Q Should marathon entrants over 45 be required to have a medical check-up? Having joined the Hong Kong marathon I would like to reply. I think a medical check-up should be required for everyone, not only the entrants over 45. I have two medical check-ups every year and I ask for a doctor's note in which he declares I am fit enough to run races. I ran several marathons in France and there it is the law to show a medical certificate when enrolling. Marcus Van Noppen, Leuvensesteenweg, Belgium Q Is the proposed ESF school at Discovery Bay too big? As one of the organisers of the 1,200-signature petition for the proposed new school, I am clearly very pleased the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on Friday approved the government's share of the funds for the new English Schools Foundation school and I look forward, as do most Discovery Bay residents, to the school opening and improving the educational options for the children in the area. I am aware that not everyone shares this view and respect that we are all entitled to have our own opinions. Now that the funding for the new school has been approved, clearly there will be a period of construction followed by the opening of the school. I believe that the ESF and its consultants have demonstrated that they have fully and appropriately looked at the traffic and environmental impact the school will have during construction and in operation and they have committed to communicate with the City Owners Committee on these issues as the project progresses. Therefore I urge residents with concerns and suggestions to either directly or via their Village Owners Committee let the City Owners Committee know of these so that the dialogue between ESF and the City Owners Committee is constructive and beneficial for the community. While it is easy to silently watch from the sidelines and criticise, it is far better to put forward constructive criticisms and suggestions so that the new school will be of maximum benefit to the community. For those interested in following developments of the school project, the school's website is http://dbpis.esf.edu.hk/home.htm and the ESF has undertaken to update this on a regular basis. Lastly I thank all Legco members who supported the school in Discovery Bay and in particular those like Selina Chow who have publicly supported the school over the last few weeks and I urge the administration and Legislative Council to continue to support and develop the Private Independent Schools policy so that Hong Kong as a whole widens and improves its educational options. Mike Allardice, Discovery Bay Q What do you think of the designs for the University of Hong Kong? I was shocked to see the skyscraper design, which seems like it should be located in some commercial area. A university campus should always maintain a kind of study atmosphere. Consider other countries' universities, like Oxford, which all maintain rather traditional buildings, equipped with several blocks of halls and meadows that is the dream school environment for students all around the world. The management of the University of Hong Kong should investigate the proposals on the grounds of how many rooms and halls they can provide. I am glad the management is considering ways towards becoming a university of repute in the international arena, but it must step back and see what the students want and put their needs first. Gary Lo, Tsuen Wan Q Should more parks and beaches be opened up for dogs? I am a dog owner and feel frustrated that there are not enough public places in Hong Kong where I can take my dog. I think more parks, beaches and public places should be opened up to dogs and, to make the proposal more acceptable, impose very high penalties (higher than the $1,500 generic fine for fouling) on dog owners who do not clean up after their dog. Name and address supplied On other matters... Jason Ali's complaint in Take Action (February 13) about putting up useless fences at High West Peak is spot on, and if Take Action accepts that reply from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department that they are just making it safe, then the column is not achieving its intended purpose. This whole thing is way out of line and unnecessary. More than that, it is a waste of money. The sitting-out and viewing area on the other side of the base of High West is equally ridiculous, with great views blocked by trees planted by the same idiots about three years ago that have now grown and blocked the view. What a waste and what a feeble answer to Jason Ali's observations from the department. J.R. Robertson, Wan Chai Reading about the proposal for personalised number plates reminded me of one I saw on that great phallic symbol, the E-type Jaguar, in London during the 1970s. It was PEN 15! While on the subject, why are fire engine plates prefixed with an F, ambulances an A but all other government vehicles AM? Why not G? Tom Marrin, Tsim Sha Tsui
