Attard needs new ideas

It is amazing, and I suppose something that we've come to expect in Attard, that Nationalist Party candidates for the local council election want us to believe that without them we would be lost in the wilderness (Charlò Bonnici, The Sunday Times, February 25).

A look at the PN leaflet for Attard lists achievements that were brought about with the contribution of most of the councillors (including Alternattiva Demokratika and independents) more than 10 years ago.

Just one simple example: litter bins installed more than 10 years ago, which have either gone missing or are in a bad state, haven't even been replaced, and this is supposed to be one of the simplest of tasks. Ideas seem to have dried up.

Although leaflets issued by the PN show pictures of the area, the outgoing council, and I suppose most PN councillors, wanted to undo part of the pedestrianisation project next to Attard parish church. Fortunately this folly was not given the go-ahead by MEPA. At least PN councillors apply for permits in Attard, unlike their colleagues in Munxar.

A leaflet being distributed by a PN candidate further confirms the PN's lack of vision. In the leaflet he lists as an achievement the imminent change of a playing field in Attard's housing estate into, hold your breath, a parking area.

The reason: vandalism. What a defeatist attitude! Haven't PN candidates heard of the need to provide spaces for children and people to meet and get out of doors? Are they dead set on continuing the attack on open spaces so well carried out by the government at a national level?

The Labour candidates' views on these issues are unfortunately unknown. Sometimes one wonders if they have any opinions at all.

There has also been deafening silence by both the PN and MLP candidates on the expansion of Attard towards Ta' Qali. Writing about traffic problems when failing to see the problems: more, unnecessary, flats and houses, being built in countryside at the periphery of Attard will bring about, is like complaining about a stomachache and still eating a box of chocolates.

There are three major priorities which Alternattiva Demokratika, when elected in Attard, will press for. The lack of exchange of information between the council and Attard residents is glaringly and painfully obvious. As a councillor I will insist that the council makes the best use possible of the Internet, regular public consultation meetings and the regular publication of a newsletter.

This does not have to be flashy, and full of photos. The important thing is that residents are informed of activities and important issues that are being discussed by the council.

They should be given every opportunity to share their views effectively in good time before decisions are taken.

I will insist that all current open spaces, be they formal or informal gardens and areas at the periphery, be protected and not built up. I will insist that playing fields remain playing fields and pedestrian areas remain pedestrian.

Attard needs a community centre and I will support such a project, but this does not have to be built at the expense of open spaces or of a garden as seem to be the plans. Gardens also need to be made more attractive for people.

Some young people I spoke to told me that they were told not to use the garden in Mosta Road for skateboarding when all they were doing was having innocent fun without disturbing anyone. We must find ways to encourage young people to make use of open spaces, not chase them into the streets.

A wireless Internet service in public gardens (WiFi) is an interesting concept used in European cities, which can be implemented in Attard as an added incentive for people to use public spaces more.

I will push for a comprehensive traffic management plan. This should include:

• the provision of reliable public transport connecting different areas of Attard and also connecting Attard to nearby centres, such as Mosta; and

• making roads in residential areas safer, giving priority to pedestrians, joggers and cyclists.

We must encourage people to walk for short errands. We should discuss how to give residential roads back to the people. This isn't an easy challenge but worth looking into.

What Attard needs is councillors with a modern attitude to problems, who are not at all afraid to come forward with ideas that will enhance residents' quality of life.

A myopic view of things, such as increasing a parking space here and there, keeping mum on major projects affecting Attard, and an arrogant attitude towards people who do not agree with your party just because of a majority on the council (just a look at the eulogies to the 'great and glorious' Nationalist Party in some candidates' leaflets makes you sick!) is simply not on.

Mr Cassar is the Alternattiva Demokratika candidate for the Attard council election. E-mail: racas@waldonet.net.mt