From Mr J. M. Mizzi

I agree with Mr Avellino that Malta, and especially Sliema, has been environmentally raped. In his letter of 3 June however, Mr Avellino expected Alternattiva Demokratika to ignore the Ta’ Cenc issue and simply applaud the Notte Gozitana event.

AD proposed some recommendations to the State as to what could be done with the Lm8 to Lm10 million the Prime Minister himself announced. Two proposals included buying back the land at Ta’ Cenc from its owners to be developed into a national park similar to the one the government is planning for Xaghra l-Hamra, and another proposal to invest in a serious reform of the public transport.

Mr Avellino disliked both of these proposals. For him, Ta’ Cenc is “something that does not interest me at all, as I very rarely go to Gozo, and even less to Ta’ Cenc.” (sic). I will let Gozitans, Maltese and tourists comment on his statement.

Regarding the much-needed reform in public transport, Mr Avellino concludes that “the public transport has and is being continuously reformed”. Has he ever come to Gozo without his car and tried to access any village or a tourist site in Gozo? Probably he does not even know that public transport especially in Gozo is almost inexistent!

Through its Gozo Regional Committee, AD does not want Gozo to suffer the same fate as Sliema. While tourists in Sliema complain about the concrete jungle, here in Gozo we still boast of our heritage and natural assets. We are consciously aware that the economy of Gozo depends largely on the tourist industry and we care for the people working and earning their daily bread and butter in this sector.

Unfortunately, the Gozo Minister and the authorities in charge of having historical places restored and protected, are simply happy with ceremonies to announce such rehabilitation and restoration projects. Yet, historical places like the Cittadella and Xlendi tower are still surrounded by scaffolding three years later and still falling apart. Xlendi tower is about to die.

The genuine care AD takes to protect the interests of all Maltese residents, irrespective of their political background or locality is impressive. It has always been the Greens who see how residents will be affected socially, economically and psychologically by the massive development taking place around the islands and particularly in the Sliema/Qui-si-Sana/Tigne/St Julian’s/Gzira areas and lately in Gozo, by a few greedy speculators.

I am sure that many residents are learning quickly who really stands for their rights and this will encourage people like me to vote for Alternattiva this time round.

John M. Mizzi

AD councillor

SANNAT