The housing is anything but blue collar. We need a more upscale place to eat. If I want a good steak or crabcake, I have to drive to Frederick, Mercersburg or Hagerstown. As far as the bars go, they are not in the same market as a nice restaurant.
I have never been in them and never will. So all you bar owners, just be quiet and let us have a nice place to call our own.
James Thomas
Waynesboro, Pa.
Doctors will leave
To the editor:
The recent malpractice crisis affects all physicians alike. As a general internist, I frequently need the assistance of the specialists in Hagerstown to help me care for patients. If this crisis continues, I am afraid that the specialists may leave Hagerstown or stop working altogether. This will mean that for routine specialty care I will have to send my patients out of Hagerstown.
For the majority of my elderly patients, this will represent a real burden. Some of my elderly patients do not drive and depend on family members and friends for transportation.
If this situation becomes a reality, it will be very difficult to care for patients. I will also have to consider relocating my practice to a place where patients can have access to the care that we may be lacking.
I encourage all the citizens of Hagerstown to become involved in the malpractice crisis so that we can keep our medical community in Hagerstown.
Dr. Samuel Chan
Hagerstown
Be aware of breast cancer
To the editor:
This letter is one involving a sensitive topic, but one that I know can also save lives.
Thirty years ago my mother died of breast cancer at age 57. Sadly, she was basically "mutilated" in her treatment, to the extent that I vowed I would never receive treatment for breast cancer. (We were stationed at Patuxent River, Md. during all this.)
I am a 12-year brain cancer survivor and was privileged to have the medical care that I received here in Washington State. In truth, it has been beyond what one could imagine.
However, as a patient, I have always told my two main physicians, due to my mother, I would not have a mammogram. However I always had a yearly physical exam. Some months I even did my own exam but, I must admit, rarely. Why? Because I had told them that even if something was ever found, I would never have any breast surgery due to what I had experienced with my mother.
Then one day I checked myself, and found a mass. Yes, it is breast cancer. Yes, I have just had surgery. Yes, I am starting radiation. Why am I writing all this to you? Because this action can save lives. Please don't be a Mary Lowe.
Please do this:
1. Every year, have a mammogram.
2. Every month, carefully examine your breasts.
3. Even males can get breast cancer. Talk to your physician about this. Your life is important.
Mary Lowe
Wenatchee, Wash.
Funding a work in progress
To the editor:
In last week's generally accurate article in The Herald-Mail on COPT and PMDC's strategies for the future of Fort Ritchie, I want to correct one serious misunderstanding.
In speaking to reporter Tara Reilly, I did not say anything about Washington County paying for the proposed community center. What I did say was that, as part of its development plan, COPT supports the concept of a community center and will make the site available at no cost to the community.
In its plan, COPT stated that sources for funding construction and operation of such a facility have not yet been identified. Both COPT and PMDC are discussing ways to provide that funding, but we do not yet have answers. We are committed to finding those answers, and hope you and members of our communities will have patience until we do so.
George G.B. Griffin
Chairman, Board of Directors
PenMar Development Corporation
(Editor's Note: Mr. Griffin was not quoted as saying the county would or should pay for the community center. He was accurately quoted as saying he did not know who would or should pay for the community center. The Herald-Mail stands by its story.)
WWII memorial dedication is set Nov. 11 at Fort Ritchie
To the editor:
