Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo in his letter, A taste of Labour leadership (TMID, 5 February) misinterpreted my letter, San Gwann local council replies to Robert Arrigo (TMID, 31 January) and chose to counter it by turning his reply into a personal attack against me.

All I did was simply reply to his article, although it is not my intention to continue doing so in future.

I would like to clarify the following points:

Although it is true that the new pavement in Hida Street was carried out by the previous Nationalist local council, it seems Mr Arrigo was not informed that although payment had been issued, not all the works had been completed. Could Mr Arrigo explain why?

Regarding GM Camilleri Garden, this is so properly maintained that in reply to a parliamentary question of the same MP, the minister concerned informed the House that the garden was in a good state.

Regarding the Kappara garden, Mr Arrigo should know that it is properly maintained because I understand that he was often told so during his house visits. He should in future go by the majority view and not the comments of a small minority.

Mr Arrigo should better inform himself about the layout of the garden, which allows little room for seasonal flowers since it is full of trees. It is strange that Mr Arrigo never forwarded any similar comments at a time when the San Gwann local council was under a Nationalist administration. Could this be due to the fact that he has decided to run on the ninth district in the forthcoming general election?

It is misleading to state that last summer the Kappara garden was watered only once. It was watered according to the needs of the trees planted. Whoever told Mr Arrigo that 10,000 litres of water were being utilised every time this garden was watered during the previous administration is simply pulling his leg and misinforming him. I used to complain during the previous administration that more water was running off the surface of the garden than was being actually absorbed into the soil, apart from the fact that the existing trees did not require frequent watering.

Since he has invited me to ask the residents how many times they have seen the contractor for street sweeping and cleaning as well as the contractor for the upkeep and maintenance of gardens, I would like to ask Mr Arrigo what is more important – to have the streets cleaned or to physically see the contractor on the spot?

Mr Arrigo also contradicted himself by first stating that there are numerous signs and markings missing, when only later he stated that the signs were put up during the Nationalist administration.

Should Mr Arrigo invite me to visit the Sliema Garden, perhaps I could compare the funds allocated by the central government to them with those allocated to our own local council. Since money does not seem to be a problem for this administration, perhaps the government could be as generous with the San Gwann council as it was/is with the Sliema council. Only then can we really draw comparisons.

Joseph Borg

San Gwann mayor