<b>PONTOON LIGHTS</b></p><p> There are quite a few pontoon boaters on the lake who mistakenly use their dock lights for headlights.</p><p> I would like to pass on a friendly reminder that these lights are there to be used when docking your boat and should not be used when you are under way. They create glare and reduce visibility for you and other boats.</p><p> When boating at night your eyes must adjust to the low light conditions. When someone comes along and assaults your vision with bright dock lights, you become temporarily blinded creating an unsafe situation. Even after the offending vessel passes, it takes some time for your eyes to readjust to the low light conditions.</p><p> I'm sure that most of the offenders do not realize they are creating an unsafe situation. If you would pass this along, I'm sure that many boaters would appreciate it.</p><p><b>George Noeth</b></p><p><b>GAS UP</b></p><p> Understanding that gas prices are going up everywhere in every state, I have accepted that fact. What I do not understand is why the gas prices are now more expensive in Lake Wylie than in Charlotte. This past Thursday, three of the four gas stations from the Buster Boyd Bridge to the 49/274/557 intersection were charging $3.91 per gallon.</p><p> In the six years I have lived in Lake Wylie, I have never had to pay more for gas in South Carolina than our neighboring state. Thinking about it more, only a couple of times that I remember were N.C. gas stations within a few pennies close to our price per gallon. I used to chuckle as I passed Charlotte gas stations because I just paid 10 to 20 cents less in Lake Wylie. This changed this past week.</p><p> Last Thursday morning, when three of "our"four stations were $3.91, I passed multiple gas stations in Charlotte on Highway 49/South Tryon that were less than $3.91 and some were $3.85. If there is a just and fair reason, please explain as I am all for supporting local businesses in our wonderful area. Maybe the South Carolina state gas tax went up earlier this week and the politicians "snuck" it through because it is election year. If so, I must have missed that news day.</p><p><b> Jay Plueger</b>