From Mr J. Magro
I refer to the letter from Pawlu Aquilina, Coordinator PN Local Councils, that was published in your newspaper on Sunday, 23 September.
My duty is to respond to the paragraph in which Mr Aquilina implicated me in “unethical behaviour” during the mayors’ meeting held on 14 and 15 September.
Aquilina stated that the meeting was held to coincide with the commencement of activities by the PN to mark Independence Day. He went on to say that he is morally convinced that this was done on purpose. The dates of the mayors’ meetings were approved by the Local Councils Association Executive, which includes three PN members and there were no objections to holding this meeting on the dates established. It would have been much better had Aquilina checked the facts rather than making a statement based on his moral values.
As to the display (for individual collection) of PES material, this was done at the request of the president of the association and head of the PES delegation. In my professional capacity as Executive Secretary of the Local Councils Association I will also apply the same criteria if a similar request is made by the head of the EPP delegation. I fully agree and support the free flow of information and in my judgement there is nothing wrong in distributing political information, once local councils are organised on political platforms.
As far as I know, I have never met or spoken with Mr Aquilina and neither did he make any remarks, comments or questions about the two unfounded allegations carried in his contribution. For the future, I recommend that such matters should be cleared by a gentleman’s telephone call rather than by putting pen to paper and basing the writings on impressions, perceptions or negative creative thinking.
Finally, I reiterate my commitment to serve the Local Councils Association to the best of my knowledge, through the use of modern management and governance practices. I also affirm that I will faithfully and conscientiously perform my duties as Executive Secretary in accordance with the laws of Malta, without fear or favour.
Jimmy Magro
Executive Secretary
Local Councils Association