Since their inception 15 years ago, local councils have gone a long way in their commitment to address local government requirements. The local government reform process presented by Government has proposed the development of a policy to act as a guideline, and aid local councils in the decision-making process, the sustainable development of localities and the increase in allocation of both financial and human resources. Ultimately this should translate into improved local governance and more satisfaction on the part of the citizen.
However, these strategies would be futile if they are not underpinned by strong leadership and proper organisation within the council. It is imperative that each and every one of us, who casts his vote on the 6th of June, not only takes this into their consideration but feel it as a moral duty toward their locality and to themselves.
Recent articles in local papers have delved into much speculation regarding the Sliema local council elections with particular emphasis on the fact that the post of mayor is now ‘up for grabs’ now that outgoing Sliema mayor is not contesting these elections. Regretfully, such articles tend to encourage internal conflict amongst contestants and portray the seat of mayor as actionable to the highest bidder. Any resultant bad blood will definitely not work in the interest of Sliema, its residents or any political party. There are ten Nationalist candidates contesting the elections, with only two who are already members of the present council. All of the others, including myself are contesting for the first time. Whatever the peoples’ choice is, the selected council members have to, above all, have the integrity to be professionally focussed on what is good for the community, and to contribute honestly towards the team that forms the council to the benefit of the citizens it represents. It is only then that the whole spirit of what the local councils were established for, becomes possible.
The issues that need to be addressed in Sliema are several. The electoral programme for 2009 includes further development of the infrastructure in a sustainable way, control of pollution and restoration works, and much more.
The consequences of over development that has been allowed to take place, lack of sufficient parking space and poor street infrastructure which are a constant danger to the elderly are issues that need to be addressed and acted upon immediately.
Sensitive cases such as that of Villa Bonici development project which has rightly angered Sliema residents cannot be overlooked and local governance just cannot continue to bury its head in the sand as it has done over other developments in Sliema.
It is imperative that we develop a culture that actively involves the residents’ contribution towards achieving the right goals of the community. Residents have to be and also feel connected in shaping our Sliema community. With around 60% of our residents being senior citizens, we have to be especially concerned with the task of combating social isolation. One must also mention that Sliema hosts a number of foreign residents who work locally and it is up to us to make them feel rightly that they are an integral part of our community. We need to create a vibrant and motivated community by making each and everyone of us feel responsible as well as accountable.
Through the Local Government Reform Process, the necessary amendments to the legislative and procedural framework have been made, local councils have been made more accountable for the services they offer and more funding has been allocated. What remains is for us all to elect the right people to lead us with honesty. My appeal is to choose judiciously and responsibly, free from bias and as objectively as possible, bearing in mind that we are sealing our fate for the next four years. A friend once told me that the best way to know our future is to create it. Wayne Benett, the famous rugby coach, is quoted as saying “if we always do what we’ve always done, we will always get what we always got!” What we have been getting is hardly what Sliema residents are looking forward to. I choose these words as an encouragement to all as they spur us on to strive for change in whatever is unacceptable and to improve on what we have.
Whilst I wish all my colleagues success in the forthcoming elections, I trust that we will all have the possibility to work together, for the best that Sliema deserves, in the near future.
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