Making a point

I refer to the letter titled A City for All the People (September 18).

The Valletta mayor, Paul Borg Olivier, goes to great lengths to explain the workings of the Valletta council. He inundates readers with percentages and again empty arguments about the disposal of waste. Who cares about percentages? He even passes the buck to the central government. As regards this last point I am inclined to agree. It is enough to say that the state of the pavements, in nearly all the streets of our city, have been in complete neglect, long before local councils came into existence.

If there was an "unfortunate situation that the city has to spend something like 50 per cent of its budget in cleaning waste generated by the public" would that not be a comic and laughable situation par excellence? The laws are there! Why are they not enforced? And so save time and much-needed money in the process?

I heave a sigh of relief reading that my concerns are "identical to the concerns of the Valletta council". At least I have scored a bull's eye this time!

But to be concerned alone is not enough.

Would it be too much for the potholes at least to be patched up and covered? But no, the council seems to prefer to spend 50 per cent of its budget in waste removal. What a shame! Would not everyone agree that life and limb are by far more and more important than the removal of waste?

I will forgo to mention in detail the utter shabbiness that meets the eye. We have only to bring ourselves to notice it - which we, more often than not, cannot, because we have become used to it! It is not only Merchants Street that is in neglect. If a list of shattered pavements were to be made out, it would be endless!

What is all important is that something is done - without any further red tape - to remedy, even if temporarily, this dire state of affairs! Of course I do not expect an answer. The answer will be furnished by us, the voters, notwithstanding the fact that the mayor does not agree with me (a right which he is free to enjoy). I once again appeal to my fellow citizens to, come next elections, abstain from voting.

To mention that pensioners have their limitations - so has everyone - is tantamount to adding insult. Would the mayor note that senior citizens also pay their taxes - through the nose - which in part go to pay for his salary? We senior citizens, notwithstanding all the double talk and empty chatter going on all the year round, have no rights! It is only when elections are near that we count for something - that is, they are only after our vote.

As far as I can see, this is my last word, once again urging fellow citizens not to vote in the coming elections. It is the only way we can show our disgust and disapproval at the way we are being treated. Let us give the council the real answer it deserves!