Difficult Times at Local Pumps

All across Long Island gas prices are on the rise, and with the once dreaded $4 mark passed over weeks ago and the Long Island average at $4.18, local residents are taking whatever actions they can to find the cheapest prices.

At one corner of 25a and Miller Place Road sits a Hess Station, at the other, a Station. Both are currently charging $4.15 for regular...the same price for both cash or credit. Miller Place resident Mike Kwasny chose Hess, as he always does.

"I go with Hess because they have the most consistent prices," he said. "I've been through many of these gasoline spikes and generally they seem to be the most consistent in their prices."

Kwasny is upset with the profits oil companies are taking in with prices so high.

"I think the oil companies are making such huge profits and that certainly should be looked at," he said. "It seems that every time the price goes up, the oil companies’ profits go up."

Heading west on 25a in Mt. Sinai at the Valero Station, one Centereach resident, who wished to remain anonymous, offered his sentiments.

"It’s getting to the point where you can’t do anything anymore," he said. "Right now I’m buying gas for a company vehicle, I’m not paying for it, so it’s convenience...but when I gas my own car, it’s all about the price. I even change my travel plans around."

The Valero station is currently at $4.11 for regular, the lowest price around, but that is only if you have cash. They charge $4.21 for credit.

Tommy Winkler, a Rocky Point resident and plumber for the Local 200 Long Island Plumbers Union, has to make frequent trips out to Queens for his work, which takes a toll on his wallet.

"Valero’s supposed to be the cheapest around here so that’s why I come here," he said. I don’t even look anymore because I have to go places…but it’s making it very difficult to live. I work from here to Queens and it makes it very difficult to survive. To fill my tank it’s going to cost me close to $60 and this is an Accord."

Here's where five local station's along 25a stand as far as pricing as of Friday: