Kappara residents' problems

I refer to Leo Brincat's contribution on Kappara residents' problems (October 25). I was present in Parliament when he tabled his questions, including those supplementary. What baffled me was that he did not mention my name in the questions, when I did stand up and mentioned that residents have to put up with the traffic chaos even in summer because of foreign students at the school in question. This was the subject too of various articles, letters and PQs on Kappara.

Mr Brincat again did not mention my name when I wrote a further letter in this newspaper. However, Kappara residents who called in do recall these facts. I did make reference to his first letter penned after some of his house visits, where he argued for consensus. I agreed. However, his last letter has now reached the level of personal glorification and opportunism due to the upcoming election. Kappara residents do not need to be a football in the middle of an election campaign. They need help from all sources, to end their plight.

It is a fact that the Kappara residents could take their case to Europe via MEP Louis Grech, because the Maltese voted for EU accession and not, as Mr Brincat himself advocated, against. Had he had it his way, this avenue he today lauds would have been barred by his very own new Labour.

It is a further fact that ever since Labour took over the San Gwann local council, Kappara residents have had an awful time. The Labour mayor does not appear to answer e-mails coming from Kappara, does not tend to the statutary obligations for Kappara, even if receiving money from the central government. A view of the garden there, with the weeds abounding and the lack of sweepers, justifies the valid complaints of residents. It is a fact that the Labour mayor told the residents to get wardens themselves. Is this the right way?

I am all for consensus on this subject, and rather than trying to score points, let's all continue working towards a common aim. The school must organise the traffic system via wardens and foot the bill. The residents must enjoy their rights, that of living peacefully a tidy and clean area.

Now can the mayor organise a meeting under his patronage to get things moving? My calls to the school had improved the situation for some days, but no long-lasting solution has been found. My e-mails to the mayor got the standard answer: Your comments were passed to the mayor. Then the defeanening sound of silence.

Mr Brincat's omission of the council's responsibility is absurd. The council should come forward. They are, after all, from the same fold.

Summer students ran amok in many localities in our district, and Kappara is a prime example. Saying how good one is, is not the solution, Mr Brincat. We need real consensus, real action, real proactive reasoning for the better of Kappara's residents. Let's score points for the residents.