Environmentalists deny claims by former PN president

James A. Tyrrell

Dec 11th 2009, 11:40

@J Martinelli. It would appear from your latest little missive that the intelligence of the Government supporter is diminishing rapididly. Do you really believe that Dr. Scerri's idea was to 'improve the scene'?

People like Astrid Vella and Lino Bugeja have the advantage of being trusted by the general public because they speak the truth and have no political axe to grind.
You should have learned by now that the more time you spend kicking the underdog the more people turn against you.

Keep up the good work Astrid and Lino and good luck for the Environment Forum tomorrow at the Phoenicia Ballroom.

James A. Tyrrell

Dec 11th 2009, 00:37

@M. Azzopardi. Both Astrid Vella and the Ramblers have explained their reasons for not attending this program, so why do you keep harping on about it? You state that, 'those who boycotted this particular TV programme ended in harming their image and credibility'. First of all they didn't 'boycott' it, they refused to take part in what they saw as a political discussion. Secondly in the eyes of the general Maltese public far from harming their image they have stood their ground and refused to be bullied. Live with it!

J Martinelli

Dec 10th 2009, 22:24

It seems that both R Muscat and Astrid Vella frequent Victor Scerri's area quite often and for years (at least eight) had been feasting their eyes on a heap of stones which represented the remains of a previous structure! How dare Dr. Scerri improve the scene? Maybe Astrid classified Scerri's heap to Mnajdra or Hagar Qim Temples? Dr. Scerri should have applied for EU funds in order to construct a canvas shelter ala Hagar Qim in order to preserve the ruins and provide the 'gremxul' with some shade during Summer and to keep them dry in the Winter.

Well, as they say, 'beauty is in the eyes of the beholder'. In this case, Astrid prefers eyesores to a decent structure. Little wonder!

A little advice to Dr. Scerri: Erect an electrified fence, eight foot high, to keep trespassers out of you property when finished. You know the kind of fence - the one which keeps coyotes out!

R Muscat

Dec 9th 2009, 23:27

M Azzopardi sounds like one of those poor blinkered citizens, who are blind to the environmental destruction that goes on around them.

It is thanks to this kind of mentality, that previous generations ignored such environmental atrocities and monstrosities, like the extinction of the Maltese Falcon (a national icon), The rubbish mountain of Maghtab, the destruction of Sliema front, the raw sewage outflow in Xaghjra, the Marsa and Delimara power stations, the destruction of so many of our valleys with construction and quarries etc etc

Victor Scerris's development is a few metres away from one of the very few natural water courses still in existance. Furthermore the fresh water crab which was depicted on the Maltese 5 cents coin, lives in this water course. In Maltese known as il Qabru this crab is endemic to Malta and threatened with extinction. Even out of civic and national pride Scerri should have never even contemplated building there.

James A. Tyrrell

Dec 9th 2009, 22:44

@D.Calleja. I think what you are actually referring to here is Gonzi PN not the NGO's. Even as a foreigner watching this whole thing from a distance I can see that it was a programme in support of Victor Scerri.

The whole idea is to discredit the good work being done by people like Astrid Vella and Lino Bugeja, and indeed to tie them up by spending valuable time answering people like you. If Ms. Vella and Mr. Bugeja had indeed taken part in this set-up you would have been the first one to criticise them for taking part in a political discussion outside the terms of their NGO status.

A friend has told me that 90% of the audience on the talk show Xarabank last Friday were Victor Scerri canvassers! Now what was it you were saying about a well-oiled propaganda machine?

M. Azzopardi

Dec 9th 2009, 21:38

@ Astrid Vella - ok granted you were abroad..even if you could have done a pre-recorded interview.how about the other associations? I know that maybe you cannot speak in their name but they should give an explanation. Don't forget, also, that this particular TV programme is the forum where people expect to see those involved in current discussions. Don't forget that those who boycotted this particular TV programme ended in harming their image and credibility. You might like it or not, but Xarabank is the place where the people, not the producers or presenter, expect those involved in current issues to go and discuss, where people expect the accused to go and explain, and those who are accusing to also go and explain. So if you were abroad, or if you have a court issue pending with Mr. Musumeci, the Maltese general public would have expected someone from the Ramblers Association to be present there.

Anton Portelli

Dec 9th 2009, 21:26

Ms Vella why has your organization raised hell about Dr. Scerri's development which consisted of rebuilding a dilapidated farmhouse, and we have not heard anything from you about hundreds of other developments like blocks of flats that ruin the skyline and the natural habitats more than this development. I still need to be persuaded that all the fuss was for the sake of the environment and not because Dr. Scerri happened to occupy a post of president of the PN council at that time. By the way this was also on the eve of the election - how about that - Why was there no objections before.

J Martinelli

Dec 9th 2009, 20:26

@ Astrid Vella

"Furthermore,I have been instructed not to participate in such events with Robert Musumeci due to the court case that we still have pending".

If I remember correctly, that is not what Peppi gave as a reason for your absence. He said, and I quote, "Ms. Vella and Lino Bugeja refused to take part because they were afraid that the show would turn into a political affair" - not exact words but the essence is there. This can easily be verified by reviewing the taped version of the show.

My interpretation is that FAA was the number one reason for turning this affair into a political football, but its spokesperson did not attend the show for fear of it becoming political! Excuse me while I go and fetch a box of tissues while I decide whether to laugh out loud or cry!

So, which version are we to believe, Peppi's or yours?

J Martinelli

Dec 9th 2009, 20:15

@ Astrid Vella

I agree strongly on one point you raised.

"This has all become very tiresome and is an obvious ploy on the part of some to not only try to discredit NGO activists, but also make us waste time on all this rubbish"

So, why can't you take your own advice and give it up and give it a rest?

I actually noticed another point I agree with. Your reference to wasting time on "all this rubbish".

How true!

Astrid Vella

Dec 9th 2009, 18:31

@ MAzzopardi, we are not that naïve.There are ways and ways of discussing a subject and the programme proved us right that the approach tackled everything but the environmental aspect-not once was it said that this is an Area ofSpecialConservation,a Natura2000 site,home to rare species,even more endangered now that works have reduced the stream to a trickle.

You know very well that I have never been scared to face anyone,but this media circus was not a forum for serious debate.Furthermore,I have been instructed not to participate in such events with Robert Musumeci due to the court case that we still have pending.

On top of everything else, I was in Strasbourg attending a conference.Is that reason enough not to attend? And before you ask - no,we do not have planning experts employed with us, and no one could take my place as I handle these matters within FAA.

I fail to understand what all this pressure is about.A TV programme is not a court case. There is no obligation to participate.We did not first accept and then pull out.We are not here to fill sets but to do our work,which all this fuss is impeding.

M.Azzopardi

Dec 9th 2009, 18:01

@ D Micallef - Victor Scerri resigned to continue the case as a private citizen.

@ Astrid Vella - I am sorry but I lost the credibility I once had in yourself. I think since you say you are so in love with the environment you should have gone to face him without any excuses. Saying that you are a non political NGO is no excuse, because if it is so you should refrain from entering into cases that are politically controversial. You cannot try to serve God and the devil at the same time, and an attitude like this raises suspects that there is a hidden agenda behind all this. And a last note: frankly I think that you should not find excuses for not attending Xarabank, being named 'political resignations' or 'state of the environment' it was still going to discuss the case of Victor Scerri so what's in a name?

Ray Sultana

Dec 9th 2009, 17:54

Mr Scerri seems to confuse owning and developing land in ODZ areas. As far as I know, owning land in ODZ areas is not illegal, it is building on it that goes against the regulations!

Mr Bugeja has said he never filed any application to develop his land, so where is the issue, Mr Scerri?

Or is now Mr Scerri proposing to nationalise all land in ODZ areas? That would not be much in line with what I thought were the Pn's beliefs on private property.

Joe Morana

Dec 9th 2009, 16:15

Prosit and thank you FAA and RamblersAssociation especially Astrid Vella and Lino Bugeja. Keep up your good work in favour of the environment.
Pity that Dr Scerri does not realise the political harm he is doing to his party, even so after his resignation from Party President.

D.Calleja

Dec 9th 2009, 15:28

The NGOs have developed a well-oiled propaganda machine that can be put into gear whenever they come under fire. It rallies their minions and also ropes in the political parties that can gain from the uproar.

Through this tool they can usually ‘shout down’ the opposition through the number they can muster. These ‘independent’ bloggers conveniently ignore any solid arguments and facts that get posted by the ‘opposition’ and provide an aura of adulation for the Messiahs of the Maltese Islands.

However, in a clear abdication of their duties towards their faithful, they never had the courage of conviction or the desire to face the people that fall victim to their whims. Does this fact not worry the people who can mull over the real facts, the ones who can compare and analyse similar situations, the ones that have the brains to see beyond a smokescreen?

The strategy is always the same – pick a target and concoct a fairy-tale, sling as much mud as you possible can, denounce the targets by means of a megaphone and publicly lynch them. But never ever place yourself in an uncomfortable position of having to defend your arguments and accusations under cross-examination.

Astrid Vella

Dec 9th 2009, 15:14

@ Martinelli: I never said that MEPA mistakenly labeled the terrace. It mistakenly labeled the application. The architect supplied all plans showing locations and measurements however site plans 12 years ago did not indicate zoning as clearly as they do now and, failing to do its job properly, MEPA labelled the application ODZ. The proof of their slipshod work is that the Case Officer Report talks extensively of valley dams and dredging, impact on natural watercourses, on the traditional skyline and destruction of trees and plants, none of which are even remotely relevant to the sinking of a tiny pool on a bare ‘terrazin’ of a flat within the building line.

This has all become very tiresome and is an obvious ploy on the part of some to not only try to discredit NGO activists, but also make us waste time on all this rubbish, instead of getting on with our work to preserve Malta’s heritage, that obviously does not suit people like you. If you were a nationalist in the real sense, ie. a lover of your nation, you would be supporting Malta's heritage, not putting spokes in the wheels all the time.

Jane Busuttil

Dec 9th 2009, 14:30

Prosit Astrid u Lino
Bniedem SERJU jippartecipa biss fi programmi serji...punto e basta.

J Martinelli

Dec 9th 2009, 13:58

@ D Micallef

Dr.Scerri resigned because he realized that the whole issue was raised because he was President of the NP, which, by the way, was quite obvious to all. Had he anything to hide, he would not have accepted an invitation by Xarabank for the purpose of discussing this same subject! It is those who refused to attend the programme who may have something to hide and now, have the gall of crying foul at Dr.Scerri's remarks during the programme. Had they been there, they would have explained there and then.

It is also curious how Astrid stated that, "The permit was refused as the planning authority mistakenly labelled the terrace, which was near a field, as being in an outside-development zone". Note that the "authority" (MEPA ?) made a mistake by misplacing the 'jacuzzi' in an ODZ! I was under the impression that it is the applicant's architect who must provide exact location, measurements etc. to MEPA, therefore, properly drawn plans would place the 'pool' within the permitted footprint. How could MEPA move the pool area 'by mistake'?

ODZ means, one cannot build in an ODZ especially if connected with the NP. Simple enough?

D Micallef

Dec 9th 2009, 12:54

@M Azzopardi

So why did he resign from the post of pn president if he had nothing to hide? Also his application was in an OUTSIDE DEVELOPMENT ZONE, right in the middle of the Bahrija valley a few meters away from the water course. Can you explain to us humble citizens what ODZ exactly means? Go on the site and see for yourself the ugliness and the destruction of pristine landscape that this Xerri has created.

Astrid Vella

Dec 9th 2009, 12:51

@ M Azzopardi: We are non-political NGOs. Why should we risk that status and be criticised by our members for going on a programme billed as "Risenji Politici" (Political resignations) and "Should politician's private lives be made public". These are totally political subjects; we offered that we would participate if the theme were changed to an environmental one, however this was ignored.

As it turned out, the programme was the usual Xarabank circus and not a serious discussion, so much so that never once was the site's status as a Natura 2000 site mentioned, still less the impact on the endangered species.

We have offered to take part in Xarabank when they decide to hold a programme on the state of the environment, even with Victor Scerri on the programme.

M.Azzopardi

Dec 9th 2009, 11:41

They should have gone on Xarabank to face him if they are saying the truth. They just keep hiding behind comments for newspapers while Dr. Scerri did not hesitate to face the audience,journalists and other MP's from the opposition. Astrid and Lino you lost credibility...