This morning, I visited the extensive restoration works being carried out in Vittoriosa. Opposite the San Ġwann Bastion, an arch has been built so as to reintroduce a sense of continuity and restore the part of the bastion that had been demolished after the war to build a road. While the sides of the bastions were exposed during the works being carried out, it was interesting to observe the original parameters of the bastion walls before they had been widened and increased in height.
This week, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority also approved the necessary permits to allow for the clearing of the ditch outside the entrance to Couvre Porte and to rehabilitate the space that originally formed part of the glacis beyond the same bastion.
This project includes paving with natural materials and embellishment using turf and will thus create a new open space that will complement the restoration works and provide a dignified entrance to this fortified city.
While the façade of the bastions will be restored to reveal their original beauty and feel, this project will provide a new space for families to enjoy and appreciate our priceless fortifications. In this context, areas such as the ditch and Castile Post, that were previously inaccessible, will now be enjoyed as public gardens. This Post will also now be accessible from the seafront, following the demolition of the oil bunkering building, thus providing more open space.
Included in the long list of projects in Vittoriosa is the paving of the streets in the oldest parts of the city, known as Il Collachio. We will also be setting up a scheme to encourage the removal of aluminium balconies, windows and gates that jar with the rest of the ambience and replace these with wooden ones.
We are therefore investing €9 million in no less than seven restoration and embellishment projects in Vittoriosa. Through this investment, we are not only investing in Vittoriosa’s history but also contributing to it – July 16.
Power without responsibility
Stanley Baldwin, three-time British Prime Minister in the early 20th century, stated that the press had “power without responsibility”. He said this when the British press barons tried to have him removed from the leadership of the Conservative Party. He prevailed, remaining leader of the party and going on to become Prime Minister.
The epitome of a press baron today is Rupert Murdoch, who owns numerous newspapers around the world, including News Of The World in the UK. A few days ago, Mr Murdoch shut down this newspaper after it was revealed that its journalists were illegally hacking phone messages of well-known personalities, and even a murdered teenager, and bribing the police to gain sensitive information that would be published and increase its sales and revenue. These journalists not only broke the code of ethics but also broke the law.
For many years, Conservative and Labour politicians would cosy up to Mr Murdoch knowing that, otherwise, his newspapers could bring about their downfall. Thus, the press held incredible power and the ability to influence important decisions, without having to bear any consequences or answer to the electorate. As a result of this saga, Mr Murdoch has lost a newspaper that has been running for 168 years and would generate much profit. He also risks losing a bid to take over the powerful British broadcasting company, BSkyB.
The press and journalism serve as an important check and balance over those who exert power in a country. Yet, they must be responsible and set an example to others without sinking to the lowest levels, breaking laws and corrupting, as journalists of News Of The World did – July 13.
Mary, a symbol of humility and solidarity
There are moments in life when we feel overwhelmed by sadness beyond reason. I lived some of these moments as Mary Fenech Adami fought for her life during the past week. None, to be sure, as immense as those endured by her dear ones. As the nation waited anxiously for news of a miraculous respite, I pondered the reasons why Mrs Fenech Adami’s fate engaged us as would the loss of a close relative.
Unlike many who seek to value others for who they are and their station in life, Mrs Fenech Adami derived great pleasure from getting to know people. Her avid memory of whole genealogies would have surprised some but undoubtedly stemmed from her genuine concern for people. As she went about her daily chores, not unlike many a housewife, she busied herself in silence assisting, encouraging, soliciting on behalf of those most in need.
She is the embodiment of what we treasure most in our society. Devoted to her family but outspoken and tenacious when confronted with adversity and injustice, she stood steadfast with a ferocity that belies her quiet demeanour. Her husband is rightly credited with modernising the country but her innate perception and people skills no doubt afforded him a vantage point for the assessment of people and motives.
Her open smile was a comfort to many but most found greater solace in her familiarity with the Creator. Mrs Fenech Adami was a woman of prayer, her inner peace reflected in her approach to adversity but also in her sheer happiness of being alive and sharing her life with others. Her soul is surely safe. May she live a little in each of us so that we become better versions of ourselves – July 12.
Dog-friendly beaches
At times, we find ourselves fighting imaginary enemies. One such case is the “petition for dog-friendly beaches in Malta”. A few days ago, a story appeared in The Times that churned up a controversy out of the blue. The media is sometimes capable of calculating 1 + 1 = 3.
This controversy is trivial for the simple reason that animals have been prohibited from being taken to the seaside for some 50 years. In 1960, the Bathing of Animals Regulations were introduced. These were replaced by Legal Notice 125 of 2008 (which was referred to in the article in question) to prevent duplication and overlap of legislation. In fact, the 1960 regulations only allowed for animals to be taken by the sea during certain times and in certain places. One could therefore already be fined in the past for taking animals to the sea, aside for some exceptions specified in the 1960 law.
The 2008 legal notice establishes that dogs may be taken to the seaside, except sandy beaches. This was done for public health reasons. There are numerous diseases that may be caught from animal waste found in sand, ranging from salmonellosis to E.Coli 0517. A few years ago, a girl in the UK died of such an infection.
Furthermore, the by-laws proposed by the Sliema local council only refer to the natural baths that are found along the coast which, as deputy mayor Cyrus Engerer stated, are nothing but “small holes in our rocky beaches that are filled with seawater, which are therefore, not open seas”. This in no way stops anyone from taking their dog or any other pet, for that matter, for a walk along the rocks.
Another by-law that the Sliema local council has proposed is that dogs be kept on a leash while on the beach. This follows a number of reported incidents where both individuals and dogs were attacked and injured by other dogs.
Thus, Malta’s dog-friendly beaches have clearly been and remain dog friendly. When anyone tries to do otherwise, I myself will also protest. But for the time being, there is certainly no need to do so – July 7.
http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com
The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.