Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513303
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 DECEMBER 2023 NEWS SHUTDOWN NOTICE: The Authority would like to notify its clients and the public that the offices will be closed from the 23rd December 2023 until the 1st January 2024, both days included. The Authority's emergency services will still be available through 2292 3500, throughout the shutdown except for Christmas and New Year's Day. The Chairman, Board, Management and Employees wish everyone A peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year era.org.mt CAR enthusiasts in Ta' Qali are leaving countless residents fuming over sleepless nights and disrupted peace. The popular spot, once as- sociated with tranquility, has now become a hub for adrena- line junkies seeking the thrill of drifting their cars late at night. Locals, however, are not amused. The screeching sounds of tyres on the asphalt can be heard in various local- ities, especially neighbouring Attard and Mosta, at the ex- pense of residents. In fact, residents told this newspaper that despite the distance between Ta' Qali and their home, the nightly cacoph- ony still wakes them up. "I have met many residents who talk of tension, nervousness and sleeplessness at night thanks to this," one Attard resident said. A video of one group of drift- ers seen by this newspaper shows a car drifting hazardous- ly in a large car park opposite of the BOV Adventure Park. In fact, various tyre marks all over the parking area can even be seen from Google Maps. Residents say that the issue has been going on for years. They expressed frustration with the lack of effective inter- vention from law enforcement authorities. One resident, who has been battling the issue for over two years, said that their lo- cal council seemed helpless, suggesting only phone calls as a form of complaint. The res- ident, who has been diligently reaching out to the police, ex- pressed frustration with the seemingly futile efforts. "I have been calling the po- lice, on and off for two years. They send a car, I've no idea what they do. The drifters are back the next day. I call again," he explained. Some residents even tried posting videos of the distur- bances on social media in the hope that someone might take action, and when the video found itself on a local news portal, the drifting activities ceased for about three weeks. This is why residents insist on police action. They argue that if a social media post can lead to a temporary halt, regular po- lice arrests and fines could be a more effective solution to put an end to this trend. Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers the car, losing trac- tion while maintaining control of the vehicle as it turns on a tight circle. The antics of am- ateur car enthusiasts burning rubber in a public car park at Ta' Qali must not be confused with the professional sport of drifting, which is regulated. Sleepless nights: Midnight car drifts irk Attard residents Law allowing 16-year-old mayors to be introduced on Monday An image captured from GoogleMaps showing the tyre marks left by car enthusiasts who go drifting at the dead of night in a public car park at Ta' Qali, opposite the BOV Adventure Park MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt THE process of introducing legal amendments to allow 16-year-olds to be elected mayors or vice-mayors is ex- pected to conclude tomorrow. Parliament is expected to vote on the Third Reading of the Bill on Monday in what will be the last step of the leg- islative process. This was announced by the Culture Minister Owen Bonni- ci and Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli during a discus- sion organised by the National Youth Council of Malta (KNŻ) on the topic of young repre- sentatives in local governance. The Bill, which will allow 16- and 17-year-olds to serve as mayors, was tabled last Oc- tober, garnering support from both sides of the House. Bonnici said that embracing the potential of younger gen- erations was a progressive step towards inclusive governance, which recognises the intel- ligence and capability of to- day's youth, while fostering a sense of responsibility and civ- ic commitment from an early age. The minister hailed the step as a bold one, that was being made "with conviction to- wards the building of a more representative and dynamic future for our localities." "Let's celebrate this mile- stone in our commitment to democracy and the place of young people in society," Bon- nici said. Parliamentary Secretary Ze- rafa Civelli said that the gov- ernment had consistently recognised the importance of opinions and activism of young people in public life, saying that this helped create "a more democratic, inclusive and vibrant society." She emphasised govern- ment's ongoing commitment to support young people's ac- tive participation in local com- munities. MATTHEW AGIUS magius@mediatoday.com.mt