On the Dot...

Just to the left-hand side, looking at the driveway entrance of Le Meridien Phoenicia, across the road from the Ministry of Education, is a gaping hole in the pavement. This is very dangerous, especially since people using wheelchairs or pushing baby carriages are forced to the street, straight into the path of traffic coming uphill - usually at a fast pace.

Street Wise

The Malta Transport Authority uses its electronic message board at the Kappara roundabout to warn drivers about the bridge works and occasionally adds public interest announcements, such as warnings about the danger of drunk driving. It recently also flashed the news that 400 residential roads were being resurfaced. Is that what's holding up completion of the bridge?

Clean Away

Whatever happened to the activities usually held to commemorate World Clean-Up Day? This was held worldwide on September 11. Is it possible local councils were so busy about their own initiatives to clean up towns and villages that they failed to tap into this event, and the publicity they could have garnered while at it?

Wheelie Bad

Another initiative that has fallen by the wayside, so to speak, is Car Free Day. This used to be organised on September 22. Is it because this year the date fell on a Saturday, and it would therefore have been a non-event for most motorists seeking to run errands it is impossible to see to during the week? Were there no parliamentarians ready to forsake the comfort of their air-conditioned cars this year, to grab a photo-opportunity as they used the buses with common mortals?

Courting Law

Katrine Camilleri has been awarded the celebrated UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award "in recognition of her exceptional dedication to the refugee cause and her outstanding contribution through Jesuit Refugee Service in the protection and assistance to refugees". It is a pity that some people seek to denigrate human dignity by passing derogatory comments about those they would never have had the courage to emulate unto leaving their motherland with just the clothes on their backs.

Slow Motion

Some route buses have installed monitors ostensibly meant to "inform and entertain" commuters. Apart from the fact that the sound is too low for what is going on to be followed properly, there is also the tiny matter of footage not being updated regularly. One of the adverts being screened indicates scouts activities that were held on July 31 and August 1.

Fire Frightening

Some people do not have a modicum of sense, it seems. Gas-powered barbecues and similar appliances are being used at Buskett by families and groups during open-air picnics. At this time of the year, one tiny spark could result in a terrible conflagration. This issue needs to be monitored forthwith.

Alley Way

Much is being said, and rightly so, about the need to protect the immediate entrance, and indeed the whole parvis, of the Rotunda church at Mosta from the vandals who insist on using it as a shelter for their filthy habits, or those who congregate there, not knowing any better. However, one important point is not being mentioned: the glory of the façade is being lost to the thousands of motorists and their passengers who do not approach the church from the front.

Sites Unseen

Opposite the Freeport centre is an abandoned site that may easily be seen as one drives in the direction of Benghisa. Ironically, this spot is located only a stone's throw away from a notice put up by the local council to indicate that rubbish must not be dumped in the area. This is surely a case of "doctor, cure yourself".

Clean Sweep

At the back of Dun Gorg Preca Street, in Blata-l-Bajda, in the Mountbatten Street area is a backyard that is used as a dump by some residents and passers-by taking the shortcut towards high Street in Hamrun. The local council says it is private property that belongs to the Church authorities. These have intimated it is being transferred to Caritas. The police in Hamrun said they will report it; however it remains dirty to date.

Swim Suitable

The Department of Health clearly marks bays not fit for swimming owing to pollution. These include the Qalet Marku area of the coast road, which has been under long-term prohibition and, more recently, Balluta Bay, because of faecal pollution. However, people can still regularly be seen swimming in either place. Is it a time of issuing impromptu fines for anyone endangering one's personal health and safety willingly, or worse, exposing children to potentially lethal situations?

In Depth

The internal inquiry about the fatal Qormi police shooting a few months back has reportedly been concluded. The magisterial inquiry continues. Is this a case of one going more in depth than the other? Or the second being slower than the first? Whatever, the public deserves and explanation unless trust in the police is to continue eroding.