The editorial team of Grocott’s Mail has named property developer Rob Beer as the Newsmaker of the Year for 2009, after taking into account discussions with various members of the community in recent weeks, extensive debate in the newsroom based on the Your Say page, and results of the online poll.
The editorial team of Grocott’s Mail has named property developer Rob Beer as the Newsmaker of the Year for 2009, after taking into account discussions with various members of the community in recent weeks, extensive debate in the newsroom based on the Your Say page, and results of the online poll.
So what qualifies Beer for the title of Newsmaker of the Year?
In March the normally media shy Beer hit the headlines in a dispute between him and the owners of a local supermarket franchise. The disagreement came about because of Beer’s plans to build a shopping centre, to be called Plum Tree Mall, on Allen Street right next door to Pepper Grove Mall. Mark Shelton, local owner of the Pick n Pay franchise said that plans to include a SuperSpar in the proposed new mall violated a tacit agreement between him and Beer.
Not surprisingly, Beer denied the existence of any such agreement and the two businessmen appeared to be headed for a costly court battle. However a vacillating municipality effectively pulled the plug on Beer’s plans for the SuperSpar as an anchor tenant for Plum Tree Mall.
He has subsequently drawn up revised plans to include the new development, without a SuperSpar, as part of Pepper Grove Mall which he already owns. The new project has provoked its own controversy as it included a large KFC drive-through with very large advertising signs. Grocott’s Mail has received several emails and text messages from angry residents who strongly object to the size and the garish nature of the signs bearing the image of the esteemed Colonel Sanders.
Beer is currently putting together plans for new developments that will see Woolworths Food finally coming to Grahamstown. The new project will see several other stores being expanded and upgraded in the central business district.
Other candidates on our shortlist for Newsmaker of the Year included four high profile politicians who all made the headlines on several occasions: former mayor, Phumelelo Kate; current mayor, Vumile Lwana; councillor Michael Whisson and municipal manager, Ntombi Baart. The list also included a representative of the arts, Ismail Mahomed and Garth Cambray, the man behind the project to bring wind power to Grahamstown.
We hope the readers agree with our choice of Newsmaker of the Year, but if not, then please write in to share your ideas.
