Was it a violent over-reaction to an ill-timed remark, or an act of aggression against a journalist because of a long series of critical articles? Below are some excerpts from articles and comments by Dr Claire Bonello on the subject of Charles Caqnu Polidano over the past few months
“The report about the illegal development carried out by Polidano Brothers at Xemxija has been drawn up. Anybody who drives past the site can see the disastrous state of the place where a building has been left practically hanging in mid-air because of the developers’ devilish insistence on hacking away at the hillside despite there having been several stop notices issued in their regard.”
– Claire Bonello, Groundhog Day
“Also, cowboy constructors aren’t going to pee in their pants if they are able to cower behind the corporate veil and avoid liability by claiming that it’s their company which is carrying out the works illegally.”
– Claire Bonello, Groundhog Day
“Father Colin had phoned in to tell us that we should not only consider Mr Polidano’s negative points, but also his virtues – apparently Mr Polidano is building, or financing the building of, houses for the poor in Africa… Does Mr Polidano’s African charity venture absolve him from his planning infringements? Should we shrug off his atrocious track record when it comes to keeping development legal and think nice things about him because he’s building lots of little huts on the bwana? Should MEPA tear up the dozens of enforcement notices issued in regard to his company and send him thank-you notes instead?”
– Claire Bonello, Bye Bye Happiness
“The late Medellin drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar started a housing development for the poor and backed many social programs. Mafia Don John Gotti was immensely popular in his neighbourhood for being a great benefactor to charity. Their charitable deeds might have cleared their conscience but definitely not their rap sheets. I find it extremely irritating to be told to remember Charles Polidano’s virtues when evidence of his planning sins abounds.”
– Claire Bonello, Bye Bye Happiness
“The (first) poster read ‘Vote George, Get Lorry’. The second poster… showed another message, ‘Lill-poplu tradejtu, Lil Caqnu paxxejtu’. (You have betrayed the public but pleased Caqnu). The latter has passed without comment, it being taken as given that Charles Caqnu Polidano calls the shots in Malta, with government ministers dancing along to his merry tune.”
– Claire Bonello, Vote George, Get Lorry
“It was I who slapped her and she will not write about me again!” (Jien tajthielha d-daqqa u mhux se terga tikteb dwari!)
– Charles Polidano, quoted in maltastar.com