Letter to the Editor

Readers express their anger at the high price of gas locally

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Dear editor:

Look Out Gas Station Owners!

There is a new self-appointed, "Gas Price Czar in town!" And I am ready to light the fire that has been smoldering in our nice quiet little town for quite a while. With all of the complaints that have been rolling into city hall, and (a television station) showing up Monday evening on Jan. 5, it seemed that it was time for me to quit complaining to the TV, the wall, etc., and stand up and try to be a crusader for the rest of us litle folks like you and me.

I called (a local gas station) who is a major price driver here in town on Jan. 6 when gas was 2.19 a gallon. Asked their corporate office what Boise stores were charging? 1.85! Told her we were going to start boycotting them and everybody else in town if they didn't drop their price here in Mountain Home to within a dime of Boise. Today, Jan. 7, as a pacifying effort, it was mighty kind of them to drop it a whole 10 cents.

Whoopee! That don't cut it in my book of rules of engagement. Not within the 10 cent difference to us that I want to see and neither should you.

These kind, generous, compassionate souls (and a couple of our local owners are) have been gouging us for quite some time (years). I think we have more than paid for their Christmas presents and what not long enough.

Granted not illegal to gouge. It is time "David" starts hitting back at the "Goliaths" here in town.

They effect and hamper every aspect of our local economy and livelihoods. Yes all of us. Small businesses of all kinds, realtors, day care, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, landscapers, single parents, disabled vets, seniors, even your tax dollars for the police and fire fleets, etc.

I get it, you get it and they do and don't care. Probably what they told city hall.

It's time to stand up. Quit getting the shaft... and in our pocketbook. Don't want to put anybody out of busisiess, but quit choking your own town to death!

If we are united in voice and action we will prevail. I propose that we make up some signs saying "Boycott Mountain Home Gas' and "Buy Your Gas In Boise, It's 30 cents Cheaper" and at least four of us stand outside on the sidewalks next to the driveways of every one of them this following Saturday, Jan. 17, (with news coverage of course) if they haven't gotten the hint after this article comes out.

I will need about 30 folks with signs to pull this boycott off. The more the merrier. If that doesn't get the price within a dime of Boise, then we can organize car caravans of 50-100 cars (news coverage again of course!). Could call it Boise gas price appreciation day? We go to Boise, fill up our tanks (that should probably be between half and three quarters full), and our statement is made.

Everybody would document how many gallons they purchased, send into Mountain Home News to be tallied and put in the next week edition, so Goliath can see how much business they lost! And the next week and next, you know where I'm going if necessary.