Deputy Mayor Jenny Duncan is right in asking questions.
What is it costing the ratepayers a year to run this facility?
ROSEMARY HOVEY
Whanganui
Stand up!
Although Stan Hood (letters, February 20), by his own definition, is a very knowledgeable man, I don't always agree with his views and statements.
I am, however, 100 per cent in agreement with him about the absence of democracy regarding the fluoridation of our water.
As Stan said, it is time to stand up for democracy — let your elected leaders etc know, in no uncertain terms, exactly how you feel.
DOUG PRICE
Castlecliff
Velodrome roof
David Bennett and Graham Young, who have run big businesses, have said their opposition to the velodrome is based on the business case being weak — the bottom line did not stack up.
But obviously they did not factor in the community good component that is part of the bottom line of a community asset like the velodrome.
The velodrome is for the young, the backbone of the workforce of any Wanganui business. Young people are spenders because they are earners and a lot have children to rear.
These are the people who lower out median age in a town whose biggest complaint is the size of our ageing contingent/old folks.
Maybe the initial inspection says the bottom line is weak and might mean the bankers — in this case, probably the council — has to carry the can for a year or two, a scenario common for most new enterprises.
Wanganui has very good sporting facilities; this is the icing on the cake and will allow many things of interest to a whole new group of young people.
G R SCOWN
Whanganui
The night sky
There is a good sighting of the International Space Station this week on Friday, February 23. It will rise above the horizon in the west at 8.52 pm. By 8.56 it will be high in the southern sky, a bit south of the second brightest star, Canopus, heading towards the Southern Cross. It will disappear from sight just before 9 pm.
The next night, Saturday, February 24, it may be possible to see the Humanity Star. That's the reflective metre-diameter globe that Rocket Lab launched on January 21, from Mahia Peninsula. They claimed it was going to be a very bright object, easily seen with the naked eye, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Friday evening it will be directly overhead as bright as it is probably going to get. Although the almost-full moon will have an effect, it may be possible to just see it with the naked eye.
It will rise above the southern horizon at 9.27. By 9.30 it will be at its brightest heading towards the star Canopus. A minute later it will be past Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and at 9.32 it will be out of sight close to the moon.
As a bonus, a few minutes later at 9.38, the International Space Station will be visible low in the southern sky. It will disappear from sight at 9.45 south of the Southern Cross.
Hopefully, the storm clouds have gone and the sky is clear. Questions, comments, observations, 06 281 3616.
JOHN CARSON
Springvale
$1 million pound
Who ever heard of a dog kennel costing $1 million? Either some councillors or some council employees are brainless.
Surely, if the pound needs remodelling, they could approach the secondary schools and get some ideas, or would they sooner spend $1million of ratepayers' money to keep themselves in a job?
With $1 million they could start making Victoria Ave from Ingestre St North a very pleasant entry point instead of footpaths that look like stock routes.
More strength to the councillors who voted against such stupidity.
PETER SMITH
Whanganui
Send your letters to: The Editor, Wanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Wanganui 4500; or email editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
