Andre Callus Slams ‘Arrogant’ Statement By Mosta Local Council About Replacement For Ficus Trees
Moviment Graffitti’s Andre Callus slammed a Mosta Local Council statement seemingly defending their original decision to replace 12 ficus trees that was only reversed following widespread public outrage.
“After upsetting the entire town of Mosta, and beyond, with the decision to remove the ficus trees from the square they now condescendingly continue to try to justify their actions,” Callus wrote on Facebook in response to a different post by the local council.
The Mosta Local Council published a post yesterday saying that the 12 oak trees that were originally meant to replace the ficus trees have arrived in the swuare.
The council explained that these oak trees are indigenous to Malta and were to be planted in place of the ficus trees “which would have been more ideally located than where they are still situated today.”
“It is truly a pity that, as often happens, we kill a project in its cradle. In the meantime, these oak trees will be temporarily left in the square for the enjoyment of everyone, including the needs of the birds, as we had wished to do.”
However, Callus was not having any of it.
“They say that if you find yourself in a hole, you should stop digging. It seems that the Mosta Local Council and the mayor, Architect Chris Grech, do not share this view,” his post began.
He criticised the local council’s statement, saying it was written in an “arrogant tone” while also calling out the “mayor’s fanboy” Jason Micallef for trying to show how “enlightened he is and how we live in darkness”.
“And why all this? Yesterday in the square, they brought potted trees so that the birds, who lost their homes after the ficus branches were cut, might now find some temporary alternative accommodation (which is good, to be clear). They told us that these potted trees were meant to replace the ficus trees if we hadn’t stopped them. So what?”
“The fact that you’re saying this shows how little you’ve understood from the Mostin’s anger. The ficus trees are important because they are part of our collective memory of the square.”
“The large ficus trees are important because they provide shelter to many creatures, including hundreds of birds, as well as to us humans who seek shade under them in the heat of the sun. None of the trees you brought in pots could offer all this.”
Callus then accused the council of “lying” about the alleged damage caused by the Ficus trees.
“But they didn’t even mention this damage when they applied for permission from ERA to remove the trees.”
“I go there, waiting for the bus, practically every day. If there was any damage from the roots of the ficus trees, it was so insignificant that I never noticed it. And even if there was, surely any minor damage could easily have been solved with proper care of the place. What I always noticed, however, were the benches with people sitting on them, chatting under the shade of the ficus.”
“They will also continue to say that the ficus trees do not belong in a square. More nonsense. It’s such nonsense that Maltese law protects ficus trees in urban areas, precisely because it recognizes the importance of this type of tree in areas dominated by buildings. Why do you want to continue showing us how ignorant, arrogant, and overbearing you are?”
“At the very least, come on, admit your mistake.”
Moreover, he went on to address critiques from a local lawyer who asked where the activist organisation was when the trees in Valletta were removed – to which Callus advised him to just check Google.
Despite all of this, Callus continued the statement on a positive note, highlighting the “significant change” within the Maltese society that can “no longer tolerate this arrogance and sense of superiority from a corrupt political class.”
“Gradually, this political class will become extinct like the dinosaurs. Or maybe, not quite like the dinosaurs. We continue to remember the dinosaurs with a certain fascination. Most likely, the ‘politikosaurus’ we have will simply disappear into oblivion.”
Do you agree with Callus?
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