Warwick Bruce Chapman

To prove that I still have geek left in me, this post celebrates me getting my Trackpoint scrolling working in Ubuntu 9.10, though using a Trackpoint instead of the Touchpad probably qualifies me anyway. For those who don’t know what a Trackpoint is, it’s that little “nipple” in the centre of your keyboard.

My Lenovo Thinkpad X301 uses an Alps instead of Synaptics trackpad and thus requires a slightly different configuration to that I found when I Googled this solution.

What is required is to create /etc/hal/fdi/policy/thinkpad.fdi with the following contents and then reboot:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<deviceinfo version="0.2">
 <device>

 <!-- Trackpoint X301 -->
 <match key="info.product" string="DualPoint Stick">
 <merge key="input.x11_options.EmulateWheel" type="string">true</merge>
 <merge key="input.x11_options.EmulateWheelButton" type="string">2</merge>
 <merge key="input.x11_options.EmulateWheelTimeout" type="string">200</merge>
 </match>

 <!-- Touchpad X301 -->
 <match key="input.product" string="AlpsPS/2 ALPS DualPoint TouchPad">
 <merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">synaptics</merge>
 <merge key="input.x11_options.SHMConfig" type="string">true</merge>
 </match>

 </device>
</deviceinfo>

As a result of the resignation of Terence Palmer as a councillor, a municipal by-election will be held to replace him in Ward 10 (Kloof/Gillits).

Details are as follows:

Note: A by-election will be held in Newcastle on the same day.

Voter Registration
Continued registration at Hillcrest Sizakala Centre, 22 Delamore Road 07h30 to 15h30 weekdays (excl. public holidays) until 25 March only. Alternatively, voters can register at IEC offices in 75 Winder Street (08h30 to 17h00 weekdays).

Cllr Gill Noyce
The Democratic Alliance has nominated PR Councillor Gill Noyce to stand in this election. Cllr Gill Noyce can be contacted on 082 800 0943 or email on gnoyce@zamail.co.za

What is a by-election?
Each Ward in the City (eThekwini) is represented by a councilor on the City Council. In the event that a sitting councilor must be replaced, a by-election is held by the IEC which allows residents of that ward to choose who will represent them on the City Council.

Who can vote in the Ward 10 by-election on May 5 2010?
Anyone who is a registered voter AND is registered in one of the following six voting stations:
Kloof Town Hall
Gillitts Community Hall
Kloof High School
Hillcrest Library Activities Room
Kloof Tennis Club
New Life Family Church

Note: Voting stations are open from 7am to 9pm on 5 May 2010

How can I check if I am registered in one of the above stations?
You can check if and where you are registered using the following methods:
• SMS your ID number to 32810
• Call the IEC on 0800 11 8000
• Use the IEC website and type in your ID number: https://www.elections.org.za/AmRegister/AmRegister.aspx

Can the DA remind me to go and vote on 5 May?
Yes, send your street address, email address, ID number (so we do not have duplicated records in our database) and cell number to com2@kzn.da.org.za and we will ensure you are reminded on election day!

The ANC chose to vote down two DA proposals which had won the support of the MF, IFP and other mintor parties that seeked to urgently intervene in resolving dangerous safety concerns which affect the lives of eThekwini residents.

“Death Road”
Cllrs Macpherson and De Boer proposed a motion which would have seen urgent measures taken place to improve the safety of “Death Road” on the M4 Ruth First highway between Broadway and Virginia in Durban North. The proposal suggested barriers be installed to separate the lanes and Metro Police establish a permanent unit to monitor that road. The ANC dismissed the motion with contempt suggesting the proposers were not following protocol despite the numerous efforts by councillors with City officials to see action taken.

The Deputy Mayor went as far as suggesting the DA Cllrs were trying to further protect their “leafy suburbs” while other parts of the City were in a significantly worse condition. DA Cllr Heinz De Boer clarified that “if the Mayor chooses to admit other parts of the City are in a poor state, that is his prerogative and shows up the lack of action by the City and councillors in those area, but as the Councillors responsible for Durban North and Umhlanga, we are doing our jobs as demanded by our communities.”

“Street Lights”
Also dispatched with a stunning display of arrogance and personal attacks was the motion proposed by Cllrs Chapman and Lindsay seeking that a task team be setup comprising councillors and officials from the Metro Electricity Department to urgently address the high number of faulty street lights in the City. Lindsay contended that despite 6 months of trying to get the Electricity department to fix over 200 faulty lights in the Pinetown New Germany area, little or no action had been taken.

Chapman explained that with the FIFA World Cup coming up and noting the serious impact that poor lighting has on crime, the DA wished to see councillors working together with Electricity Department officials to resolve urgent lighting and safety issues ahead of the big event. Again the ANC, through Cllr Reddy, used protocol as their excuse to sideline this constructive proposal.

Chapman, referring to the treatment of both proposals, said that “the ANC chose cheap politics over urgently needed service delivery in what is indicative of the attitude which has seen the gradual decline in support for the ruling party and spawned service delivery protests all over the country.”

– Warwick Chapman (Cllr Ward 18) | 083 7797 094 | ward18@ethekwini.org | http://warwickchapman.com

Please find below a communique from ACSA regarding the pending switchover of operations from Durban International Airport in the South of Durban to the new King Shaka International Airport in the North.

—

Please advise travellers that on 01 May 2010 the new King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) becomes operational for all Durban-bound air travel. The existing Durban International Airport will be decommissioned; although it may be used for a temporary period during the Soccer World Cup event if required.

All flights into Durban up to and including Friday 30 April 2010 will operate from the current airport. From 01 May 2010, all flights will officially operate out of the new airport which is located approximately 35 kilometers north of the city centre.
Please factor in extra time to get to and from KSIA and bear in mind that if you are travelling in one direction before 30 April and back after 01 May, that you may need a shuttle between the two airports.

SHUTTLE SERVICE

ACSA will provide a shuttle transfer between King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) and Durban International Airport (DIA) which will cover the cost for passengers that leave cars at DIA from 01 May for one week only.
Thereafter transportation between both airports will be for the passenger’s account and they will have to arrange transfers themselves.

Source:
Jacqueline Hooijberg
ACSA Durban Airport Manager

In a letter written from the Department of Correctional Services to the Human Rights Commission apologising for the claims made by the head of the Westville Prison, the Department states that Mr Mabanga “could not provide any tangible information or documentation in respect of his comments over the Human Rights stance with regards to the electric fence”.

The letter goes on to state that Mr Mabanga “is not totally informed of the status of the electric fence” and that the fence depicted in the picture in the Daily News 24 February “is still under construction” and “not operational”.

As the councillor who represents the community bordering the prison, I find it totally unacceptable that the head of the Correctional Centre appears to have lied about the stance of the HRC on this matter and additionally that he was not sufficiently informed about the status of the electric fence. I sincerely hope his replacement does a better job.

A copy of the letter is available here.