Hang on

The government’s helpline 153, which offers assistance about tax rebates, among other things, is almost impossible to reach. A reader last week reported spending almost three hours trying to get through, repeatedly being told the lines were busy. This was not the first time such a struggle to get through was reported. Surely, something can be done to better man the telephone lines to provide a better service to those needing help.

Pay later

The words “Pay station” feature prominently outside Mater Dei Hospital’s Outpatients Department. The message one gets is that one can pay the car park fees there. But it appears this is not the case. The other day, a lady there directed motorists to, please, use the machines on -3 and -4 levels. Of course, it is not unusual for the machines to be out of order, as, indeed, was the case on that particular day, a Monday. So what, exactly, is the point of having a ‘Pay station’?

No shame

It seems some people really have no shame. In recent weeks, a mountain of garbage has been piling up just outside the entrance to a civic amenity site. Why would someone who went through the trouble to carry the rubbish all to way to the site dump it outside? CCTV cameras and harsh fines would surely stop such a selfish practice.

Blue lights

While it is understandable that cars transporting the county’s top officials zoom past traffic, presumably for safety reasons, is there really a need for them to ignore traffic lights, unless, of course, it is really an emergency – and that should not include being late for an appointment? It is not the first time drivers were forced to manoeuvre dangerously to avoid such official vehicles in a hurry.

Proof reader

Would it be too much if one were to ask to, please, ensure street signs are proof read before being mounted? This one shows there is still room for more attention. One wonders who actually does the proof reading.

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