Much to do in Marsascala

Another three-year term will end in four weeks' time and the local council election is days away. I happen to be the only Marsascala-born candidate and am contesting the elections for the fourth consecutive time, after nine years of experience as a local councillor and deputy mayor for part of the first three.

In this last term, some roads were resurfaced and pavements reconstructed by the council. A further 13 new roads were constructed by the Roads Department and more roads will be constructed this year. Our primary school was extending twice and the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools has plans for a new wing for the kindergarten. The restoration of St Thomas Tower's outer walls was completed by Government. Hopefully, the interior will also be seen to in the coming years.

In the last three years, apart from normal council duties, I was responsible for installing new street lighting and the maintenance of those that were inherited from Enemalta.

We installed new lights in various roads and replaced most of the broken or old white lamp units. I also served as a contract manager, obviously without commission. Both bypasses which link Marsascala had new lamp posts installed by Enemalta. New public transport routes were established and others increased.

New bus shelters were erected on various sites, and certainly much more needs to be done in this sector. The swimmers' zone was one of my dream projects to be realised.

I hope the new council will not be partisan and dominated by anybody outside the council. I hope it will be more active to work for new projects like a decent multipurpose park for our young people. Once planning permission is granted for the new council and community centre, the project should kick off at once. This is of paramount importance. The restoration of our historical heritage should also be addressed as nothing has been done so far.

Our playing fields must be better maintained and the one by the bus terminus should be monitored better. Shop owners should not be allowed to take up more than the three metres allocated to them. Our village core and the footpaths, mostly the one that links the school with Zonqor Housing estate, needs more attention. St Thomas Bay is in dire need of a good facelift and most of our country roads, like the Bidni area, are neglected.

I have made several attempts for the council to gradually resurface them but this has not materialised. The ornamental lights on the promenade at Salini Street must be tackled as soon as possible.

The list is long and certainly not exhaustive. When one looks back where we started, we can say that we live better with the introduction of local councils.

During this election campaign, I planned to make as many house visits as possible since I was not distracted with my training and studying abroad for my career as an aircraft maintenance engineer as was the case three years ago.

In a few weeks I met several residents and I must thank them for their support and their feedback. My visits schedule had to end two weeks short as I had a minor accident which made it impossible for me to continue.

If I am elected to the new council I will do my utmost to continue my duties as a councillor with whoever is elected in the interest of our village.