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SCMP Reporter

What do you think of the Mong Kok development plan?
The Macpherson  playground and the  indoor stadium will be revamped  as part of the Urban Renewal Authority's redevelopment plan.
This may seem  good news for  Mong Kok residents, but it will come at a high price.
The redevelopment plan comes with a package of two residential towers and the winning developer will also be responsible for building the new playground and the stadium. This is the best financing model for the redevelopment in accordance with URA and government policies. Sadly, it will not be good for  Mong Kok residents.
Leisure and cultural buildings and venues should not be built by developers, who would regard such 'add-on' features as a burden to their purpose of maximising  profits.
I am concerned that what  actually will be constructed will not be of  high quality. So why adopt such a development model that is far from being a win-win situation?
I do not think it is a good idea to have two new towers in Mong Kok, which  is already too congested. It is not even replacing two older residential blocks.
Effectively, this is just a tool to finance the project. The government is capable of redeveloping leisure and cultural buildings without the help of the developers, just look at the Stanley complex.
Of course, some taxpayers' money will have to be spent. But I believe   Hongkongers would prefer  it being spent in a much wiser manner than feeding the  URA and profiting developers.
It is time (again we have to remind the government and the URA) that the redevelopment financing model should be critically reviewed.
H. C. Bee, Kowloon Tong
On other matters...
New computers, mobile phones,  televisions and other electrical goods - ever onwards go the forces of consumerism,  spurred by enticing advertisements and promotions.
And more and more electronic goods - that are still in perfect working order - are dumped in our landfills.
There's a Chinese saying that dates back 2,000 years which states 'conserve and reject nothing' (Tao Te Ching).  It tells us to conserve and reduce wastage for the betterment of the environment - how to live in harmony with Mother Nature.
In Tai Po, we work together as an environmentally caring community, and have begun a campaign to recycle electronic goods. Twenty district councillors across the area around Tai Po use their offices to collect unwanted computers and electronic goods.
Schools and sports organisations help  to collect recyclable goods.
Being environmentally aware is every individual's responsibility. Each person can spread the message and communities can make progress by working together.
I believe that most people in Hong Kong can have a lifestyle that is environmentally aware and help build a better environment.
Yau Wing-kwong, chairman, Tai Po Environmental Association
We refer to Craig Sanderson's comments (Talkback, June 9) regarding the ferry service between Central and Mui Wo, Lantau.
Due to the unprecedented high fuel cost, the operating environment has been very difficult and is expected to be so in the future.
In order to help maintain the viability of the Central-Mui Wo ferry service, the government has undertaken a series of alleviating measures including reducing the frequency of ferries to reduce operating costs.
First Ferry has been attempting to provide the most optimal and effective service while making the least impact on the outlying island residents. Therefore First Ferry, in the new timetable, keeps the service frequency and departure time from 7am to 9am unchanged and service adjustments are only made after 8pm on weekdays.
We fully appreciate his comments on the retirement of the ordinary ferries and the introduction of a schedule which largely consists of fast ferry departures and thus yielding higher fare revenue. Yet, we have to offer alternatives to passengers in terms of fare preferences and affordability. Besides, in accordance with the requirement stipulated in the tender document issued by the government, First Ferry must provide a periodical ordinary ferry service on which a freight service is available.
Regarding his suggestion on the introduction of wireless internet access at the pier, First Ferry will provide wireless internet access at all piers in the near future with a view to providing a quality service to passengers.
Josephine Lam, First Ferry
So Jacky Cheung Hok-yau  (Quotes of the Week, June 12) very delicately stresses the importance of sex education where his daughters are concerned. One wonders if the pop star, who cavalierly hired and fired 21 foreign maids in the last couple of years, has also taught his offspring not to treat their servants like disposable commodities.
Renata Lopez, Wan Chai
I am writing to express my appreciation of  the kind way in which Hongkongers have shown their concern towards those people affected by the Sichuan  earthquake.
Hong Kong citizens are often perceived as indifferent and selfish. In fact, the swift and continuous donations to Sichuan victims have proven this perception wrong.
Not only  has the business sector donated money,  but housing committees, district councils and schools  are together helping charitable organisations to raise money.
Every part of our society has been wholeheartedly involved in these activities.
Vicky Choi, Tseung Kwan O
Those complaining about the tiny percentage of items lost in the post (which may happen overseas, rather than here) seem to overlook the plain fact that Hong Kong's postal system is one of the most efficient in the world.
I regularly hear that a letter posted by me in Hong Kong on a Monday is received in London, Paris or New York City on Wednesday of the same week.
Most items posted for Hong Kong in Hong Kong - even in the evening - are delivered the very next morning.
I have lived in many other parts of the world, but have never before experienced such very high levels of speed and efficiency in the postal system, as we can take for granted here in Hong Kong.
So, as also with our world-standard MTR, let's give credit where it is due.
Paul Surtees, Mid-Levels



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