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Gas prices changing area spending habits
Published Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Photo by Zak Holtan
Ashley Whaley pumps gas Tuesday afternoon at Holiday on Union Ave.
There’s a reason Merce Ehrich drives his Ford Aspire over his Chevy truck — and it’s not for the leg room.
“My truck is probably $50 to fill up,” Ehrich said as he topped off the tank on his Aspire Wednesday morning at M and H in Fergus Falls. “I can hardly afford to ever drive that one.”
Ehrich isn’t the only who’s suffering, as Minnesota’s per gallon average has reached $3.15, up from $2.59 a year ago, according to AAA.
In Fergus Falls, most stations sat $3.11 early Wednesday, with Lakeway Market ($3.12) and Stop-N-Go ($3.19) the exceptions.
Those prices fall especially hard on commuters like Jim Allen, who works in construction and drives from his home on East Battle Lake to Fergus Falls every day. Considering the $60 he spends to fill his truck every four days or so, Allen said he’ll need to start cutting back on other expenses.
“I’m gonna have to for sure because I keep having to work everyday — I’m not old enough to retire yet,” he said. “I feel for some people who are on Social Security and fixed incomes because then they really have to cut somewhere.”
Gerald Kalenda relies on his Ford Mercury Topaz not only to get to work but to complete his job. Kalenda has delivered The Journal for about 10 years and spends about $35 on gas every other day.
“Like me, I have to drive,” he said as he filled up at Holiday Wednesday. “If I don’t deliver the paper, I don’t have a job.”
Yet relief seems a ways away. The federal government’s Energy Information Administration predicts the monthly average gasoline price will peak at $3.50 a gallon this spring, with diesel averaging $3.70 per gallon in April.
Combined with the rising cost of milk, eggs and other groceries, Fergus Falls drivers say something needs to be done — and fast.
“I don’t know where it’s going to go,” Ehrich said of gas prices, “but it’s got to be stopped.”
“It’s all going to come to a head one of these days and nobody is going to have any money,” Kalenda said.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
But the big oil companies in yesterdays hearing before Congress said they NEED the $18 billion dollar corporate income tax exemptions to continue or they won't have enough $$$ to continue looking for renewable resources...or build more refineries....or invest in alternative fuels....
Oh yeah, and they had over $120 billion dollars of net profit last year. I feel so bad for them.
Posted by AndyMosity (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I promise you, things won't change until the public changes their driving habits...the oil companies have no incentive to change.
Posted by SunnyD (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah, then the state needs to add a gas tax on top of everything. If people change their driving habits and drive less, then why do they need to add a gas tax to improve our roads. I think they should use it to improve the trails for our horses that we will using in the future.
Posted by Commycrat (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey AndyMosity why don't we raise gas prices to $5 a gallon. Force your attitude on everyone if you can. While your at it think about one question. Whats killing the earth more, poverty or prosperity? When you answer that question maybe we can stop taxing americans into poverty. I hope you injoy your country club dues!!! As for the rest of you I hope you are all injoying the change that you voted for!!!
Posted by Apatriot (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ya Andymosity I don't want your ideas of change forced on me in the form of taxes and increased prices. I voting republican this year, I am sick of the change your party has put forth.
Posted by AndyMosity (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The fact of the matter is this - the U.S. enjoys some of the lowest tax rates of the industrialized nations. In general, citizens of this country are not being "taxed into poverty". They might spend themselves into poverty...they may take out bad mortgages...they may run up astronomical medical bills that they can't possibly pay...or live off their credit cards, but I don't honestly believe taxes are going to push a person over the edge.
Something I’ve read on a bumper sticker recently gave me pause to think - I've learned in the past few years it's that "Freedom isn't Free"...so, I will happily pay my membership dues to enjoy this fine country. And, while everyone is complaining about the higher taxes on gas, I'll simply drive less...or change my mode of travel (I’ve been eyeing a nice motorcycle)…or move closer to work. In the mean time, I'll take serious consideration of the candidates before voting. That way I can still enjoy my top shelf gin and tonic at the country club, and watch the rest of the morons continue to assign blame to someone else.
Posted by Commycrat (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What are you proposing that we catch up with Europe’s tax scams? Elitism is a disease that many socialist are rank with, I am glad you exposed yourself. As for the rest of us morons we are going to gladly send the Democrats home in November and bring some real change back to Minnesota, change that we all can live with, like jobs not taxes.
Posted by AndyMosity (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think you should look at the new gas tax as a "user fee"...then maybe it won't hurt so much.
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