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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-09-07, Page 3Customers 'disgusted' by gas prices Diesel vehicles becoming more popular as gas rises to $1.37 a litre By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor While customers at Seaforth gas stations see gas prices, which peaked at $1.37 a litre last week, as "corporate gouging," some consumers are trading in their gas - guzzlers for more efficient vehicles. "This is ridiculous. I'm just disgusted," said John Scarrow, of Seaforth on Saturday as he filled up his van and several tanks for an upcoming boat trip. Scarrow said he has a hard time believing that Hurricane Katrina in the southern U.S. is the cause of the almost 40 - cent price hike last week when Canada produces the gas used locally. "We still have to go to work so they've got us by the throat. I almost can't afford to go to work with these prices," he said. Robert Preuss, of Mildmay, who was filling up on his way through Seaforth, said he's worried how the prices will affect Local farmers as they harvest their crops this fall. "It's going to cost more to combine the beans and corn. They're up against the wall," he said. He added that the prices are going to "put a damper" on his vacation plans. "It's corporate gouging, of course. They're making huge profits off of a disaster that's hurt a lot of people when they're still selling the product that's in the ground," said a woman filling up in Seaforth. "The upside is that people might use their petroleum products more wisely," she added. Len Teatero, of Teatero Motor Products, said sales of diesel trucks, compact cars and motorcycles were brisk on Saturday. "One guy who'd been humming and hawing for the last month over a motorcycle came in and bought one today. He said the reason was yesterday's price - as soon as it hit $1.36, he came in," said Teatero. He said more customers are asking about diesel cars and trucks since they're 20 to 30 per cent less expensive for fuel. "Diesel trucks are our bread and butter and they'll sell even better now," he said. He added that diesel cars are becoming more attractive to buyers since they get 65 to 70 miles to the gallon but he hasn't heard a lot of requests yet for Hybrid cars or Smart THE HURON EXPOSITOR, September 7 2005 - 3 SAVE DURING OUR END OF. SUMMER SPECIAL FM PURCHASE 5 INDUSTRIES WINS DOOftS °°� VINYL WINDOWS & GET THE 6TH FREE!! • Manufactured & Installed by one company • Lifetime 100% Warranty • SAWDAC approved installers • No payment until Jan. 2007• 1 NOW IS THE TIME TO GET THOSE OLD DRAFTY, RATTLING WINDOWS REPLACED Vehicles were still lining up for fuel on Friday when prices peaked at $1.37 a litre. cars. "They're still very expensive," he said. Teatero pointed out however that customers who buy gas -guzzling Hummers, which he said are lucky to get 12 miles to the gallon, are not changing their buying habits. "They very seldom asked for financing and when they can afford to spend more than $80,000 on a vehicle out of their pocket, they don't care about the price of gas," he said. However, he said he's noticing a growing interest in scooters, which get 75 miles to the gallon. Joanne Matthews, • of Egmondville, bought a 49.7 cc scooter which she uses to drive to her job in a downtown store in Seaforth. "I'd been wanting one for two or three years because I knew they were cheap on gas," she said. She bought her scooter in March in the U.S. for $1,000 and has driven it in all weather but snow. She said she's also impressed that she only needs a regular driver's licence and house insurance to drive it. "I know I've saved quite a bit of money with it. And, it's very easy to operate. I think my mother could ride on it and she's 87," she said. The scooter has room for storage under the seat and with a basket on the back, Matthews can transport her groceries on the scooter. Its top speed is 35 miles per hour. "It's all you need in town," she said. Schoolyear begins y with labour p eace Over 18,500 students throughout the Avon Maitland District School Board wrapped up their summer vacations and headed back to school Tuesday at 54 public elementary and secondary schools. The new school year began with labour peace as the public board has contract agreements in place with all of its teacher unions and a tentative contract agreement with its custodial and maintenance staff. All of the agreements do not expire until 2008. Superintendent of Education Barry Wagner left the board at the end of June to join the Thames Valley District School Board. He has been replaced by Ted Doherty, former system principal of student success, and previously principal at Goderich District Collegiate Institute. Doherty will hold the title of executive officer with responsibility for school operations and student success. Four more elementary schools have adopted the balanced school day system, where the day is divided into three 100 minute learning segments with two 40 -minute nutrition breaks. The addition of Blyth, Hullett, Wingham and East Wawanosh Public Schools brings the total number of Avon Maitland schools using the balanced school day to 14. The other schools are Upper Thames in Mitchell, Sprucedale in Shakespeare, North Easthope, Anne Hathaway in Stratford, Milverton, Mornington, Grey, Huron Centennial in Brucefield, Usborne Central and Zurich Public School. Students at a number of schools across the district will begin the year in newly -renovated surroundings: As a result of funding made available by the province in the Good Places to Learn Initiative, schools across the district were on the receiving end of new roofs, windows, floors, electrical upgrades, boilers and other infrastructure enhancements. This ongoing program will continue throughout the next couple of years as the board invests over $15 million into school facility improvements. Among events coming to the area in the new school year will be three citizenship forums in September, October and November and will involve over 240 community members from across the district. The forums will focus on developing the positive attributes on which the board will build its citizenship initiatives in support of the board's goal of developing positive citizenship qualities in all students. 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