8 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a whollyowned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of news- papers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring theirconcerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@durhamregion.com facebook.com/newsdurham @newsdurham WHO WE ARE Vice President Dana Robbins Regional General Manager Anne Beswick Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Managing Editor Mike Lacey Director of Advertising Tanya Pacheco Director Distribution Jason Christie Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Durham Advisory Council Dan Carter; Esther Enyolu; Jake Farr; Dr. Vidal Chavannes; Cynthia Davis; Elaine Popp/Don Lovisa; John Henry; Sue McGovern; Kerri King; Steve Yamada; Kelly LaRocca; Peter Bethlenfalvy; Dr. Steven Murphy; Norah Marsh; Tracy Paterson; Chris Darling; Christina Curry CONTACT US This Week Phone: 905- 579-4407 Newsroom: 905-215-0462 Sales: 905-215-0424 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-579-2238 Web: www.durhamregion.com Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at durhamregion.com Delivery For all delivery inquiries, call 905-579-4407 or visit the Contact Us page on durhamregion.com. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT DURHAMREGION.COM LETTERS & COMMENTARY It's a treasure, all right. Algonquin Park is 7,653 square kilometres of protected lakes, rocks, forests and wildlife just hours north of us, thanks to enlightened government officials a century ago who were savvy enough to keep the precious headwaters of so many Ontario rivers out of the hands of developers. A visit to Algonquin can be good for what ails you in any season. Winter is my favourite time, having that delicious beauty all to myself. There are other cars at trailheads, with hikers and photographers coming and going, but 10 minutes can get you out into pristine silence, just you and the ravens and woodpeckers. The Canada jays begging for bread from your hand. And this year, with cones on evergreens, the colourful winter finches. I was gazing at a whitewinged crossbill atop a balsam fir recently when I caught a slight movement in a black spruce. Curious, I shifted my focus to a dark blob nestled among the needles, then scanned with binoculars to find a fan of brown feathers studded with elegant white chevrons. Then a black head briefly appeared, sporting a bright red crescent over an eye, a white necklace at its throat. I froze in place, not breathing. It was a male spruce grouse, one of the most sought-after birds in Algonquin. One we search for in vain every year on the Christmas Count, stumbling through bogs in an impossible quest to add this secretive species to our list. And I'd found one! I glanced back, hoping to see Dennis rounding the bend behind me. Would the grouse fly off ? With toes turning numb from the cold -- it was minus 27 when we'd started out -- I'd been marching back to the car for dry socks, but forgot all about frozen feet when my blood started pumping. For half an hour I stood there, watching this beautifully camouflaged bird nibble a spruce needle, a bud, then pause unmoving for minutes in between. Hearing a strange, unfamiliar clucking from up the bog, I wanted to go check it out, but instead stayed on point, not wanting to lose sight of my prize. And was rewarded when my grouse answered, proving the other bird's identification. When Dennis finally arrived, it took him minutes to locate the grouse, even with me describing its whereabouts, so cryptic it was, though almost as big as a volleyball with its feathers fluffed up in the cold. In all that time, it hadn't moved more than a foot from where I'd spotted it -- an Algonquin secret hidden in plain sight. Nature queries can be directed to mcar- ney1490@gmail.com or 905-725-2116. Metroland columnist Margaret Carney finds so much to discover and marvel at when exploring the great outdoors. ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER BIRDS IN ALGONQUIN AN EPIC BOONDOGGLE AT DURHAM'S LAKERIDGE HEALTH Re: New computer system rollout contributed to lengthy wait times at Lakeridge Health (LH) To the editor: My heart goes out to the number of people (both staff and patients) affected by LH's new computer system. I'm pretty sure I read back in 2019 that the Ottawa Hospital (OH) experienced similar issues with the identical system -- you'd think someone at LH would decide not to reinvent that wheel and learn from OH's missteps! Heck, they could have paid me a lot less to make just as big a mess -- but wait, I forgot I'd have to be fully vaccinated. ERNEST JAMES, OSHAWA CLARINGTON READER A MARGARET CARNEY FAN To the editor: I just wanted to say how much I appreciate Margaret Carney's columns. I eagerly look forward each week to read what nature topic she's writing about. I've learned so much, and my interest is always piqued. She's a delight to read, informative and cheery. Definitely a bright spot in your newspaper! ANNIE KRABI, CLARINGTON DURHAM'S WATER CHARGES 'HORRENDOUS' Re: Durham water and sewer rates To the editor: I moved to Durham Region in June 2021 and I love it here, with the exception of the high water charges. The charges are approximately $80 higher than Toronto, Brampton and Caledon because of the water and sewer service charges. They are astronomical! For example, consumption is $32 for water and sewage is $58, then add a water service charge of $57 and a sewer service charge of $22. I have never paid more than $80 for three months in my life and that $80 is for summer service. Normally my bill was around $65 for three months. Why does Durham have these additional charges? Residents must even provide the water meter reading, which I've also never had to do in the last 35 years. Is there a reason that Durham charges more than other municipalities? What additional services are provided? Durham is a lovely place, but the water charges are horrendous! CHRISTINE KUHTEUB, BOWMANVILLE MARGARET CARNEY Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT DURHAMREGION.COM