“This notice is especially to all Gozitans. No it is not about the tunnel, but I feel that it is very important.
You must have all attended the cortege of a loved one from the Mortuary of the Gozo General Hospital. The corpse of our dearly departed is placed for viewing in the chapel and all are gathered at Ghajn Qatet Street near the secondary hospital gate.
After one parks the car, usually one waits and the goes to the Mortuary to say a last goodbye to the deceased before they are taken to be buried.
Some people are not brave enough to attend the last prayers with the priest and viewing so they stay near their cars in Ghajn Qatet Street, crying and waiting for the ceremony to end and then leave in a solemn procession with their cars accompanying the hearse, silently, slowly with their blinking lights. This is a Respectful, Solemn and a most Devote Tradition.
I tell you this dear Gozitans because something sinister is brewing which might destroy this heaven of a place forever. Someone has placed an application with the Planning Authority to convert what was once a humble grocery shop to a Snack Bar right in front of the Mortuary!
Additionally I might add that the management of the bar and its clientele are not Maltese. Would they take their hats off and say a Regremeterna? I think not. This is a disaster. It does affect me more because I live here, but the Holy ambient which took years to create around our only Mortuary will be lost and for what? – For a Bar.
I am not planning to make a protest in front of the Planning Authority, but if you agree with me then please submit an objection to this application which is PA/04314/20.
This the correct and legal way to object, but you must do it if you consciously agree with me. This effects not only us who live here but the whole of Gozo.
Thank you for your consideration.”
Anthony Zammit,
Gozo.
Photo of Gozo Mortuary supplied by the author
8 Comments To "How can it be right to open a snack bar just across from the Gozo mortuary?"
#1 Comment By Slide. On June 29, 2020 @ 1:44 am
There is only one thing people can do boycott the place completely by not going there at all. The PA will approve it objections or not. The government cares about one thing getting its tax revenue.
#2 Comment By Ray On June 29, 2020 @ 8:06 am
Is this next door to the African barbers shop which has been operating illegally throughout the lock down in the former ladies hairdresser’s?
If it is run by the same people then I doubt they will take notice of any laws regarding a bar, they don’t even obey the rules of the road, driving down that side and then turning back up the Mortuary side.
Wonder what other sort of products will be sold as well?
#3 Comment By Anthony Zammit On June 29, 2020 @ 8:08 am
Thanks for your comment but it doesn’t hold in this case, it already has its clientele because they already meet around the Barber shop.
#4 Comment By Anthony Zammit On June 29, 2020 @ 8:16 am
Spot on Ray. Please send your submission as I urge all of you who cares for this area. MEO will take note if there are NO Submissions. It used to take note even for one negative submission. Thank you
#5 Comment By Anthony On June 29, 2020 @ 8:31 am
MEO sorry MEPA and if there is NO Submissions means if we send Subbmissions with a NO answer. Mr Slide and Mr Don you can be the first and share on your Favourite Media so all Gozitans and people from Malta would send a ‘NO’ SUBMISSION TO MEPA. THANK YOU. MAKE yourself proud by participating.
#6 Comment By Antje Lewerenz On July 3, 2020 @ 2:35 pm
I see your points, gentlemen, and I do understand and feel your concerns well.
However, could you leave out any nationalism and racism?
The one thing has NOTHING to do with the other. We are all humans. Whether Maltese, African, European or from any other area of the earth.
How about going to the people who plan to convert the shop into a bar and actually talk to them? Maybe they understand your concerns fully.
And together you might find a much better location for them. In economy it’s called a win-win-situation. Between humans and in Christianity it’s called charity or altruism.
I am pretty certain this is what Jesus would do. 🙂
#7 Comment By Ray On July 4, 2020 @ 8:12 am
Please be aware, it is not racism to simply specify the nationality of people operating a business even if it has traded illegally and it would still be relevant if the people doing so were of any nationality, if they were the ones who were applying to sell alcohol.
The ladies hairdresser’s which was taken over and used during the lock down has already resulted in their clientele sitting on the pavement outside the Mortuary and the shop, so what will it be like if it is a bar.
Not conducive to a solemn place!
#8 Comment By ANTHONY ZAMMIT On July 4, 2020 @ 11:37 am
Thanks Ray. Can I invite you for a coffee? Spirits is being sold already from the Barber Shop.