On the Dot...

Residents in Triq il-Qantar, Swieqi are up in arms against the owner of a crane who finds the lower end of the road as a convenient parking bay for his large vehicle (right, top). The crane is left unused day and night occupying a number of parking slots usually used by residents. The case has been reported to the police, who have issued warnings but to no avail.

No Parking

It seems Swieqi local council is not aware that a yellow line in front of a garage in use is sufficient to indicate this means no parking. The text "garage" in one-metre lettering is painted on the  ground at the lower end of Ibrag Road in front of two garages close to Greens Supermarket, when a simple yellow line would have sufficed.

Parking Cost

Some time ago, this column had asked whether there would be any provision in the way of parking permits for professionals, other than doctors, making house-calls in Valletta once the Park and Ride Scheme is up and running. Failing this, the costs incurred will, no doubt, be passed on to the consumer, which would perhaps be classifiable under "indirect taxation". So far, it appears that this matter has not been discussed.

Ear Candy

The international press has recently included items about how artefacts pillaged both in times of war and times of peace are being rightfully returned to their countries of origin. One hopes that, in the near future, Malta too will be able to benefit - when Grandmaster Jean de la Valette's sword is removed from the Louvre, in Paris, and retuned to us.

Wrong Note

The latest issue of Eduforum includes a feature about the anniversary of Mozart's death, and outlines plans to commemorate this in his native Austria. It would have been wonderful had any similar activities taking place locally been reported as a footnote to the main feature.

Family Ties

Residents of homes in the general area of schools may or may not have complaints about the way pupils behave on the way to and from school. However, one thing is sure; prize days and other celebrations are usually noisy affairs; and what makes it worse is that very often the same few stale and noisy records are played over and over again.

Mind Games

How much does it cost to produce a new sign to replace the old one at the entrance to Mount Carmel Hospital? Surely this could be a part of an occupational therapy session for the residents of this establishment - unless a sponsor comes up with the goods first.

Oiled Wheels

Towards the end of November last year, there was an ambivalent statement in a "specialised website" that tentatively suggested prospects for oil exploration around Malta "could look good by Christmas". Unfortunately, noting appears to have come of this. Has the project been put on the (Continental) shelf?

More, More

For the third time since November, the hill leading to Castille Place, in Valletta, has been dug up again (above, bottom). And, again, no consideration at all is given to pedestrians who end up sharing the busy road with traffic.