On the dot

The length to which some entities will go to get their product or service recognised publicly is ridiculous. Moreover, it sometimes borders on the downright dangerous. Near Pender Place, in St Julians, just before one reaches the bus terminus, is a billboard placed at just the right height for gashing people's foreheads, as has in fact happened. After the accident, the billboard had been removed but it has recently been replaced in the exact position it used to be. In broad daylight, this is already very dangerous; at night-time it becomes even more so.

Lightening

On December 9, the street lights were left on all morning at Fleur de Lys Road, Birkirkara, including the side-streets leading off it (First of May Street, St Anthony Street, etc). Whenever this happens, as in other locations, it's probably because no one bothers to check at least once a day whether the timers are working properly and also because if the residents call in to report it, no action is taken immediately.

Cribbage

There is a new kind of crib-like scenario, meant explicitly not to offend anyone who is not Christian. This features big snowmen, holding a staff, accompanied by smaller penguins. A Christmas tree completes the picture.

Banking

Is it possible that, despite their slogans, the major banks in Malta do not even think that their clients have things to do besides waiting in line? Given that people only visit the bank when they cannot carry out their business using an ATM, it is logical to expect that clients in a queue inside the building have complicated and often lengthy business to transact. Why is it, then, that not all counters are manned at about 9.30 a.m., when it is obviously too early for midday break?

Courting

A simple court case has been dragging for over a year. The first sitting was scheduled for October 2008, after a summons delivered in September. The accused failed to turn up. The summons for the second sitting scheduled for this December 1 was delivered in June. Those set to appear before a particular magistrate, in a particular hall, discovered that this case was forwarded to February 9 of next year because the magistrate was not available. The people involved in the case, however, noticed that the same magistrate was sitting in another hall and the cases due to be heard in that one had not been put forward.

Grand

Many people think about getting gifts for other people's children, who tend to get presents from their own family members too. However, sometimes it is the elderly who have nobody to think about them. It would be a nice gesture were "adopt-a-granny" schemes to be organised on a regular basis, pride permitting, and not just during Christmastide, in order to make these people feel closer to the community as a whole.

Stoppage

The public was pleased to note that five people were detained at AFM roadblocks on December 7. However, for some reason, vehicles passing through Attard on the way to Birkirkara were not stopped; yet those using the other half of the road, on their way to Rabat, were. There must have been a reason for this; there were enough officers on duty to carry this through had the orders been given for it to be done.

Stepping

Every time the refurbishment of a part of Valletta is carried out, certain sections of the press literally go to town about it. Yet, no one ever cares about the fact that the peripheral areas, such as the part between the steps in Archbishop Street, where it meets East Street, appears to be getting worse by the minute. This street will soon not be repairable by mere patching; it will need relaying and re-surfacing. The fact that it has a gradient makes it more susceptible to damage when water flows down it.

Columns

In Triq il-Villegaignon, Mdina stands one of those unique, historical houses. The imposing pillars of the façade have bits missing and appear to be quite unsteady. Their collapse is being held back by clumsy braces. When they were first put up, it was hoped they were a temporary measure until the columns could be seen to properly; it seems, however, that the supports are there to stay.

Holes

Just below the pavement, in front of the Forestals superstore at The Strand in Sliema, a part of the street has collapsed. So far, the resultant hole is not large enough for the wheels of a vehicle to fall into but when the rains begin in earnest, it will soon be.

Collapse

Another street that has a section needing attention is just in front of the household interior decorations shop, in St Luke's Road, Guardamangia, across the street from the new PBS buildings.

Travelling

Passengers who are part of a group and therefore arrive at MIA in a min-van or coach are carried straight up to the departure lounge. So are those who use the taxi service. Those who are given lifts, however, have to foot it from the car park or across the road, even if it is raining heavily and they are carrying luggage. Is this a part of the security measures that need to be taken or is it a plain and simple case of discriminatory practice?