From Mr J. M. Calleja

I refer to the caption story concerning the sacks filled with rubble near the skip (TMIS, 4 March) and would like to draw your attention to the following:

The Gudja local council spends much of its budget on keeping the locality clean There is door to door collection of rubbish, various skips around the village that are emptied daily, as well as a system of open skips in various locations of the village when service is offered for twice per month in three large open skips and also door to door collection of bulk refuse once a week and, where necessary, more frequently. Therefore we fail to understand or even accept why vandals dare to act in the manner mentioned in your article. Recently, the Gudja local council has also cleared a dumpsite in the vicinity of Triq Hal Resqun.

Unfortunately, people who do not reside in Gudja dump rubbish under the cover of darkness and this is adding a great stress and strain on the efforts and finances of the Gudja local council.

We recently cleared an illegal mini dumpsite from Triq Bir Miftuh, Gudja. We are determined to continue in our endeavours to keep Gudja clean and provide the best environment to be enjoyed by the residents of Gudja and others who visit this beautiful village full of heritage and culture.

The Gudja local council is embarking on the project of making Gudja worth visiting and worth living in. We appeal for assistance and co-operation to eradicate all sorts of vandalism. I am giving my mobile number, which is 9949 7754, and the free phone 80076602 of the Gudja local council, for those who would like to report any form of vandalism to ensure that action will be taken and the wrongdoers reported to the police for action and prosecution.

The residents of Gudja are proud of their village and have a great sense of civic duty. We appeal for an extra effort and the appropriate neighbourhood watch to eradicate all misbehaviour and sources of vandalism.

The Gudja local council has an extensive programme that is in the best interest of its residents. All forms of co-operation and contacts are welcome. Because by working closer together we ensure that there is no waste of resources. We believe that we can achieve more with the active participation and cooperation of all residents and non-

residents.

John-Mary Calleja

Mayor

Gudja Local Council