Once again I write to address my favorite pet peeve: inexcusably high gas prices.

However, to begin on a positive note (just to show that I am capable of it!):

Thank you North Country This Week for your March 25-31 article (business section) about gas stations in St. Lawrence County that are charging $1.99 a gallon while every other gas station of which I am aware was charging $2.35.

Second, kudos and thanks to Parkway Express in Potsdam and Lamphere's Market in Hopkinton for charging a reasonable amount for their gas. I drove some distance to Parkway today just to experience paying $1.99 for gas. For once, it didn’t hurt.

To the price gouging stations charging $2.35: Shame on you.

Even at this time of sheltering at home, significantly higher amounts of oil being produced worldwide and a rapidly sliding national economy, these people continue to rip off the public. And amazingly people continue to pay these exorbitant prices as though they didn't have any choice.

I have written before about stations in Alexandria Bay and Watertown charging significantly lower prices for gas than St. Lawrence County stations and encouraged people to travel a reasonable distance for significantly lower prices.

Now, North Country This Week has made us aware of two stations right here in St. Lawrence County where we can purchase gas for 36 cents a gallon less than other stations.

I, for one, shall continue to travel to Parkway for my gasoline. These people deserve to supported by everyone who doesn't have money to burn. I applaud them and thank them.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, these price gouging stations will have no incentive to lower their prices until their high prices cost them a significant amount of business. Vote with your dollars!

Now that we know that two fine stations (hopefully to be joined by others in the future) I guess we'll find out who are people and who are sheeple.

Michael P. Ribley

Canton