Defacing Ta' Xbiex

I am a regular visitor to Ta' Xbiex and a promoter of Malta in general in the many years I have been coming to stay in the community.

The recent embellishment of the Ta' Xbiex seafront does the town proud! It has greatly enhanced the whole environment!

Mindful of Brand Malta, the national effort being made to both increase and maintain tourism, among other things, I as an outsider, along with a large proportion of the local inhabitants, feel that there are some matters which still need to be addressed in order to maintain the general ambience of the jewel in the crown of Malta which is Ta' Xbiex.

The one thing spoiling the view from the seafront is the vessel called "The Love Boat". I remember it many years ago, when it still bore its name! Even then it looked a mess, standing out for all the wrong reasons. It has gradually decayed over the years. If one looks all round one sees many other boats, all in good condition, contributing to the quite idyllic scene. The Love Boat stands out like a sore thumb - a "two-fingered" salute to the local populace!

I am baffled as to how this wreck continues to be moored where it is. Whoever owns her seems unwilling to do anything, as if saying to the people, "You can do nothing about this! I get the last laugh! Why should I care?"

I would be embarrassed to own such a vessel, left in full public view. I would be ashamed, were I an official of whatever authorities allowed it to remain! Is it a question of knowing somebody of influence which allows somebody to get away with such a thing?

Are the mayor and council toothless to act? Is there no intention to maintain the town of Ta' Xbiex as both clean and pleasing on the eye?

The people of Ta' Xbiex seem to be hitting their heads against a brick wall about this because nobody will take responsibility.

The other issue affecting Ta' Xbiex and neighbouring towns is the selfishness of certain dog owners allowing their animals to defecate in the streets. A walk along the seafront requires constant alertness! This is of course a problem in the UK too.

This problem is down to selfishness and ignorance. It is useless fining dog owners for not carrying jiffy bags with them if they fail to use them when required. What is to be done about this serious health hazard, particularly as the weather gets warmer?

The Parisian authorities seem to have got it right. Recognising the effect on public health, they have traditionally kept their streets clean all the time. They have a team of motorcyclists, whose machines are equipped to vacuum up the muck and then disinfect the ground. Just one such bike operating in each Maltese town could quickly contain this situation. This problem will not disappear without direct action.