Charles Micallef, Qawra
Assuming responsibility for cleanliness
I make reference to the recent and various negative letters that have appeared on this newspaper, mainly related to the poor standard of cleanliness around St Paul's Bay and districts.
I would dare suggest that instead of harping about the age of the local mayor, who is assisted by the most knowledgeable people in the area and has been in chair for only a few months, the people who write these letters should do something more positive and effective and stand up to those they catch throwing litter on our streets. If anyone out there thinks that this problem can be solved by the local council and the few Green wardens that parade our areas, we are very much mistaken!
If we do really care, we all have to become policemen of our roads and pavements and start treating our roads and pavements just like we treat the interiors of our residences, as some already do. Yes, we have to start a concerted campaign and stand up to the offenders.
If we all took responsibility and started to sweep the part of our pavements situated immediately outside our residences, the districts will be spruced up in no time at all and the offenders will soon realise that it is not just the council employees and the wardens that they have to answer to, but all of us who yearn to live in a cleaner environment.
So please, let us unite, and care for St Paul's Bay and districts as if they were our own!
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B Agius
Oct 3rd 2008, 15:08
@ C Micallef
I'm sorry to have upset you. I live overseas and visit my birthplace from time to time. Rest assured that where I live people look after the cleanliness of the place more than the Maltese do. I maintain, however, that they do so because of "education and enforcement" policies. There are still those that don't give a damn and litter - and, generally, they are seriously punished when caught. If you think that such strategic action initiated by Governments and seriously policed is empty sermons - well fine. But rest assured what you propose will never seriously change the culture that unfortunately exists in Malta. You seem to be worried about St Paul's Bay - well the whole island needs a good cleanup and the Maltese deserve to live in a clean and ordered place. In other countries, while the majority seem to care more about cleanliness than the Maltese do, there are still many who litter - in roads, parks and the sea. Voluntary agencies organise National clean up days and citizens participate in their thousands. But all this is underpinned by tiers of Government doing their job and enforce bylaws seriously .
Peter Abela
Oct 2nd 2008, 22:56
Well put Mr Micallef. If we all did a small effort the problem will be solved in days. There dont have to be enforcement, but a good neighbourly hint.
People do realise that they do wrong so a little cheeky comment might do the trick.
The council has been thousands of euros, that could have been put to bertter use.
So help us to help u
Vincent Zerafa
Oct 2nd 2008, 19:33
Years ago, the first thing that struck me when I came to live in Malta was the litter in the streets.
This summer I made friends with a group of spanish tourists. While I was talking with one of them guess what? The first thing that he noticed was also the litter in the streets.
I'm not saying that we haven't improved but we still are ages behind other european countries. I've travelled a lot. Last year I visited Tenerife, impeccable! This year went to Costa Brava and was again impressed.
There was non-stop cleaning; loads of cleaners with portable vacuum-cleaners and others driving a mini-cab with brushes and vacuum-cleaner. This was going on while thousands of people roamed the streets. Another thing that I noticed was the irrigation system (that actually funtions). No wonder everything is green, even in the scorching sun!!
When will Malta become the " DJAMANT F'NOFS IL-MEDITERRAN" ??
Charles Micallef
Oct 2nd 2008, 15:57
@B. Agius,
Education and Enforcement are two key words that are very easily preached but not so easy to action.
It is high time that those like yourself who like to preach empty sermons and call someone's efforts impractical, take a leaf out of Mr William Attard McCarthy"s leaf, stand up in the real world and be counted, not just blogging on The Times and hide away the rest of your life.
Charles Micallef
Oct 2nd 2008, 15:41
@ Victor Vella / M. Attard
Hotels in the area do sweep up outside their properties as can be witnessed should you be driving by, first thing in the morning.
However I also believe that if we really care for the cleaniliness of our district, and as part of the license conditions, each and every licensed establishment / shop / outlet, should have a rubbish bin outside their respective establishment which the licensee is generally responsible for its upkeep. Some might not like it but it is the only way forward!
I also believe that the only way we can stop household rubbish bags being put out at night and then one finds the rubbish strewn all over the road / pavements first thing in the morning, is to introduce industrial type wheely bins, most can be sited on public land at various distances which will not distract anyone. The householder might have to walk a few metres to the bin, but be assured that the roads and pavements will be a lot cleaner first thing in the morning.
Critisism is very healthy, especially when it is constructive, but I also believe that the public have to act responsible!
William Attard McCarthy
Oct 2nd 2008, 12:04
...just last week I was driving from Rabat to Mtarfa, along the newly done up stretch of road leading to Mtarfa. This area is very well-kept and offers some of the most scenic views of Mdina; and is frequented by a myriad of joggers, dog-walkers and tourists alike.
Suddenlt, the car in front of me slows down to a halt just by the central strip, and the driver throws out some plastic bags full of rubbish and some old newspapers...
...against the wishes of my wife who was seated next to me as a passenger, and who did not want me to get in trouble, I just pulled by this car's passenger side and vented out my anger at this driver.
In an ironic manner I just told him "Now that's very clean and thoughtful of you". I poulled out my mobile phone and told him that I'd taken down his registration number and was about to call the police, and that I would find no objection to testify against him in Court.
...mumbling a few undistinguishable words, he got out and picked up the rubbish he had just strewn all over the road
B Agius
Oct 2nd 2008, 11:44
What a silly letter/attitude together with a list of impractical suggestions that this letter contains. Civic pride and duty well and good but that does not translate into citizens doing the work of those entrusted to do it! Yes every individual should accept responsibility for cleanliness - just like individuals have a responsibility to society about good public behaviour, abiding by the country's laws etc etc- but it is not up to each individual to police bylaws etc. If Malta is to rely on what is proposed in this letter to get things better then all is lost before one starts and pigs might fly. Some Maltese obviously do not even believe that the authorities have the capacity - thru education and enforcement- to make any difference! Great!
Claudia Peco.
Oct 2nd 2008, 11:21
You are right - what wardens? Last week we had the airshow - splendid - except for the traffic conjustion that it leads to. I live in St. Pauls' Bay in front of sirens pitch and the double/triple parking that there was - traffic was at a standstill with very annoyed and arrogant drivers wanting their way. All of sudden a warden drove along and instead of stopping his car to direct traffic and urge the drivers that instead of parking their cars in the middle of the road he kept on driving as if nothing was wrong!!! What a shame I could not take his number plate since I was watching all this from my balcony.
M Attard
Oct 2nd 2008, 10:51
How right you are Mr Micallef. But try convincing neighbours who live in a block of apartments not to take out garbage at night, or to dispose of their garbage in sealed bags rather than half-opened plastic bags - it's like speaking to the wall! Unfortunately, there is nothing residents can do about others who have no respect for their surroundings. There is no help available from any local authority unless you can prove your case - and who's going to stand outside in the hope of catching someone? Cameras in public places seem to be the only solution.... and of course enforcement of the laws against littering.
A suggestion - what if all apartments blocks have designated areas for rubbish, such as a closed recessed area from the pavement where garbage can be put by residents? If this had to become a regulation I'm sure that our pavements would look so much better.
Victor Vella
Oct 2nd 2008, 08:56
Charles Micallef
I fully agree with you on the fact that we have to keep the whole island clean, and also that the age of a Mayor is not an issue on this matter, but I have to disagree with you on the fact that we are to clean the part in front of our houses,that is the council's job as is that effective and routine collection of waste and garbage.I believe that in cases like St Paul's bay area it is the Hotels and business establishments that should help out, after all they are making all the profits from the large number of people who visit the area.