Gas theft in town, Ike spikes prices

AMERICUS — Gas prices reached the upper limits within minutes all across the southern states Friday and Saturday as Hurricane Ike slammed into the gulf, causing a panic and a run for the pumps. The cost for a gallon of gas has already reached beyond the all-time high of $4. In some areas of the state of Georgia, gas has been reported at $6 a gallon.

In Sumter, Schley, Macon and Marion counties, Friday and Saturday, gas stations seemed to have been playing a ping pong match with prices changing rapidly, with only a few stations staying below $4; others, it was reported, reached prices as high as $4.89 a gallon.

Local Americus gas station, Wayne’s World, and others, had to close early Friday due to running out of gas.

At a gas station at U.S. Highways 280 and 18, the lines for gas extended out into the highway, and employees had to go out to direct traffic.

Two drivers became angry with each other, according to nearby Huddle House employees, Margaret Tondee and Diana Hollis, and almost exchanged blows.

“This one lady cut in front of another at the line,” explained Hollis.

Tondee, who is from Americus, but has family in Ellaville, Buena Vista and other parts of the state, said, “I don’t think it’s fair, especially to the people who have to work. The government should do something to put a stop to this gas gouging.”

Kimberly Pickett, of Plains, said, “The gas prices are ridiculous. But you know, what are we going to do? There is no use in complaining. I mean, one minute the prices are up and the next the prices are down. What are we going to do? I drive a Yukon. It takes about $75 to fill my car up. If I don’t fill it up, I can probably put about $20 a day in the car.”

Steve Rife is from Ohio, but is in Sumter County with the company he works for on a construction job.

“I never understood about the gas prices. I think this would be a good question to ask the President,” he said.

Pickett added, “This is killing us, but we can’t stress about. What is the point?”

Hollis, who lives in Ellaville, agreed.

“Why stress about it? Just figure out your gas, budget it in and just go with it. I trust in God. He is going to take care of it. It could be that God is trying to teach us a lesson, you know. Maybe we need to start living back simply like the Amish, no electricity and all. Maybe He is telling us we are living to comfortably,” she said.

Customer Porsha Stewart of Americus, said, “I think this is ridiculous, especially since there is gas in Texas and we are not using it as we should.”

In a statement to the Associated Press, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said the hurricane, “has disrupted the production of distribution of gasoline, which will have an effect on prices. We expect the prices that Georgians pay at the pump to be in line with the prices retailers are paying. We will not tolerate retailers taking advantage of Georgians during a time of emergency.”

The statute, according to the Associated Press release,” prevents retailers from selling goods or services at an unreasonable price. It does not prevent price increases that accurately reflect an increase in the cost of the goods or services to the retailer.”

If you suspect price gouging at a Georgia gas station, call: Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs 800-869-1123 or 404-651-8600.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

In Sumter, Schley, Macon and Marion counties, Friday and Saturday, gas stations seemed to have been playing a ping pong match with prices changing rapidly, with only a few stations staying below $4; others, it was reported, reached prices as high as $4.89 a gallon.

Local Americus gas station, Wayne’s World, and others, had to close early Friday due to running out of gas.

At a gas station at U.S. Highways 280 and 18, the lines for gas extended out into the highway, and employees had to go out to direct traffic.

Two drivers became angry with each other, according to nearby Huddle House employees, Margaret Tondee and Diana Hollis, and almost exchanged blows.

“This one lady cut in front of another at the line,” explained Hollis.

Tondee, who is from Americus, but has family in Ellaville, Buena Vista and other parts of the state, said, “I don’t think it’s fair, especially to the people who have to work. The government should do something to put a stop to this gas gouging.”

Kimberly Pickett, of Plains, said, “The gas prices are ridiculous. But you know, what are we going to do? There is no use in complaining. I mean, one minute the prices are up and the next the prices are down. What are we going to do? I drive a Yukon. It takes about $75 to fill my car up. If I don’t fill it up, I can probably put about $20 a day in the car.”

Steve Rife is from Ohio, but is in Sumter County with the company he works for on a construction job.

“I never understood about the gas prices. I think this would be a good question to ask the President,” he said.

Pickett added, “This is killing us, but we can’t stress about. What is the point?”

Hollis, who lives in Ellaville, agreed.

“Why stress about it? Just figure out your gas, budget it in and just go with it. I trust in God. He is going to take care of it. It could be that God is trying to teach us a lesson, you know. Maybe we need to start living back simply like the Amish, no electricity and all. Maybe He is telling us we are living to comfortably,” she said.

Customer Porsha Stewart of Americus, said, “I think this is ridiculous, especially since there is gas in Texas and we are not using it as we should.”

In a statement to the Associated Press, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said the hurricane, “has disrupted the production of distribution of gasoline, which will have an effect on prices. We expect the prices that Georgians pay at the pump to be in line with the prices retailers are paying. We will not tolerate retailers taking advantage of Georgians during a time of emergency.”

The statute, according to the Associated Press release,” prevents retailers from selling goods or services at an unreasonable price. It does not prevent price increases that accurately reflect an increase in the cost of the goods or services to the retailer.”

If you suspect price gouging at a Georgia gas station, call: Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs 800-869-1123 or 404-651-8600.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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