After all the hullaballoo regarding the Balluta complex car park project, let’s remember some points, which, through the heat and rush of the moment, might have slipped some minds.

The St Julian’s local council has had this area in a separate zone for a long time. Different councillors were in charge of each area zone. Now these zones had a sort of committee which met and discussed particular necessities for their area. It seems that this practice was discontinued, mostly due to lack of participation, and so the council undertook projects, which according to them were feasible and doable, and would enhance and improve the areas and solve some of the problems.

Now, people are forming Residents’ Associations which is a continuation of the above. Good, because, in the future, they can submit ideas, projects and feasible studies for their particular area and they would be discussed, in a friendly atmosphere, with the mayor and the council.

The pros and cons of each idea submitted would be thrashed out and when agreement is reached, it would, if possible, be implemented. That’s how things should work better.

Let us not forget that Peter Bonello, as mayor, has to face the majority of individuals and groups, but all the other councillors do their fair share with regard to the work that St Julian’s needs.

Okay, people might not agree with some of the submissions but they are always discussed and, one must remember that solutions must be found. People are not only there to say no, but also to give some solutions to the many problems facing St Julian’s.

Come on, this area is a difficult area and, from all angles, one must give the council its due and help by offering suggestions, constructive criticism and help in solving the problem facing the residents and others who have their own interests around the area.

That way more citizens are involved and, once they become involved, they will understand better and discuss more intelligently and realise the hard work facing the mayor and the council.

People will be less heated and agitated; they will be more relaxed and think more clearly. They will meet the local council and find out more about its ideas for a better environment, for a cleaner place, for solutions to traffic and parking and more coordination between all concerned. That way there will be more transparency in everyone’s actions and more knowledge of what the mayor and councillors do to give the residents what they want.

Vincent Vassallo

St Julian’s