Two weekends ago, my wife and I went to the Sonoma/Napa County
areas. Our trip took us through San Francisco via 19th Ave., Marin
County and onward. Last weekend, we went to the Berkeley area
through Hayward, Oakland, etc. The observation of gas prices all
through these areas was quite astounding.
Editor,
Two weekends ago, my wife and I went to the Sonoma/Napa County areas. Our trip took us through San Francisco via 19th Ave., Marin County and onward. Last weekend, we went to the Berkeley area through Hayward, Oakland, etc. The observation of gas prices all through these areas was quite astounding. For example, in Petaluma we filled up with mid-grade gas for our return trip on Oct. 30. The price was $2.79.9 per gallon. In Berkeley the price in a week had gone down to $2.56.9.
Upon our arrival home on Sunday, the mid-grade gas at Safeway was $2.89.9 – for the non-math folks, that’s 33 cents a gallon more. Do you want to fill up a 20 gallon tank? That will be $6.60 more, please.
Also, ever since the Safeway station opened, it has been consistently 10 to 15 cents per gallon lower than most of the brand stations in town, especially the Chevron station at Tres Pinos and Airline. It is now only about 2 cents less.
I don’t know what the reason is, but I do know that it is unfair. Some have said that it is an offshoot from the Dassel hassle some weeks back. I wonder about that and continue to wonder why Dassel’s doesn’t even post prices at their station. I thought that was the law but they have apparently found a way around it. But whatever the reason, they are getting into our pocketbooks too far and it’s unfair.
I go to Santa Clara County frequently on business. In the past, I would normally fill up here and go on my way. Until this unfortunate and inexcusable situation clears up, I will be buying my gas out of town for the 20 to 30 cents a gallon savings. With the amount of driving I do, that will add up to a nice savings.
San Benito County wants us to shop locally and I subscribe to that. However, not on this one – it’s just too costly.
Jack Markle, Hollister
