"A magistrate is an ordinary citizen" – Robert Musumeci, 7 Sept 2008
And I told the mayor that you might be a magistrate, but you're just an ordinary citizen.
Malta Today, 7 September 2008
Interview with Ian Castaldi Paris, mayor of Lija, about the development of a controversial block of flats in the village:
“In the morning a contractor came to the council to ask for a permit for the machines on the site of the demolition.
I told him that in these cases we always ask for the presence of a warden until the machines enter the site.
The contractor protested claiming that this was not fair. He phoned Carmelo Galea who told him to leave the council. The contractor left without being given a permit.” (Ian Castaldi Paris)
After leaving the council’s office at around 11:00am, the mayor received a phone call from his secretary informing him that “Magistrate Scerri Herrera had arrived at the council and that she was saying that she would not leave the office without a permit”.
Castaldi Paris does not mince his words in saying that the presence of a Magistrate in the council office “casts a shadow”.
“One could try to hide one’s role. When you are faced by a person in a position of authority, it has a certain weight.”
The mayor immediately left his work duties to face the magistrate.
“I found the magistrate waiting in the secretary’s room and I explained to her why I needed a warden on site… she understood this point.”
When asked by the mayor on what relation she had with the owner of the property she replied that she is “a third floor apartment owner.”
When Castaldi Paris insisted that he needed authorisation from the owner of the site, a procurement was sent by the developer to allow the magistrate to act on his behalf.
NB WHAT MALTA TODAY MEANS BY ‘PROCUREMENT’ (PROKURA, BIL-MALTI) IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY.
“I had my reservations on the procurement as it contained an allegation that we were making ridiculous demands when in fact we were only concerned on the safety of residents. I only insisted on a warden because the site is very near a public garden. Still, I issued the permit to Scerri Herrera and she left the office.”
………..
The Lija mayor openly clashed with Siggiewi mayor Robert Musumeci in his capacity as the architect of one of the two developments in Transfiguration Avenue.
“We have been friends since before this issue cropped up, and we form part of the same generation in the same party. Robert takes his profession very seriously. Obviously we were both able to recognise that while he was representing a client, I was representing a locality.”
The Lija mayor even reveals a friendly exchange of emails between the two mayors.
“He sent me an email telling me that he admired me for the way I worked for my locality’s best interests. And I replied telling him that I admire him for the way he defended his clients’ interests as an architect. We both believe in the same principles of honesty and integrity.”
…..
THEN MALTA TODAY INTERVIEWED ROBERT MUSUMECI (AT A TIME WHEN ITS EDITOR SAYS HE KNEW ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP):
Was it correct for Magistrate Scerri Herrera to seek the council’s authorisation for a permit on behalf of the developer?
“I see no reason why this question should be put to me. However, the Lija Mayor mayor was correct when he said that she behaved like an ordinary citizen and an owner of one of the airspaces which she had bought on plan, and not as a developer. He also said that she behaved correctly and did not exercise any pressure.”
But is not the presence of a magistrate in such a case over powering for those facing her?
“A magistrate remains an ordinary citizen. Surely as confirmed by Castaldi Paris she was acting as an ordinary citizen. I have no reason to doubt Castaldi Paris.”
7 Comments Comment
Leave a Comment
Now we know why Robert Musumeci is on the Malta Today payroll. Or doesn’t he get paid for his MEPA Watch column? I am sure many of the thousands of people who read this know too.
For the benefit of those who do not, I will spell it out. He is presumably there to keep his and his mistress’s business out of Malta Today’s prying eyes.
And that’s probably why he and his mistress are now Saviour Balzan’s New Best Friends.
So much for that crusading newspaper – always backing the wrong horse.
Saviour, backing a horse? I was told he’s marrying one. They had a champagne reception only the other week, to mark their forthcoming nuptials. Quick worker, our man.
Letters | Sunday, 07 September 2008 (Malta Today)
Declaration by Magistrate Dr. Consuelo Scerri Herrera
“It is a pity that certain self-styled “reporters” and editors opt for sensationalism and the appeal of scandal over respect for the truth. The lies that have been published in my regard by this paper, and the respect for the position that I hold, prompt me to reply in order to allow your readers the benefit of the truth as opposed to the warped sensationalism that has unfortunately become the order of the day for some………..
The above are facts that are borne out by circumstances. Editors would do well to control over-zealous reporters in search of scandal who in turn would do well to check their facts before rushing to print.”
Kemm jinbidel iz-zmien.
Talking of horses, a couple of years ago Marie Benoit’s magazine featured the magistrate in My Favourite Room (wearing a baby pink track suit). She said she enjoys riding horses, and that she rushes home after court sittings to cook for her husband, because he likes hot meals.
Very amusing.
Pity – I would have loved to read that interview again knowing what I know now, but after flicking through all those pictures of Miss Piggy in her sty b’hafna antikitajiet u nkwadri, I chucked it out.
When asked by the mayor what relationship she had with the owner of the property, she replied that she is “a third floor apartment owner.”
Brrrrr!!! A bit draughty, seeing that it was still just ‘arja’.
Castles in the air …