Gasoline

Dear Editor, I read today that consumer confidence dropped last month in neighboring Tennessee and I'm not surprised. With prices nearing three dollars a gallon - again - it seems to me this will become more of a drag on family budgets. I live in Lexington and keep a close eye on our family budget. That's why I did some research into what makes gas so expensive. I found out that the government mandates refineries produce a different blend for summer driving. That blend is more costly because of the make-up of the blend and how it releases vapors in warmer weather.

Dear Editor: Fellow Americans, keep some perspective. We're beginning to sound like a bunch of spoiled brats. The U.S. and Canada have some of the cheapest-priced gas in most of the western world. Hong Kong gasoline sells for $5.34; in London, England, $4.55; and in Paris, France, $4.41. Be thankful we're not even close to those numbers yet. There are many reasons for the hike in price, but mostly it's because of demand. We are flying less and driving more while at the same time, we are drilling and refining oil less, therefore we have less gas. We are, on the average, also paying around 50 cents per gallon on state and federal taxes.

Dear Editor: No, we're not "willing" to pay these exorbitant prices for gas, we have to pay them to get to work or school and lead normal lives. We have no choice. The oil company tycoons have figured this out over the past few years and are making the most of it. They have us "over the barrel," so to speak. They have enough people in Washington in their pocket so they can get away with this. So we, the working people of the land, are led like lambs to the slaughter. Who out there can step up to the plate and do something about this?

Is it just me or has anyone noticed how high the gas prices have gotten? It's amazing what we take for granted. In my work, I am on the road almost constantly. I was thinking that over the last 20 years I have stopped for gasoline countless times and never thought twice. I stopped, pumped, paid and went on with my life. Lately, not only do I think about stopping for gas, I dread stopping for gas. So much so that I have now learned how many miles I can go with my little orange "empty" light glowing.

Dear Editor: Indeed, to quote a previous letter writer, there are "silent terrorists" hard at work among us in the petroleum industry. Any and every flimsy excuse that can be thought of is used to inflate gas prices. I recall hurricanes passing through the Gulf of Mexico in the past. They did not affect gas prices then. So why now? It has been said that we do not have the refinery capacity to make gasoline. Why not? Too costly to build? We always have enough money to wage insane war on a constant basis around the world but we do not have the funds to invest in something that is actually beneficial?

Up to 1,000 gallons of gasoline spilled Wednesday night into Herrington Lake, but the fuel apparently won't threaten the area's drinking water supply. Emergency Management officials from both Mercer and Garrard counties reported to Chimney Rock Marina about 11 p.m. after people at both Kamp Kennedy and Chimney Rock marinas reported smelling gasoline. Dwayne Nave, coordinator with Garrard Emergency Management, said he and Wayne Davis, Mercer's coordinator, found part of the dock sinking at Chimney Rock and an obvious thick film on the surface of the water.

The Rev. Quentin Scholtz can measure the high cost of gasoline many ways. Two of the key measurements for the pastor of Danville's Centenary United Methodist Church are the ones that involve himself in his occupation as a minister and his church in its efforts to provide programs and services to its congregation and the community. As a minister, Scholtz is considered self-employed. Under that designation, he is entitled to receive reimbursement for the gasoline he uses while he is on church business.

WINCHESTER POLICE REPORTED - Pam Oliver, an employee of Speedway, 1480 W. Lexington Ave., reported at 4:28 p.m. Friday that a known female stole $31 worth of gasoline. An officer interviewed the accused at her home, and she then went back to Speedway and paid for the gasoline. The manager of Speedway has not decided if the store will pursue charges. CHARGED -Donna M. Short, 30, of 113 Morning Glory Court, was charged Friday with theft by deception. -Jack L. Thomas, 35, of 612 Dixiana Drive, was charged Friday with bail jumping.

Dear Editor, Here we go again. The driving season is approaching and the oil companies are preparing us for the spring escalation of pump prices for gasoline. The echo in the room from the TV announcement about the drop in the stock market had barely subsided when the pump price for gasoline had jumped by 16 cents per gallon. The oil companies give their usual response in reply to the question as to why the price of gasoline goes up at the pump when the gasoline in the tanks is the same gasoline that a few minutes previously was selling for substantially less.

Dear Editor, If you are unhappy about the current price of gasoline, you might want to know about the compensation enjoyed by the president of Exxon/Mobil Oil Company. Raymond Lee's salary is $48.9 million. Allowances for his position are $357 million. This is each year. Tommy Ellis Liberty

Dear Editor, I have something I must confess. I have been unfaithful not once, but four times in the past two weeks. I mean I have been unfaithful to the gasoline merchants in Boyle County. Yes, I here and now openly confess that I have gone out of the county to purchase my gasoline. But it wasn't my fault ? I was driven to it by the higher pricing schemes that are so apparent in Boyle County. I live 10 miles from Danville and 10 miles from Harrodsburg. If I can drive the same distance to either destination but pay 13 cents or so less in Harrodsburg than I have to in Danville, where do you think I'm going after my gasoline like I did today?

LANCASTER - Garrard County will have some influence over where about $138,000 in state secondary road funds get used. Garrard County Judge-Executive John Wilson announced at Monday's Fiscal Court meeting that Gov. Steve Beshear has made a one-time offer to every county in the state to make recommendations for where secondary state road funds should be used. The Fiscal Court unanimously passed a motion accepting the governor's offer. Wilson said he will compile a list of recommended road improvements with the help of the county's magistrates.

Eric Thomas Lowder, 22, died April 23, 2009 from a sudden illness. He was a 2005 graduate of Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School and attended Bluegrass Community and Technical College. He was an employee of Shell gasoline on Leestown Road. He was a young, fun loving soul who will be greatly missed by his family, friends and co-workers. He is survived by his mother, Mary Mullins of Lexington, father, Edwin Lowder of Nicholasville, sister, Michelle Puckett, brother-in-law, Jeremy Puckett and his niece Caitlyn Puckett, who was "Uncle Eek's" best friend, all of Nicholasville, paternal grandparents, Dorsel and wife Helen Lowder of South Shore, Ky., maternal grandparents, James and wife Billie Mullins of Nicholasville, uncle, Steve Lowder of Maysville, aunt, Sandra Mullins, uncle, Bill Carter of Nicholasville and cousin, Jake Patrick of Richmond.

Dear Editor, In a political climate where many people believe the federal government is the best vehicle to pull us out of a recession, I would simply like to say - wrong. The federal government is the most inefficient vehicle to do almost anything. It truly scares me to think that my short term financial future, my health care and my retirement will be in the hands of a Congress who places 9,000 plus "earmarks" in a stimulus package and then have our president say that there are no earmarks in his stimulus packages now or in the future.

Snake was harmless; wasn't worth a story To the Sun: I really want to thank you for the annoying story about the people that killed a non-venomous snake that is actually good for the environment. Seeing a harmless animal with its head bashed in gives me warm and fuzzy feelings. Oh, and the newsworthiness! I mean how can a $700 billion bailout compete with a rat snake? My wish for the people who so proudly exhibited their kill: karma or education, either would be fine with me. Ignorance is really not attractive or interesting.

The Rev. Quentin Scholtz can measure the high cost of gasoline many ways. Two of the key measurements for the pastor of Danville's Centenary United Methodist Church are the ones that involve himself in his occupation as a minister and his church in its efforts to provide programs and services to its congregation and the community. As a minister, Scholtz is considered self-employed. Under that designation, he is entitled to receive reimbursement for the gasoline he uses while he is on church business.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The average price for all types of gasoline rose seven-tenths of a cent in the last two weeks nationwide, oil industry analyst Don Lundberg says. The Lundberg Letter's biweekly survey of 17,000 stations showed the average price at $1.25 as pump prices continue a climb that began in April. Miss Mary A. Becker will be guest of honor at an Appreciation Reception from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday at the home of Mrs. Eli (Helen) Becker, 253 S. Main St. Hosts for the event will be the Community Bible Church, 127 E. Broadway.

Is it just me or has anyone noticed how high the gas prices have gotten? It's amazing what we take for granted. In my work, I am on the road almost constantly. I was thinking that over the last 20 years I have stopped for gasoline countless times and never thought twice. I stopped, pumped, paid and went on with my life. Lately, not only do I think about stopping for gas, I dread stopping for gas. So much so that I have now learned how many miles I can go with my little orange "empty" light glowing.

For the first time in 10 years, The Interior Journal will raise its single-copy price, said George Lewis, editor of the newspaper. On July 1, the hike will increase the single-copy price from 50 cents to 75 cents. Additionally, in-state subscriptions will be $25, out of state $42.50. Senior-citizen discounts will remain in effect, as will free subscriptions to military personnel deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. "We held off as long as we could," Lewis said. "With newsprint constantly on the rise and gasoline nearing $4 per gallon in many places, it's simply the need to meet budget demands.

Dear Editor, Alternative fuel is not the short term answer to our energy problem and gasoline prices. Ten years ago, when gasoline was $1 per gallon and we thought that was an astronomical price, the same argument for alternative fuel was made as rationale against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in the Gulf of Mexico or anywhere in the U.S. Here we are 10 years later, and now we're looking at the very real possibility of...