Are you 'Joe Citizen'?

I am sure that unless you are not 'Joe citizen' and you read this news, you might feel quite angry and upset. I assume that the reason being is that if you are a common citizen and filled-in an appeal to the MEPA Appeals Board without paying all the necessary fees up to the last Euro cent, the Appeals Board would have rejected your application there and then.

But not in the case of the developers behind the proposed villas and swimming pools at Ramla l-Hamra Bay in Gozo!

Read the report on the Ramla appeal given the go ahead….yet again by clicking HERE.

In this Republic of ours, some people are more lucky than others. But I don't mind being with the unlucky ones unless I stick to my 'green' principles of justice and fairness.

Ramla Blue

On the 21st of this month I reiterated that the pristine area of Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo is still under threat of development. Although, late last year, PN MEP insisted with the European Parliament Petitions Committee to close a petition submitted by Alternattiva Demokratika and residents against the development at Ramla l-Hamra (Gozo) and later opposed its reopening simply because, according to him, there was no authorized development in Ramla to object to, the truth is that there is in fact still the possibility of development in Ramla.

Here in Malta and also in the European Parliament AD will continue working to safeguard what little remains of our countryside after years upon years of ravage and irresponsible governance.

The appeal on the Ramla l-Hamra case is going to be heard by the Planning Appeals Board at the University Centre (Xewkija) Gozo on Friday 6th February at 10 a.m.

Good news from the EU Petitions Committee

I was one of the petitioners to the EU petitions commitee regarding the Ramla l-Hamra villas and pools development. The other petitioners are Michael Bajada, another AD member on the Gozo Regional Committee of Alternattiva Demokratika and the other one was by a good friend of ours who resides in Malta. On Tuesday the Petitions' Committee of the European Parliament met to examine our three different petitions against the building proposal of villas and pools at Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo

The Green Party Chairperson Arnold Cassola in a statement issued today said that Alternattiva Demokratika is delighted at the fact that the Ramla l-Hamra project has been shelved by the Maltese government.


At the hearing, the EU Commission announced that the Maltese government had stated that the project has been abandoned and MEP Simon Busuttil who sits on the Petitions Committee confirmed this. We are elated at this success in stopping such an unsustainable project from materializing.

It seems too good to be true, but bat least we can confirm this news from Brussles. What is actually happening here in Malta is another story of course.

Mepa should truly safeguard the environment around Ramla l-Hamra by including the whole
area in the EU-funded and protected programme of Natura 2000. Heritage trusts and NGOs should be supported in obtaining EU funds to transform the whole Ramla area into an international heritage site and protecting its archaeological remains. We now expect that Ramla bay be promoted to Blue Flag bay status.

In the light of the government's electoral promise to transform Gozo into an eco-island, the state should claim back the land from the Ulysses Lodge proprietors in order to remove the abandoned building, restore the partially concreted-over Roman pathway and restore the whole area. Gozo needs new, modern sustainable jobs which would ensure the protection of the environment whilst promoting high quality tourism.

Tal-Kabozza

Is-Sibt li għadda, il-'banda' tiegħi konna mistiedna mmorru l-festa tal-Manikata (Mellieħa). Tal-Kabozza jisimha l-banda tagħna.

Issa ħej....jekk ma tafx xi tfisser kabozza fittex daqsxejn fid-dizzjunarju t'Aquilina. Dak il-Profs. Għawdxi wkoll kien. Jew inkella agħfas HAWN u tara mara liebsa l-għonnella u r-raġel liebes il-kabozza. Hekkhu, il-kabozza l-aħħar li baqgħet tintlibes kien fl-Għarb sa' ftit snin wara l-aħħar Gwerra. F'kull dar kont issib kabozza. Niftakar li ommi alla jaħfrilha kienet fetqitha biex għamlitha kutra.

Mhux la kemm tiftiehem ma' tal-Kabozza sabiex jitilgħu jdoqqu Malta. Għalihom battikata. Iżda agħar minn hekk hu meta wieħed l-ewwel jgħidlek "iwa niġi żgur" u mbagħad ma tarahx b'nemes. Jew inkella jgħamillek bħal Ġorġ ix-Xemx....iċempilli fl-aħħar minuta biex jgħidli li mhux ser jiġi jdoqq iċ-ċuqlajta.

Imma inġbarna. Ġie Żeppi ta' Kurun bit-tamburlin, Leli t-Tullu u Toni bil-kitarra, jien bl-argunett ta' l-idejn u ġie magħna Stephan, vjolinista prima. Stephan kellu wkoll rabbaba. Dik faċli ddoqqha basta jkollok ritmu tajjeb tal-mużika u l-muskoli ta' jdejk tajbin. Ittamajt li jdoqqha Marju Cardona.

Marju huwa l-organizzatur ta' din il-festa li ssir ta' kull sena fil-villaġġ rurali tal-Manikata. Nafu lil xulxin mhux ħażin jien u Mario.

L-ewwel li ltqajna fil-Manikata kien xi 4 snin ilu meta Gonzi ħolom li jbiddel l-inħawi uniċi tal-Manikata, sewwa sew ix-Xagħra l-Ħamra f'Korsa tal-Golf! Dak inhar ipprotestajna flimkien. (ara HAWN).


Iltqajna drabi oħra fil-Manikata fi żmien dik il-burraxka. Darba minnhom laqqajt lill-Marju u xi bdiewa ma' MEP Ġermaniż tal-Greens u dan kien qajjem il-kwistjoni fil-parlament Ewropew (ara HAWN).

Għamilna it-tieni protesta u wara Gonzi kellu jirtira l-idea tal-golf fix-Xagħra l-Ħamra anke minħabba l-pressjoni iebsa mill-EU. Fraħna flimkien (Ara Hawn). Niftakar dak inhar għidt lil Marju: "Issa l-bdiewa tal-Manikata jistgħu jserrħu rashom; jien ħa nibda l-battalja tar-Ramla l-Ħamra!"

U hekk kien għax jumejn wara, f'xemx taqli l-ankri spiċċajna nipprotestaw fuq ir-ramel jikwi tar-Ramla l-Ħamra (ara HAWN), waqt li t-turisti għaddejjin minn ħdejna bil-bikini.

Iżda is-sibt li għadda l-atmosfera kienet ferm differenti ġewwa l-Manikata.

Fit-triq ma' ġenb il-Knisja ta' England, ġew esebiti l-prodotti ġenwini tal-bdiewa. Ir-ritratti fil-blogg jixhdu l-imħabba, l-impenn u d-dedikazzjoni ġenwina tal-produtturi u ta' l-organizzaturi. Ifluhom sew.

Fit-triq intrama' palkett żgħir fejn tfal u żgħażagh tal-lokal kantaw, żifnu u ppreżentaw reċta.

Fl-aħħar kien imiss lil tal-Kabozza indoqqu daqxejn. Marju sabli wiehed mill-Isla biex idoqq ir-rabbaba. Kien tajjeb, iżda idu għejjiet wara ftit.

Dak il-ħin għajjat minn fuq il-microphone lil Marju sabiex iġibilna l-fuel. Marju fhemni mill-ewwel. Ftit sekondi wara ġie b'sitt fliexken tal-birra. Għajnejn it-Tullu qabżu 'l barra.

Daqqejna żewġt daqqiet oħra u Marju reħa jdejh mal-qazba tar-rabbaba. Imdorri jidher il-man!

Ridna nilħqu l-vapur tal-ħdax.

Xtaqt nibqa naqra oħra. Kien hemm pjaċir.

Qabel nitlaq...agħtu titwila lil din il-link dwar progett interessanti ferm fil-Manikata.

Instead of villas and private pools at Ramla l-Hamra Bay

Instead of villas and private pools at Ramla l-Hamra Bay we are proposing a number of sustainable and ecological projects for Ramla l-Hamra.

Everybody assumes that the spectacular landscape value of the valley and the bay at Ramla constitute a fundamental point of reference for tourism in Gozo. Such a natural asset is an attraction to all those visiting the island and therefore benefits all other existing tourist businesses in Gozo. I feel that it is then obligatory to prevent the threat of opportunistic development in this area which would also damage the Gozo tourist product as a whole.

In view of the outcome by the MEPA Planning Appeals Board, I question whether the Appeals Board would have been so considerate with a common citizen. The developers’ appeal in front of MEPA should have been declared null and void, the same way as it would have been to any common citizen who fails to follow procedures accordingly.

On the other hand, I would like to propose specific sustainable and ecological projects for Ramla l-Hamra Bay instead of villas and private swimming pools:

1. MEPA should truly safeguard the environments around Ramla l-Hamra by including the whole area in the EU funded and protected programme of Natura 2000;

2. Heritage Trusts and NGOs should be supported in obtaining EU funds to transform the whole Ramla area as an international heritage site;

3 Re-establish its archaeological remains;

4. Highlighting its geomorphologic features and habitat that supports endemic flora and fauna while ecological walks and expeditions could take place under professional guidance;

5. Promote Ramla for a Blue Flag bay status;

6. Ensure that Ramla l-Hamra remains free from light pollution, a characteristic sought avidly by our visitors;

7. Its spectacular landscape value should not only be protected but promoted as an ideal location for astronomical observation; and

8. The state should claim back the land from the Ulysses Lodge proprietors, to remove the abandoned building, restore the partially concreted-over Roman pathway to its former self and holistically restore the whole area.

I would like to invite whoever is responsible for gathering ideas from the general public with regards to the Eco-Ghawdex project to take any of these suggestions on board. I do not mind that (as most often) the Green Party doesn’t take any credit, as long as there is the will to truly implement this project for the benefit of present and future generations.

Victor Galea

AD Spokesman for Gozo
Gharb

Il-Kappella tal-Kangaroo

“Il-Mepa Qorti tal-Kangaroo,” huma fost il-kliem ibsin użati mill-Imħallef Joe Galea Debono fil-konfront ta’ l-Awtorità Maltija għall-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar f’kawża li fetaħ bħala ċittadin komuni, flimkien ma’ aktar minn 30 persuna oħra (aktar dettallji HAWN)
Wasalt fic-Centru ta' l-Universita' (Ghawdex) fit-triq li taghti mix-Xewkija ghall-Imgarr f'xi l-11:05.

F'dan il-post hemm kamra mdaqqsa li fiha kultant jiltaqa' l-Bord ta' l-Apelli tal-MEPA. Ghal min ghadu ma jafx, M.E.P.A. tfisser Malta Environment and Planning Authority. U Ghal min forsi ghadu ma jafx, tajjeb li lkoll inkunu nafu li din l-Awtorita' m'ghadhiex taqa' taht il-Ministru George Pullicino, izda 'ghall-grazzja t'Alla' taht wiehed aqwa minn Ministru. Il-MEPA issa taqa' propju taht il-Prim!

U tghidx kemm kien hawn nies qabel l-elezzjoni generali xejru bnadar u ferhu ghax hasbu li ladarba l-MEPA ser taqa' taht il-Prim, l-affarijiet issa ser jimxu aktar bil-galbu! Sahansitra anke ghaqda ambjentali qalet li thossha gratified li l-Prime Minister highlighted the importance of sustainable development u il-htiega tal-MEPA reform in his recent diskors tal-Parliament.

Wow!

Ha nkompli nghidilkom dwar il-kappella tal-Kangaroo....

Allura ghandkom tkunu tafu li c-Centru ta' l-Universita f'Ghawdex zmien ilu kien sptar ghal persuni b'mard mentali u s'intendi bhal kull istituzzjoni fil-pajjiz sagru u kottoliku taghna; kont issib il-kappella.

Meta mbaghad minn sptar sar ic-centru ta' l-Universita', din il-kappella inbidlet f'lecture room.

U meta l-Board ta' l-Appelli tal-MEPA jkollu bzonn jisma' l-appelli f'Ghawdex, din il-kappella taqbez qabza ohra u tinbidel f'kawzi-awla gudizzjarja.

Fhimt 'l ghaliex il-kappella tal-Kangaroo issa?

Mhux biss. Isma' x'gara illum perezempju....

Kif ghidt, wasalt f'xi 11:05. Kien hemm xi nies fuq barra b'xi kartelluni biex jipprotestaw mall-MEPA talli ghadha ghaddejja bil-kwistjoni ta' l-izvilupp fir-Ramla l-Hamra. (ara r-ritratt).

Hafna ppreferew joqghodu barra biex jidhru fuq is-Super One. Halli ghalihom tas-Super One f'okkazjoni bhal din! Nahseb indumu xahar nisimghu l-istess fin-news tas-7.30. Jew forsi il-kumitat ta' l-etika il-gdid tal-lejber jaghtihom parir biex dawn l-istrategiji jbiddluhom?

Jien dhalt fil-kwazi-awla peress li kien hemm l-aircondition u sabiex nilhaq post bil-qieghda quddiemnett halli nisma', nara u nifli sew.

U mnalla ghax kull ma kien hemm tuzzana siggijiet! Gbidt wiehed u poggejt fuqu. Ftit wara bdew dehlin hafna nies u spiccaw bil-wieqfa. X'hin Spietri bejli (ic-chairman tal-board tal-Appell u dak li hareg ghall-elezzjonijiet man-Nazzjonalisti u li gie appuntat Chairman mill-President tar-Repubblika fuq parir tal-Ministru tal-Gustizzja) beda jghajjat u jkecci lil kull min kien bil-wieqfa. Dun Manwel ghamel sewwa. Dak sab mejda f'kantuniera u pogga bil-qieghda hemm.

Imma tant il-kwazi-awla bdiet timtela bin-nies li l-aircondition ma baqax jaghmel effett. In-nies bdew irewhu. Jien kelli nqum minn bil-qieghda bis-shana. Wiehed minn tal-Board ipprova jiftah tieqa. Ic-chairman tal-Board kien jidher li kellu tensjoni fuqu ddoqq u beda jghajjat ma' siehbu: "Hallikom mit-twieqi, hallikom mit-twieqi"

L-Appell tar-Ramla l-Hamra beda jinstema f'xi 13:00.

Allura mill-11:05 sas-13:00 kelli x-xorti noqghod nisma' bid-decizjonijiet ta' l-appelli minn dan il-famuz board. U kien hemm appelli tafux! U daqshekk iehor kien hemm periti u avukati. Heqq kulhadd irid jiekol hux.

Miskin ic-cittadin!

Hin minnhom it-tifel ta' wiehed mill-izviluppaturi tar-Ramla mar biex jigbed ritratt. Jien gejt nidher gharqan xraba u fl-istess hin bi tbissima. Izda ma kienx mument li c-Chairman induna bil-flexx ghax sbroffa u beda jghid:

"Dan il-post (cioe l-ex kappella) huwa kazi-awla. Ma rridx ritratti." Victor (ghax kemm ukoll kien jismhu l-'fotografu' qallu li ser ihassar ir-ritratt.

"U ma rridx nies bix-shorts"

U povru Martinu li kien bilqieghda hdejja kien wiehed minn dawk il-povri cittadini li gew mieghi biex nuru d-dizapprovazzjoni taghna ghall-izvilupp tal-villel taht Ghar Calypso fir-Ramla; kellu jitlaq 'l barra.

Jien le imma :)

U allura kien hemm ukoll periti li kienu lebsin ix-shorts. Dawn kellhom imorru id-dar, jilbsu qalziet twil u jerghu jigu lura.

Messhom ghamlu tabella fil-bieb tad-dhul ta' din il-'kwazi-awla'.....kieku jien kont nikteb hekk:

Hawnhekk kien hawn kappella
u allura ma tistax tidhol b'qalziet ta' taht jew bix-shorts.

Smajt kemm-il appell imma ma smajtx decizjoni wahda mgiddma. Stajt ninnota l-espressjonijiet ta' stmerrija fuq ucuh ic-cittadini. Bdejt ukoll nara espressjonijiet differenti fuq ucuh xi periti u avukati. Daz-zgur.

Povru cittadin!

L-appelli kollha diferiti ghad-29 ta' Novembru 2008 (dak iz-zmien ma nahsibx li jigu lebsin ix-shorts).

Biex tghaxxaqha, hin minnhom issa bdew dehlin il-gurnalisti. "Ma rridx ritratti! Ahna hawn qed naghmlu xogholna" rega' ghajjat ic-Chairman tal-Bord ta' l-Appelli tal-MEPA.

"Anke ahna qed naghmlu xogholna" qallu Mark Micallef tat-Times u kien hemm gurnalist iehor urieh il-Press Card (bhal dik ta' Jerrfrey Pullicino Orlando, tiftakar?).

Kif dahlet il-gurnalista ta' l-Independent, mar fuqha l-pulizija ta' l-ghassa u stahbiha wara kolonna. Ma nafx 'l ghaliex. Ma tghidx kienet liebsa ndecenti fil-kappella tal-kangaroo!

F'xi s-13:00 resqu l-avukat Charlie Galea f'isem l-izviluppaturi tal-villel tar-Ramla u l-Perita ta' Dimech u fuq in-naha l-ohra dawk li kienu ghamlu l-oggezzjoni.

Waqa skiet perfett, waqt li corma Nglizi (li jghixu Ghawdex) resqu 'l quddiem bhallikieku ser jifmhu xi haga minn dak it-tgedwid bil-Malti.

Membru tal-board staqsa 'l ghaliex fil-file ma hemmx record li l-appell thallas mill-applikanti.

L-avukat Galea sostna li l-izviluppaturi baghatu l-fee.

Il-membru tal-board beda jispjega li apparti li fil-file tieghu ma hemmx dan ir-record, is-somma tal-fee ma kenitx kompatibbli mal-legal notice li kienet harget dan l-ahhar.

"Allura ghidulna kemm ghadna nhallsu u nhallsu" qal l-avukat f'isem l-izviluppaturi.

U ara daqsxejn kemm ic-Chairman ghandu qalb hanina....

Beda jiddetta hekk waqt li l-iskrivana tal-Board bdiet tittajpja fuq il-laptop....

"Fi zmien 10 t'jiem l-appellant irid jirranga l-affarijiet (cioe' l-hlas dovut)....u d-decizjoni finali diferita ghad-29 ta' Novembru."
Bye bye....

Li kieku kont jien jew int flok l-izviluppaturi, tghid il-MEPA kienet timxi maghna b'qalb daqshekk hanina jew kienet tuza l-burokrazija taghha u tghidilna li

'ladarba ma gewx osservati il-ligijiet tar-Repubblika ta' Malta, allura dan l-appell jigi null u michud'?


...u allura tghid ghandha ragun il-Ministru ghal Ghawdex dalghodu waqt il-launch ta' l-eku-Ghawdex tghid: li mhux etika li l-Ministeru jiehu xi pozizzjoni kontra jew favur xi progett ghax "dak xoghol l-awtoritajiet kompetenti".

X'tahseb eh?

Red Alert once more at Ramla l-Hamra

Pardon me for having to repeat, but as predicted, the fate of Ramla l-Hamra was to be decided after the last general election.

At the same time we are talking about the prospects of turning Gozo into an ecological island thus creating sustainable jobs and quality tourism infrastructure, the MEPA which falls under the direct order of our Prime Minister is to decide on the further developments at the former Ulysses Lodge site by the legendary Calypso Cave in Ramla l-Hamra.

The MEPA’s Appeals Board (which, mind you, falls under the direct responsibility of Gonzi) will decide this coming Friday, the 11th of July, the proposed development at the former Ulysses’ Lodge site, in Ramla Bay.

If the government truly believes that Gozo deserves to be a distinct tourist destination, investing in buying the property and turn it to its original state would be a long term solution for such controversies. The same way the Malta government invested in spending millions of Euros to buy ‘Dar Malta’ in Brussles, the same should be dedicated in the creating a tourism infrastructure at Ramla l-Hamra combining its geomorphologic features, Roman archaeological remains and the endangered fauna, flora and sand dunes. All these provide a future of niche market tourism where all Gozitans in general would benefit from.”

On the other hand, if the Government does not have the courage or will power to safeguard Gozo, environmental NGO’s should be encouraged to set-up a National Trust Fund in order to do so.

And a last word to those greedy ones:

"The island of Gozo does not belong to you or me or them - it belongs to all the people of Gozo and their future progeny. We only have it on loan and it is our duty to safeguard it for future generations"

Fingers crossed

Victor

Gozo an ecological island? No joke!

Right to Left: Prof. Arnold Cassola, Gisela Kallenbach MEP and myself at Ta' Cenc.

Spending the day with the German Green MEP Gisela Kallenbach was an experience in itself. Touring her around the Island on Thursday last is an experience I will hardly ever forget.



Photo: Meeting with Perm. Sec. at the Ministry for Gozo


It was the Green Party's dream/vision to see Gozo being turned into an ecological island. It was part of the AD's (The Green Party) political manifesto for Gozo. Still is. Read specifically the section on 23 proposals for creating new, modern and sustainable jobs in Gozo by clicking here.


It was great having somebody from abroad who states that what we are proposing for the island of Gozo makes sense. (Mind you, even GonziPN said so before last general election by adopting our proposal in his list of electoral promises). Remember?

This was Ms. Kallenbach's 2nd visit to Gozo. She came as a holiday maker about 10 years ago.

The 1st thing that she noticed which driving her about was the lack of public transport and the massive increase in traffic especially in Victoria. Infact, due to the traffic jams, we were 10 minutes late for our appointment at the Gozo Ministry.

The 2nd thing she noticed was the amount of empty shell flats in places like Marsalforn and Xlendi and the empty neglected dwellings in the village cores. In my mind I was enyouing playing a game: I was counting the signs saying 'FOR SALE' on the way from Ta' Cenc to Sannat and Munxar. When we arrived in Xlendi I simply gave up.

The 3rd thing the MEP noticed was the new EU funded roads from Mgarr to Victoria (opps sorry...from Mgarr to Ghajnsielem) and the Victoria - St. Lawrence (opps again! the Victoria to Gharb) roads. "Why talking about an eco-island and no single bicycle lane?" Then on the road to Gharb, she told me to stop the car. She wanted to take a photo! "No space for bicycle lanes but huge space to put the EU Propaganda board."



We visited many places besides Ta' Cenc, Hondoq, Ramla l-Hamra. and Dwejra's concrete new building. We visited the new cemetery of Nadur on our way to Ramla l-Hamra. Farmers explained how the Church destroyed the water table by digging on the water aquifer in order to sell graves in this pristine land. Yes. money talks money walks.


Photo: Destroying pristine land at Nadur


We visited other places and Gozitan workers (read by clicking here).

During her tour on Gozo, the Green MEP Gisela Kallenbach concluded that besides all the mishaps “Gozo has all the potential for innovative sustainable jobs”.

Later on in the evening, Ms. Kallenbach was invited by the EP Office - Valletta to be their gueat speaker for a 'civil forum' on 'Gozo as an ecological Island'. The Malta Independent on Sunday Editor Noel Grima, did an interesting feature about this. Click here. I especially like the title: Gozo an ecological island? You must be joking

Keeping Promises: Ramla and Ta' Cenc

The Malta Independent journalist David Lindsay, today wrote about the 'Ulysses Lodge, Ta’ Cenc appeals slated for 27 June'.
Well well...

May I remind what I wrote specifically before the last general election a few weeks ago. Click HERE.

In my blog entry of the 21st February 2008, then I wrote about the fate of Ramla, ta' Cenc and Hondoq if Gozitans would not vote strongly to The Greens.

We were talking about the prospects of turning Gozo into an ecological island thus creating sustainable jobs and quality tourism infrustructure. Alas! also the GonziPN propaganda was mentioning AD's idea of turning Gozo into an ecological island.

Now we have it: Appeals from the developers of two of the most controversial proposed developments in Gozo, if not the country – Ta’ Cenc and the Ulysses Lodge – are to be heard by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority appeals board on the same day, 27 June.


I can proudly say again: "Not guilty" so should be the 300 Gozitan AD voters.

Where there is support and unity there is strength. Where there is fear and selfishness, our island is to lose.

Messagg qabel tivvota - ara u isma l-vidjow

Meeting first time AD voters

Had quite a busy week.

Monday: the debate on Bondi+
It was my first time experience to debate with opposition leader Dr. Alfred Sant
Not the first time I met Georg Sapiano. He once invited me for his TV programme when he was a presenter on NET.
During the programm I felt that I could relate with many voters who are fed up of the bi-partisan politics of 'everything wrong vs everything right' approaches. Did my best to be moderate. I received positive feedback especially from new people saying that they liked it when I told the PN and MLP reps. that they 'ipappuwa flimkien'.

Tuesday: Press conference organised by AN
The subject was Transparency.
As expected the discussion was totally out of subject. The PN representative Dr. Tonio Borg and the MLP representative Leo Brincat were more interested to attack each other rather than discussing how their parties are proposing to create a transparent administration.
On the other hand I talked about what AD is proposing: A freedom of Information Act, a Whistle Blower Act and a law controlling political party finances amongst other proposals.
Many Gozitans called to say they were happy that I mentioned Ta' Cenc, Ramla l-Hamra and Hondoq and how these beautiful spots will be destroyed if AD is not elected to parliament next election.
Viewers also liked it when I explained that the vote belongs to the people and they can vote freely to whoever they want.

Wednesday:
I dedicated this day to home visits. At one point, we noticed a car following us while in Kercem. The people in the car thought that I am stupid. Of course I realised that one of the men was calling people via his mobile instructing families not to open the door. This was confirmed later by three families excusing themselves for not opening since they are 'afraid' from the three men in the car. How funny. The three men in the car were helping me acquire some new votes :)
These tactics are of old.....and self-destructive. When will these people learn?

Thursday:
Another day for home visits. Very inspiring. I am learning a lot why people are voting AD for the first time. Very encouraging.

Tomorrow is another day.

Cheers

Victor

Difiza ta' l-ambjent ghal Xoghol ta' kwalita'

Il-Billboard tieghi f'Ghawdex qieghdha ezattament hdejn it-traffic lights tax-Xewkija - taht il-Mithna.

Sa' ftit jiem ilu l-messagg kien ' juzawk u jarmuk - ahna nistmawk dejjem'.

Ftit jiem ilu inbidel f'dan:

B'wicci minn quddiem nista' nghid li Alternattiva Demokrtika biss ghandha policies cari dwar il-futur ambjentali f'Ghawdex.

Kemm ilna nezistu bhala Kumitat Regjonali ta' l-AD Ghawdex, iltqajna ma mijiet ta' Ghawdxin fuq bazi individwali u qasmu mieghi esperjenzi ta' ngustizzji minn naha ta' Awtorita' li suppost tiehu hsieb l-ippjanar. Mijiet ta' Ghawdxin li sa ftit ilu kienu jxejjru imkatar homor jew blu' avvicinawna ghax jafu li ahna ma ninxtrawx. Jafu li l-fondi tal-partit taghna m'humiex gejjin minn ghand xi hadd b'sahhtu. Jafu li ahna genwinament jinteressawna nies li m'ghandhomx vuci, jew li l-vuci taghhom ma tinstemax jekk m'ghandhomx ir-rih fil-qala'.

Ghalfejn difiza ta' l-ambjent?
Ghax l-Ghawdxin jixirqilhom xoghol f'Ghawdex u xoghol ta' kwalita'

Ha nispjega ftit:

Kulhadd jaf li Ghawdex jigbed eluf ta' turisti u Maltin propju ghax Ghawdex sabih. X'fiha hazin allura li nzommu lil Ghawdex sabih?

Inzommu lil Ghawdex sabih mhux billi nehduha kontra kull tip ta' zvilupp jew kull tip ta' kostruzzjoni. Irridu li jsir zvilupp f'Ghawdex - imma rridu li jsir zvilupp bil-ghaqal. Ma rridux li Ghawdex jibqa' presepju imma lanqas irridu li Ghawdex isir Manhattan fil-Mediterran.

Minflok inkomplu innaqqru mill-kampanja taghna, hemm bzonn li nikkonvertu bini li huwa abbandunat u mitluq u jigu mibdula f'residenzi sbieh li jaqblu mall-karattru Ghawdxi.

Qatt rajt turisti jiehdu ritratti ta' faccata ta' xi dar sabiha tipikament Ghawdxija?

Qatt rajt turisti jiehdu ritratt ta' xi blokka gebubi ta' flettijiet vojta li ma joqghod fihom hadd hlief li jinkrew ftit jiem fis-sena lil xi erba' Maltin f'Santa Marija?

Mhux dan it-tip ta' xoghol irridu noffru lill-Ghawdxin, xoghol ta' seftur/a tahsel xi par lozor wara li alla jaf kif wiehed kera xi week-end lil xi familja Maltin.

L-ideat taghna ghal xoghol ta' kwalita' jinstabu fil-proposti taghna ghal Ghawdex. Nitolbok taghfas hawnhekk biex issir taf aktar.

Ilna s-snin nitkellmu dwar li Ghawdex ghandu jkun gzira ekologija b'holqien ta' mpjiegi godda u morderni. X'gara s'issa?

U nirrepeti dak li qed jistaqsuni n-nies:

X'ser jigri mir-Ramlaq, Ta' Cenc u Hondoq wara l-elezzjoni?

u jien nghidilhom: "Jiddependi mill-vot tieghek siheb"

Kampanja ta' gideb u biza', issa f'Ghawdex ukoll

Mhux biss fid-djar tan-nies li jghixu fl-10 u d-9 distrett izda issa wkoll fit-13-il distrett, voldieri f'Ghawdex.

Marru fuqu l-familjari ta' wiehed mill-kandidati tal-PN u tghidx xi priedka ghamlulu biex ma jmurx jaghti xi vot lili.

Qalli: "Gabuni tifel zghir. Qaluli biex lanqas it-2 jew it-3 jew il-4 ma naghti lill-Kandidat ta' l-Alternattiva"

Jien: "Veru jew?"

Qalli: "Xejn... anzi qaluli biex jekk jien imdejjaq bin-Nazzjonalisti, ahjar nivvota lil xi hadd minn tal-Lejber milli naghti xi vot lil ta' l-Alternattiva"

Jien: "U x'ghidtilhom"

Qalli: "Ghidtilhom li int tigi minni u kont qed nahseb li almenu jhalluni bi kwieti"

Jien: "Nahseb li nhasdu x'hin ghidtilhom li tigi minni"

Qalli: "Lanqas xejn ma nhasdu. Kienu qed jistennewni nghidilhom hekk anzi, ghamluli priedka biex nivvota lejber basta mhux lil ta' l-Alternattiva."

X'tahsbu eh? arroganza jew perswazzjoni?

Stejjer bhal dawn jaghmlu l-politika mahmuga. Minn servizz igibu l-politika hmieg. Minn banda tajjeb tohrog il-verita' minn qalb certu nies li jilghabuha tal-martri quddiem l-interess ta' Ghawdex.


Isma d-diskors taghna kemm hu differenti. Il-Vot tieghek mhux ta' l-AD jew il-PN jew l-AN jew l-MLP. Il-vot tieghek m'hu ta' ebda partit, lanqas m'hu tan-nanna jew tal-buznanna.

Int taf li jekk tivvota lili, jien ser nahdem ghall-interess ta' Ghawdex u mhux ghal tal-qalba. Jekk trid hekk, nirringrazzjak tal-vot.

Jekk tahseb li hrigt ghonqi niddefendi lill-diversi residenti u setturi f'Ghawdex matul dawn l-ahhar snin, ghamilt dan ghal xi gwadann personali; allura tivvotalix.

Ivvota u gib bidla fil-mentalita'. Grazzi hafna tal-vot tieghek.

Why vote AD?

They say that people vote AD to teach the PN a lesson. Is this true?

Voters vote the way they do for a variety of reasons. They vote for a party such as AD which has been consistent and honest regarding a number of issues such as its pro-EU stance, need for a culture change, environmental and economical improvements, civil rights and integrity in public dealings. If another party has not been consistent or credible about these issue it is natural that voters will not be inclined to vote for it. After all votes have to be earned and no party is automatically entitled to votes regardless of its performance in the 5 years between elections.

Watch just but one example:

Please check if your Vote belongs to you. (2)

They say that a vote for AD is a wasted vote.

This is yet again a false statement. Our voting system allows voters to ensure that their vote is not lost or wasted. By voting for AD and then continuing to vote for other candidates from other parties, one ensures that if the AD candidate is not elected, the second preference candidate will “inherit” his vote and has a chance of being elected. AD welcomes cross-party voting and encourages voters to give their 2^nd or any subsequent preference to other favoured political parties. This would ensure that no vote is wasted.

Tahlix il-Vot. Ara kif:

Please check if your Vote belongs to you. (1)

They say that a vote for AD is a vote for the MLP. Is this true?

Incorrect. This statement is based on the assumption that all the people who vote for AD have previously voted for PN. This is very far from the truth. AD’s potential voting pool comes from a wide variety of sources. There is a core Green vote consisting of people who have always voted for the Greens, new voters (over 17,000), people who have voted for the MLP and people who would not cast their vote if the Green Party was not contesting. By no stretch of the imagination can it be stated that every person who votes for AD intended to vote for the Nationalist party. In any case votes do not “belong” to any political party but to the voter who may use it as s/he pleases at different times.

Don't allow yourself to be a puppet on a string: