Local Resident Protests High Gas Prices In Ironwood

IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, September 15, 2008 - Even though Hurricane Ike had little impact on oil pumping, refining, or storage, the price of gasoline on a national level has risen considerably in the past few days. According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, the average price per gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gas nationally was $3.66 this morning.

Yet, the price of unleaded regular gasoline at the Cloverland/Luxmore Citgo this morning was $4.19/gallon. That's fifty-three cents over that national average.

Local resident, Charlie Semo, Sr., has had enough! This morning he could be seen boycotting the Citgo Quik Food Mart by displaying a "Boycott Citgo" sign. Passing motorists honked their horns in support and Semo defiantly waved his sign.

Semo claims Citgo sets the local price, and other local stations follow their lead. He said many people are on fixed incomes, and the price of gasoline is out-of-hand! He said seniors and others can no longer afford to pay the high price of gas, and he questions the justification for the Quik Mart's high price.

Gasoline tax in Wisconsin, Semo pointed out is higher than the gas tax in Michigan, yet Hurley gas stations all have cheaper prices than Ironwood stations. According to a Mapquest search made when this article was written, the prices in Hurley ranged from $3.89 to $3.99. Price in Ironwood ranged from $3.94 to $4.19.

The Chronicle attempted to contact Crist Oil Company of Iron River, MI , the owner of the Cloverland Quik Mart, for their comment, but a spokesperson was not available.