Empty Electoral Promises galore!

Why voting Green for the European Elections

In a video message that AD is releasing today, former PN member of parliament Dr. Ray Bondin said that he is supporting AD candidates Arnold Cassola and Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros for MEPs since he believes that voting AD - The Green Party, will strengthen pluralism in Malta and Gozo.

Dr Ray Bondin who is also a UNESCO expert on cultural heritage said: "Din id-darba Cassola u Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros ghaliex hemm bzonn nahsbu iktar f`Malta, ghaliex hemm bzonn li nahsbu x`inhu importanti ghal dan il-pajjiz. Hemm bzonn li nahsbu verament f`alternattiva ghall-hakma taz-zewgt partiti l-kbar...u ghandna alternattiva!”

("This time Cassola and Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros because we need to use our heads more, we need to think and realise what`s really important for this country. We need a real alternative to the grip of the two big parties on our country... and we have this alternative!”). Dr Bondin joins leading environmentalist Prof. Edward Mallia in his support for AD`s candidates.

Other Gozitans joined the chorus in endorsing the Greens for the European Parliament:
Mr. Anthony Falzon

...and Mr. Martin Camilleri:

Moreover, people like Prof. Fr. Peter Serracino Inglott gave his greeting to the Europen Greens Party Election Congress in Brussels during which the European Green Party's common election campaign was launched:

These citizens are also endorsing CASSOLA Arnold u EBEJER ARQUEROS Yvonne for the European Parliament elections; Miriam Mintoff - teacher at l-Junior College, Prof. Edward Mallia, environmentalist and Physics Professor at the University of Malta as well as Mr Andre Vella a university student.

Dirk Urpani a young student at the Junior college expressed his wish to vote Green if he were to be eligible to vote. Mr. Ralph Cassar Green counsillor at Attard Local Concil and Italian-Maltese resident Mr. Stefano Moncada, lecturer at the University of Malta are all endorsing CASSOLA Arnold and EBEJER ARQUEROS Yvonne for the European Parliamnt come 6th June 2009.

The disastrous state of the Victoria Playing Field

Few weeks ago, we visited the Playing Field in the heart of the capital of Gozo. I felt ashamed!

“A place intended as a recreation centre to be enjoyed by children and their parents has now been transformed into an abandoned and neglected area, posing a serious threat to health and safety of the general public, especially children.” These were the words uttered by Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros, one of the two AD candidates for the EP Elections, after visiting the site yesterday together with members of AD’s Regional Committee for Gozo.

I added that: “The scene is one of complete chaos. Broken glass litter the floor even under the swings; bags, containing refuse and other dangerous material, left to rot under the trees for months on end; damaged electric lamps and wires left unrepaired for years! The ramps are almost impossible even for non wheelchair-bound persons to negotiate. Such a state of utter neglect which Gozitan residents, Maltese visitors and tourists alike are facing should also be condemned by all those in authority who shoulder the responsibility not only for safeguarding the health and safety of the citizens but also for doing all they can to boost Gozo’s image as a showcase model for attracting the discerning `quality` tourist, thereby enhancing the tourist product and creating more job opportunities for Gozitan youth now and in the years to come.”

Arnold Cassola, AD Chairperson and EP candidate, said: “The playing field, lying in the very heart of the city of Victoria, has been neglected for years despite many complaints. Such a state of affairs is nothing less than an insult to all those Gozitans whose sole interest is to seek the common good of their island and who are not ready to cover up the mistakes and neglect of those Authorities and politicians who are paid from our taxes to work for the welfare of the country as a whole and not for partisan interests. Above all, such carelessness is an insult also to all those families with young children, who, by right, should be provided with facilities for relaxation and recreation in a clean , safe and healthy environment.”

Arnold Cassola concluded by saying: “Alternattiva Demokratika fully supports the Mayor and Councillors of Victoria, who, for the last three years, have been pleading for the transfer of the responsibility for the Garden from the Government to the Local Council. We are convinced that the Rabat Local Council have at heart the real welfare of the residents and no one else can do a better job in the transformation of the present disorderly mess into a beautiful garden and modern playing field, to be enjoyed by all Gozitans and visitors to this unique Gozitan capital city.”

For some reasons, this press conference was omitted from the news on the national TV station (PBS).

Believe your eyes by watching this video.

Interviewing the Maltese Greens at the European Parliament

Early this month I was part of the Maltese delegation attending the European Green Parties Congress at the European parliament in Brussles. It was such an amazing experience to join thousands of Greens from all over Europe.
During this stay, both Arnold Cassola and Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros (both contesting for the European Parliament Elections on the 6th June 2009), were interviewed and here you can watch the event:

Why should we be concerned about the Gozitan elderly?

’Gozo Age Concern’ and Alternattiva Demokratika ask for Senior Citizens’ Care homes and adequate services in Gozo

The Gozitan NGO, “Gozo Age Concern” (GAC) and Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) - The Green Party have made a joint appeal to the authorities to set up Senior Citizens’ Care homes in Gozo and other services related to the Care of the Elderly.

In a joint press conference, Prof. Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, myself as the AD spokesperson for Gozo, and Rev. Fr. Mario Cassar from GAC stressed that in Gozo over 21.5% of the inhabitants are senior citizens over the age of 60 and amount to over 7000 people.

Rev. Fr. Cassar from Nadur pointed out that, as opposed to the fifteen private and government run care homes in Malta, Gozo does not have even one care home despite the high rate of older citizens. Fr Cassar stated “The male geriatric ward and the female “Dar Sant’Anna” at the Gozo General Hospital, have only communal wards and therefore do not qualify as Care homes in this day and age.”

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, added: “The ageing population of Malta and Gozo is on the increase and in about 20 years time, nearly 2 out of 3 Maltese and Gozitans are expected to be over the age of 60. It is therefore important that elderly Gozitans have access to modern Care Homes offering single rooms with en suite facilities without having to be relocated to Malta.”

Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros, AD candidate for the European elections, pointed out that it is laudable that the Dominican and Carmelite nuns house around forty female senior citizens who are not bed ridden, however these religious homes are only equipped with communal dormitories, without any real privacy and organized socio-cultural activities due to the lack of staff and adequate resources.

During this joint press statement I concluded that: “Gozitans know well the difficulties of double isolation during their active working life. Retired people should not have to worry about their future care. A number of modern Care Homes in Gozo offering long term and respite care are a must as well as Day Centres for those senior citizens who are still independent. Other community services for senior citizens such as ‘adopt a Granny scheme’ should also be explored. Respite centres during the day for those senior citizens, who are still autonomous and able to sleep at their home, apart from being care centres for permanent guests, who are no longer autonomous and need more care and attention should also be encouraged”.

Watch this video clip:

Gozo Ministry punishing the Victoria Local Council

Every Gozitan is fully aware of the rivalry between the Gozo Ministry and anybody who may be influential in the feudal island of Gozo. This is no secret!

One may remember that few years ago the Circolo Gozitano was publishing a monthly Gozitan newspaper called 'The Edge'. This was also destroyed just after few months of its publications.

I have to say that the Victoria Mayor had been trying his best to initiate a number of initiatives in his locality, but the lack of support or rather dismissal from the Ministry for Gozo is so evident.

What is now happening at the Cittadella is a case in point:

Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) - The Green Party welcomes the fact that EU funding is being used for the drawing up of a Master Plan for Cittadella, Gozo. However, AD has serious doubts about the process that was used during the selection process for the adjudication of the tender when groups with much more experience were discarded in favour of a University department that has no experience in the drawing up of master plans.

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson and Candidate for European elections, stated: “AD is informed that among the groups that had shown interest one found the top international and local experts in the various fields. The ‘company’ chosen, or rather the University group, is in fact -as the Ministry statement itself states-, engaging a number of foreign and local experts to draw up its reports as it itself has no experience in this field. Furthermore, master plans are drawn up over twelve months so that a full weather cycle is taken into consideration.”

I added that AD hopes that there will be a genuine consultation with all stakeholders and all those that have a particular interest in the site. AD cannot understand why the Rabat Local Council was not involved at all up to now and hopes that it will be seriously involved at this stage. No serious plan for Cittadella can be done without a proper study of the problems relating to the historic core of Victoria”.

Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros, AD candidate for European elections, said that: “AD insists that the Church and Heritage Malta, the two prime stake holders, will be involved in a serious manner at all stages and not quite excluded, as has happened up to now. Furthermore it is hoped that the Master Plan also includes a Management Plan for the Cittadella”.

Prof. Arnold Cassola concluded: “The Green Party hopes that the Government will go ahead with nominating the Cittadella and the historic core of Victoria for listing under the UNESCO World Heritage List”.

Watch this video:

GREEN JOBS FOR GREEN GOZO

On Sunday Tuesday 15th March 2009, Arnold Cassola, the Malta Green Party leader and candidate for the European Parliament elections of the 6th June accompanied one of the farmers member of the Ager Foundation and a group of German tourists on one of his farms.

Prof Arnold Cassola and myself emphasised the importance of a government strategy for the development of rural and alternative tourism niches that would also create innovative employment in this region and for which the European Union allots considerable funds. On the way down the citrus garden, the German delegation could notice the destruction going on the pristine land the construction of the new Nadur cemetery and they wondered how such a project copuld take place on thjis pristine land!

We said that Government continues to brand Gozo as an eco-island, and, unbelievably, this has not yet been substantiated by an eco-tourism plan that would highly benefit Gozo and the stakeholders within such sectors.

Rightly so, Arnold Cassola declared that Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) maintains that a sustainable ecological tourist strategy for Gozo demands clear consolidated planning rather than random ministerial declarations with no end in sight. MEPA has a legal responsibility to safeguard Gozo’s environment. Public opinion believes that this environmental watchdog is increasingly becoming complacent with monied applicants and then toughens its stand with the weaker ones.

Alternattiva Demokratika strongly believes that Gozo has an inherent basis for such innovative tourism niches. It observes the futility of government and local authorities attempts to promote Gozo as a distinct tourist destination when professional training leading to entrepreneurial initiatives in eco- and agri-tourism is nonexistent in our University and Institute of Tourism Studies. Consequently these sectors lack qualified personnel and any such investment is disabled from its inception stage.

Prof Cassola added that the Government needs to recognise the financial potential of this tourism sector for our islands’ domestic product, and its special significance to Gozo where tourism suffers seasonal downturns. Such niche tourism projects fit Gozo’s low tourist season when paradoxically it is during such winter months that nature blesses its valleys and hills in an abundance of green scenery.

Alternattiva Demokratika has for years been reiterating that Gozo could be the model for the development of niche tourism and its innovative employment opportunities.

AD's proposal three years ago for Gozo to become an eco-island was meaningful and realistic and certainly not a promotional exercise. The Party believed then and now that Gozo and its residents deserve a clean environment, rich in its traditions and offerings for the benefit of the islanders and its guests. Gozitans and environmentally-conscious individuals want decisive implementation of such tourism projects instead of repeated monotonous declarations and promises.

Govanna meets a German Green!

The Hon. Giovanna Debono Minister for Gozo met a delegation from the German Parliament on their visit to Gozo, as part of their programme during their visit to Malta on the 13th of this month.

The discussion meeting held at the Ministry for Gozo, focused on the main aims of the Eco-Gozo vision as well as on how the island of Gozo benefitted from tourism from the German market. Eco-Gozo?

Some days before, I received a call from an official from the Malta parliament, in my capacity as the founder of the Ager Foundation, in order to organize an agro-tourism tour to the delegation while in Gozo. But few days later the same person send me an SMS asking to cancel this this.

Minister Debono also delivered information about the role of the Ministry for Gozo on a regional basis in the national context. I'm sure that our Minister got all the expertise here!

Following the meeting, the delegation, which forms part of the Malta-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group, visited Dwejra and the concrete eye-sore and the Ta’ Dbieġi Crafts Village where a mushroom farm is being proposed in an Outside development Zone area, the Archaeology Museum and the Citadel as well as the Ġgantija Temples.

The delegation’s aim for this visit, led by the group leader, Mr. Ernst-Reinhard Beck, was to discuss current issues which are of mutual interest for Malta and Germany. The group’s main interests are economy, education, environment and culture. But what are the Gozo Ministry's main interests?

I wonder.