Below you’ll find a set of letters written to the editor, and published in the Vol. 29 No. 12 edition of the Norwood News:

Frequent Fast Foods: Fattening
In your issue dated May 12-May 25, 2016, the article entitled “Chew on This: Fast Food Can Lead to Health Risks,” it is mentioned that teens choose to eat at fast food places for a “quick, affordable, and convenient meal.”

While this may be true it can apply to people of all ages, including young kids, preteens and seniors. I venture to guess that not only are the meals prepared speedily, but for the most part can be tasty, and diners may tend to overeat. In addition, the temptation of sweets, desserts and sugared drinks can be a negative at fast food places, as super-sizing is common.

The eateries are in business to make a profit as quickly as they make the food and wouldn’t concern themselves over their high caloried fare, a customer’s food intake, or possible weight gain. Much of the food is not only breaded, but also deep fried, which means loads of calories, probably a lot more than the average consumer’s recommended total daily intake…a great way to gain weight.

Frequent meals at these establishments can put on the pounds, causing obesity. Those who work out and exercise may be able to work off the extra calories, but if not, the weight stays on.

Much is written about obesity, but the decision on how much to eat is made by the consumer, not by the restaurant. In your article, a teen is quoted as saying that he eats fast food near his school because “it’s all that’s available.”

Whatever happened to the notion of students bringing a healthy lunch to school? It not only may be better than eating out, but also less expensive. In general, it’s a good idea to eat any kind of food in moderation. While it’s nice to eat out sometimes, eating fast food daily is not only a way to gain unwanted weight, but to be on the quick road to health risks and obesity.
Judy Noy
Norwood Resident

Medical Marijuana is Legal in New York
Why is the media keeping this quiet? Many people can be helped. Early in January, the NYS Dept. of Health opened eight medical marijuana dispensaries. A few doctors have already secured the NYS prescribed medical marijuana certification. One doctor, Dr. O’Brien, located on the East Side of Manhattan on 60th [Street] and Lexington Avenue has already helped over 200 of his patients with excellent results. To find out more about this NYS program or about his medical practice, call (212) 201-9122 or go drtommyo.com.
Carole
Naples, FL

Mailbox ‘Fishers’ Strike Again
We noticed an article in the Feb. 4-17 Norwood News about Mailbox ‘Fishers’ that mentioned only the 52nd Precinct investigating this type of activity on the Grand Concourse. Our neighbors near the Oval Park should be aware that a very similar crime happened ‘closer to home’ than the Grand Concourse. On Jan. 1, [2016], my wife and I were walking our dog in the Oval Park and found mail that I had deposited in the mailbox at Wayne Avenue and Williamsbridge Reservoir Oval East the evening before. The mail was opened —of course— and we also found several other pieces of opened mail, some of which very probably had included checks to pay bills.

The return addresses on that mail were all in Zip 10467 except one. I mailed the [mutilated] mail to those return addresses and personally went to the main 10467 post office on Gun Hill Road just east of White Plains Road to let them know where mail had been stolen and tampered with. Since your article does not mention evidence of mail theft where we certainly found it, I am wondering whether the post office advised the police.

As I am sure you know, the mailbox mentioned above is only two blocks from your office. Maybe another little article is in order to let our immediate neighbors know to be careful when and where they put things in the U.S. mail. I suspect the action against my mail would not have happened if I had mailed it early in the day, expecting it to be picked up that day, during daylight hours.
Frederick J. Kurtz
Norwood Resident