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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 11, 1998 - 7 - LETTERS Show police officers appreciation To the Editor: A hot summer's night. A plain clothes detective stops at a Beckers store to get a cold drink. One hour later he's pronounced dead at hospital from stab wounds. As tears filled my eyes and chills ran through my body, I listened as people called in to an open line forum to express their condolences and give their opinions on this tragedy. Someone brought up a point I myself had never really given much thought to: Police officers today are under a tremendous amount of stress. They are dealing with a very disturbed society some of whom show no mercy and no fear of the law whatsoever. The caller asked the question, "when was the last time you said thank you to a police officer for keeping your community safe?" This is so true. As well as the obvious perils they have to deal with, they also are trying to work with a shortage of manpower. There isn't too much we can do about those in our society who choose to disobey the law, there isn't anything we can do about the shortage of funds and manpower, but why not say a hello when you see an officer? Give a little wave when they pass you in their cruisers. Don't you think this will register with them that people do recognize their presence and appre- ciate the tremendous job that they do? You say thank you to the cashier at the store don't you? It never hurts to let someone know that they are appreciated. So often people go on day after day, doing a job (especially in this case) that not too many of us would like to take on, and never never hear a thank you. Don't you feel a boost in your morale when someone points out your good work and gives you some recognition? Let's get behind our police and give them thanks and credit for a sometimes thankless job well done. Lynda K. Norman, Uxbridge Nurses' strike is affecting patients To the Editor: Shortly after the St. Elizabeth nurses went on strike back on June 17, 1998, I read an article ~ in our local newspaper titled "Strike will not affect patients." This was obviously written by someone at the management level and not an immediate care- giver such as a nurse or a family member. Not only has the strike affect- ed the patient but it has also affected all family members, especially for my husband and I who work five days a week full time. However, I fully support the nurses and would not expect them to accept anything less than what they already have which in comparison to other nursing agencies is less. I ques- tion the thinking of the adminis- tration here and only hope that through this strike St. Elizabeth does not lose their excellent nurs- es and I'm sure with a contract the way it stands, St. Elizabeth will not attract new nurses to their agency. I am the mother of an 11-year- old, medically fragile patient who requires 24 hour monitoring of her condition. My daughter has a central venous line so that we can administer TPN which is the only way she can be nour- ished. She also requires oxygen overnight due to a severe lung condition. Because of the fre- quent mucous plugs, she must have someone with her at all times and especially in her room at night for close monitoring. Before the June 17 strike, St. Elizabeth provided my daughter with one of the most capable and compassionate persons I have ever met. She has literally saved my daughter's life several times. She certainly has made our fam- ily life a little more normal in that she provided three nights out of seven nursing care and my husband and I shared the other four nights. Needless to say caring for my daughter 24 hours a day, seven days a week for six weeks has totally exhaust- ed both of us. Just to complicate the situa- tion further, my daughter was admitted to hospital for pneu- monia. At that time it was noted that she also had a blood infec- tion. After five days of hospital- ization and three different antibi- otics being administered, she was discharged home on this routine. Her doctor felt she was well enough to go home on antibi- otics as she has a central line 'and he would arrange for some additional nursing for us. He was not aware of the current nursing situation or that we had not been receiving nursing care up to that time. The discharging hospital did try but were told no shift nurses were available for at least two weeks. I invite anyone from the administration at St. Elizabeth to do a night shift in my home. Jane Carter, Pickering To the Editor: On behalf of the Highlands of Durham Games, I wish to express our thanks to the spon- sors of the Heavy Events. These people make it all pos- sible: Body Fit Health Club, Baldwin Sales, McFaul Fencing, Uxbridge Shoes, Millwork Home Centres, Durham Steam Thanks to heavy games supporters Cleaning, Service Rental, Zehrs Markets, and of course, the vol- unteers who do all the leg work to put it all together and not forgetting the efforts of all the participants. Rick Blair, Heavy Events Coordinator Editor's by Jeff Mitchell MANY SUMMER MUSINGS SO FUR, SO GOOD: Nice spread last Thursday in the Toronto Star's fashion section on Paula Lishman, and her woven fur operation in Blackstock. It's interesting to see how much ink Paula and Bill get. But really, it's no wonder. On one hand you have a woman who's been recognized as one of the country's top entrepreneurs, and is recognized internationally as a pioneer in fur fashions. Then there's Bill: sculptor, pilot, and herder of geese. Wonderful the folks you'll find living out in the country (some underground, even), isn't it? THE TRUTH IS UP THERE: There's a good chance that, later on this month, you could spy something in the sky which could scare the bejeezus out of you. But don't worry; it's just an ad. Yes, the people at Sanyo have issued a press release to the media; asking that we inform you that their pro- motional blimp will be in the skies over Toronto Aug. 25 to Sept. 7. The company admits the airship rather resembles a UFO, especially from a distance -- and it's visible for miles, apparently -- and they don't want people fleeing in a blind panic or tying up phone lines to the basement of the FBI building. So relax. It's not aliens. Just a big, ugly, 150,000 cubic foot floating billboard, cluttering up the sky. Just what we need. IN THE MOOD: Hope everyone got a chance to check out the Port Perry Jazz Festival on Saturday. The event saw cool tunes floating into the hot, humid air all around town, and provided proof that jazz and summer go together beautifully. This was a great idea by Port Perry's Business Improvement Area, and here's hoping it's the first of an annual string of jazz fests here. DOWN ON THE FARM: Meanwhile, Paul and Charlene Wasson of Blackstock continue their good work. This past sunday they held their 11th annual Musicians Corn Roast for Heart, a jamboree which brings musical friends together and raises money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. It's done in memory of musician Larry Dee, but has gone beyond that. Heart disease has touched everyone, and that's why events like this can be so successful, if the right people are working on them. IN THE SWIM: Once again on Sunday the 16th, Rotary's Aquarama event for Easter Seals takes place. Many teams are signed up, so come on down to Palmer Park and cheer 'em on. Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten TIME FOR NEW OFFICE If you take a look on the page opposite to this column, you'll see two pictures; one of the Port Perry's municipal office back in the 1940s, and the building constructed to replace it in 1960. Here we are 38 years later, and the township's business is still being conducted out of the same inadequate and inefficient building. What was described as modern and efficient in 1960 no longer applies. In fact, the building is so cramped and inefficient, the administrator's office is found across the parking lot in a house that's a much older than the municipal office itself. Talk of constructing a new municipal office has been bantered about for more than 15 years, but the very thought of facing the electorate with this issue made even the most seasoned politician cringe. Someone has to initiate the planning for a new municipal office and not be worried about getting elected the next time around. It's time to stop pro- crastinating and get on with the job. The process of going from planning to completion is likely to take at least two years, so there's still time for our present council to bring this community into the year 2000 in a facility that should accommo- date its needs for the next quarter of a century. THE ARROW Reports of a search getting under way in Lake Ontario for nine large scale-models of the Avro Arrow excited me, after returning last week from a vacation with the family in Ottawa. During our trip, we spent some time at the National Aviation Museum where | stood in front of the Arrow exhibit, gawking at the famous nose cone of jet 206, the only large piece of the Arrow in existence today. Due to the stupidity of then Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, who ordered all Arrows cut into pieces, not one was kept to record the magnificent achieve- ment of Canada's aviation designers and builders. But somewhere out in Lake Ontario, nine 1/8th scale-models lie deep in the cold water, waiting to be returned to the Canadian people. It is my sincere wish the divers setting out to find these models are successful in their quest to find all that remains of one of Canada's biggest dreams, and subsequently saddest aviation moments . OTTAWA Speaking of the Capital City, our family found Ottawa just a fascinating and interesting city to visit and discover. There is so much to see and do the three days we spent there just wasn't enough, and we have thoughts of returning again some day. During our short time there we experienced the changing of the guards; a trip to the top of the clock tower on Parliament Hill; strolls along Sparks St. and the Bytown Market; a double decker bus tour of the city and a ride in a rickshaw. There were also tours of the Mint, Aviation Museum, War Museum; Museum of Civilization and discovering Egypt through an IMAX film. And there's still lots more to see.