Weekly Update 05

September 13, 2024

Hello everyone,

Based on information I received, I am updating what I sent you last week: The new Operations Manager, Shlomi Peretz, a resident of Binyamina, ran for mayor there and is now a council member. There is no legal prohibition against a council member in one municipality serving as a manager in another municipality’s council.

And today we’ll focus on some good news—initiatives for the public good. And as always, there’s a lot of important information you should know, some of which isn’t published by the council.

We are all pleased to see the development of public spaces for the benefit of the general public, the renovation of a playground, the construction of a new wing at a school, and the operation of a security patrol. But processes of this kind are not a “magic wand” or an empty promise. They are the result of a process of thought, planning, and, above all, budgeting of financial resources. A process that takes years in the case of constructing a public building, or one to two years in the case of renovating an existing site.

Therefore, everything that Abutbul has inaugurated over the past five months and what he will inaugurate in the coming year are the fruits of Ziv’s term. So far, so good. It is the nature of the world that a successor continues the work of his predecessor. Ziv, too, inaugurated projects initiated by Abutbul. But the difference is that Ziv always made a point of mentioning and thanking his predecessor. Whereas Abutbul erased and obscured Ziv, taking all the credit for himself. Therefore, this newsletter seeks to correct the record and present the facts.

Playgrounds and Sports Facilities – As part of the strategic vision of outgoing Council Head Ziv Deshe during his previous term, funding was allocated and the renovation/construction of playgrounds throughout the community began, with an investment and budget of tens of millions of shekels. This came after years of neglect.

These are the playground and sports complexes that were constructed and completed during the previous term:

• A playground complex on Dorot/HaZayit Street,
• in Gan Yehuda – at Beit Ramaz,
• Stroma Street opposite the winery,
• Af Al Pi Ken Alley across from the winery,
• Masilat Yesharim,
• Shade structures in Golomb Park,
• Reuven Street,
• Hatzav Street,
• Renovation of the sports field named after the late Golan Hazan,
• Renovation of the Adir Katz Memorial Sports Field,
• Renovation of the 1948 Sports Field,
• Shading for the skatepark in the Halomot neighborhood,
• Renovation of the sports field in Ramat Zvi,
• Playground equipment at HaHoresh School,
• Playground equipment at Nili School,
• Upgrading the sports complex at Moshava High School and installing shade over the soccer field.

And this is only a partial list

These are the projects that were planned and budgeted during the previous term and have come to fruition in recent months:

• Playground on Ha-Chita Street/Stevens Lane
• Renovation and addition of playground equipment at Sima Kindergarten
• A new playground currently under construction at the Shavei Zion/Ga’ulim intersection
• Playground on Yitzhak Sadeh Street
• Shading for the sports fields in Ramat Zvi
• Shading for the sports field on Tashach Street
• Shading for the sports field at Nili School

The Security Patrol—which was inaugurated by Abutbul—is the result of two years of work during Ziv Deshe’s term (thanks also to former Councilwoman Maskit Laufer, who assisted with this matter). Initially, the patrol had already been disbanded due to a misguided and high-handed decision by the opposition during the previous term—a decision that caused significant harm to the community. This forced Ziv to prepare for a great deal of work leading up to the unit’s reestablishment. This included renewing the bylaw approval, obtaining approval from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice, and publishing the decision in the Official Gazette. The patrol could have begun as early as October–November 2023. However, bureaucratic hurdles and other obstacles “imposed” on the project prevented its establishment at that time. By the time Abutbul took office, everything was already organized and ready; all that was needed in the past month was to proceed with implementation.

These are the projects planned during the previous term and now being carried out:

• Structural reinforcement and renovation of the Nili School
• Construction of an early childhood center on HaPdot Street. The planning for the site was completed during the previous term. At this stage, the project involves renovating an existing building and transforming it into a center that will include playrooms, a workshop area, a nature activity yard, an individual therapy room, and more. The center will operate around the clock and offer a space for young families to support their children’s development, as well as a community activity area.
• Mekom BaLev – Established and operational since late 2023, it serves as an activity space for young families. Located on Wingate Street, it is currently in operation.
• Construction of a new wing at HaHita School – The planning and permitting phases have been completed. Funding must be approved, and a construction tender must be issued. As part of this project, the schoolyard has already been expanded, and activity and recreation areas have been added in the section adjacent to the sports field near Aharon Road.

These are the projects that were planned during the previous term but have not yet begun. The decision on whether to proceed with implementation now rests with Abutbul:

• Construction of the Yad Labanim Memorial Hall
• Construction of a new wing at Moshava High School. Abutbul has informed the council of his intention to proceed.
• Construction of a well-baby clinic on HaPdot Street (near the Early Childhood Center). Abutbul informed the council of his intention to proceed.
• Construction of a senior citizens’ activity center, an artists’ center, and a youth center in the old Ya’abetz School building/100 Ha-Meisadim Street. Abutbul informed the council that he will not proceed. I will elaborate on the dangers of this in one of the upcoming newsletters, which will address planned construction within the community.
• Construction of a new youth movement center—on the grounds adjacent to the Moshava High School. Abutbul informed the council that he intends to proceed and, to that end, will also seek assistance from the Ministry of Education in accordance with a call for proposals that has been published but has not yet received responses.

Yours,

Limor Zar-Guttman

The “For the Moshava” Party