Getting gouged at the pump — Nelson style
By Nelson Daily Editor
To the Editor:
It has been brought to my attention that gas prices have fallen 17 cents in the past three weeks, but not in Nelson.
It has been reported by people at the “Mall” that seniors are tired of paying through the nose for gasoline in Nelson, when all other surrounding cities have much cheaper gas prices.
Therefore these “seniors” are traveling to Glade and also to Fruitvale to buy their gas for their automobiles. Some even go as far as Trail and Castlegar, do their shopping, have a meal, buy their gas, and generally make a day of it.
How sad is this for Nelson. I don’t blame these people at all. However, the Nelson Chamber of Commerce, or the Retail Merchants Association, should look into the effects this has on the Nelson economy and the resulting effects on the Nelson businesses.
Instead of creating a united front on the part of the gasoline and service stations, of which there are only four, and operating a monopoly, these same people are hurting the general well being of all the local businesses.
Wouldn’t it be great if Trail’s or Castlegar’s seniors were to come and spend the day shopping, dining and recreating here, knowing they aren’t going to be gouged at the pump as they are now?
This has been a long-time problem we have here in Nelson, but when it starts affecting the economy of the city then it’s time to put an end to it.
I don’t buy the fact that Nelson is not on the main road therefore it costs more to bring the gas to us. Kaslo is even further away and its prices are the same as here. Trail is certainly not on the main road either, and is always cheaper by up to five cents.
Please note there are more seniors living in Nelson than the regular citizens — a majority. And when the majority of Nelson’s citizens shop elsewhere then the city has a huge problem.
Heaven help us now that the holidays are upon us, a time for local “service stations” to raise their prices even more. And they think we don’t care.
Ask the consumer and ask the Nelson merchants who are suffering with this down turn in the economy.
Rowena Ramsden, Nelson
