Fitting tribute

I refer to the letters by J. Schranz (April 29) and Cecilia Muscat (May 7).

The Floriana council shares both correspondent's admiration for the sterling work carried out by Joseph J. Mangion, a distinguished and dedicated Florianite for his hometown and his country and he deserves to be accorded due recognition. However, it is grossly unfair to classify the fact that Prof. Mangion has not as yet been commemorated in some way in Floriana as "a gross and gaping omission on the part of the Floriana local council." Using the same yardstick, the local council would face the same unjustified and unfair accusation from countless other relatives and admirers of distinguished Florianites who have served Floriana and their country with equal merit and distinction in the past.

As for naming a street after Prof. Mangion, although this course can be explored, one must also keep in mind that the options open in Floriana are limited, as most streets already have historic names which should generally remain unchanged. On the other hand, it is almost impossible that new unnamed streets will ever materialise to provide us with new options.

Having said that, this must not be construed as an attempt on the council's part to diminish the importance of the contribution of Prof. Muscat to the community or to deny the fact that he deserves to be remembered. In fact, it is only right that your correspondents and admirers of Prof. Mangion should be made aware that barely a month ago the mayor of Floriana, Nigel Holland, expressed in writing his intention of supporting an initiative by Beatrice Muscat, wife of the late Prof. Mangion, in setting up a monument in a prominent place to this great Florianite and the council feels this is the best way to honour his memory and his work.

The aim was to tackle the issue once the heavy commitments forced on the council because of the inauguration of Sir Luigi Preziosi Garden, the commemoration of Floriana Day and the Feast of St Publius were finally over.