Climbing fuel costs leave many frustrated

Many local residents don't expect the prices to curtail their travel.
Local residents are fuming at the pumped-up gas prices at area gas stations.
From Canfield to Warren, many Mahoning Valley residents said Friday they were shocked to find the prices went up, literally overnight.
"It's crazy," said Jennifer Simons of Warren. "All of a sudden, in a 12-hour period there seems to be this huge increase. I couldn't believe it."
The national average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is $1.89, up 7.8 cents since mid-January, the American Automobile Association daily online Fuel Gauge Report shows.
Many around the area are paying even more. A Citgo station in Austintown was selling regular unleaded gas for $1.99 per gallon. The price at BP in Howland on Friday afternoon was $1.91 for a gallon for the same grade. At some stations, the price was as high as $2.09.
"I couldn't believe it was close to $2 a gallon when I went last night," said Mike Scott of Austintown. "It's insane."
Many filling up their gas tanks at Sheetz in Canfield, where regular unleaded was $1.89 per gallon early Friday afternoon, don't expect it to curtail their travel.
"I knew I needed gas, and I was watching the news last night when they were talking about the prices," said Valerie Sturgeon of Beloit. "I know that Sheetz is one of the cheaper places."
She travels a lot showing horses and said the prices won't alter her plans, but she's dreading prices this summer and the cost of filling up her RV's 55-gallon tank.
It could be worse
For Bob Doroba of Dayton, where regular unleaded was running $2.09 per gallon, $1.89 doesn't seem so bad.
He was in the area visiting his daughter in Boardman.
Debbie Gourley of Canfield isn't as understanding.
"I think they're ridiculous," she said.
She and husband, Mark, also own an RV, and higher gas prices mean they're spending more on summer vacations.
Mark Gourley is frustrated because airlines, the industry where he works, aren't able to add a gas surcharge onto the ticket price because customers balk.
But he has to pay the surcharge that other companies, like garbage haulers, pass onto their customers.
His retirement is based on profit-sharing so the higher gas prices eaten by his employer affect his bottom line, too.
Doug Wilson of Boardman is also perturbed at the pump prices.
"Like everything else, it just keeps going up and up and up, but most salaries and wages aren't going up accordingly," he said.
Chad Nezbeth of Warren says he may have to buy a bicycle soon.
"It's terrible," Nezbeth said. "I can't afford it."