End Times?

 

I don't mean to get all doomsdayish, but this is ridiculous!

As any Hudson or Greenport resident who own a gasoline burning vehicle knows, Fairview Avenue offers a multitude of options to fill up a gas tank.  It's part of the charm and beauty that is Hudson's and Greenport's short section of Route 9.  While none of the stations may be very pleasant to visit, at least they are there for us.  And thank goodness for them all!

Between the Stewart's gas station at the southern end of Fairview in Hudson and the Mobil gas station a mile or two away in Greenport at the northern end of Fairview, there are 5 more gas stations to choose from, 3 of which are clustered around the two intersections at the southern end of Joslen.  However, even 7 gas stations, all selling the same thing at about the same price, appear to be insufficient for the needs of local drivers.  

It turns out that there will soon be an 8th option on Fairview to fill up at.  A Quick Check is on the way, practically across the street from the Mobil station (directly in front of the Kohl's/Wal Mart/Lowe's plaza).  So, that's 8 gas stations (how many pumps?), 3 auto parts stores and 1.5 grocery stores (I don't consider ALDI a full-service grocer.  Do they even sell toothpaste?).  

If you've never had the pleasure of filling up at a Quick Check or even just seeing one, they are massive facilities, typically with at least 8 pumps (16 options) and a large convenience store.  Lots of concrete!  They've got it figured out, unlike the oil companies.  And if this Quick Check can stay staffed, it will most certainly put at least one of the nearby stations out of business, maybe even the Mobil across the street with all their uneven asphalt, broken signs, bongs, smoking pipes and unpriced beverages. Too bad! 

The insanity continues.

If you think our idiot so-called president started a war in the Middle East because of anything other than oil, I have news for you!

On a more positive note, DOT is planning on repaving all of the Greenport portion of Fairview Avenue sometime this summer.  (I've been told that Colarusso was awarded the job.)  Be prepared for delays; it could be ugly for a while.  Use Joslen when headed north out of Greenport.   

Simply because Hudson is a city, DOT does not touch any of our streets that happen to be State Routes.  Now that makes all the sense in the world, doesn't it?  DOT will only reimburse us -- with limits, of course -- for repairs and repaving of our Route 9, state-sponsored truck routes.

A few days ago, I filled up at one of the 7 gas stations on Fairview that I normally avoid, if only because of all the ignored potholes it has had forever. They were still there, worse than ever.  Before I left, I asked the fella in the booth when all the potholes were going to be filled.  He looked at me as if I was bothering him, snapping back in broken English, "No one ever complain to me before."   Okay.  And your point is what exactly?

I wouldn't be surprised if it's written policy at Quick Check:  NO POTHOLES WILL BE TOLERATED ON OUR PROPERTIES. NO BONGS WILL BE SOLD IN OUR CONVENIENCE STORES.  ALL OF OUR STORE'S ITEMS WILL BE PRICED.  OUR EXTERIOR SIGNS WILL NOT LOOK LIKE CRAP OR BE FALLEN OVER.  CUSTOMERS WILL BE GREETED WITH A SMILE AND THANKED.  RECEIPT PRINTERS ON GAS PUMPS WILL ALWAYS WORK!  

Wouldn't that be nice for a change?  

While I hate the name Quick Check (do they cash checks too?), I will probably give them a try.  If they're smart, like Stewart's, they'll offer free air for tires.  

Non-existent editor's note:  This piece originally claimed that there are 6 gas stations on Fairview.  Today on my bicycle, I passed the Valero station and realized I had failed to notice it yesterday.  When I had passed the 6th station yesterday, I guess I thought there couldn't possibly be a 7th!  Silly me.