president Bill Clinton only sent 2 emails in his entire 8 year presidency.
When you blush, the lining of your stomach also turns red.
Before pencil erasers were invented, bread was used to remove pencil marks.
Mickey Mouse’s first words ever were, “Hot dogs, hot dogs!”.
Cows have best friends and can get stressed when they are separated.
In ancient Egypt, people used to shave their eyebrows to mourn the death of their cats.
There are more plastic flamingos in the United States than real ones.
Patrick Barnard
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Plett Realty
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Things to Consider When Objecting to Municipal Valuations
The Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA) stipulates that all properties in each municipal district need to be valued every four years. Mass appraisal techniques based on comparable sales are necessarily used by the Municipal Valuer to fulfill this function. Mistakes will inevitably happen. Values could be incorrect due to differences in quality and characteristics of properties, incorrect comparables being used, incorrect sizes of structures or land (though this is improving due to the use of aerial photography) and even simple typing mistakes in calculations can lead to gross over- or undervaluing.
The MPRA is structured so that these errors can be corrected through public notification of valuations, followed by objections, re-valuations, notification, and then appeal should the objector not agree with the outcome. If your property value is incorrect, you should object and the municipal valuer will adjust it. There are a few things to remember when objecting:
Only object to a specific property, not to the valuation roll in general or in part.
You cannot object based on the value of other property values in the valuation roll (they may also be incorrect).
Do not object based on rates increases. Municipal valuations are based entirely on current market value at the date of valuation and are entirely independent of rates. Taxes are calculated by taking the budget of the municipality and dividing it by the total value of all ratable property in the municipality to arrive at a rate in the Rand figure, which is then multiplied by your property value to arrive at the amount due for each property. Though the valuation amount is used to calculate the rates it is the budget that determines the fee you pay and the annual increase.
Use recent comparable sales (that are genuinely comparable) in the area.
If your property is currently for sale or has recently been on the market, this information should be provided, together with any offers received.
You can also object based on quality, size, restrictions, servitudes or other things that materially affect the value of your property in relation to the comparable sales in the area. Bear in mind that these may already have been taken into account. As mentioned, there could be errors, and there will obviously be issues that the Municipal Valuer is not aware of due to the nature of mass valuations.
Be sure to provide details and all relevant documentation, without which your value cannot be changed. Remember there is often a different Municipal Valuer for each four year valuation cycle, so information you provided for a previous objection will not necessarily be known to the new valuer.
Do not object to the category or zoning of your property to the Municipal Valuer. If you need a category change, this must be applied for directly with the municipality. There are specific forms for this and requirements that need to be met (e.g. for a change to “agricultural” proof of being a bone fide farmer is required).
A change from Vacant to Improved is an exception to this, as it is an obvious change if a new structure has been built or if a property is incorrectly categorized as vacant.
A valuation by a professional valuer or from an estate agent may be attached, but ensure that comparable sales are included in the valuation.
Be sure to provide accurate information. If your property is on the market at a lower price than the municipal valuation, there is clearly an error. However, beware if your house is being marketed at double the price mentioned in your objection.
Do not object if your valuation is correct. There are cases where on closer inspection an increase in the value is justified. Also if taken on appeal and it is found that the objection is frivolous, the objector may be liable for costs.
If your value is too low, you should object. It is up to each individual’s conscience, but remember when you want to sell or need a bond, the municipal valuation will be considered.
For commercial properties provide financial information (rentals and expenses), but bear in mind that the valuer will use market related rentals if the rentals are too low (e.g. owner occupier with artificially low rentals).
Finally, object even if you miss the deadline. Your objection will go onto the next supplementary valuation roll.
This report was compiled by Steven Neufeld, Manager Principal of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay and Professional Associated Valuer for South African Property Valuations. steve.sir@plettenbergbay.com 044 533 2529 (or) 072 417 7731•
PAWS AND KAWS DEMONSTRATION against light sentence for dog fighting
On Monday 29 July, a group of demonstrators from PAWS and KAWS joined forces to demonstrate outside the Knysna Magistrates Court, where Billy Marais was being sentenced for his leading role in the shocking dog fighting activity that he was conducting at his farmhouse in Ladywood, in May 2011. This group of outraged demonstrators were determined 
to show their opposition to a light sentence for the man who had facilitated such extreme cruelty to eight pit bull terriers that they all had to be euthanased due to severe injuries and trauma, all in the name of greed.
Of the ten men detained originally, four were charged in terms of the Animal Protection Act. Three of these men, Fanie Joubert, Ferdinand Endeman and Anthony Blake were given relatively light sentences because some witnesses, who were due to appear in aggravation of sentence, were not notified of their court appearance in May 2013, two years after the crime was committed. Dr Kathleen Davis, KAWS veterinarian at the time, said : “It is an absolute disgrace that the state deems it fit to handle a case of this magnitude in such a careless and cavalier fashion”.
Billy Marais was sentenced to 18 months correctional supervision and confined to his house in Fourways, Johannesburg, where he will be allowed to go to work only. In addition, he is required to do community service at th
e Krugersdorp SPCA for 16 hours every month and was also instructed to undergo counselling for anger management and social skills. He was fined R20 000, of which R10 000 was suspended, and he was also found unfit to own a firearm. Although PAWS AND KAWS were not entirely satisfied with the sentence meted out to Marais, they were nevertheless relieved that his sentence would prevent him from simply resuming his life without atoning for this horrendous crime.
PAWS AND KAWS would like to appeal to all members of our community to report any acts of suspected dogfighting or of dogs being prepared for such activity. Please help us to fight cruelty to all animals and to stamp out barbaric dog fighting for once and for all!
Please contact KAWS on: 044 384 1603 and PAWS on: 083 287•
Movies This Week
TEL: 044-533 3952
FRIDAY TO THURSDAY 2 AUG – 8 AUG
SHADOW DANCER – NPU 16 – 101 MIN
Drama, On the Art Circuit
Weekdays: 11h00 13h10 17h40
Weekend: 15h20 17h40
A single mother is a Republican living in Belfast with her mother and hardliner IRA brothers. When she is arrested for her part in an aborted IRA bomb plot in London, an MI5 officer offers her a choice: lose everything and go to prison for 25 years or return to Belfast to spy on her own family. With her son’s life in her hands, she chooses to place her trust in the officer and return home, but when her brothers’ secret operation is ambushed, suspicions of an informant are raised and she finds both herself and her family in grave danger.
Clive Owen, Andrea Riseborough, Gillian Anderson, Aidan Gillen, Domhnall Gleeson, Brid Brennan, David Wilmot
STAR TREK – INTO DARKNESS – PG 10 – 133 MIN
Action, Adventure
Daily: 11h00 17H20 20h00
The rebooted sequel has found popular appeal. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As the heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Benedict Cumberhatch, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood
MAN OF STEEL – PG 10 – 143 MIN
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Daily: 14h00 20h00
Warner reboots Superman again, with some inputs from Dark Knight wunderkind Chris Nolan. The basic storyline generally follows the expected introductary arc, but the timeline is juggled and there are a few adaptations. With his home planet Krypton about to be destroyed, a father sends his son away in a spaceship, which eventually lands on Earth. A farming couple raises the boy, who gradually learns of his super powers. When grown to manhood, the baddie from Krypton arrives, intent on destroying Earth, and it’s up to Superman to see off the threat. Note that this movie is far more violent than previous instalments.
Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Russell Crowe, Antje Traue, Harry Lennix, Richard Schiff, Kevin Costner
Sage Advice
Many of us may find an occasional quote that triggers an “Aha” moment – something said in such a way that the wisdom expressed opens our minds to other possibilities.
Here are some that can be cut out and kept in one place to refer to – some words of wisdom to inspire you when life does not seem to be making sense.
“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The point is to discover them – Anon
Good people are good because they have come to wisdom through failure” – William Saroyan
“Every exit is an entry somewhere else” – Tom Stoppard
“Minds are like parachutes – they work best when open “– Anon
“Winners are not those who never fail , but those who never quit “– Anon
“You miss 100% of the opportunities you never take “– Wayne Gretsky
“Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute “– Josh Billings
“You have not converted a man because you have silenced him” – John Morley
“The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them” – Benjamin Jowett
“Those who stand for nothing , fall for anything” – Alexander Hamilton
“Success comes when we focus on what is on and let go of what is gone” – Anon
“To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong” – Joseph Pearce
“Be beautiful if you can , wise if you want to … but be respected – that is essential” – Anna Could
“A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject” – Winston Churchill
“Even if I’m not asleep , that doesn’t mean I’m awake” – Anon
“Despite the high cost of living , it is still very popular” – Anon
“A friend to all , is a friend to none” – Anon
“Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them” – Publilius Syrus
“It is nice to be important , but more important to be nice” – Anon
“Success consists not of getting , but of doing” – Anon
“One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory” – Rita Mae Brown
“Hugs are not measured by quantity : but by quality” – Anon
The only true wisdom is knowing you know little – Socrates
This is not a manual for life, but an excellent reminder of what is essential if you are feeling demotivated, full of doubt or fear or simply having a bad day.•