Editor:

I guess that I could just take it easy and leave the worries to our younger generation, but it seems their agenda is one of having fun and not paying attention while our rights as citizens are slowly being taken away, like the overcharging of gasoline by gas stations in Harrison, Ohio.

I recently filled up on River Road for $3.09 verses $3.46 at the Harrison stations. If the stations on River Road made a profit why not the Harrison stations?

What more proof does the attorney general require? If that isn’t gouging, what is? I really felt good when many other citizens called me and explained they felt the same way I did. I also want to thank David Eager Jr. who wrote an article in our Harrison Press explaining the same with facts.

I recently filed a complaint with our representative, Steve Chabot, and so far received nothing in writing. I also filed a complaint with our new Attorney General Mike DeWine. I received a letter from DeWine and someone named Pamela describing what oil companies, station owners could do and not do and how the system works.

The letter basically says the stations can charge whatever they like except for gouging or collusion. I also received an attachment from another Harrison station owners’ lawyer explaining they are not doing anything wrong.

Then I laid out the facts to the Attorney General’s Office in detail, demonstrating examples of gouging and stating I will not be intimidated, and what I asked for from our Attorney Generals Office was not answered to my satisfaction.

I asked what station owners in Harrison pay for wholesale unleaded? Not answered. I believe the reason is because when you know this, add taxes of 46.3 cents a gallon, and an 8 cent extreme profit per gallon it would prove that we are being gouged.

If our Attorney General’s Office can not answer this, then how can each citizen know for sure that the price we pay at the pump is in-line with other areas that are not gouging and in-line with our anti-trust Laws that are supposed to protect all citizens?

This upsets an old veteran who can no longer tolerate getting a brush-off letter. They think all citizens should fall in line with their way of thinking, and you don’t that upsets them greatly.

Do you think you are being overcharged at the pump in Harrison? I do, and when I drive to the Eastside to see an old veteran friend I fill up there because it’s usually 25 to 40 cents less a gallon.

And, for the most part, each station in that area have different prices, not the same as in Harrison.

We must understand our country is in serious trouble, and unless we band together and stop any company from taking advantage of customers we might as well give up and take what is given to us.

Take the time to your computer and issue a complaint to your representatives as listed below. Let your feelings be heard. My next letter, if The Harrison Press allows it to be printed, deals with campain contributions to elected officials from Big Oil and gas companies.

It will blow your skirt up or cause your pants to drop. It’s more money than most of us earn in several years.

If enough of us get involved, something will change because they will understand the power of the people. They will make changes to the way they do business or go out of business. Our representatives need votes to get elected and we hold the vote key, so complain to our representatives to bring about change.

“There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing, and never a right time to do the wrong thing.”

God bless America, God bless our soldiers, and God bless free speech.

George D. Bentley

Harrison, Ohio 45030