After all the hullabaloo regarding the Balluta car park project, let's remember some points which, in the heat and rush of the moment, might have slipped some minds.

The St Julians local council had separate zones for a long time. Each area or zone had different councillors in charge and a sort of committee which met and discussed some particular necessity for the area. It seems that this practice was discontinued, mostly through lack of participation, and so the council undertook projects which it thought were feasible, doable and would enhance the areas and solve some of the problems.

Now people are forming residents' associations which are a continuation of the above. This is good, because in the future they can submit ideas, projects and feasible studies for their particular area and these would be discussed in a friendly atmosphere with the mayor and the council.

The pros and cons of each idea submitted would be thrashed out and when agreement is reached, it would, if possible, be implemented. That's how things should work better. Let us not forget that Peter Bonello, as mayor, has to face the majority of individuals and groups but all the other councillors do their fair share regarding the work that St Julians needs.

Okay, people might not agree with some of the submissions, but they would always be discussed. And let us remember that solutions must be found. People are not only there to say no but also to propose solutions to the many problems facing St Julians.

Give the council its due and assist through suggestions, constructive criticism and help in solving the problems facing the residents and others who have their own interests around the area. That way more citizens would be involved and would better understand and more intelligently discuss the hard work facing the mayor and the council.

People would be less heated and agitated, they will be relaxed and think more clearly. They will meet the council and find out more about their ideas for a better environment, for a cleaner place, for solutions to traffic and parking and more coordination between all concerned.

That way there will be more transparency in everyone's actions and more knowledge of what the mayor and councillors are doing to give the residents what they want.