Hands off Balluta!

Balluta was my home for 28 years until I moved on in life and abode. These were happy years both as a child and then as a teenager. Traffic in the early years was scarce and we would play football in the street without too much interference.

We also played football and many other games in the quaint square around the fountain that marks the supply of water to Sliema, having been moved there from St Anne Square. The wooden kiosk has always been there and, unlike many structures in other localities, has remained untouched. The square still is the recreation area it always was for people of all ages, especially during the summer evenings. It is relatively cool with a breeze usually blowing down the valley towards the sea and vice versa.

Balluta is also marked by the famous Balluta Buildings, the Carmelite church in its third edition and the small terraced houses by its sides. Over the years there has been some substantial, often unwelcome development around the bay but the square itself has retained its tranquillity. Some shops, peaceful in their nature, have opened; a couple of restaurants, a plant and pet shop, a pharmacy and so on.

A number of catering outlets have been established opposite the church on the other side of the bay. On the whole, the locality has, however, retained its character. A number of elegant villas have thankfully been scheduled and will stay.

Then, a bombshell. We read that the St Julians local council has applied to construct a car park under the square and set up some sort of bus terminus. This will go a long way towards destroying the peaceful environment of a square and an area, which is the largest open, recreational space around. Why? Is this really necessary?

Parking is a problem everywhere on the island nowadays but, save for a couple of summer months, it has been manageable in Balluta and its surroundings, especially now that a hotel has developed an underground car park and provides a parking lot on its other side. The problems with parking exists further into St Julians, starting from the Spinola area. Why not develop a car park there? I appeal to the mayor and the local council to let Balluta be.

A few political themes.

I followed with interest Joseph Muscat's speech in Żabbar the other day. The new-look PL leader spent most of his time criticising the Prime minister and the government, and certainly there is quite a lot to criticise, and then went on to propose his famous 10 points. All very attractive, but Dr Muscat must put his money where his mouth is. Most of his points require a decrease in government revenue or increased spending. How is the shortfall to be made up and revenue increased? A reference, of course, was made to water and electricity tariffs, with a suggestion that they be capped. Now, all well and good, but surely he is aware that the price of oil is rising substantially? How is this to be financed?

If the government subsidises water and electricity consumption, then the national deficit will increase.

On the other hand, if the increase in the price of oil is passed on to the consumer then there will be more hardship. What is Dr Muscat's solution to this? What does he propose? It is so easy to criticise and list points when you have no burden of responsibility.

It is obvious that the Leader of the Opposition has no solution. He has such a long way to go to prove himself. He will, no doubt, say that he will address issues when he becomes Prime Minister. But to get there he must convince the people beforehand that he can manage the country responsibly.

And, by the way, it is interesting to note that Dr Muscat has taken on Eddie Fenech Adami's slogan of Is-Sewwa Jirbaħ Żgur (truth will prevail) and uses the call "ħbieb tiegħi" (friends). If this is a sign of originality then he has failed the test miserably. We await the time when he starts his speeches with "Ħuti Maltin u Għawdxin" (my Maltese and Gozitan brothers).

On a final point, I call upon the government to set up an investigation on the famous Lockerbie incident as it is being called upon to do by international sources. The whole can of worms is set to be opened up again and we must do our best to clear once and for all the smear that we will continue to besmirch us.