Tuesday, 26th August 2008

Marsascala: the town that never changes

Adrian Sciberras, Marsascala

I was driving home from Żabbar taking the road to Marsascala as I do every evening. I saw the dreaded "new roads" billboard which is now faded; it has become vintage and should be placed in Only in Malta.

Since I have lived in Marsascala, punctures have increased by 500 per cent yearly, the tow company is losing money with me as a client, and my car repair company is much better off as I am spending close to €1000 a year (I can offer documentation) on maintenance of a moderately priced car.

Half-way through, I notice the unbearable stench and I wonder if it's coming from the "odourless" waste recycling plant. The Environment Minister needs to consult an ENT doctor, or else he does not smell the stench because obviously it is an out-of-bounds zone for him.

The project is ready, so there is no need to visit anymore (unless he decides to expand the tonnage of waste). I wonder if the Prime Minister intends to protest about the stench; maybe he should invite the Environment Minister to his home so the latter will know how people in the area are feeling.

Finally I arrive home, which is situated in a road which is listed among the 2006-2008 road projects. Whenever I call the Ministry for Urban Development and Roads I am promised that this road is going to be made within three months, but funnily enough everyone living in this road knows for sure that it won't be surfaced this year, probably not even next year!

I must have made the biggest mistake in coming to live to Marsascala as the government is clearly telling me as a citizen that it does not intend to do anything to upgrade the area.

I have seen a number of letters complaining about these subjects, so this letter will most probably fall on deaf ears once again just like all the letters from fellow Marsascala residents. But I urge everyone to keep writing. Maybe someday some things will change. Or is it that we should adapt the whisky motto: "Some things never change - Marsascala is one of them"!

Previous article • Forgotten traffic plan leads to nightmare at St Paul's Bay, Buġibba
Next article • Parish ignored in council magazine

Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Monday, November 23, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Saviour Grech (on 29/8/08)

I agree with Peter Dimech and Wayne Flask in calling for a public meeting for Marsaskala residents but with caution and certain reservations. First of all we should continue to draw the attention of all political parties and the councillors concerned. We should also alert those individuals writing and speaking about allegations of corruption in the council to prepare themselves and be ready to come forward with facts. These people, residents, contractors, those giving adverts to this shameful feint magazine should take courage and spill the beans. Then we will take action, involving the authorities, or are the Authorities aware of all this and choose to remain silent!

Joseph Bonnici (on 29/8/08)

I feel duty bound to support you all. Our Local Council is a complete failure. Including councillor Dr. Josie Muscat, the leader of AN. Our LC is non existent, except for lunches and receptions. Thousands of €€€€s were spent on such activities in two and a half years. And what about certain contracts that are being awarded? Who are the members of the Adjudicating Board that are making their recommendations in awarding these contracts? And can BOV, HSBC banks and WasteServ inform the public on the costs of their adverts. With whom the agreement was made and other such relevant information? These are public funds and the general public has the right to know what's happening.

Peter Dimech (on 28/8/08)

I second Wayne Flask proposal regarding the petition to be signed by all residents. This should reflect the state of neglect and shambles our locality, Marsascala is experiencing and both the Central Government and the Local Council should be held responsible. I suggest all political parties concerned should be asked to intervene on the 'I don't care attitude by their councillors especially the serious allegations that have been going on for the last months. If nothing materialize, a public meeting should be called in terms of the Local Council's Act and 'a no confidence in the local council would be approved’. We should not wait for the coming elections. We should act now.

Wayne Flask (on 28/8/08)

I am frankly itching for some pre-election public meeting in the locality. I hope most of the residents including your good selves will show up to express the complete no-confidence in this lethargic council.

May I also suggest the formation of an online petition and an open letter to the authorities highlighting the disastrous state of the roads signed by all residents.

To think that the St Paul's Bay bypass has been built and rebuilt a dozen times, and the Zabbar-Mscala bypass has been in shambles since I was a kid.

Joseph Cachia (on 28/8/08)

It's not only the bypass and the other main road leading to Marsaskala bay that are in shambles. It's the whole of Marsaskala in a dirty, shabby state. What is the Local council with Labour majority doing? Nothing, absolutely nothing, except spending money on meaningless activities, lunches and receptions. The recent magazine who as editor J.Fava, being the Mayor's greatest friend, adviser, financial wizard and an ex official of Dr Josie Muscat’s FFF and by co-incidence Editor of the famous "Ir-Rieda". A worthless magazine, except of course the great number of full page adverts. Who is collecting these adverts? Who is printing this magazine and in which pockets are the monies going into?

Francis Formosa (on 28/8/08)

Adrian is right, the two roads leading to M'Skala are awful, full of potholes, these main roads may be called 'deathtraps'. In the winter months they are very dangerous. Marsaskala has never been in such a shabby state. The Local council only exists for receptions, drinks, lunches overseas visits and free mobile cards - EUR25 a month for each councillor and council secretary. Not to mention the recent magazine, a propaganda exercise for "the only full time mayor on these Islands." Mr. Fava, Tell it to the marines!

Monica Galea (on 28/8/08)

Marsascala: It’s not just the pitiful state of our roads that’s needs changing but more so our entire council. Yes roll on March 2009.

Wayne Flask (on 28/8/08)

@ Peter Dimech

Very true, I had pointed that out in my previous post although for some reason it did not appear. May i point out the bad taste in Wasteserv's advertising on the inside front cover of this propaganda mag. The way I see it, it's like someone pulling a nasty joke to the residents.

As for Mario Calleja, I am awaiting some letter or other of his telling us how well the council has done and the great projects accomplished, such as the occasional lamp post or some tree on a roundabout. Poor mayor, you have to pity him, he resigned his full time job to carry out his duties towards us residents. You know, all these interviews and chest beating take their toll on any human being, let alone SuperMayor.

Saviour Grech (on 28/8/08)

Surely our Prim Minister is aware of the state of our 3 roads linking Marsascala to the rest of Malta. Don’t tell me that like the Sant’Antnin recycling plant, the fish farms and our main roads, Lawrence Gonzi is powerless in doing something. Where is GonziPN. Like our Mayor he is more ally pally with WasteServ than with the locals in their fight against the vitiated process of the Sant’ Antnin plant.

Alfred Grima (on 28/8/08)

After his would be downfall in the next March 2009 Council Elections our Mayor doesn’t have to worry about finding a full time job. For sure WasteServ will see to that for services rendered.

Peter Dimech (on 28/8/08)

Why do our politicians waste their precious time in trying to locate areas for golf courses, just use the two Marsascala main roads, they are full of pot holes. Ideal for pitch & pat. One doesn’t have to walk as far to the nearest hole. The Marsascala Council magazine is merely a crafty way of making cheap and nasty propaganda for one candidate only. The only full time Mayor on the Maltese Islands, is no other than Mario Calleja, quoting his lordship, editor Chev. Dr. Joe Fava.

Saviour Calleja (on 28/8/08)

Mr. Sciberras. Once an old English man told me that in Malta even the roads are Catholic. Pulling my leg he told me they are HOLLY!!!!!!! As regards to the fake Council magazine someone is making a lot of money. Guess who?

Wayne Flask (on 27/8/08)

@ Steve Borg

Yes I got that publication at home. Apart from being riddled with orthographic mistakes and design no-no's, I am still baffled as to why this Dr Fava Lett, whoever he may be, decided to issue the magazine after the Local Council decided to stop its own publication. Although you might think of a noble gesture, it's really, in my view, an exercise by some Mario Calleja apologist.

A famous quote: "Chi striscia non inciampa" (min jitkaxkar fuq zaqqu ma jehodhiex ghal wiccu": Whoever published this mag should stop buttering the mayor and the local council, they DON'T DESERVE TO be part of the next council. Roll on, March 09.

J Cassar (on 26/8/08)

@ Mr Henry A Grima.

Mentioning the "slalom around the pot holes that never get repaired". Ask the KUNSILL LOKALI (as no one at the Local ouncil call by this name), who is supposed to treat the mentioned potholes, etc. Mr Grima, you may recall who had in the past designed the "SNAKES and LADDERS" Bypass. Memory doesn't serve very well, often. Hope that the Local Council members will roll up their sleeves and to start on the work, NOW.

Full credit should undoubtly go to THE TIMES and THE SUNDAY TIMES. You give your readers a very good service and precious space so that one and all can express himself/herself freely. MUR IKTEB F'GURNALI OHRA LLUM!
J Cassar
Marsascala.

alfred agius (on 26/8/08)

What else does Marsaskala need ?

It has the Prime minister resident in the locality ascertaining that Marsaskala is a prime locality and is intent on seeing that it loses nothing of its attraction and its charm.

Even rats and mosquitoes are emigrating en masse to the locality, being attracted so much by the government`s strong intentions of making marsaskala indeed the Jewel of the South.

Steve Borg (on 26/8/08)

@Henry A. Grima

The Munxar-Delimara area was supposed to have been declared as a marine conservation area. That was the intention when the Structure Plan of the Maltese Islands was being drafted and discussed.

Be aware that once you have voiced your opinion publicly, even though I know that it is the sincere and evident truth, someone out there may give you the "conspiracy theorist" tag. I do hope that whoever is running for the local councils come next March keeps these facts close to heart.

Did anyone by chance happen to have a look at the last local council publication Dawret ix-Xatt?

Ivan Buttigieg (on 26/8/08)

Well said, Adrian. By the way, our Mr Prime Minster passes from those streets every day. Does he pay the damages of his car from his own pocket if any?? Ooo forgot our Mr Prime Minster has a large cylinder car ( Paid buy us taxpayers) which is more durable than our common citizens car.

Henry A. Grima (on 26/8/08)

Well said Adrian;; we mustkeep up the pressure, maybe one of us, the Prime Minister listens.
We are the dump of Malta; the fish farms, the recycling plants (water and domestic waste), the drainage outflow relocation and no upgrade at all.
British friends on holiday went to swim where the Queen used to go; Peter's Pool. They found hundreds of dead, stinking fish floatingall around them.
Late evenings, while going walking round the bay, I often notice big patches of bubbly scum floatingin the middle of the bay.
Diver friends find massive contamination on the sea floor near the fish farms.
If these people, while making millions, are making the sea around Marsaskala and Delimara unfit for swimming, should move somewhere where whicheverwhichway the wind blows it does not inconvenience any bay.
The new road to Marsaskala should have been started a long time ago; we do not have a government provided car, so we have to slalom around the pot holes that never get repaired.
Shame!!

Adrian Sciberras (on 26/8/08)

I didn't realise that my letter (with a touch of sarcastic humorism) would create such an interest, but it seems its not only me who is frustrated.

The road in question is Triq il-Gandoffli which lies just near the seafront (so its also an eyesore to foreigners), anyway same story like Mr D Spiteri.

I hope the government (and Transport Ministry) is not deaf on these comments and something is done.

D.Spiteri (on 26/8/08)

I live in Vittorio Cassar street which as Adrian's mentioned street has been listed in this ghostly list to be ready by 2008. Last December, just 2 weeks before christmas, services have been laid. But the works stopped there. When contacted the Local council, they said that the govt. didn't have any money to pay the contractor so works stopped. When contacted the ministry, they told us that it will be ready next year (2008). Just before the election, we have received a letter from the PM, that our street will be ready by the end of this year.
The only thing that has been changed from then to now is that, THANKS TO THE LOCAL COUNCIL AND NOT THE GOVT, a water bowser once a week comes to sprinkle water so as to ease the dust problems. It's Summer and if we even open the balcony door, we will have an inside private beach!
Is this the progress our country boasts about. Come on! IT'S 2008!!!!!!

P. Gauci (on 26/8/08)

I have to disagree with Adrian because some things change, Marsascala for the worse. I have been living here for 23 years and since then this quaint fishing village has changed into a dump for all things ugly. Different goverments both Labour and Nationalist have left a trail of destruction, the recyling plant and bright idea of Labour has been polluting our air with unseen toxic besides the stench that used to wake us up in the middle of the night. The present administration enlarged and expanded it, orgainsed a hush hush open day before the election....not to stir dirty waters....the EU is quiet about the whole project, as Del boy says just lovely jubbly...
The bypass, how can it even be called a road, its a deathtrap, more like a formula one race track with trenches and potholes to make it more exciting. .It gets even more exciting after the first rains as you drive and try to guess where the pots holes are or where new ones have been created for our fun and for good the busness of the towing and tyre agents. No Adrian I am sorry things do change here but for the worse!

mike turner (on 26/8/08)

Marsascala could be a jewel of the South, but because the rest of Malta looks upon the South with disdain and snobby arrogance, it is devalued and mistreated. The Waste Treatment stink has been a detrimental factor for many years, and will now get worse, despite the various "reports" which have been used to justify its existence and expansion. I wonder how the creators of this mess can live with their consciences, and I wonder how the peoples health is affected. Mike Turner

Arnold Galea (on 26/8/08)

Marsascala is one of the most beautiful places in Malta, however, unfortunately it is not very well kept especially the roads mentioned in this letter.

If these roads are upgraded and the area is well kept and the greed of construction is limited and controlled, Marsascala could be one of the best spots for the Tourists to visit and enjoy.

Malta cannot afford to have it's best places neglected.

Wayne Flask (on 26/8/08)

Well said, Adrian. Looks like we all feel very much the same.

Marsascala: the town that never changes

Comments

Poll

Fun Stuff

	15 °C
Mostly Cloudy Feels like: 14.5°C UV Index: 3