On the Dot...

Maltapost CEO Robert Lake was quoted as saying that the one cent increase in postage is "not much" when compared to the rates in New Zealand - which is neither here nor there. In any case, having provided ready-paid envelopes and boxes for clients wishing to ensure they post things properly, the company could have included, in the package, ready-stamped aerogrammes.

Dangerous Liaisons

Drivers of cars emerging from New Street, Msida and attempting to cross Rue D'Argens, have their view obstructed by cars parked on the left side of the latter street. Ironically, although the police station and local council offices are only a few paces away, and parking in this busy area is illegal anyway, local wardens are conspicuous by their absence, and nothing is done to remedy the situation.

City Gaiety

More likely than not, the restoration of the Portes Des Bombes is taking longer than the erection of the structure itself. Despite the large plastic indicators to re-route traffic, bottlenecks still result when drivers refuse to give way. Meanwhile, confusion reigns, especially during rush hours, and the whole issue is now way beyond a joke.

Trees for Wood

Several schools are campaigning in favour of the environment by collecting different types of paper for recycling. This does not marry well with the several items of printed matter, which are being given out by sundry establishments, including local councils. Moreover, the people who are entrusted with posting them sometimes throw them haphazardly into front porches and driveways, where the rain ruins them to the point where they cannot even be read.

To Plan

The MEPA is making it easier for people to apply for - and be given - permits to alter or construct further on existing buildings. However, one wonders whether enforcement officers have to be informed by neighbours, who may be reluctant to do so for obvious reasons, if these conditions are not being adhered to, or whether they make cold calls to discover whether infringements are taking place. Many, in fact, are.

Road Show

St Joseph High Road in Hamrun is no doubt one of the most widely used thoroughfares in Malta. Yet it currently boasts a number of sizeable holes, which grow deeper and wider every time it rains. Could it be that since this street is under the jurisdiction of the central government, rather than the local council, repairs are scheduled at longer intervals than would otherwise be the case?

Lights Out

The International Darkness Association (Malta), under the aegis of the Astronomical Society of Malta, has announced the Good Lighting Awards prize in connection with awareness of the prevention of light pollution. Meanwhile, lights are needlessly kept on during break times of public service and private businesses, and sometimes overnight.

Sports Bags

A Valletta hawker was recently fined for selling fake Adidas merchandise. Ironically, a stone's throw away, fellow hawkers got away with selling fake Nike goods - and others, oblivious of the drama that was unfolding under their noses, continued selling pirated compact discs in perfect bliss. This type of unjust behaviour must not be allowed to continue.

Uniform Practice

Children are within days of starting to wear winter uniforms to school; indeed some of them have already started. This column has been receiving a number of complaints from irate parents about the practice of monopolies, which still exists despite claims to the contrary. Shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, blazers and cardigans come with an embroidered, rather than a stick-on, school logo. Skirts and trousers have particular patterns, and stockings have some kind of edging or design. This means that all these items are solely obtainable from particular outlets.

Banking Site

A customer of one of the two main commercial banks recently complained via the apposite card that two cashiers had to serve a queue of 15 people since their colleagues were out to lunch. The manager called her home and said that at that moment (i.e. half an hour later) there was no queue at all, since everyone had been served. This is not the point at all; people usually go to a bank when it is convenient for them, and not for the bank.

Blind Notice

International White Cane Day - October 15 - has come and gone. Yet the steps at the entrance of the Outpatients' Department of St Luke's Hospital remain slippery when wet, and without the features that proper use of this item would have rendered more negotiable. Access to certain places without the help of sighted persons would be easier, too, if there were more awareness about sight impairment.

In Or Out

Alfred Sant keeps referring to "full membership" when speaking about the European Union. Which makes you wonder if the Labour leader knows what he is talking about. You are either in, or out of the EU. There is membership, and non-membership. Referring to "full membership" implies there can be "partial" membership. The option does not exist.

Courts Confusion

Administrative confusion seems to be reigning supreme at the law courts, with cases being put off or assigned to other judges, without anyone being give prior notice. The long suffering public is the main victim, having to go to Valletta for their case to be heard, and finding out that their jaunt to the capital is in vain. Why has the practice of releasing a prior notice by the Department of Information ceased?

Too Unprofessional

Campus FM, the university radio, badly needs to pull its socks up. A most unprofessional shortcoming is cutting the BBC news haphazardly, that is, in the middle of a news item, not even letting the newscaster complete a sentence! This has been happening quite often lately. Is there absolutely no one at the university who monitors such slipshod broadcasting? Shame on the radio... and the university.

Walk Of Shame

The Times' editorial on the chaotic state at City Gate must have drawn the support of thousands of people who have to take what the newspaper rightly called 'Malta's walk of shame." What most find incredibly strange is that despite the government's talk about its commitment to safeguard the environment, it looks as if its ministers close both eyes when it comes to one of the islands's most central locations.

Whatever Next?!

An added eyesore at City Gate today is the conglomeration of taxis. Sometimes, they take up half the area outside the gate. And believe it or not, they wash their cars there too, in full view of all the people entering the city. Whatever next! Should not the tourism authorities step in and try to stop all this?