The silent majority

In a previous contribution on the Qui-si-Sana car park and the diversion of traffic to the Tigné peripheral road, I stated that "Politicians should listen to all arguments made but cannot allow themselves to be swayed by the vociferous few to the detriment of the silent majority." In her contribution to The Times of March 3, Marianne Aquilina speculates as to who the vociferous few and the silent majority are. By now, it should be evident to one and all but for her benefit I will amplify.

The vociferous few are the few residents of the Qui-si-Sana sea front who live opposite the site of the Qui-si-Sana car park and who have mounted a rigorous campaign over months and even years writing letters to the press once or twice a week.

The vociferous few are those who are adamant against the diversion of traffic from Sliema commercial centre to the Tigné peripheral road. They could not care less if thousands of people are subject to very high levels of exhaust fumes within the confined spaces of Bisazza Street and lower Tower Road.

The vociferous few have resorted to misinformation in an effort to further their cause. With reference to the Resident Parking Zone, they claimed that there is the intention "...to turn our parking problem into a cash cow, milking Sliema residents...". This is the most blatant of a number of unfounded pieces of misinformation. (See The Times of February 10 and 28).

The silent majority are most of the Sliema residents who have come to understand that a car park at Qui-si-Sana will ease parking pressures and make the implementation of a Resident Parking Zone for Sliema more achievable.

The silent majority are thousands of Sliema residents and non-residents who appreciate that the semi-pedestrianisation of the Sliema commercial centre will provide them with an environment which is more suitable for shopping.

The silent majority are those who now understand that the position taken by Labour Party and by AD is not based on what is really in the best interest of all Sliema residents, but merely an attempt to acquire a few extra votes in the forthcoming local council elections.