I wish to thank the executive secretary of the Valletta local council for confirming, through his letter of February 19 in response to my earlier letter, that they are not interested in what the Valletta residents are saying and are not ready to respond to criticism in a decent way.
My letter was written as a resident of Valletta and in the name of a number of residents in my street.
I did not accuse anyone, least of all the council. I only stated that what is happening in Valletta, namely the exploitation by developers to the detriment of residents, is being done with the approval of the council.
If the council had the interests of the residents at heart it would object to what is taking place.
I am accused of being a member of the DCC. I was only a member for less than three years and that was some years ago! I am accused of piloting "similar policies in the past" by adding two floors to a social housing block in the same street.
I am very proud of what I managed to achieve during my years as an MP (1987-1992) when over 200 housing units were built in Valletta and Floriana.
Simon Cauchi should get his facts right before he puts down on paper what others tell him. The block he is referring to is the "ex-slave prison" block in front of the Lower Barrakka Garden. Only one floor was added and the whole building was upgraded at a cost of over Lm500,000.
This floor was added onto a building that was already higher than all the buildings around it. It did not block anyone's views.
The fact remains that today extra floors are being allowed and residents' rights are being trampled upon.
Developers are being allowed to build extra floors onto internal yards belonging to others and blocking views that have always been there. Illegal work is constantly being sanctioned.
I am not ready to fall into a personal attack as the mayor has through his secretary but he knows very well who applies for extra floors: It has certainly not been me.
In doing so everyone has a right to work in his profession but in the same way the secretary should differentiate between my action and words as a resident and my work in institutional positions.
As for the question of health and safety, the council, in view of my photos, has no answer to give except the usual standard one of passing the buck.
The same with regard to commercial activity in the street; again the council has tried to show I am against film making in Valletta.
This is very unethical as I have always written that I am in favour.
Yet, residents should be informed when they cannot enter their street etc and not just receive a letter stating that something will happen in the next two weeks!
It is such a pity that the Valletta local council is so out of touch with the residents they do not even want to hear what we residents are complaining about.
By attacking me personally they have gained nothing and have made others realise that the prima donnas are those that only boast of what other institutions do.