On the Dot...

Each year, at the end of summer and as November approaches, people visit the Maria Addolorata cemetery. And each year it's the same - many of them write to this column to complain about the run-down state of the place. Sometimes the rubbish bins are full to overflowing and the water in the ponds is full of green algae. Some of the steps are still dislodged and broken and some of the sheer drops and steep stairways are still without guard-rails.

Parking Area

According to the permit number PA 03581/06, Mepa has been asked to sanction the change of use of a building in Capuchins Street, Victoria from "showroom" to "other commercial use" (read self service/discount store). Considering that the business outlet will hardly have sufficient parking space available for its own commercial vehicles to load/unload, one wonders whether Mepa will ask where the expected hundreds of customers will park their cars when they come to do their shopping. Of course, Mepa could impose a fine, but this will not alleviate the hardship of residents.

Yellow Peril

The stairway down from City Gate to the Yellow Garage, in Valletta, is once more in a decrypt filthy state. This time, however, it has made cinematic history, by being one of the clips being shown on YouTube. There is also, for good measure, satanic graffiti as well as the pungent smell of urine that ironically wafts right into the MTA office next door.

Born and Bread

On Friday and Saturday, a wine festival was held at the parish of St George in Qormi. On Sunday, a bread festival was held in the parish of St Sebastian of the same village. Why were not the two celebrations combined, such that the extant petty rivalries are forgotten for at least one long weekend?

Genes Jeans

On October 5, many countries will be celebrating Jeans for Genes Day, where the slogan is Denimise The Nation. This is a dress-down day with a difference; one's donation will go to raise funds to support thousands of children affected by genetic disorders. One wonders where something similar could be held here.

Channel Shuttle

Deciding to go to Gozo not in one's own car could well be the beginning of a nightmare. It would seem that there is only one bus every hour to take passengers from Mgarr to Victoria. On a busy day of continuous shuttle crossings between the two islands, those who disregard etiquette and push, get on the bus, the rest are badgered by taxi drivers. Is it not ironic that whereas Gozo Channel boasts of successes, the public transport is so poor?

Smooth Run

And while on the subject of travelling to Gozo, it is worthwhile indicating that there needs to be better traffic management at the area in the busy junctions between Sannat, Victoria and Taflija Road in Xewkija. In the last village, moreover, Soil and Windmill streets must be opened to two-way traffic again so that traffic emerges at the traffic lights and not at the dangerous end of St Elizabeth Street.

Blind Spot

Motorists seeking to come out in the Mosta Rotunda piazza from the side street on the left-hand side are generally in for a surprise. As soon as they go round the blind corner, the chances are they come upon a pedestrian already halfway across the zebra crossing. People don't bother to crane their heads that far back to see whether a car is coming from practically right behind them, either.

Garden Lore

A prominent group of companies has taken in hand the landscaping of the public gardens in front of Portomaso, in St Julians. However, much remains to be done about the so-called car parking facilities they offer their clients at the Halland Hotel. The whole area is crying out for a general clean-up from all the rubbish and surfacing it would not go amiss. After the first rains, all the rubble and rubbish that is accumulated is carried down Ibrag Road, to the detriment of neighbouring residents and the safety of passing vehicles.

Making Mov(i)es

Last summer sandblasting works carried out on the Warwick block in the flats next to the Halland Hotel caught all the attention of the tourists residing there; some even thought a film was being shot, as if the flying dust had the semblance of a sandstorm. This week, the word is that works are to resume, on the Norfolk and Sussex blocks. One hopes this time around, the correct procedures will be followed and that the dust will be contained within a restricted area.

Fair Deal

In an attempt to lessen the incidence of drink-related crime, Scottish ministers are considering enacting legislation to mete out tougher sentences to those found guilty of alcohol-fuelled offences. These will be classified as aggravated crimes and will thus ensure that offenders are sent to jail for longer terms or given heavier fines. The message is that drunkenness cannot be used as an excuse for criminality and is an idea that is fit to emulate.