Gas boycott ineffective locally
Price at the pump 10 cents higher today
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
GALESBURG - If a survey of a handful of filling stations in Galesburg and Monmouth is any indication, an Internet-driven gas boycott that was to have taken place Tuesday did not have much of an effect.Kevin Melton, manager of Hy-Vee Gas, 2110 E. Main St., said there was no real drop in business.
"It was steady most of the day," Melton said. "There were times I thought it was going to affect us, a little lull in the action, and then it would just 'boom, bam' eight out of 10 pumps were full. It's just like milk. You can boycott milk, but when you need gas or milk, you're going to buy it."
An e-mail received April 30 by The Register-Mail said a "gas out" conducted in 1997 caused gasoline prices to drop 30 cents a gallon overnight. Such was not the case Tuesday. According to the Illinois Gas Monitoring Web site, the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular in Galesburg increased from $3.18 per gallon Tuesday to $3.28 today. In Monmouth, the average price was up from $3.28 per gallon Tuesday to $3.31 today.
One exception to business as usual seemed to be Beck Oil, 1581 E. Main St.
"It was slower yesterday, in the morning for certain," said manager Rhonda Laake. "We just didn't have a lot of business. People must have paid attention to the boycott."
At Circle K, 877 E. Main St., there was no noticeable effect.
"Everyone pretty much came in as usual," said Billie Malesker, the store manager, "as much as they always do."
Sabrina Ortery, assistant manager at Ayerco, 605 N. Main St., Monmouth, said, "I'd say we were busy. We sold a lot yesterday, because most people forgot they weren't supposed to get gas. I forgot until a customer mentioned it to me. I only get gas once a week and yesterday wasn't my day to get gas."
Supporters of the boycott contended there are 73 million American members on the Internet network. Figuring $30 to $50 to fill up a car with gasoline, the e-mail continued, "if all users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take ... almost $3 billion out of the oil companies' pockets for just one day. ..."
Kim Tinkham, manager of Shell Express Mart, 1975 Grand Ave., said there was "not a whole lot of effect," at that business. "It was a steady stream, actually."
