On the Dot...

The sign posting on the left hand side as one leaves Castille Place in Valletta has one arm which misleads visitors to the capital - the arm reading "Lascaris War Rooms" seems to have been twisted out of its original direction and now points in the opposite direction to the Auberge de Castille instead.

Reduce, Reuse

A number of teachers in the Mriehel Girls' Junior Lyceum have taken the environment-friendly business very seriously. Theirs is one of the few local schools that makes it a point to remind staff and students incessantly that it matters to recycle, with bins placed strategically for such easy access that the word "bother" does not even come into their mind.

Arch Ways

A few months ago there was the question of whether repairs made to the Wignacourt arches ought to remain obvious rather than blending in as used to be the case when previous repairs were effected. It would seem that neither solution was decided upon when it came to the stretch of the aqueduct between St Francis of Assisi School and Carini Street, for the stones are still being weakened by weeds and bits of stone are still falling off the structure.

Accident Probe

A terrible accident was averted only by a miracle on Thursday, April 1, at about 10.20 a.m. A group of schoolchildren were coming out of the Fleur-De-Lys Carmelite church, having heard Mass, and were duly crossing with the traffic lights in their favour. Along came a speeding car, from the direction of Birkirkara. The driver probably only stopped because he saw a police squad car that had stopped at the other side, to let the children through. One hopes appropriate action was taken; the skid marks were visible for days afterwards.

In The Dumps

Bring-in sites are an unequivocal success. This has happened not only because (specific types of) plastics and other materials are being recycled, of course. All in all, they give people who are too lazy to wake up in time for the scammel collection times, or who want to get rid of unwieldy bits of rubbish, a welcome mini-Maghtab where to dump their unwanted things. Civic-minded citizens then have to inform the appropriate authorities that the area needs to be cleared out because of those who flout the laws.

Drastic Plastic

And while on the subject of the environment, it is a pity to note that plastic bags are being once again made of a flimsy, scented material. This means that they cannot be used several times and that they impart an indefinable smell to foodstuffs, making them unpalatable. One hopes that this situation will no longer obtain once the present stocks are exhausted.

Wood for Trees

The polluter pays principle is a wise maxim, if and when it is applied. On the same lines, people responsible for acts of vandalism would learn their lesson better if they were made to do the physical work of repairing the damage they would have caused, rather than merely being fined for its costs.

Heaven Sent

Certain companies boast of being the exclusive local agents of prestigious foreign firms. Why is it, then, that the gift schemes connected with the brands they represent are never akin to those advertised in the foreign media? Since the gifts are imported, it is obvious that import duties have had to be paid anyway and more often than not the prices one pays for the product locally far exceed those paid abroad for the same product.

Figure of Speech

Not many residents, to put it mildly, responded with their presence to the circular sent by Simon Cauchi, executive secretary of Valletta local council, to see the statue of Aeneas (spelled "Enea" in the letter) unveiled in all its glory at the Lower Barrakka Gardens on Saturday, April 3. Now that this has been done, there is no reason why the sad couple of metres square of soil across the road, and the surrounding railings, cannot be seen to, since they spoil the whole approach to the area.

Art's Sake

Well done to the management and staff of Methode (Malta) Ltd. This company is sponsoring an environmental project in schools, where students are being asked to paint their ideals and ideas. This activity is bolstered by a short talk on the subject, presented in a manner that is suited to the children's age-group. If more companies were to follow this lead, the message, as well as "catching them young" would flourish sooner.

Blood Money?

During the Lenten season, many entities organise activities with the twofold aim of fund-raising and devotion rolled into one commemoration. One particular Labour Party club has taken the admirable initiative of having an organ-donor drive amalgamated into an event. One hopes this idea is copied; and, incidentally, if there were the mobile blood bank unit available, no doubt many people would be moved to donate.

Street Wiser

Water Services Corporation works have been duly carried out in Mattew Pulis Street, Gzira. So, what is keeping the local council, or whoever is responsible, from restoring the road surface to at least a usable, and relatively clean, condition? Or is it assumed that people just ought to be thankful that the necessary work was carried out in the first place?