Are you ready to pay more than $4 a gallon? Well, you might not have a choice. The national average hit $4 a gallon Sunday, June 8, and East Texas is feeling the pinch at the pumps and in the pocket.
Local fueling stations are noticing a drop in food and beverage sales because of rising prices and tightening wallets. Employee Andy Bashim of Mr. Minit in Commerce has noticed consumer buying changes and dropping sales.
“When the gas prices are this high, my inside sales drop,” said Bashim. “People are paying almost $4 for gas, and they can’t afford drinks or cigarettes. How do they expect people who make $6 an hour on minimum wage to pay $4 a gallon for gas? And a lot of people drive to Dallas for work, that’s 60 miles one way for work, how can people afford it?
“My sales have dropped significantly, and there’s nothing else store owners can do. I’m mad. Business is not up and sales keep dropping. It costs me $40,000 to fill my holding tanks and I’m only making $700.”
According to a survey found at AAA.com, gas prices have hit an all-time high making the statewide average $3.86 a gallon, which is a weekly jump of 11 cents. The national average price rose 13 cents making a new record of $3.99 a gallon. The survey, conducted once a week and released June 8, also showed that the most expensive gasoline in Texas was in Dallas, where prices rose 3 cents a gallon and now costs $3.87 a gallon. Texarkana has the cheapest gasoline at $3.81 a gallon.
NYtimes.com reports that rural areas are hurting the most. The Times reports that some farm workers are borrowing money from their bosses so they can fill their tanks and get to work. Some are even switching jobs seeking shorter commutes. Kimberly Webb is a Hunt county resident who is in the process of switching jobs to save on gas money.
“When we lived in Plano, driving to downtown Dallas was not that bad,” Webb. “But when we moved to our farm in Merit, we were shocked at how much more money we spent on gas. We spent about $700 a month when I was driving to Dallas every day. Now that I am working less and trying to find something closer to home, it’s about $500 a month.”
Kimberly said her husband is also doing everything he can to save money and is now looking to more eco-friendly ways to save.
“The gas prices are making it hard for me to drive to Plano everyday. We’re building a house right now so the higher prices are making it an extreme impact on us. I work at the production facility for The Dallas Morning News, and gas prices are impacting the employees so much that they are now switching to a four-day work week,” Dan Webb said.
“I’m also going to start riding my motorcycle to work. I have a small car right now that I’m driving but when my wife and I go out I want to take my nice big truck. It’s a diesel so it’s expensive to drive as well. I’m interested in getting some type of bio-diesel system that’s going to save money, and Ford is coming out with an all electric truck that I’m interested in getting. But at this point, something needs to be done…and fast.”
Consumers like Rachel Cameron, who was filling up her tank at Mr. Minit in Commerce, are trying to find new ways to save money.
“Gas prices are ridiculous, but thank God I have a Hyundai that gets good gas mileage,” said Cameron. “I don’t know what I’ll do if they get any higher. Lately, I’ve been doing everything I can to get more miles out of my tank, like checking tire pressure, getting oil changes, and keeping up with maintenance. I’ve also been speeding less and combining all of my errands. But, there’s only so much a person can do.”
AAA.com also has tips on saving gas and gaining mileage. According to the Web site, the most common action taken in the past two months was combining errands. However, there are other things that can help — reducing overall driving, cutting back on eating out or entertainment, using a vehicle with the best fuel economy, checking tires for proper inflation, telecommuting, canceling vacations, using other means of transportation and carpooling.
Texas A&M; University-Commerce students also feel the pain at the pump. Stephanie Garrett is a sophomore English major who decided to take the summer off because of the cost of the commute.
“Gas prices are getting so high that people are going to have to walk or bike everywhere. Commuting students are definitely going to start to feel the pinch,” said Garrett. “I’ve really had to start shopping less and I’m trying to conserve any way I can.”
Marthe Stinton is a student at Texas A&M; University-Commerce in Dr. Lamar Bridges’ summer journalism class.
Local News
Gas crunch hitting Commerce residents
- Local News
-
-
CISD School Board announces special session for May 31
Commerce ISD Board of Trustees announced a special meeting for May 31 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the CISD Professional Development Room at 3315 Washington St.
-
Annual golf classic to benefit college scholarships
The 42nd Annual Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Scholarship Golf Classic will be held on June 8 Sand Hills Golf Country Club, one of the top-rated nine-hole golf courses in the state of Texas. Check in will begin at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at noon.
-
Community turns out to ‘save the library’
More than 50 people, including the newly-elected Mayor Dr. John Ballotti, attended the “Save the Library” event on May 17 held at City Hall. The event demonstrated the services the library offers to the citizens of Commerce and informed citizens of a project that will restore the 95 year old building and make it handicap accessible.
-
Perry slated to make local stop
Texas Governor Rick Perry plans to visit downtown Greenville this week.
Perry will be appearing at the Landmark on Lee Street, 2980 Lee, at 5 p.m. Wednesday. -
CISD Board of Trustees to meet Monday night
The Commerce ISD Board of Trustees will meet at 6:15 p.m. in the CISD Board Room tonight. The board will recognize the CHS valedictorian and salutatorian, consider an appointee for CISD Board of Trustees Place 7, and receive an update on Communities In Schools.
-
Harvey receives CISD award
Scott Harvey of KETR FM was recently named to the 2012 Media Honor Roll by Commerce ISD. Sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards, (TASB) the Media Honor Roll program recognizes reporters statewide for fair and balanced reporting of news about public schools. Media representatives from more than 470 Texas newspapers, radio and television stations and online publications were honored by their local school districts.
-
Commerce Lions event raises funds, helps children
On May 8, Commerce Lions Club held their 46th Annual Commerce Lions Club Carnival in downtown Commerce. Proceeds from the event went towards charities and projects they support, such as the Commerce Skatepark Project and vision clinics.
-
New officers sworn in, council updated on sewer
Mayor John Ballotti was sworn in as mayor at the Commerce City Council meeting held on May 15. Newly elected Emma Martin and incumbent Sue Davis were sworn in to City Council Places 2 and 4, respectively.
-
'Save the Library' meeting set for 7 p.m. May 17
The Commerce Public Library is holding a town hall meeting May 17 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting, titled "Save the Library" will discuss the necessary steps in resoring the 95 year old building to its 1972 condition, the year the library took the building over from the city. The library used to house the Commerce Post Office, which is now next door.
-
Dr. Johnson receives Lifetime Achievement Award from NASW
Dr. Robert E. L. Johnson was awarded the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Lifetime Achievement Award at the April 26 Social Work Profession Day awards luncheon.
- More Local News Headlines
-
CISD School Board announces special session for May 31
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
