Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1472871
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 JULY 2022 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Disparaging use of 'boy scout' THE Scout Association of Malta notes with disappointment the use of the term 'boy scout' as a means of dispar- agement (Saviour Balzan, 3 July 2022) The use of this term is offensive and disrespectful to the thousands of current and former members of the organisation. 'Boy scout' is an archaic name for the organisation that changed in the 1970s when it re-moved membership restric- tions based on gender. The use of this term today alienates half of our mem- bers and diminishes our work against discrimination and gender equality. Furthermore, the idea of using the term Boy Scout as a means to attack, offend or ridicule others goes against all the principles and values of scout- ing. It devalues the work of thou-sands of leaders who, over the years, have strived to provide a safe, non-formal educational experience to young peo- ple to help them achieve their poten- tial. The Scout Association of Malta is the largest non-profit, non-political youth organization in Malta operating for more than 100 years. It is a full member of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement WOSM which has over 55 million members in more than 160 coun-tries worldwide. Timmy Cutugno The Scout Association of Malta Salini littered with 'vintage' caravans SALINI Bay is a public beach right in front of the Salina Bay Resort and is only accessible through a small car park in the Salina Coast Road. It is is mostly frequented by elderly citizens and disabled persons due to its easy accessibility to the sea. Signs prohibiting caravans to use the small car park have gone unheeded for a number of years despite various complaints presented to Naxxar Local Council and the various minis-ters in charge of these matters. Caravans are stationary even when not being used and are taking up precious parking slots along with their cars – and these have increased especially this year. Car spaces are very limited in this public area due to this. This car park serves also as a rec- reational area which is not possible anymore as same caravans are also occupying the car spaces by the pave- ment. Maltese citizens and foreigners have no longer the privilege of enjoy- ing this pavement anymore – owners of car-avans erect tents going from the top of their caravan and securing it on the opposite side across the pavement, setting up their tables and chairs on the pavement so the pavement is not accessible unless you are wishing to go through a maze tables, chairs, and other items. Moreover, as the sun sets right op- posite, caravan owners shove these tables and chairs on the street behind their caravans to stay in the shade occupying also the road! These cara- vans have now made this whole area their own territory! Shame on the authorities who have done nothing to avoid this situation and who have been continuously informed of same. And the cherry on the cake? Some of these caravans have now been turned into "vintage" – paying only a pittance of the licenses we have to pay and this can be seen clearly from the black licence plate they are now carrying. Naxxar Local Council will tell you that the issue is on the agenda and a meeting with the relative minister in charge this year will only take place at end of this summer! N. Formosa Via email