These are all messages by Councillors published in the 54th issue of Il-Kunsill mal-Kunsill Tiegħek published in May 2019.
Message by Deputy Mayor Clinton Sammut
I remember the first time I wrote my first article in the ‘Kuntatt’ magazine, after I had been elected for the first time 10 years ago when I was just 19 years old. Today I am writing my last one as I will not be contesting this election.
They were 10 positive years, they were days and years of continuous learning and successes and for this I thank you, Naxxar residents who showed your confidence in me during every election such that I ended up as deputy mayor, a post that I never expected to occupy.
I would like to dedicate this article towards thanking the residents who have taken part in various organised activities which were related to my responsibilities as well as those organized by the Council in general. Special thanks go to those individuals who were always behind me in everything I did both during my time in office and during the elections.
I would like to thank my family, especially my parents and my girlfriend who served as my pillars during difficult moments at the council and who always gave me good advice and the determination to continue to work in every way possible.
A special thanks goes to the Council Administration and the Executive Secretary who have worked tirelessly during these years and who have always been supportive and a font of knowledge and information whenever I asked for it, especially in my early days in council. I remember spending hours with the Executive Secretary discussing the law and procedures without him ever telling me ” I don’t have time” even though he would be up to his eyes in work.
My fellow councillors from each political camp, I salute and thank them for the wonderful time that we spent together. There were days and occasions where we spent even nights together organising activities such as that of “Raħal fil-Milied”. Despite different political beliefs, we were all mature and never let anything come between us which could be of detriment to the residents. We solved problems together without much ado. I would like to honor the memory of two councillors who passed away during these two legislatures, Victor Agius and Louis Bonnici.
Victor Agius was the first councillor from the opposite camp who showed his confidence in my first motion and the sports programme which I presented to the Council; he encouraged and taught me a great deal in a very short period.
Finally I would like to thank the Mayors we had over these 10 years, Mayor Anne Marie Muscat Fenech Adami and to former Mayor Dr. Maria Fatima Deguara who both worked relentlessly for the welfare of our locality so that together we have left Naxxar better than we found it.
Thank you from my heart and I hope we continue to have more such councils whose foremost interest is in Naxxar and not partisan politics!
I wish you peace.
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Message by Clifford Galea – Minority Leader
We are at the end of another term. It was a wonderful time. I learned a great deal and I feel even more bound to Naxxar which has always been close to my heart. After 10 years as Minority Leader I wanted to thank you all from my heart for the respect and support that you have always shown me.
I apologize if there were times when I was unable to accommodate your wishes but I believe you know well enough that this is not because I did not want to. Being a councillor does not mean one can do all that one wants.
I believe there is still room for Naxxar continue to develop and flourish . Together we can be helpful even by a simple word of encouragement. I encourage you to be proud that you are from Naxxar. We have a lot to offer to our country in every aspect; from history and culture to entertainment and social and religious culture.
There is still work to be done. Therefore I encourage you to do your duty and vote so that the Council can be functional once more.
I thank my fellow councillors as well as the Council administration especially the Executive Secretary Paul Gatt who always led us by sound principles regardless of our political color; who always had words for the benefit both to Naxxar as well as to us personally.
Thus I once again reiterate that the Council has made me a better citizen. I sincerely wish you well and will forever hold you in my heart whilst continuing to work hard where I am needed.
Always yours
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Message by Councillor Noel Gatt
I am writing this contribution in the middle of an electoral campaign. Notwithstanding all the work done during this time, I am convinced that the people will give you their confidence on what you have achieved during the previous years, because as the saying goes “The past is a mirror of the future” .
In this booklet you will find plenty of information about what is being done. It is good to remember that much of the work done is not referred to because it is of a minor nature. Most of the complaints we have, despite being resolved are not mentioned. Personally, while being pleased when a project is completed, I get more satisfaction as a councillor when I can be of help with these small requests.
As I have always done over the last 19 years, I still meet with residents regularly. Therefore, if you have a complaint or suggestion that you feel may be beneficial, please contact me. We can meet as well if you so wish. This can be done at any place and time that is convenient for you. In the past years many were those who took advantage of this offer and I am pleased to say that as far as possible they were satisfied with the result.
Personally I am grateful and honoured that thanks to you, I was lucky to serve the Naxxar community for so many years. I have always endeavoured to do my utmost to help everyone. Along with all my fellow Councillors, I am proud of my contribution towards Naxxar being considered one of the most beautiful towns in Malta.
Despite all these years I still feel that I have the enthusiasm and motivation to continue to be of service. When to these one adds the experience gained, I am confident to ask once again with the utmost humility ,for the trust of the Naxxar community.
Since there is also the possibility that this is my last contribution in this magazine, before I finish, I apologize if I have somehow disappointed anyone. I would also like to say a big thanks to my family, the councillors and the administration for all the work done. Thanks also to everyone who showed confidence in me.
79457070
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Message by Councillor Alexander Agius
After scrutinising my situation well in recent months with all the commitments I had, including the Local Council, I felt that this time I should not be submitting my nomination as a candidate for the election for Naxxar Local Council. I believe that our location deserves people who have more time available than me for the benefit of the locality and residents.
As from September I have been given the role of Kit Manager with the Maltese National Team U21. This work involves a lot of work away from the village as well as abroad, and in recent months it became clear that it would be very difficult to perform my job as a councillor in the best way possible. So I feel that I should give a chance to others. From here I wish all candidates standing for the election for the Naxxar locality well.
I would like to thank the latter term Local Council; former Mayor Maria Deguara and Mayor Anne Marie Muscat Fenech Adami, the Deputy Mayor Clinton Sammut, the former councillor Pauline Miceli and the late Louis Bonnici, councillors Clifford Galea Vella Maslenikov, Noel Gatt, Marlon Brincat, Pierre Sciberras, Maryanne Cuomo and Joseph Spiteri, the Executive Secretary Paul Gatt as well as council staff members.
It’s worth mentioning that throughout this legislature unity reigned in the Council and most often we either agreed or have reached a compromise to work for the good of the locality. Moreover I would also like to thank the Youth Local Council who were under my responsibility during this legislature, and who, I am pleased to say, during this time have twice been awarded funding to carry out their projects. From here I wish them every success for the future.
Finally I would like to thank my wife Elaine as well as my family for their support during these six years.
Yours Sincerely
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Message by Councillor Sciberras
Thank you
We have come to the end of another legislature. This will be my last message as councillor of the locality. I am satisfied and honoured that over the last decade I have been of service to you. It was not easy to decide not to contest. After nearly a decade serving in Naxxar Local Council I feel that I still have the energy and motivation to contribute more to the Naxxar community, but now I feel that there should be new blood in the Council.
Thanks go to those people who have shown their confidence in me and elected me to the Council in two consecutive elections. I’m sure that I have been of service for each person that over time I have listened to and analysed all they had to say.
Thanks also go to all the Naxxar community who welcomed me in their homes so that I could hear what was going on in our beloved locality. I did my best to help every individual regardless of their political beliefs.
Thanks to my fellow councillors who have walked through these ten years together and indeed we have demonstrated that after our oaths of office all our political differences were forgotten.
Thanks to my family who was supportive during these times.
Last but not least I thank the Administrative staff who were a shoulder to me as a counsellor so that I could carry out my all the work I had to do as a councillor.
I believe I shall leave you a better Naxxar and that’s because we have improved the lives of every individual who visits our locality both for work or for recreation. But finally we have improved the standard of living of all residents.
I will continue to pledge myself for the locality and my promise is clear; I am ready to serve the Council because I believe it would be a waste of ten years’ experience if it is not utilized by the same Council. So after the election of 25th May I will be offering my services and my abilities on a voluntary basis to continue where we have left off together.
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Message by Councillor Maryanne Cuomo
I Stand for What I believe in
After 6 years serving as a councillor for Naxxar and 9 years as Chairperson for Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, it is with great pleasure that I will once again offer my services to you and to work for your very own interests.
Unfortunately, the hamlet of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq have been excluded from these elections.
Together with my colleagues and with our hardworking staff, we have worked together for a range of services, such as:
- Waste collection
- Recycling
- Roads and street lightning
- Arts, sports and culture
- Community safety and crime reduction
- Environment
- Free transport within the locality. This service is mostly aimed for those elderly with difficulty to get out of their homes. This will enable them to run their errands as well as meet up with friends to relax. This service can be utilised for all residents including Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Salini and Magħ This service is on demand and is offered free of charge, Tel: 79555665.
Apart from the many projects that the council has carried out, there are others that are on the list.
- Outdoor Gym in Triq l-Għakkis (works starting very soon)
- New railings in Sgħajtar (already done)
- New street lamps in Triq Santa Lucija (already finalised)
- New street lamps in Triq il-Markiż Scicluna.
- Play area with swings for children in Ġnien il-Ħamrija (works starting soon)
- Upgrading of pavements and installation of new benches in Xatt il-Palm Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq (works started already).
I conclude by thanking you all in advance, and I would like to keep making use of this experience for the benefit of all the residents, whichever their origins. I promise, in exchange for that same trust, to be solidly committed to offering you, always the best of my services
maryannecuomo@gmail.com – Mobile: 99440086
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Message by Councillor Marlon Brincat
We have come to the end of another term within the Naxxar Local Council. I am submitting my nomination for the next election once more in order to be able to continue to serve and see Naxxar move forward.
For my part I always endeavoured to be present and I have devoted hours to the service of the residents, where among others I was a member of the complaints and finance committee. I was active and present within the Council in every issue which was discussed.
I even intervened personally through my profession to resolve the problems with the public convenience. This,after the work which should have been carried out did not take place due to no contractor having been found and thus was causing a great inconvenience to our residents. Here I decided to do the work with my own employees free of charge, without expecting any form of compensation from the Council.
Another problem that we faced, and that I tackled personally was the problem of public cleanliness as we had a contract which was not functioning well and this to the detriment of the residents. There have been several meetings and discussions so that a new contract and new calls for offers could be issued. I believe that through the current cleaning contract , the level of cleanliness within Naxxar has greatly improved.
I believe that through collaboration with the central government more work can be done to make Naxxar an even better place.
Among the problems and work to be done is to address the parking problem, the traffic problem and the lack of open spaces.
If you choose to trust me once again to represent you, I promise that I will remain close to you so that we can see Naxxar move forward while at the same time keep its authenticity.
Naxxari for Naxxar
