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RR So Fa = Same EE a JEG ER Nes 10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, October 11, 1989 Random Jottings by ).P. Hvidsten (from page 6) Over the past month the Star has received a number of excellent letters to the editor on the subject of the "waiting room®. One from a local doctor explaining their. problems, and others from patients who either accepted the wait, or are upset at the time they spent waiting. They were all good letters, which made some valid points. Two recent letters we received at the Star did not agree with my comments about the waiting room, and the writers ex- pressed their displeasure in no uncertain terms. We have always welcomed letters to the editor, and en- couraged comments from our readers, through these pages, about any subject matter they would like to address. The writ- ers of these letters exercised their right to voice their opinon in a very harsh way, unlike the comments made in earlier letters and the column in question. Using my column as an example, | suggested that | do not enjoy waiting for an appointment. A purely personal view, that perhaps | can blame my parents, having been taught it is impor- tant to be on time. And ever since my youth, | have always tak- en great pride in trying to be punctual. My remarks about "waiting" were not an attack on anyone personally, and | was not being critical of any doctors ability or dedication. | merely commented about a system which has made waiting for the doctor something that many people ac- cept as inevitable and without question. Two recent critics of my columns, Lesley Allin last week, and Kara Warburton this week, appear to have found it neces- sary to use a different style of comment, namely, sarcasm and ridicule. Both of their letters infer that we (the writers on the Star staff) feel our readers are less than intelligent. This is a gross over-reaction and not only an insult to us, but also to the many fine readers of this paper who enjoy, and comment favourably about the columns on these pages. The writers also suggest that the material in many of the Star's columns is nauseating and trivial. We're sorry to hear that they feel that way, but if that's their opinion, they have eve- ry right to express their views. Unfortunately is appears they do not feel we, as colum- nists for this paper, should have the same right to freedom of expression that they have exercised by writing to this paper. In closing, to those readers who have enjoyed (believe it or not) reading this column over the past 13 years, my thanks for your loyalty and many fine comments. Although | will not be writing a weekly column in the future, | will, when | feel there is a need, make comment on things that | feel strongly about in our community. Editorial Comment the by-law are going to be prosecuted fully in a court of law. Which suits us just fine. Operating a snowmobile these days is not a right, it's a privilege. For those who can't or won't adhere to the rules (not to mention plain old common sense and respect for others) the by-law calls for a fine of up to $1,000. As we mentioned before, the by-law is not perfect. But it's not a perfect world. The by-law is an example of how co-operation, communication and dialogue can result in a reasonable attempt to right a very serious problem without driving the vast majority of responsible snowmobilers to Moose Factory. BOY (1 SIZES AVAILABLE L20' xWe'xH8'6" LAO xWo'xHO'6" (410)985-0663 Letter S to the editor nie add teat Gh A i ib A A To the Editor: Hooray to Leslie Allin for call- ing Peter Hvidsten's article about waiting in a doctor's office "nauseating" and "trivial."' I too sometimes wonder what in- telligence level the Star figures its readership must have for the paper to even print an article about such a personal, insignifi- cant matter. But let's not stop there. Pardon my boldness, but I might add that for many months now I have found the columns written by staff reporters to be equally boring and without substance. If Rob Streich feels like writing to his mother about how difficult life is since leaving college that's fine, and Julia Ashton's realization that Disturbed by hostile tone To the Editor: It is with reservation that I am writing this letter, not really wan- ting to become involved in the current "brou-ha-ha" over Peter Hvidsten's now famous "Doctor's Waiting Room" column. While I personally, did not agree with Peter's original col- umn, it IS Peter's column, and he wrote what he felt. Dr. Stewart, the following week, wrote an ex- cellent letter explaining the cause for some of these delays. Two sides of the coin were presented, and ideally, the matter should have been laid to rest. As anyone reading the "Letters to the Editor," is aware, the issue is still very much alive -- and what I find disturbing is, as of late, some of these letters are con- veying quite a hostile tone. The attack is not only on the Main issue (i.e. the doctor's of- fice), but on the trivality of the content of Peter's and Julia's col- umns. Granted, these columns do not deal with all important issues such as the Toronto Star or the Sun columns, but I feel that this adds to the charm of our paper. I do not consider myself a 'dead head" intellectually, and on the whole I enjoy these col- umns. I read the Toronto papers and follow the news avidly, and I find it refreshing to once a week have something light to read, along with the local news and ac- tivities of our community. In closing, I feel the Port Perry Star is a well rounded paper and we are fortunate to have this weekly publication in our community. Yours truly, Sue Barton, Port Perry Bearing future generation To the Editor: We are all for the equality of women, until it interferes with another human life. Unfor- tunately, God's design is most undesirable to some women with regards to the bearing of our future generations. We beg of the mother of an unwanted pregnancy to please give the same consideration that someone gave to you in the early undefendable days of your life, and which made it possible for you to be here making this decision now. Sparing this little life will eliminate all the regrets and life-long aftermath syndrome of any abortion, which is the delib- erate ending of any human life. Yours truly, Erin and Gerard Gabourie Peterborough, Freedom of Choice? To the Editor: I recently became aware of the pressure on the Government of Ontario to de-regulate the prac- tice of Naturopathic Medicine and to close the College for the same. In my opinion this proposal would not be in the best interests of the general public. As a patient of Dr. Eva Mueller I am amazed and very, very pleased at the results of her treat- ment of my condition. Past and present generations have had the right to 'Freedom of Choice" in their medical treat- ment. It would be most unfair to deprive future generations of the same basic right. Yours truly, Evelyn Prosser, Nestleton, Ont. 'Columns boring, no substance many of her school buddies are now pregnant is just dandy. But for myself, Leslie Allin, and others who choose not to pick up the National Enquirer at the local supermarket, such columns are a waste of time and newspaper space. Rob and Julia are no doubt fine writers, but half the job of a good reporter is finding wor- thwhile topics to write about. I'm sure the editor would agree. Reserving the white space of this newspaper for just the news and other items of community in- terest would keep the good quali- ty reading in and shut the rest out. Sincerely, Kara Warburton, View Lake Warns of Gyspy Moth Infestation (From page 7) any location, due to the fact that this pest hitch hikes on clothing, on motor cars on the under struc- ture of trucks, etc. indeed on anything that moves on land. The outbreak at Sturgeon Point was seventy miles from the (then) nearest point of infestation as known to us. The foregoing facts are a grim warning to property owners along the Kawartha Lakes, indeed in Victoria county for that matter. They should join forces now to contact their local authorities to review precautions to control Gypsy moth infestation if need be. It is very important to nip attacks in the bud. In Hastings County, The Ministry of Natural Resources and many property owners par- ticipated jointly in a ¥987 Gypsy moth spraying program. Spray- ing will be repeated in the Spring of 1990. Preparations for it are be- ing monitored by the Hastings County coordinator located in Belleville. The principal value of a recrea- tion property is in its tree cover, and the loss of trees is a great loss indeed. Firewood is poor compen- sation for the use of a century-old oak tree, in consideration of its many values that are well-known to us all. Respectfully submitted for the public good, Charlés Sauriol C.M. Tom Stephens I Ml 4 Diapers by MEE MEE Inc.f 2 ( *100% Cotton __ Diapers Square Boy offers a medium pr Fitting, cheese pizza for only $4.99 analy when you pick it up yourself. One Size Fits All Only $4.99! So come in ariety o ours C ot and pick up a great pizza! RUTH ANN DABOUS *SALES TAX EXTRA * EXTRA CHEESE - add $1.00 L 985-4260 y * EACH ADDITIONAL ITEM - add 75¢ bl 80 WATER STREET PORT PERRY ° 985-8448