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Peoples column

A possible answer to high pump prices

A possible answer to high pump prices Editor, OBSERVER: Commentary writer Fred Larson inquired last month as to why gas prices are so high in Chautauqua County. Historically, most gasoline marketed in Chautauqua County has been transported by barge from refineries in Port Elizabeth, N.J., by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. From there it is transferred to tanker trucks for delivery in Chautauqua County. Communities along the Erie Canal have long had lower prices than Chautauqua County communities. The extra step in transferring petroleum from barge to truck is the reason for ...

People’s column

Bowled over by support Editor, OBSERVER: Chautauqua Area Potters is in awe of the support that is demonstrated as we worked with our community raising funds to rid hunger where we live. Those of you who signed on as supporters, bowl makers, raffle ticket buyers, volunteers, and anyone who advocated for Empty Bowls, we thank you. We are deeply grateful for ongoing support from the OBSERVER, Lake Shore Savings Band and Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. You are all unbelievably generous and truly make Chautauqua County and our world a better place. CHAUTAUQUA AREA POTTERS

People’s column

Village meters tied to water issues Editor, OBSERVER: A writer of the letter “Trustees cannot overlook water losses” (Nov. 19), states “the village has a 50% water loss rate due to leaks at the present time.” My argument is that this apparent loss is primarily due to metering inaccuracy rather than to leaks. Fredonia Mayor Athanasia Landis and I, as village trustee, discussed this issue privately with Department of Public Works personnel during my time in office from 2018 to 2019. Unfortunately, the issue was not resolved before the end of my term. Devin M. Stoker, ...

People’s column

Historic plaque’s return sought in city Editor, OBSERVER: A big thanks to our city Historian, Diane Andrasik, for a marvelous lecture on the life of Capt. Charles D. Tinley at the Dunkirk Museum on Veterans Day. Capt. Tinley was a teacher and then principal of our Industrial High School prior to serving in World War II. Tinley survived the Bataan Death March, only to die of starvation in a POW camp in Japan. There is a monument to him in our Veterans Memorial Park and he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. More of his story can be found at ...

People’s column: No facts to back turbine opposition

Editor, OBSERVER: The most striking feature of the OBSERVER article (Nov. 19), “District opposes wind turbines on Lake Erie,” is its failure to offer evidence in support of its arguments. What facts did the Water District rely on to determine that a wind turbine project on the lake will pollute our drinking water? I raise this issue because NYSERDA has undertaken a feasibility study regarding wind turbines in Lake Erie, but that study has not yet been completed. It seems only logical to have the results of this comprehensive study before making a decision that may be based on ...

People’s column

County must lead on new Brooks-TLC Editor, OBSERVER: There is absolute unanimous opinion that the northern Chautauqua County community fully supports a new micro hospital for the greater Dunkirk-Fredonia area. Our county government must now step up to get the state funded micro-hospital built. The bottom line remains that New York state will apparently not release millions in designated dollars for the new micro hospital until a solution is arrived at as to how cover the projected multi-million-dollar annual losses following construction of any new micro hospital. Only our ...