NIAGARA FALLS — Countless Niagara area motorists make weekly trips to the Tuscarora Indian Reservation to fill their gas tanks.
Business at Smokin’ Joe Anderson’s and at other Indian-owned service stations in Western New York has risen steadily in the past several months as a result of soaring gas prices.
On Friday, the average price on the Reservation in Lewiston was $2.84 per gallon, compared to $3.03 and $3.05 in downtown Niagara Falls.
The story, however, has a different twist in other regions.
A recent survey of gasoline prices on Indian lands elsewhere in the U.S. shows prices ranging from a low of $2.71 per gallon at Fort Hall, Idaho, to $3.28 in Chinle, Ariz.
While Smokin’ Joe’s properties were not part of that survey, his prices appear among the lowest of all who participated in the report.
Away from the Niagara area, thousands of Native Americans on 50 reservations in 24 states are angry about what they consider record-high gas prices.
“In Indian Country, where poverty and unemployment rates tend to be higher than other areas in the country, filling up has become downright painful,” Michelle Tirado, an editor with the American Indian Report, writes in the latest issue.
By the way, that $3.03 price at many stations in Niagara County is cheaper than what the White Mountain Apache tribe sells gas for in Arizona.
The escalating prices on the reservations, as you might expect, tempt some people to simply fill up and drive off — without paying. One Indian owner estimated that every time a motorist steals $10 of gas, he has to sell $100 of more fuel to offset the loss.
Off the reservations, many of the self-serve gas stations are requiring customers to pay before pumping. In many cases, there are signs warning violators that they will be prosecuted.
•••
WORTHY CAUSE: Parishioners throughout the eight-county Buffalo Catholic Diocese are participating this weekend in a nationwide fundraising drive to assist with hurricane relief efforts in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Biloxi, Miss.
The Buffalo Diocese has a long record of responding to humanitarian needs. In 2005, the Buffalo Diocese raised more than $1.3-million in an emergency collection.
•••
TIMELY TOPIC: Lewiston resident Marty Friedrich is excited about his first book, “Iron Men of Baseball: Major League Leaders in Consecutive Games Played, 1876-2005,” to be published within a week or two.
The 291-page softcover book ($35) will be available on line from Amazon. com and Barnes & Noble.
Friedrich is a mail carrier assigned the Main Post Office in Niagara Falls.
•••
HIGH IN THE SKY: You just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the famous Canadian Forces Snowbirds today when they perform at the annual Wings & Wheels Niagara Air Show and Car Show.
The nine-plane demonstration squadron will be featured during the noon to 4 p.m. show at the Niagara District Airport in St. Catharines, Ont.
The Snowbirds have been known to take a swing over the falls for a photo opportunity or two.
Contact Don Glynn
at 282-2311, Ext. 2246.
Columns
Indians also fed up with high gas prices
- Columns
-
-
HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
- No Headline Provided
-
GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
-
BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
-
CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
-
CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
-
GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
-
HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
-
GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt
Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
