Re: Fair Gas Prices

[rgerrard@gte.net]

Ken and visionaries,
    I have a suggestion: don't buy your gas from the gougers.  The gas
station owners in Moscow obviously have no motivation to lower their prices.
So motivate them with something they understand.  Make them compete with
prices outside Moscow.
    The weather and roads have been great lately.  So, take a nice ride down
to Lewiston and buy buy your gas for $.99.

Rick Gerrard
Moscow

Ken Medlin wrote:

> Dear Visionaries:  You are no doubt aware that, a week or ten days after
> inquiries were made of a number of gaoline wholesalers and retailers in
> this area, pump prices have dropped about 4-5%, to between l.l2 and l.16
> in Moscow. We don't believe it's an accident or due to "fate" or just
> goodwill. Our active stance and word-of-mouth in support of fair
> treatment to consumers must have had some affect! Still, our prices range
> between 20 - 25% above those in southern Idaho and SE Washington, and
> about 10 - 15% above Spokane. Why?
>    We also wrote to the Better Business Bureau "serving the Inland
> Northwest", at the suggestion of the Moscow City Chamber of Commerce,
> giving  details about the gasoline prices here and the results of our
> direct inquiries (quotations from industry spokespersons and names of
> companies).  The B and B gave us a curt reply:  "We do not get involved
> in these issues".  Maybe if we could prove the gasoline is "watered down"
> somehow they would investigate! If any of you have a suggestion for
> further action, we'll listen. Thanks for all your interest.
>    I do agree with some who say that higher prices tend to discourage
> excess or needless use of the automobile. You are no doubt right. At the
> same time, those of us who are environmentally motivated would still
> substitute walking, biking and car-pooling whenever possible. As economic
> consumers, we have a right to what is fair in comparison to other
> citizens in the Region. Comment?
>
> ------------------------
> William K. Medlin
> Dev-plan associates
> 930 Kenneth Street
> Moscow ID 83843
> 208/892-0148
> dev-plan@moscow.com