On the dot...

A Sliema hotel presents this daily scene of unsightly transparent garbage bags spread out on the pavement. Pedestrians can hardly walk along the pavement because of the garbage bags. Can the Sliema council oblige management to make use of a skip that will be used exclusively by the hotel?

Clean Air

Now that the State Of The Environment report has been published should all local councils not set in motion an information/consultation campaign to discuss with residents how their locality fared and how matters could be improved? Otherwise what is the use of such reports?

Walled In

When the monstrous, sheer, wall of the Marsa Shipbuilding yard was built, many years back, residents and businesses on the other side of the road had complained that it would block sunshine and the flow of air. As the years went by, protests grew thinner. One wonders whether now that there is no longer any need for it, it will be pulled down, and the general area cleaned up thoroughly.

Bay Room

At long last, it seems that St George's Bay in St Julians has found its niche in life. No longer will bathers and sun worshippers fear becoming traffic accident victims. One hopes this happy state of affairs will continue, and that regular beats by wardens and policemen will discourage littering, vandalism, and the occasional binge drinking sessions.

Block Votes

On October 22, 200l, The Times commented editorially about how, in a survey, people had put the dire state of the country's roads at the top of the island's problems. Bar the Royal Route, the situation has not improved that much since; chunks of tarmac are gouged out of road surfaces every time it rains heavily, and since the resultant deep hollows are filled with muddy water or sludge, motorists assume they are merely indentations and try to drive over them, sometimes with disastrous results.

On Course

The Staff Development Organisation at the Office of the Prime Minister is setting up no fewer than seven courses for public officials, with how the European Union operates being the core subject. Would it not be a sound idea to make these courses available, even if at a nominal fee, to interested members of the public too?

Word Perfect

Some time ago, much emphasis was being made on adding Maltese letters to word processor fonts in the drawing up of official documents. This suggestion does not appear to have reached the ears of those responsible for compiling recipes, or organising the print for character generators, on local television stations. Seeing a word written down is an easy way of committing it to memory; when it is often written down incorrectly, there is a chance this is the version that will stick to one's mind.

Make it Stick

Maltapost plc, if it so desired, would have a steady source of income throughout the year, to the chagrin of philatelists on a budget. There is always something coming up; the UHM's 40th anniversary, the feast of St Paul; Valentine's Day, Easter and so on. Some of these occasions, indeed, could be commemorated after a national competition for new artists would have been held; unless, of course, commissioning established ones is a sine qua non.

Light Relief

Some "bright spark" decided to change all the electricity meters at Block 1, Mediterranean Street, Valletta, on Monday morning, and this obviously meant cutting off the electricity supply to the flats, as well as to the lift. Unfortunately, this was done without prior notice, and this was definitely an affront to residents who had to climb up several flights of steps with heavy shopping. A little courtesy would have been appreciated.

Tax(i) Free

The long-awaited taxi service reform is on the horizon, with the ultimate aim being to improve both the drivers' attitude and the overall level of service. A case in point is the installation, and use, of a taximeter, the better to gauge the total cost of a trip. Would this work against encouraging commuters, who may be strangers, from sharing a taxi?

Money Talks...

Every year, we are told how much money is owed to the state in the way of income tax dues and water and electricity bills; sometimes, this news is closely followed by the amounts of refunds due to the public. The fact remains that the latter amounts figuratively drag their legs to return home to roost, whereas for the former, it is uncertain whether the amounts will be collected in this lifetime. This does not make sense.

...Donors Answer

Why is it that whenever nationwide collections for charitable purposes are organised, certain entities never get a look in? These NGOs survive because of the sheer determination of the volunteers who work selflessly, at all hours, in order to make the world a better place for the rest of us.

Costly Airwaves

A public discussion a few days back focused on funds allocated to Public Broadcasting Services in terms of its public service obligations. Somebody said a detailed account would be published. We are all waiting... for all the details.

Exemplary Conduct

Hats off to two young garbage collectors who were noticed sweeping the area they had just cleared of a mountain of boxes and garbage bags near a main eating place in Attard last Friday morning. They deserve public commendation.