Waqt konferenza stampa tal-kampanja elettorali tal-Kunsilli Lokali f’Ħ’Attard, iċ-Chairperson ta’ AD Arnold Cassola introduċa l-kunsilllier u kandidat ta’ AD fil-lokalita Ralph Cassar. “Ralph Cassar għandu esperjenza twila bħala Kunsillier f’Ħ’Attard. Tkellem dwar l-isfreġju, l-inkonvenjenzi, t-tniġġis u t-tkissir tal-infrastruttura li ġabet u qed iġġibl-estensjoni fiż-żoni tal-iżvilupp tal-2006. Ħadem biex jitħawwlu mijiet ta’ siġar indiġeni. Ħadem biex isiru attivitajiet li jagħtu t-toroq lura lin-nies, biex ikun hawn aktar faċilitajiet għal min juża r-rota u bankini aċċessibbli għal kulħadd. Ħadem biex matul is-sena jinġabru l-ħwejjeġ għar-riċiklaġġ b’mod regolari u biex nippromwovu s-sistema ta’ riċiklaġġ. Ħ’Attard fil-fatt, grazzi għar-residenti tiegħu dejjem fuq ta’ quddiem fl-ammonti ta’ skart li jiġi riċiklat.”

“Ilu snin twl jaħdem fuq il-problema tal-illegalitajiet u l-ħsara kbira ambjentali fil-barrieri ta’ Wied Incita, flimkien ma’ AD u anke fil-Kunsill Lokali, fil-fatt kien fuq ta’ quddiem biex saru zewg protesti gudizzjarji fl-2009 u l-2012, involut fl-laqghat mal-MEPA fuq il-kwistjoni u issa kuntenti ħafna li wara li l-Kunsill ma wasal imkien stinka biex tinfetah kawża kontra l-MEPA, d-Dipartiment tal-Artijiet u s-sidien li titlob li l-illegalitajiet jieqfu u tibda ir-rijabilitazzjoni tal-Wied.”

Il-kunsillier u kandidat Ralph Cassar semma xi punti li bi ħsiebu jkompli jikkonċentra fuqhom meta jerġa jkun elett bħala kunsillier. “Il-Kunsili għandhom bżonn ir-riżorsi, iżda sfortunatament minkejja r-retorika tal-Gvern għad m’hawnx pjan ċar u tond minn fejn se niffinanzjaw lill-komunitajiet tagħna. Minkejja n-nuqqas ta’ riżorsi xorta jistgħu jsiru inizjattivi għall-ġid tal-lokalita. Jien se nkompli naħdem favur it-tħawwil ta’ siġar lokali biex ikollna arja aktar nadifa; favur spazji miftuħa għan-nies; inkompli nsus biex b’azzjoni legali naslu għar rijabilitazzjoni tal-Wied Inċita; nopponi kull estensjoni taż-żoni tal-iżvilupp. It-tisħiħ tas-servizz tal-librerija pubblika u post ġdid għal-librerija huma prijorita. Nemmen li l-għaqdiet għandhom jiġu involuti fl-organizazzjoni ta’ attivitajiet li jsaħħu s-sens ta’ komunità. Inkompli naħdem fuq tabelli li jagħtu informazzjoni dwar postijiet storiċi u biex l-istazzjon u l-linja tal-ferrovija jiġu riġenerati. Toroq Nippromwovi l-użu tar-roti, toroq aktar sikuri u aktar spazji għan-nies; favur bankini aċċessibbli għal kulħadd; Ninsisti fuq il-bżonn ta’ sistemi li jikkalmaw ittraffiku u li t-toroq residenzjali għandhom jaqdu lin-nies mill-kbar saż-żgħar. Inkompli nippromwovi l-kunċett ta’ ‘walking bus’ flimkien mal-iskola primarja. Fl-aħħar mill-aħħar nwiegħed li nżomm mal-prinċipji li aħna naħdmu fuqhom: soċjeta, ekoloġija u kontabilita, u li noffri s-servizz u l-koperazzjoni tiegħi biex b’diskussjoni u koperazzjoni nkomplu nimxu ‘l quddiem.”

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At a campaign press conference for the Ħ’Attard Local Council elections, AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola introduced Green councillor and candidate Ralph Cassae. “Ralph is an experienced councillor in Ħ’Attard. He worked on putting pressure and raising awareness about the changes in local plans and the extension in the development zones of 2006, which changes are bringing about nuisance, pollution and the destruction of infrastructure. He has worked to plant hundreds of native trees and on activities that give the streets back to people, for more accessible pavements and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Ralph Cassar is keen to continue his work in further improving the recycling scheme and introduced the regular collection of clothes for recycling. Ħ’Attard in fact, thanks to its residents is always at the forefront in the amounts of waste collected for recycling.”

“For years on end Ralph Cassar, together with AD and within the local council has been at tje forefront in pressing for a solution to the huge environmental damage caused by illegal development in the Wied Incita quarries. We are very pleased to note that after two judicial letters in 2009 and 2012, on his and other councillors’ insistence the Council has now instituted a court case against MEPA, the Department of Land and the quarry owners asking for the illegalities to stop and for the rehabilitation of the valley. ”

Local councillor and candidate Ralph Cassar mentioned some points which he intends to continue to focus on when he is re-elected. “Councils need resources, but unfortunately despite the rhetoric of government to date there are no clear plans on funds from which to fund our communities. Despite the lack of resources there are still various initiatives which can continue to improve our community. I will continue working on the planting of trees for cleaner air; people friendly open spaces; I’ll make sure that legal action for rehabilitation of Incita Valley continues. I oppose any extension of the development zones. The strengthening public library service and a new library are a priority. I believe that organizations should be involved in the organization of activities to strengthen the sense of community. I’ll continue my work on informational signs next to historical places and continue to work on the regeneration of the old railway track in Ħ’Attard. Facilities for bicycles, safer roads, accessible pavements are a priority for me. I will continue to promote the ‘walking bus’ concept together with the primary school. Above all, my work is based on the principles of “society, ecology and accountability”, and in the council, I will constantly propose ideas and cooperate with other members to work for a better, more sustainable locality.”