New marker adds to region’s history

Editor, OBSERVER:

It was a pleasure being witness to the unveiling of a marvelous new historical marker commemorating Gen. Lafayette’s visit to our village of Fredonia in 1825. Many thanks to Historian Todd Langworthy, Mayor Doug Essek, town Supervisor Dan Pacos, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Pomeroy Foundation for securing the historical plaque.

Special thanks to Mayor Essek for his remarks on the importance of preserving history. Our country has much to be proud of and much to repent. It’s important to learn from our history.

GAIL CROWE,

Fredonia

Water study offers insight for village

Editor, OBSERVER:

Three SUNY Fredonia University students took turns presenting the conclusions of their semester-long study to the Fredonia Village Board of Trustees at a Monday workshop on May 15.

They concluded that property owners that use water from the Fredonia supply for purposes such as yard and garden irrigation, car-washing, and the filling of swimming pools would benefit financially by purchasing a second water meter to record flow for those purposes. This is because wastewater bills are based on metered water use. However, if water is used for irrigation, car-washing, or pool-filling, this water does not flow into the wastewater lines.

Wastewater and water use appear as separate lines on quarterly bills.

The students concluded that the property-owner’s purchase of a second water meter measuring flow to irrigation or pool-filling would permit that owner to deduct that flow from the main meter reading, thus reducing the wastewater charge. The village meter reader would record the two readings each quarter.

SUNY Fredonia University Associate Professor of Mathematics Lan Cheng organized the project in the winter with the Village Board. Subsequently, students examined the Village’s water use records of fourteen property owners who consented to participate. The students noticed that water use was greater in summer quarters than winter quarters and drew the connection with irrigation, car-washing, and swimming pool use after interviewing selected property owners.

Secondly, the students noticed that water use has been decreasing over years, even when the property owner remains the same. They attribute this to more efficient water-using household appliances, especially dish-washers, clothes washers, and toilets.

MICHAEL C. BARRIS, Ph.D.,

Fredonia

Catholic rebound picking up steam

Editor, OBSERVER:

I am responding to your recent article, “Catholic parishes see structural changes.”

When there is a priest shortage as has happened in recent years the solution spelled out in the article sharing a priest among several churches makes a lot of sense. However, a discussion of falling numbers of members in the Catholic Church is not as serious as it sounds! Today there are very large numbers of young people converting to the Catholic Church!

The increase in numbers is especially noticeable on college campuses that have active Catholic Newman Clubs. The graduates are becoming active members of the Catholic Church. At some college campuses the number of conversions to Catholicism via the Newman Clubs is very large!

WILLIAM R. PARKS,

Hershey, Pa.