Gieh il-Mosta

As Ms Antonella Galea pointed out (The Sunday Times, September 18) it has become customary that on Mosta Day on September 16, Mosta council grants the Gieh il-Mosta award. This year the council received 10 nominations. It is true that during the council meeting held on August 8, after five rounds of voting, none obtained the unanimous vote required.

I was both surprised and disappointed by this result. I was sure that at least for two nominations a unanimous vote was evident. I am referring to two active and popular organisations: St Mary Band Club, which this year celebrates its centenary, and the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception, celebrating its 30th year.

Moreover the anniversaries (especially the centenary) made the occasions unique. I thought that if we were unable to agree on the individual nominations, at least there should be no problem for these two.

Therefore, seconded by the deputy mayor, I presented a special resolution for the following meeting. Briefly, I said that since the voting of the previous meeting was inconclusive the council should consider voting again at least for the organisations and I listed several reasons.

This special resolution was unanimously approved on August 29. However while the St Mary Band Club obtained a unanimous vote, the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception obtained only six votes and these were from the Nationalist councillors.

Hence on Jum il-Mosta only St Mary Band Club was awarded Gieh il-Mosta.