Local gas prices reach record high
Cost per gallon shoots up nearly 30 cents on Wednesday.
COMMENTS: How will this affect you?
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
LIBERTY TWP. — There was a traffic jam Wednesday morning, May 7 as customers at the Kroger Marketplace at the Liberty Commons Shopping Centre rushed to buy gas before prices jumped.
One woman asked those standing outside their vehicles, "Did I make it in time?"
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The price of gas at Kroger at Liberty Commons Shopping Centre in Liberty Twp. around 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 7 is adjusted to $3.79, 22 cents more that the previous price that morning.
The price of gas at Kroger at Liberty Commons Shopping Centre in Liberty Twp. is seen around 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 7 just before shooting up more than 20 cents to reach $3.79.
Get latest headlines via RSS feedsThere was a sense of camaraderie as drivers celebrated their good fortune.
Many gas stations around town had already raised prices nearly 30 cents from the average $3.50 per gallon price tag.
Kroger fuel center manager James Davenport calmly refilled his vehicle, assuring the woman she made it just in time.
He had just received the call from the corporate office to change the signs and decided first, like any other consumer, to make sure to fill up.
It is a perk of the job, he conceded.
Walking toward the sign on Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Davenport held up his electronic controller, commanding the numbers to roll slowly upward like a car odometer.
"When people come up to the pump, they think it's my fault," Davenport said. "People get mad at me and think I'm raising the prices.
Some days, he said he wonders if he should duck and cover from the raging passersby. As he turned to head back to change the pumps, he braced himself for the grumbling to commence.
"I pay the same gas prices as they do," he said.
AAA spokeswoman Elaine Zeinner said there might be several reasons for the day's spike, but one theory is the record high crude oil prices at $121 per gallon.
On Tuesday, crude oil futures were at record prices, nearing $123. The Department of Energy has reported that U.S. inventories are strong, Zeinner said, but it is possible to see increases in price.
The U.S. Department of Energy released a report in April that in the first quarter, the demand for gas was down a percent from last year at this time when gas averaged $3.20 a gallon.
"It's pretty easy to guess people are going to start driving less and less," she said.
According to the Web site gasbuddy.com, this is the highest gas prices have risen in the Cincinnati area. Six years ago at this time, gas was $1.38 a gallon. California drivers are paying the most at about $3.92 a gallon, the highest in the country, with Alaska and Hawaii close behind.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Middletown had the lowest prices and some gas station employees said they didn't expect prices to go up right away.
Tim Mueller of the Swifty Service Station said his station was busy.
"It's been crazy," he said. "For the most part, it will probably be busy all day."
Heath Johansen, assistant manager of the Shell station on Hamilton-Mason Road, said customers have been getting easily frustrated and testy with employees, sometimes shouting obscenities.
As prices go up on the sign, he said people race to beat the increase.
But even with the increases, he said purchasing habits most likely won't change.
"They're not stopping," he said. "They need gas and we're a place to get it."
Comments
By Earl Grey
May 8, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Why are the gas price going up? Because they CAN (raise them)… It’s that simple.
By Swagr
May 7, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Nobody may like you Phil Man, but they gotta’ respect you. Anyone who is willing to “toot their own horn” for some chance of relief from the many problems of today’s world has to be respected. Don’t let it get Ya’ down Phil Man, keep “sounding off” whenever you feel like it. Nobody may like you Phil Man, but they gotta’ respect you!
By LAW
May 7, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Look, it’s gasoline; don’t buy it, don’t go to work! I’m sure you bunch of fat hillbillies don’t go without chips, bologna, Coke, etc., or care how much it costs. There’s an easy solution: Get a second job, if in fact you have a first job. Oh, Have a Nice Day!
By Chris
May 7, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Do you really think Bush/Cheney care what we think or feel? If we are forced to choose between buying gas or food? We in order to keep our jobs so we can keep our houses we have to buy gas. Guess who profits the most? Bush and Cheney!! It is no secret Cheney used to head Halliburton, and now Halliburton has all the contracts in the Middle East. Bush and Cheney are on their way out, and are now maximizing their profits.
Think congress will investigate them? Unlikely.
By Mary
May 7, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
I, too, am sick and tired of paying the prices at the pump but is anyone else noticing how many people insist on driving huge vehicles - usually one person to a car? I know driving is a necessary evil but isn’t it time to scale down? And while I’m at it -The eating places around town are always crowded, it seems, and those same folks, driving everywhere, are hanging on cell phones - nobody’s complaining about the cost of cell phone usage or the cost of eating out! Simplify!
By Phil Man
May 7, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
I’m more concerned with how my gas problem affects everyone else. Nobody likes me.
By Sad
May 7, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
I was a struggling mother before the cost of gas & food went off the charts. Now its either get gas in the car to drive to work to pay the utility bill, get groceries to feed my family or pay my house payment and utility bill and not eat. Everyday I’m on the verge of tears cause I can’t make ends meet and cannot even buy my kids the shoes and clothing they need and haven’t bought myself anything in years. I work hard everyday and make decent money, but it just isn’t enough to get by anymore.
By stacey
May 7, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
The gas prices keep rising because the economy is in a slump and people are afraid to invest money in things that might tank. Oil/gas is pretty much a sure thing so people invest in the oil market increasing the prices. If people would just take a deep breath and realize that all the hype about living “green” and “food shortages” isn’t as dramatic as it sounds the prices would fall. They might not fall as low as they were before this happened but they would stop rising.
By Paul Howard
May 7, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
If I hear the term “corporate greed” repeated one more time, I’ll puke. They make the same or less percentage as the rest of the world. What gives you a right to say how much they can make? Any given oil company makes 8% net. Maybe you’ll all be happy when big goverment takes all company profits and they have to fire everyone and the other businesses that depend on them dry up as a result. With no gas, who’s going to drive you to your PETA rally then? Welcome to Bedrock, Fred.
By Paul Howard
May 7, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Yes it’s bad, but it’s not the American gas companies…it’s the low value dollar, taxes and OPEC.
If you get 30 MPG for example, here’s what it costs you: $2.50 = 8¢/mile $3.00 = 10¢/mile $3.50 = 12¢/mile $3.79 = 13¢/mile
My me, my 64 mile commute costs me: $2.50 = $26.67/week $3.00 = $32.00/week $3.50 = $37.33/week $3.79 = $40.43/week
My annual cost for gas has gone up by nearly $700 so either go drill ANWAR or give me a shovel and I will. Enough already.
By Dale
May 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
When will enough be enough oil companies are making record profits while the average american gets closer and closer to losing there homes. the unchecked corperate greed that is going on without any kind of regulation has to stop! the question is how?
By Kasey
May 7, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Another depression maybe? I know I won’t be spending the 600 dollars were getting. So much for the economy boost.
By Kasey
May 7, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Another depression maybe? I know I won’t be spending the 600 dollars were getting. So much for the economy boost.
By stephen
May 7, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
people has to realize we dont live in the 1950’s anymore.time moves on
By michelle
May 7, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
whats wrong with world when were having to choose between gas and groceries? be able to go to work or eat…and whats going to happen when we cant do either?
By michelle
May 7, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
whats wrong with the world when we have to choose between groceries and gas to get to work?
By Autumn
May 7, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Why are the gas price going up?