In prefacing his column ‘A Greener Shade of Green’, your correspondent Maurice Mizzi states that he “will be writing direct, to the point and without pulling punches” and compares this to “the character of this newspaper”.
The undersigned has no qualms with this statement, and would have wished that Mr. Mizzi’s article and subsequent contributions would provide another breath of columnist fresh air similar to that provided by MaltaToday when it first appeared on the Maltese journalistic scene. Unfortunately our hopes have been dashed at the outset and sadly this does not bode well for the future.
In fact Mr Mizzi’s contribution seems to suggest that he believes that this particular tag gives him some sort of right to abuse his privileged columnist position to gratuitously sling mud and make false and unfounded allegations against third parties.
We at the Environment Landscape Consortium (ELC) are amazed at the inaccuracies contained in the paragraphs referring to ELC, and find ourselves at a complete loss how this genteel, soft-spoken and reputedly very methodical gentleman got his facts wrong. We are moreover hurt at the brazen lie, lobbed in our direction, when he alleges that “unfortunately someone at ELC thought of making some money by massacring our street trees in order to produce wood chips which are then sold to the public”. We have reproduced this statement in its entirety to set the record straight once and for all. This is a complete fabrication – a falsehood which we vehemently deny and for which we demand an apology.
Unfortunately, just before the last general election, an article accompanied by photographs appeared in another section of the press, where a so-defined anonymous but easily-identifiable tree expert had intimated to the reporting journalist (who like Mr Mizzi had not checked his facts), that the massacred trees depicted in those photographs, were ‘the work’ of ELC. We easily demolished that falsehood by showing that these trees coming from three different areas (where incidentally ELC was and is not contracted) had been ‘handled’ by other operators. We would advise Mr Mizzi to avoid falling into what now seems to be planned strategy intended to vilify ELC. We will continue to fight this parroted mud-slinging and will not be disheartened.
Given Mr Mizzi’s invitation to ‘anyone who thinks that their street trees are having hugh branches lopped off’ to write to him, to avoid future unpleasantness, we wish once again to publicly make our position clear on the subject: ELC IS PRIMARILY HERE TO SERVE THE TREES. We have always tried to honour this basic duty to the best of our ability, and this notwithstanding countless attempts and pressure brought to bear upon us from various quarters in various instances, to be less rigid on this score. We have invariably always resisted these attempts and will continue to do so in the execution of our duties.
This is not to say that we are not practical and in these circumstances, practicality for us means that if we had to prioritise between the elimination of danger to persons and/or risk of damage to property by removing or heavily pruning trees on the one hand, or staying put on the other hand, the former – after formal authorisation in writing by the authorities (both Malta Embellishment Landscaping Project (MELP) and where necessary MEPA) will always take precedence.
The technical staff at ELC know exactly what they are doing and are technically capable of executing their job professionally. They are always prepared to listen to suggestions, but will under no circumstances take orders to meet the capricious requests of persons who think they know better. Would-be judges of pruning (and, like football referees, we have many around) should always remember that pruning which is technically correct and professionally executed, is not always aesthetically beautiful in the short term. Moreover not all trees are the same and interventions on some trees can vary from those on others. When ELC came into the picture we did not inherit rows of symmetrically planted trees, but a pot-pourri of different trees of various shapes and sizes!
In conclusion I would like to bring to Mr Mizzi’s notice the following: (1) the number of persons employed by ELC at the start of operations in November, 2002, was 328 (301 Goverment and 27 Kalaxklokk), workers and not 200 as stated by Mr. Mizzi. This is not to mention managerial staff; (2) stating that the Government got rid of ‘200 headaches’ is insulting to all those Government and Kalaxlokk workers who together with ELC Directors and management have given and are still giving their all to make ELC the success that it is today; (3) begrudgingly repeating in parrot-like fashion that ELC is costing the Government millions annually is to say the least puerile, coming from a leading entrepreneur. A simple breakdown of published figures and wages will dispel the subtly intimated idea of waste and a basic comparison of a before and after cost, in relation to before and after duties and results, would easily show whether the exercise was worthwhile and beneficial or not to the country; (4) contrary to the impression given, we have had the shredding machines (two, not one) for a number of years; (5) over 93% of mulch produced is used by ELC in the execution of its maintenance duties, whilst the remaining 7% is given to NGOs and other institutions who need our help in this regard, with some also being utilised when we raise stands or participate in environmentally-oriented activities. ELC does not sell mulch although it sells (and donates in substantial quantities) logs originating from dead trees or branches which are too thick for shredding; (6) Finally ELC is answerable to OPM through MELP, which is the government-appointed Board, whose task it is to monitor and ensure that ELC honours its contractual commitments.
We reserve all our rights at law.
Dr Ronald D. Cuschieri,
General Manager
Environmental Landscape Consortium
The Police Force, or the lack thereof
This strike, by all the public transport sectors of the island, has shown up the situation the Malta Police Force and other forces of law and order of this Island are in.
It was a shame to see numerous policemen in front of Auberge de Castille allowing sections of an angry mob to actually get to the door of the Prime Minister’s Office. Seeing the reaction of the Police, in this event, was absolutely pathetic.
And may I ask, what was the Commissioner of Police doing, arguing with one of the drivers? He would have done better had he ordered the arrest of this illegally gathered mob which created anarchy all over the island. In any case, the Commissioner’s place was not in the middle of a scuffle, but at Police Headquarters to be able to control and give direction to all the different and various incidents that were happening all over the Island.
How can we allow criminals to hijack the airport and the seaport preventing tourists and travellers alike form using these facilities? It is a shame! And what about all those policemen standing around while serious offences are being committed on vehicles that were giving a service, and which are not connected with the strikers?
And where was the Army, may I ask? Shouldn’t this have been detailed to keep at least the airport and seaport open to commuters and travellers? Is this what the Maltese people have for a Police Force and an Army?
Having asked all these questions, what about the minister responsible for Police? We did not hear one squeak out of him! He should resign forthwith for this phenomenal failure, and take his Commissioner of Police with him.
I am also very surprised at the lack of comments from all the media, including the editors of the newspapers and the regular columnists after witnessing the fact that we absolutely do not have a police force. It is evident that the police force was not even prepared for such an event and it was like a beheaded turkey running around all over the island achieving nothing.
It is the time to look seriously into the way the Police Force is being run and to give it some serious professional direction. God forbid if anything really serious were to occur on a national scale.
C. Borg
Mosta
Residential parking should be introduced everywhere
Reference is made to David Darmanin’s article on MaltaToday on Sunday 6 July ‘16,000 illegal fines on reserved parking’).
I am sure Mr Darmanin refers to residential parking, because “reserved parking” refers to Blue Card holders, the use of which is being openly abused by family members of the card-holder, who, very often, is not in the car when the Blue Card is being used. This works to the detriment of genuine Blue Card holders, who can luckily drive their cars.
This is really something the authorities that be should consider and justify, seriously, by imposing very, very heavy fines for abusive usage of the Blue Card.
Refering to Mr Darmanin’s article, it is most important to mention that in handing down sentence in January 2007, the learned Judge Dr Lino Farrugia Sacco very, very clearly mentioned that residential parking zones could be introduced everywhere, and this is most fair, because residents of Hamrun, Zebbug, M’Scala, St Paul’s Bay, and everywhere are all equal to residents of Valletta, Floriana, Sliema etc.
Residents everywhere should be given priority. Perhaps, in the near future, we shall hear the Result of the Appeal launched by the Pieta Local Council, re the above-mentioned sentence in the Civil Court.
And if I may ask, what has the Society of Local Councils been doing, or intends to do, about the above court sentences. Is there any difference between the local councils? Are the ones in the north different to the ones in the south? Are the local councils in Gozo different to the ones in Malta?
Certainly, all residents everywhere should be given priority, especially, retired, elderly residents who can still drive their car to be able to make use of their car as and when required without the big problem of parking near their residence, on their return home.
This is the way things should be done in a civilised country, and most especially now that we are in the EU.
S. A. Portelli,
Sliema
A crazy week in Valletta
Living in Valletta is becoming a bit of nightmare. In the span of a few days, inhabitants of Valletta have had to endure a blockade coupled with a nightmarish festa held during normal working days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to be precise), which went on until the early morning hours.
Whilst I can understand the difficulties the authorities had in dealing with striking bus drivers etc, I fail to see why what is supposed to be a religious festa, was allowed to go into the early morning hours during normal working days accompanied by some jolly, blaring, full-blast music, plus the usual fireworks. Surely people, especially the elderly and infirm, deserve a bit of more consideration. I trust that whoever is responsible will endeavour to ensure that future events are organised with a bit more consideration for those who live in Valletta.
Paul Edgar Micallef,
Valletta
Strike was government’s fault
I woke up on Monday at 6am and I went to wait for the minibus to go to work, but the strike was official so I had to find another way to get there. I’m a university student so I’m more than an expert on the conditions of all those people who use the public transport in Malta.
I know that many of the drivers are not good in helping immigrants or tourists, and I know that many of the buses are not good even to carry dead bodies, but there is not a single justification for this sort of government that we have. No one, and I repeat no one can send a letter before an election and after just four months, do the opposite of what was promised. They decide everything alone, and let me just remind you dear Gonzi: no one forgot your song “Flimkien Kollox Possibli”. Can you please remind me why there is the word “Flimkien” (together) in your song?
Like what the drivers are doing now, other people can join in the protest, like all the workers of the dockyards, all the farmers that are suffering from the influence brought from the EU and I think that the majority of the Maltese citizens have a reason to protest, let me remind you for what. For the rise of food and the rise of petrol, diesel, etc. And don’t think that we’re stupid, because we’re not. Everyone knows that the government is earning a lot of money from the rise of diesel (€27m) and petrol (€38m).
I think that there are not much more things to talk about and please do a big favour to the majority of the intelligent people of this island: don’t talk of democracy until you give the chance to AD to elect a member to parliament, because your hypocrisy makes us sick.
I think we have more than one reason to protest.
Carmen Caruana
Zurrieq
Keep up the good work
I am a regular tourist to Malta and I have made some good friends here. These friends tell me how it is, and I am a regular reader of your paper: the only real honest paper on the island. Back home I take the News of the World, which likes to expose and tell us of the greedy MEPs who are filling their pockets with tax-payers’ cash, also the MPs at home who are doing the same. Keep up the good work. And I hope you can wake up the locals. Some one should.
R Wilson
U.K.
The big farce that is MEPA
One of the duties of MEPA is to protect the health of the people.
I live amongst bakers in Qormi, several of whom heavily pollute our direct environmentm causing health hazards to my family and myself.
Since March last year, I have filed several police reports against these polluters. No action has been taken. I have approached the health department in Zebbug.
I have called several times on the so-called hotline of MEPA, but not a single MEPA employee managed to arrive on time to visit the bakeries on site.
If any, the visits took place when the bakers were not working.
For three weeks, I have been waiting for action to be taken by MEPA.
Even if the oven is off, it is easy to verify what the bakers were burning by scratching particles from inside the chimney or outside of it, and analyzing them.
As one can clearly see from the picture taken yesterday evening, dense dark smoke is expelled from the chimney.
Wardens stop cars emitting excessive fumes and fine the drivers.
MEPA does not stop and fine polluters, it even supports them by taking no action.
MEPA should be renamed into Malta Environment Destruction Agency, because that is the only the job at which it excels.
Henrik Piski
Qormi
Not a good start for Gonzi
The deplorably sad truth is that rich entrepreneurs of the building industry have bent our politicians over a barrel by the simple ruse of supplying (x-y) euros to one party, and (x) euros to the other in hidden contributions.
That way they always come out on top, irrespective of the will of the majority of the electorate.
The solution is simple, provided that there is the will to enforce it: make hidden contributions above a certain amount illegal, and make avoidance of that law really difficult and expensive.
At the same time, do away with the undeserved immunity from scrutiny in the law courts of the shameless shenanigans of a Mepa that has proven over and over again that it is not worthy of it.
Who is willing and able to bell that cat in time, and gain the trust of the electorate before the next election?
Dr Francis Saliba,
Mellieha
Full circle for medical profession
"Old habits die hard": you can say that again. Actually, it looks like the wheel has now turned full circle.
If I remember rightly, wasn't such a situation the major reason for an earlier Mintoff government being at loggerheads with the medical profession?
Specialists and others, employed by the state's major hospital, besides holding University tenures, were too busy making their dough in private practice to find time for the poor plebs on the state hospital’s waiting lists.
Lucy Calleja,
Sydney
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