32 comments so far.Qala Square: A catalogue of problems with trees, benches and cars
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Readers Letter: “I’ve been coming to Gozo every year for a long time now and in my opinion it’s like heaven on earth. I lost the rose coloured glasses a long time ago and realise that like everywhere else on earth it has its faults and it’s problems but when you love a place the way I do you try to accept those things.
I’ve been watching the process of the resurfacing of the square in front of the church in Qala and have to say that the guys did a really good job there, but as usual it has not been without its problems.
The first problem arose when the Qala Mayor decided that the trees should be removed. I’ve noticed over the years that Malta seems to have a thing about destroying trees even though they are not exactly plentiful on the islands and come up with all sorts of excuses to do so.
I think on this occasion it was because birds roosted in the trees and did their business on the benches below. A problem by the way that is easily solved by providing the benches with covers as has been done elsewhere.
Another excuse is that the roots damage pavements and water pipes. Back home here we have oak trees and chestnut trees growing beside pavements and they damage nothing. Anyway the trees survived this time apart from the two palms, which I guess was a way for the Mayor to save face.
Now I’ve heard that he wants to close the square off and stop cars from using it in case they dirty the new surface. What is this guys problem? That’s like spending good money on an expensive umbrella and then not taking it out in case it gets wet!
Now as far as I know that square belongs to the church, so does the Mayor have a problem with the church which would explain why he keeps going against their wishes, or does he just want to stir things up for the people of Qala?
If it’s the latter what exactly is his agenda? What does he get out of causing all this trouble for a village he is supposed to represent?
If the Mayor decides to answer this perhaps he can also explain where the benches from the square have disappeared to? From what I have heard there was not a single bench available during the Festa.
Were the council ordered to remove these and if so why? If that is not the case were they stolen and if so has a report been made to the police? If I remember right the Mayor was saying before this work took place that once it was finished cars would be allowed back onto the square as normal so why has he now changed his mind?
I guess the main question he needs to answer is why as Mayor, someone who should be uniting the community, he is continuously trying to cause trouble within that community?
I just can’t figure him out and I’m sure others are asking the same questions.”
James A.Tyrell,
N. Ireland
This is a great idea to close the square off to cars. Malta is the size of a dot on the map and its way over crowded and closing off cars from the square would help people who live near the square breath fresher air without the car fumes, not to mention the buses that stop at the square. Another problem is the bar in the square with the loud noise and people spilling out into the square from the bar. Is this noise fair to people who live close to the square??? How are they able to sleep? People should have respect for other people.
Banning cars from the square (if that happens) will not reduce the amount of traffic, nor of fumes. It will simply mean that drivers will be forced to park instead on the narrow roads in a village that already has too many problems with through traffic.
As for noise, it comes with the territory.
If you find noise offensive, Gozo is absolutely the wrong place to be.
When was the last time you heard the noise from the bar in the square?
Twenty five years ago?
I take it there are no noisy bars in New York?
Closing off the square would be a stupid idea because as Revel says it would force drivers to park in the narrow streets, probably outside your house, and cause even more problems. As for exhaust fumes closing off the square wouldn’t make any difference. You would just have the fumes in the narrow streets instead of in the square which has trees to help filter the fumes. Yes that’s why removing the trees would have been another stupid idea. As for noise I can remember staying in a village once where I was awakened every morning by the church bells at 5am. There wasn’t much respect shown there!
What`s going on @ Qala . Mr Tyrrell Though I lived in Qala for a long time I never remember all these problems mushrooming everyday .
We went there yestarday and the caos there was put us away. Don`t worry we went next door in nadur . We were a family of eight people and our money went to Nadur this time and it will be the smae as long as the pjazza remains out of bounds
Trouble is James the mayors a real politician. Always a smirk on his face and a cheerful word here and there. Says what you want to hear then does what he wants , rarely gives a straight answer if you get any answer atall, and is a good spin doctor with loads of mates.Truth is he’s devisive and has ruint any unity Qala had.As for the square, thats probably meant to stay a pristine showpiece with no real practical use – no parking, no seating – surprised there isn’t a self portrait in the centre instead of a compass rose
Whose square is it – the mayor’s or the church’s?
I thought it was church property.
Who paid for the retiling?
I was told it was the church and the EU.
I’d be surprised if the council had that sort of spare cash and spent it on a pointless square when all the streets are so bad.
Well, there are chains around the church square today (Saturday) so there is no parking on it – although there is limited access to the car beside the church.
This situation will doubtless exist until some thoughtful citizen removes the poles (which are slotted into the ground) and the chains between them.
Now, where can we find a juvenile delinquent or a concerned citizen, in Qala?
Oh yeah, as to the noise, it comes with the territory? Is this fair to the people who had houses next to this area before the bar started playing live music? Music and loud noise should not be allowed past a certain hour. People deserve respect and peace.
I agree Eliza, but what has that got to do with parking on the square?
The Qala mayor is smart. He realizes that peace and quiet is important. Loud music with people drinking and yelling outside is not fair to the residents of Qala who live in or near the square.
The Qala mayor stood for election as an MEP.
He didn’t get elected but nevertheless returned to Qala in a motorcade of honking vehicles, followed by fireworks.
Not much respect for residents’ peace and quiet that night.
And that was celebrating a failure…
You can’t compare the church bells ringing at 5am to the loud noises of a bar. Most Maltese people wake up at 5am and take a nap in the afternoon. This is there way of daily life. This is tradition. The bar noise is torture. It doesn’t end like when the church bells end and it goes on throughout the night when its important for people to get their sleep. Just think of what the people who live in the square or near it are going through with all that noise.
Eliza the story above is about the Mayor trying to stop people parking in the square, it has nothing to do with noise. If the noise is causing you such a problem why don’t you take the matter up with the mayor and I’m sure he will get the bars closed for you!
@Eliza If the mayor is smart we shouldn`t be in this position . I just noticed what Jack said . For sure it makes sense .There is traffic problems and customers are turning away because they are not able to park close by the restaurants as before and now are going elsewhere . This problem is known by the restaurant owners . Our work has fallen down since works started and feel betrayed that the square remained closed . We were solemnly promised that cars will still park there . Eliza go and ask the person that you said that he is smart about all this please
Juzeppi, you sound like a very nice man and I hope your business gets back to normal. Can’t Gozo have buses that run through the night? That way, people can take a bus that runs about every two hours and cut back on all those cars?
Eliza, I got the impression, in your first response, that your complaint also included the buses. Now you’d like more?
Whatever, the closure of the car park now means more fumes for you as cars drive round and round looking for a space, before deciding that Qala isn’t worth the effort.
All this trouble is cause of the poor result he got from Qala residents from the EU elections . I heard that in Qala the residents were visited twice cause he knew that there were people who were disapproving the way the local council was running . Those 200 votes could easily have came from Qala but the residents are smart and know who to trust. ONCE BITTEN SECOND TIME NO WAY HOSEY
Perhaps he wants to make his mark by making Qala different – the only place on Gozo where there’s nowhere to park.
Compare it with Nadur, next door, where there’s masses of parking, and lots of bars and shops to visit while you’re parked. Even with Ghajnsielem.
If Qala is to be only for residents, it’s goodbye bars and restaurants (and what few shops it has). But that might suit some people.
Why is Qala in the news lately . Mr Tyrrel thnx for your sharp letters and to inform us what is happening around gozo. But lkately I have to agree with peter paul as I heard this story of EU votes from QALA that the mayor expected more support but he did not get it. obvously because were misled by his promises .
This council that there is in qala is nothing but trouble always stirring up and looking for ways how to create trouble. Shame Shame
Somebody must have voted for them, Peppinu.
I agree with Revel Barker, enough voters gave the Mayor a majority, so blame them, and make sure he doesn’t get elected next time.
The only problem with these articles is that they disappear over time. I like the old Gozo news format better where if a person makes a comment, its seen on the front page
Eliza if a person makes a comment it is there on the front page! That’s what that little column is on the right hand side.
I get it now. One goes to the home page and clicks on letters and opinions rather than going to page 14 of this site. I think thats why no one is commenting on this interesting article anymore. Readers probably find it hard to find. Whats happening now over there? Keep us posted
If you want to be kept informed about a certain story you have commented on then click in the little box under your comment which says, ‘Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail address.’ Simples!
Thanks!
It shouldn’t work this way though because the article disappears fast form viewers and not everyone including myself has the time to check emails. The last version of Gozo Media was different and you were informed of any new comments on the front page of Gozo media.
You still are informed of additional comments and responses, Eliza, if you tick the box under the comment box in which you have just typed.
That’s how I knew you had just added another comment…
Thank you Revel and James!