Citizens on low priority

Last year nearly 90 signatories from Senglea forwarded a petition to the Commissioner of Police and the department responsible for local councils to complain about the noisy private functions held in the public Garden Gardjola that dragged well beyond 11 p.m., the time stipulated by the law. In spite of this, last Friday a private function that hosted less than 30 guests and in the presence of police officers showed off their musical tastes through loud speakers blasting and that could hear as far away as San Filippu Church, dragging beyond 11 p.m. The music stopped after I made three telephone calls to the police.

Last year the Senglea council invited three representatives that signed the petition, myself included, to discuss the matter. The mayor promised us that the council would tackle the situation and it was suggested by the local council members present at the meeting that instead of police officers supervising the events they would engage private security guards as they would be more efficient.

The local council issues a number of conditions to the leasers including that the music should be toned down not to disturb the residents and another one stating that the music should stop at midnight, but none of the leasers bother to take notice of these rules.

It was brought to the attention of the council that according to law, music had to stop at 11 p.m. and therefore the council had to make that amendment. So far nothing tangible had been done to quell these illegalities. On various occasions a number of leasers were brought before the courts. Conversely, the kiosks at the Senglea Marina are stopped at 11 p.m. sharp from playing music. Why is it two weights and two measures?

Senglea is densely populated and mostly aging and this public garden is too close to our houses. On these occasions, because there are parking limitations and because of the narrow streets, there is traffic chaos resulting in the blocking of these streets. Last year parts of Bastion Street and Two Gates Street were closed to traffic until a newly wedded couple together with their guests left San Filippu Church and walked to their reception place – Gardjola Public Garden. This is unbelievable!

The local government should serve as a good example and its prime objective is to ameliorated the conditions of the residents and not to earn money regardless. No wonder in Senglea there is apathy among the citizens as rightly stated in public by the mayor.