Who owns the beaches?

As we approach the end of the season the beach umbrellas issue is still very much pending. On September 7 I carried a letter from Piero Selvaggi and I highlghted his comment: What I find very strange is that no beach concession owner or anyone from the authorities has had the dignity to reply to our complaint.

Indeed, prior to the September 7 column I had sent a printout of Mr Selvaggi's message to Inspector Piju Pisani (Mellieha police station) and Inspector Joe Mercieca (Mgarr police station) for their comments on the issue with a particular focus on what action the police intend to take.

I received no response from the police. However, I have received a letter from one of the beach concession owners. I had a meeting with the beach concession owners in question and I am still looking into various aspects of this drawn out issue. The salient point is that we need at least an assurance that something is being done, or perhaps about to be done, by the competent body or authority.

In the meantime I received a brief letter with two suggestions:

May I make a couple of suggestions re beach encroachment permits.

1. to issue permits for a limited number of umbrellas;

2. to make markings for the areas regarding which permits have been issued. (Albert Asciak)

I look forward to hearing from the police and from beach concession owners.