The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 59

v- 1 r. v. irf Bergen County, New Jersey THE SUNDAY RECORD, FEBRUARY 27, 1972 D-3 Voice of the People wi 1 il Eye Exam Checkups than be concerned with the apparent increase in reimbursements. I emphasize apparent increase because it has long been accepted that the better the physician is trained, the fewer visits will be required to achieve the same end result in any given clinical situation. reveal that someone has finally discovered the profound differences among those us providing eye care for public.

For the opthalmolo-gists in this. state who have certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology who have been privileged become members of the American College of Surgeons to be differentiated from those specialists purportedly practicing ophthalmology without such credentials seriously endangers the public's health. Perhaps a way of making public aware of these differences is for the third-party insurance companies to reimburse their clients according the qualifications of their physicians. By noting the level competency of the physician the patient, the insurance companies could significantly contribute to an improvement the overall level of medical care. I would hope that the in I I mi ght took this graphic exposure last not, if you try hard enough you can 636 Stony Lane Paramus summer at the Jersey shore.

Believe it or still be alone even in Seaside Heights. Bob Truemper Threat More Deadly than the ICBM I would finally like to comment on your other editorial regarding Coming Test for Re-testing. It has always been overlooked that an integral part of visual testing for safe driving is quantitative perimetry. The safe driver should not only be able to see clearly straight ahead but should also possess adequate peripheral vision. This test must be incorporated into any future protocol for safeguarding our highways.

Continue please, such excellent editorials. HERVE M. BYRON, M.D. 160 Linden Ave. Englewood, Feb.

7, 1972. A i cm Optical hideshows Editor, The Record: We read with approval your editorial on actions taken by State Consumer Affairs Director Charles J. Irwin. Mr. Irwin has announced a statewide crackdown on physicians who perform "quickie" eye examinations and on the "outrageous practices" of certain highway, ass-production eyeglass centers.

We believe this bold action was long overdue, and we urge your readers to support Mr. Irwin's program in the interest of public health. We are in full agreement with The Record's contention that the Board of Medical Examiners should set new requirements for the practice of ophthalmology. Many of the ophthalmologists practicing in New Jersey have never been certified by the ophthalmology board. Of the 36 physicians checked in the investigations into "quickie" exams, 33 had no specialized training in eye care.

The New Jersey 'State Board of Optometrists has firm controls over the practice of optometry. Every optometrist in New. Jersey has. been certified by the Board. By law, no optometrist may practice in a commercial establishment, such as a highway center, and optometrists' must perform' a minimum examination of 16 procedures that takes at least a half hour.

The New Jersey Optometric. Association- has been by short-order prescriptions since the mass-production centers appeared in the state. Now, because of the findings of these investiga tions, the association is seriously alarmed by the quickie eye exam and the highway shops. It is our hope that the pub-" lie is sufficiently alarmed to1 demand legislative changes that will protect us from what Mr. Irwin called "these opti cal sideshows.

MARIO J. PALLOTA, O.D. President 514 Greenwood Ave. Trenton, Feb. 8, 1972.

Jl alcohol" The alcoholic' is in the same position where he or she "left of or worse. Alcohol is indeed an ICBM. But let me wish the nonalco holic drinker the best of luck. "Bottoms up!" a RAYMOND R.YULL 121 Union St Ridgewood, Feb. 4, 1972- The alcoholic, some say, hurts only himself.

Untrue the ratio is 7 to 1. Family, friends, people on the job nearly everyone he or she comes in contact with except perhaps his barroom '-'friends" hardly friends in a true sense. When the money runs out so do the buddies in the tavern. Baffling because psychiatrists, psychologists, and doctors do not know whether alcoholism is a disease. The alcoholic cycle cannot end except in death in a mental institution.

But there are means to arrest the obsess-sion, if one desires. Willpower is of no use; try to stop diarrhea by willpower. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. But there are several paths to happy sobriety. One may find it in the Editor, The Record: From the news article on the inferior ways these highway eye centers are operating and from your editorial it appears that some unqualified "doc-'tors" are performing eye examinations and giving out incorrect prescriptions.

I think the State Board of Medical Examiners should tighten controls over eye aminations. Fortunately, my eye doctor is an optometrist who, he tells me, is prohibited by law from working for "one-stop" places and is required by law to perform many procedures in the act of examining my eyes. I hope something can be done to better protect the public against inferior eye care. BARBARA LEVIN 230 Van Houten Ave. Wyckoff, Feb.

8, 1972. Editor, The Record: I was gratified to read your Feb. 1 editorial titled "Mr. Irwin Sees a Need." The con It 5 a game for New Move Editor, The Record: I read with greatest interest Miss Nina Wood's article in the Feb. 7 The Record about the growth of interest in chess in Bergen County, undoubtedly largely due to the spectacular career of Bobby Fischer.

I was particularly pleased to learn of instruction in the schools of Englewood and other Bergen municipalities, in addition to the formation of chess clubs for players over 18. I was taught the moves by an uncle who also taught my older brother, and we both played on our high school team in Brooklyn. We played a lot with each other, and subsequently joined the Brooklyn Chess Club, one of two or three leading clubs in the country at the time. We made many friends through chess. We never had to worry about how to amuse ourselves in summer.

We bought chess magazines and books with our joint allowances and learned that chess is a really cheap pastime, because three or chess books (one of the openings, one on the end game, and one or two collections of tournaments or Cartoon Irreverent Editor, The Record: In The Record of Feb. 2, an otherwise good cartoon was ruined by the use of God's name in vain. The cartoonist and the editor who passed it may feel no reverence, but they forget there are thousands of your readers who do. Else you would never bother with your regular religion page. I hereby object to this descent into profanity.

GERTRUDE E. UNSEL P.O. Box 23 East Paterson, Feb. 4, 1972. Fare Hike Opposed Editor, The Record: I would call attention to the substantial fare increase of 10 cents per trip to be effected on all Inter-City lines into New York City.

This ignores both spirit and letter of the President's wage and price control program. We riders will be hit with an increase of nearly 20 per cent Feb. 27 unless we act quickly. Protests must be sent to the Interstate Commerce Commis -all 3T Jl tents of the been and to not the to of to in Insecticides Perilous surance companies would em- phasize the level of medical care to their clients rather all seasons. for Chess matches) would keep an ardent chess player busy perhaps a year.

There are excellent chess magazines everywhere. An excellent way to study German or 'another foreign language is to study a manual or collection of games in that language. There are-excellent weekly chess columns in American papers. Public libraries have books on chess. Games can be played by correspondence.

It is a universal game and almost every country has chess players. It is a fine army or other service game. I hope Bergen County schools and others will take up the game in a big way. FRANKLIN F.RUSSELL 100 East Palisade Ave. Englewood, Feb.

9, 1972. On Residency Editor, The Record: The Assembly and Senate (state) discussions on the residency law are at best pathetic. To allow public safety officers to reside outside the town or city in which they work gives them a "don't care" attitude. They tend to be lax in enforcing the laws of the community that employs them. This tends to breed lawlessness.

The result would be similar to the situation in New York City, where policemen, firemen, so-called district representatives and even lawmakers who supposedly represent certain districts do not even live in those locations. They are too busy collecting fringe benefits to pay for their affluent living surroundings. JOSEPH D.MATOS 92 Elmore Ave. Englewood, Feb. 8, 1972.

sion (ICC), Washington, D.C. by Feb. 14. I'm writing my Congressman, Henry Helsto-ski, immediately requesting him to eliminate this fare hike or at least hold it to a reasonable 5-cents. No one is going to halt this exorbitant fare rise unless commuters make that voters register opposition; Write those letters tonight it's your money.

J.R. REED 95 Morse Ave. Rutherford. Feb. 3.

1972. insi Insight is experience. a visual It is open to any photographer, amateur or professional, who would share his experience with others. Alcohol's Editor, The Record: "ICBM, Alcohol?" The Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is one of the most deadly weapons yet devised. But perhaps even more deadly is alcohol.

The ICBM has not yet been visited on mankind, but alcohol has. Alcohol is also an ICBM. "I Insidious. It operates stealthily on the human body and brain, causing deathj from cirrhosis of the liver, heart attacks, convulsions, delirium tremens, destruction-of brain cells, alcholic neuritis, and complete breakdown of the nervous system. It indirectly causes thousands of' deaths, by automobile accidents.

Cunning because the alcoholic is usually last to know he or she is afflicted with this so-called disease. Let's Act! Editor, The Record: Your Jan. 30 article "John Is Going Away And It Hurts" had great impact. Your staff writer, George James, is to be commended for his writings on handicapped children and the appalling lack of facilities available to them. Feb.

2 at 7:30 p.m. Channel 7 had a special report dealing with Willowbrook Hospital, an evil place for the mentally retarded. It made one shudder! This world needs more people like Mrs. Brancato, who will stand up and speak for Abbe Seldin She's challenged is no question of physical privacy. The statement attributed to Mr.

Fattings, principal of Union Hill High School in today's New York Times, saying inclusion of the girls would require female advisers, speaks for itself. If this is the best argument available against Miss Seldin's she's a shoo-in! BERNARD M. LEVY 533 Cross St. Westwood, Feb. 1, 1972.

i Uf church of his choice, others by revising habit patterns involving hobbies, social events, and sports. And there are the psychiatrist, the doctor, the psychologist. The most successful means thus far has been Alcoholics as hear as a telephone. Perhaps you are not an At Bergen Pines County Hospital an alcoholism clinic perhaps will provide the answer. Mysterious, key word in alcoholism.

The alcoholic may. abstain from that "one drink" for months, even years, yet he or she has an obsession for drink. On picking up a glass of alcohol again, the alcoholic soon finds out that the disease has progressed just as rapidly during complete abstention. How to win the battle? before such an action is executed, much serious thought will be given to it. Once our waters are poisoned, there is nothing left for us to do about it.

(Miss) LORI KRAFTE Age 16 6 Lynne Place Hillsdale, Feb. 17, 1972. Save the Horses Editor, The Record: We are great lovers of.hors-es and have heard a lot about -it i 4 i i Where's Advantage Editor, The Record: Can advocates of the so-called broad-based taxes (income and sales) list just one advantage that has accrued to. the owners of New York City abandoned real estate. New York State and City broad-based taxes have been in effect for years and are the highest in the nation.

JOHN J. MURRAY 441 Madison Ave. New Milford, Feb. 11, 1972. Lesemann Backed Editor, The Record: I was delighted to read that Art Lesemann is going to make a second run for the 7th District congressional seat held by Bill Widnall.

Besides being of high caliber and Mr. Lesemann is an eminently sensible man who brings a sturdy liberalism to the sometimes inane political dialogue we hear in Bergen County. I predict that Mr. Lesemann, for his good sense and straight talk, will receive ready votes from independent-minded voters like myself in his second election bid. IRVING THIELLE 0132 Yerger Road Fair Lawn, Feb.

16, 1972. On With Business Editor, The Record: Mrs. Gladys Hardcastle has finally received appointment as superintendent of elections for Bergen County. We are glad that this issue has at last been resolved and that she can proceed with the job of voter registration in Bergen. One of the most successful voter registration that since its inception 1967 has resulted in the registration of more than 35,000 new voters in Bergen County.

We look forward to an even more extensive out-of-office registration program under Mrs. Hardcastle's supervision in. her new capacity. '(Mrs.) SOPHIE HEYMANN President, League of Women Voters of Bergen County 14 Garry Road Closter, Feb. 18, 1972.

Sex Barrier in Sports A lonely disease less fortunate souls. In this enlightened age, it is sad to think that funds are spent on war without end and cutback' after cutback is experienced by institutions that care for the handicapped. I have known little John since birth. During his last visit to our home he put his hands under his face in sign language. He wanted a pillow.

This small act was a great step-forward. Our family will surely miss his visits. We are saddened to think that our lovely Garden State had to turn away yet another of its children. More articles of this nature, bringing the problem to the public, will perhaps someday permit other little Johns to have their rightful place in our midst. (Mrs.) LYNN GELPER 25 Wilbur Road Bergenfield, Feb.

3, 1972... Editor, The Record: Your article about Johnny Brancato was deeply mbving. I hope this article will move our state to provide help closer to home for children like Johnny. ELAINE IANORA 252 Pascack Ave. Emerson, Feb.

7. 1972. Editor, The Record: George James's recent article on Johnny Brancato was terrific. It's time someone had the guts to speak out on the inadequacies of our state in regard to its unprotected children. Mr.

James is honest and fair, with a compassion many reporters lack. Please don't let it end with one article. Keep after the pol iticians. Make them help these youngsters. It's an election' year, and you can do it.

ELEANOR RUSH 179 Hartland Ave. Emerson, Feb. 4. 1972. 'Editor, The Record: I am writing with reference the article headlined "Barrage Balloons May Be Used As Defense Against Moth Spraying." It is clear from the comments by spray proponents that they are not completely aware of the dangers of insecticides.

Although most people know that insecticide sprays are harmful, few realize that they can be fatal. Certain types of insecticides undergo chemical changes after entering the of plants or animals, making the drug even more toxic than it originally was. Once inside the system, some insecticides are stored instead of being excreted; in-other words, once it has entered the body, the toxin will remain there for quite some time. Although the suggested method (whereby balloons would designate those houses whose owners did not' wish their property to be sprayed) may appear to be a solution, it is in reality hardly an im- provement upon overall spraying. How many townspeople know that as soon as it rains the insecticide spray will contaminate ground water, thereby affecting everyone, not only the people who did not oppose the spraying? Once the ground water is contaminated, everything (including the water we drink) will carry insecticide.

And the contamination will not be confined to Oakland residents. Perhaps not enough people realize the potential danger of these insecticides. The list of damages is infinite. I think it is outrageous to impose the dangers of these toxic insecticides on anyone, especially those in no way involved in the" decision. I can only hope that the slaughtering of wild hors-.

programs evolved from the of-es. We are very worried that fice has been out-of-office Editor, The Record: Miss Abbe Seldin, Teaneck's tennis star, is to be congratulated for challenging the establishment with respect tc her right to play on the Tea-neck High School varsity tennis team. Public schools of my com munity have been among lead ers in promulgating expandec athletic programs for the girls. Having enough other special problems, however, this board was not about to even consider leading a fight to break the sex barrier in sports. Although no one questions the right of girls to participate in the bands, dramatic societies, glee clubs, debating so cieties, science fairs, and the like, an unfair distinction has been drawn with respect to such sports as golf, tennis, handball, swimming, and even baseball.

If the girl is good enough, she's good enough. Unlike the Navy, all our schools have separate toilet and dressing facilities for the girls, so there wild horses will become extinct about five years in the future. We wish men would stop killing wild horses for dog food manufacture. But then we would have another animal problem. Dogs would be left without their proper food.

But it breaks our hearts to have other animals become extinct. CHRISTINE HAUSER SUSAN SCHNEIDER 711 Grange Road 1972..