Kurt Sansone
Pre-election party at controversial Mistra site
The hottest dance floor in town? The same fields which were at the centre of much controversy prior to last year's general election will host a party to which even the Prime Minister is invited. Photo: Jason Borg.
Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando will be dancing the night away at his Mistra fields on May 30 at a pre-election party to which even the Prime Minister is invited.
The party organised by the Nationalist MP in the same fields that were at the centre of much controversy prior to last year's general election, will also be attended by Nationalist Party MEP candidate Alex Perici Calascione.
Dr Pullicino Orlando does not yet have a permit for the party but he insisted that he will be doing everything "as it should be".
A planning authority spokesman said an application was being processed "for a single activity permit, for a public event in an open area at Mistra Valley".
He also confirmed that the site fell within the "buffer area of the Xaghra tal-Kortin special area of conservation", which is a scheduled Natura 2000 site.
"The Prime Minister is invited and he will be attending," was Dr Pullicino Orlando's initial reaction when contacted.
"I will be doing everything according to law. I will be abiding by all conditions to the letter. I am seeking police and Mepa permits for the event. I would have done so in any case but more so considering the hullabaloo created over this piece of land last year," Dr Pullicino Orlando said.
On Thursday, the two fields belonging to Dr Pullicino Orlando were flattened by a steamroller in preparation for the big event.
"All I did was flatten the soil. I did not put gravel or other material whatsoever. I think I have a right to take such action on my private land," he said when asked about his actions.
The Mepa spokesman said that once no excavation works took place on the site, the land owner was not breaching regulations.
On the internet social networking site Facebook, the party is being advertised as an 1980s and 1990s night. Entrance is free and it is expected to start at 8.30 p.m. and last throughout the night until 3.30 a.m.
The land at Mistra caused havoc for the PN on the eve of last year's election when the Labour Party (PL) made public the fact that a preliminary permit had been issued by the planning authority for the construction of an open air disco in the site, which is protected. The PL had also alleged corruption in the granting of the permit.
Being part of a Natura 2000 site, nature and environmental groups were outraged with the permit. The permit has since been withdrawn and there is also a pending court case on the matter against two Mepa officials on charges of corruption.
At the time, Dr Pullicino Orlando denied knowing the details of the project insisting that he had leased the land to another person. It was this person who had applied for a disco in the area.
The controversy came to a head when Dr Pullicino Orlando, brandishing a hastily issued press card, gate-crashed a press conference that then Opposition Leader Alfred Sant was to give on TVM. It was in the final debate between Dr Sant and Lawrence Gonzi that the former Labour leader revealed part of the contract agreed to between Dr Pullicino Orlando and the tenant, which spoke specifically of the land being used as an open-air entertainment venue.
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Alex Azzopardi
May 26th 2009, 13:55
This is the truth what Alfred sant said befor the general electiones: that jpo had intentions to turn the site in a club if i remember well it had to be called "Spin valley "
Ok so till the general elections JPO declared that he had nothing to do with all this, and he fully understands that this is an ecological site and that its under the Mepa Natura2000 .
lets belive it !
But what happend now ?!? the site isn't listed in Natura 2000 anymore ? what more its no more an ecological site ??
Theres nothing wrong to make a party in a field you personaly own
but Its Totaly WRONG to hold a party even once! in Mistra
If he wanted to make partys In fields is sur Jpo the green of the year 07/08!!! missu ra fejn ha jixtri .much more and more when he was runing for elections last year and probably he would have been the minister of agriculture ...
Come on GONZ mela hsibtna Boloh !!!!!
K.Tanti
May 25th 2009, 22:30
Mr. Degorgio, I would suggest you do not try to ridicule the hard work being done by dedicated MEP candidates such as Dr. Alan Deidun himself. Such childish comments do no good to you nor to anybody else.
it would have much better to praise Dr. Deidun's very interesting proposals regarding our country's deteriorating natural environment. He is the only MEP candidate that has the expertise and knowhow on such issues and trying to ridicule all the work he has put into this campaign, as well as that of all other PN candidates, is surely not the way forward.
J. Abela
May 25th 2009, 21:28
@Joe Galea
In this country sound pollution is taken into account only when deem necessary!. For example, the St. Venera Speed cameras as they cameras were installed because "residents' complained of noise and high speed cars!!!. Note - "The residents". As if.
Pre-election parties are always welcome were people forget what's actually going on. After elections, the story repeats itself where VOTERS get furious because of taxes, water and electricity charge revision, fuel price increase, increase of gas prices, and so on...HEY MALTESE JUST THINK BEFOREHAND i.e NOW!!.
j.camilleri
May 25th 2009, 17:24
x'pastazata ta'pajjiz ! nispera li ghandjhom id-dicenza ggibu dal-kumment jekk baqakkhom zejt f'wicckhom mhux dejjem tara l-istess klikka ta' nies jikkumentaw
RUDOLF DEGIORGIO
May 25th 2009, 15:36
I'M SURE THAT MR. ALAN DEIDUN IS GOING TO OBJECT FOR THIS PRE-ELECTION PARTY, MAYBE ORGANISE A NATIONAL PROTEST NEXT SATURDAY....WHAT DO YOU THINK MR.DEIDUN? MAYBE YOU'RE BE NOMINATED FOR THE NEXT GREEN POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR LIKE JPO.....SHAME ON ALL OF YOU
Joe Fenech
May 25th 2009, 15:22
JPO resign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Malcolm Sammut
May 25th 2009, 13:29
Unfortunately we live in a country where nobody is held accountable. On the 1st May, I sent an e-mail accompanied with a picture to this site with the hope that exposure will fix something. It showed traffic signs near the Fra Ben area, full of stickers. The organisers of a party that was to be held in this area on the 1st of May, moved the venue and decided to inform everyone by sticking red signage over traffic signs in this area. It's a SHAME that although everyone one knows who the organisers were (because permits should have been issued - I think), till today, the signage is still VANDALISED with these stickers. unbelievable.
Joe Galea
May 25th 2009, 12:25
What about, sound and light pollution? What about the damage caused to the soil and it's inhabitants by the steamroller? What about the rubbish that will be generated? What about the damages to the nearby surroundings that will be caused by those attending the party? and what about the pollution and damage to the area that will be caused by the cars? ...and it will be attended by the prime minister!!!! PN and the environment are completely not compatible.
what a disgrace the PN is to this country. Gonzi...you need to resign asap as you need to drag yourself and all the scum forming your government far far away.
d. borg
May 25th 2009, 10:54
Where will the guests park their cars? In the nearby fields thus flattening even those?
Mark-Anthony Fenech
May 25th 2009, 10:18
@ Franco Farrugia and Colin Camilleri:
Well said, if a party is organised once then there is no reason why it shouldn't be organised again...
Anthony Pace Gouder
May 25th 2009, 08:47
As an ex- NATIONALIST PARTY ACTIVIST , I really feel pity for the state in which this party is rendering itself . This piece of NEWS (sic) should'nt have been publicised ,as it smells of sheer arrogance. Will Mr. JPO plough up the STEAMROLLED FIELDS after this SILLY PARTY. This development has openly shown a total disregard for the ENVIRONMENT.
Mr. Deidun's voice nowadays , can only be heard to proclaim and glorify some other EU CANDIDATE (a person who until 5 years ago was never a party activist ,then affiliated solely in promoting the EU) as a successor for the PARTY LEADERSHIP in lieu of Dr. GONZI . This is sheer political IMMATURITY. These persons are doing great harm to our once glorious party.
R FERRIGGI
May 25th 2009, 08:10
Mela veru issa se nmissu il qieh??
dan xghandu xjaqsam mal partit u il valuri vera li (kien) jiggieled ghalihom??
pulllicino orlando,,,,,,, qed tissogra li tibqa flistorja ghan nuqqas ta serjeta jew iktar aghar,,,,, nuqqas ta lealta.
immatura please.
s. galea
May 25th 2009, 04:55
Looks like JPO has lost the plot ( ha ha ) ; but as for Gonzi, we'll have to wait and see... It depends how many votes he thinks he can gamble with I suppose.
Michael Grech
May 24th 2009, 19:11
'Issa ahjar. Anqas party FI hwejgek ma tista' taghmel. ' Kliem tad-deheb minn Giovanni De Martino. Hu tassew nuqqas ta' liberta' li ma tistax tibni skyscraper gol-Irdum ta' Had Dingli ; ma tistax twaqqa id-dar tieghek jekk din tkun storika, tizboh il-faccata ta' dar kif trid, u nuqqasijiet ohra li jxekklu l-liberta' taghna.. Il-Gvern imissu jnehhi kull ligi f'dan ir-rigward u kull awtorita' tal-ippjanar. (Fil-verita, xi whud ga qed jagixxu bhallikeiku dawn ma jezistux)
Jekk xi darba jaghmlu l-muzew tal-hmerijiet, il-kumment ta' De Martino jnaqqxuh fuq il-faccata!
Charles J Buttigieg
May 24th 2009, 14:38
Has Gonzi really lost control? I first thought that it was just a PL election slogan but now I know it isn't.
Joseph Borg
May 24th 2009, 10:58
@ G Demartino
tassew... kos! Drittijiet mhux pjaciri - kienu jghidulna!!! JPO holds the only 1-seat majority for Gonzi to limp along! How can he be denied the permit!!!
Kulhadd jaghmel li jrid, fil-privat u mhux Giovann! By the way, the environment is so dear to gonzipn, so much so, they fielded a certain Alan Deidun for MEP.. hahaha
Imagine JPO canvassing for Deidun at Mistra!!! It would be the epitome of "solidarjeta'"!
My dear Giovann, i was once as keen as you are... but over the years i needed an eye-test and now i see things more clearly! Gonzipn's tragico-comedy compelled me to have my eyes tested!
Thank God for it! And for solidarity's sake, i pray you do too....
GiovDeMartino
May 24th 2009, 05:13
Issa ahjar. Anqas party FI hwejgek ma tista' taghmel. U kieku haw min jaf jisthi jigu l-laburisti jikkontestaw ghall-Ewropa?
C. Farrugia
May 23rd 2009, 22:54
In your face arrogance...par excellence! Crocodile tears to boot!
J Borg
May 23rd 2009, 21:58
Flattening the soil with a steamroller is tantamount to sterilizing the soil.i.e. it is illegal ! In order for a party to take place in a field the agriculture department should give it's permission and even mepa...it is a change of use. The site is of conservation value but it seems that anyone could also at one pleases...because it's my own land....once the party is over, the concrete footpaths are already in place, the remaining field will be paved with some landscaping and the original idea will materialise togteher with a permit and all...the developer will justify his case by saying the the site is a dilapidated field and of no agricultural value!! viola'...that is how you get it done permit and all...
r sammut
May 23rd 2009, 21:28
Well done JPO, since you breached no law to use the steam roller to flatten your private land there is no reason not to use it again on all opposition! PN and LP make way!
Michael Grech
May 23rd 2009, 20:08
I don't expect anything better from JPO, Perici Calascione or the Prime Minister. What amazes me is that fact that Alan Deidun belongs to the same party as these individuals, and still persists in calling himself an environmentalist. Following this incident, he should resign from the PN ticket.
Andrew Demajo
May 23rd 2009, 17:20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTMuaiokTMs - This video is what people voted for in March 2008. Unfortunately JPO hasn't understood a thing about politics, as a year after he said he knew nothing about Mistra and he even promised he was going to make the developer cancel the application, he is hosting a party there. In other countries this would be political suicide, but somehow in ours it seems to be acceptable. No wonder people have lost all faith in politicians.
B P
May 23rd 2009, 17:04
I wonder who should cry 'Shame on you' now!
Joe Morana
May 23rd 2009, 16:59
This activity may be perfectly legal but hardly opportune. The same I beleive will be the Prime Minister's presence at this activity. Mistra for many 'stinks" !!.
Mike Magri
May 23rd 2009, 13:56
Atta Boy Jeffrey.... I bet anyone on this blog, that before the next general elections, this place would be FULLY Developed...!!! WOOOOOW.......!!!
Heq.. "..Flimkien KOLLOX Possibbli.." Guys, kienu qalulna ta GonziPN.... IFFFFFFFFF......!!!!
John Azzopardi
May 23rd 2009, 13:42
And what is the big deal here. It's his land, he can do whatever he wants with it as long as it is within the law.
B Sant
May 23rd 2009, 13:28
aw xi hadd ghadu jisthi f dal pajjiz
Colin Camilleri
May 23rd 2009, 13:25
Soon it will be just a "party". Another day it will be another "party". Then these just "parties" become the order of the weekend. Ultimately, if one can hold one party, then why not two, three, four. Well people who party may need a shelter from the rain and heat. Then why not a tent? A tent is not enough you idiot!!! the noise is still there. Make it from stone, so one doesn´t pollute the environment with unnecessary noise.... and there you are ......... you have your disco my dear friend. Hush hush, this is NOT a disco. It is just a cover for people who want to party.
A true example of anarchy.........................
K Gauci
May 23rd 2009, 12:51
Malta's Green Politician of the Year is throwing a party for an MEP candidate who supports hunting, in a flattened field in the middle of the valley. Anyone else getting mixed messages? No cause for offense though, lest we have a deluge of tears.
m.vassallo
May 23rd 2009, 12:42
I would like to read some comments now from our beloved Birdlife cowboys whether loud music will disturb any breeding species in the area.
R Borg
May 23rd 2009, 12:33
Irrispective whether there will be permits or not, whether there is something irregular or not, I find it morally illegal and disrespectful to our culture and nature, and hence ourselves, to organise such activities in such sensitive areas. Malta is small.. we have to develop where is needed to be developed, but we have to conserve what is needed to be conserved: and Mistra and the Selmun need to be conserved. This party might be insignificant and small. What I am afraid of are the consequences after such activities. Would it be a key to further development? I hope these are only worries. I hope that myself, my kids, your kids will go to Mistra in 10, 20 years time and would still have the luck to smell the flowers, the wet soil,..
D. Xerri
May 23rd 2009, 12:26
Of Course Pullicino Orlando can do whatever he likes - Don't you know that PN is in Government with just one Member Extra in Parliament - what can Gonzi say to Pullicino - No to a party - Pullicino holds the chair that keeps Gonzi in Government. Now who is the real Prime Minister of Malta ? Will we see another Cryng Pullicino Orlando for some votes this time ? What a Mickey Mouse Country under a PN Government. In my Opinion its another Big Try to disorient the Maltese People from the real issues of the Maltese Priorities which are the High Rise in Prices - Electricity Bills and Increasing Number of people losing their jobs and turning to a 4 day week.
Joanne Micallef
May 23rd 2009, 12:25
Hope that if the permit is issued it does not mean that he is paving the way for future weekly events.
J Abela
May 23rd 2009, 12:15
This is pure class!
JPO... you're a diamond geezer. Thank heaves for ppl like you coz the rest just take everything way to seriously. Best of luck!
K Farrugia
May 23rd 2009, 11:58
I thought MEPA was on strike....I've been waiting for my approved application to be posted in over 2 months now. All it takes is slipping it into a letter box and having it posted.
Apparently when a politician is involved MEPA becomes super efficient. It's a shame that a permit takes of 6 months to be vetted over two months for it to be posted. Yet I am still waiting....tick tock goes the clock....
Franco Farrugia
May 23rd 2009, 11:56
If a party takes place once, it will continue taking place.
Sometimes, I hardly recognise the PN any longer.
Adrian Cachia
May 23rd 2009, 11:29
Adding insult to the injury.....Dalli, JPO, Austin Gatt is the nationalist party really losing it or is Prime Minister Gonzi finding people to blame for the bad outcome in the elections??
Robert Callus
May 23rd 2009, 10:43
I'm sure JPO will get the permit, he seems to get them out of nowhere.
True, there is no harm in just flattening the soil, but after all the controversy and problems he created, why does JPO want to insult the Maltese people by doing a party at the specific area open to the controversy?
For me this party is a message from JPO - Say whay you want, but no matter whether I'm right or wrong, I'll do what I please.
Inviting the pro-hunting lobbyist Alex Perici Calascione is also an in your face offence from the person who tried to get the 'green leaf' by absurd attemts of 'donating' us sunflower seeds in a small pamphlet used for his probaganda
Galea. L
May 23rd 2009, 10:32
Dr Pullicino Orlando does not yet have a permit for the party but he insisted that he will be doing everything "as it should be".
"The Prime Minister is invited and he will be attending," was Dr Pullicino Orlando's initial reaction when contacted."
How can Dr JPO be so sure that permission will be granted?