Gas prices steadily impacting the Valley

Police officers are parking their cruisers to save on gas.
BY VINDICATOR STAFF WRITERS
Gasoline prices tickling $3 a gallon aren't yet forcing most Americans to quit the talk and walk the walk, but they are prompting some people and some public agencies to make changes in their lifestyles or operations.
Volunteers
Kathy Gordon, director of volunteers and bereavement services at Hospice of the Valley, which serves Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, said, "Many of our volunteers are on fixed incomes. Gas prices are a significant concern.
"We actively do fundraising to buy gas cards for volunteers," Gordon said.
Lori Shandor, development and marketing specialist at Lake to River Girl Scout Council in Niles, said she has seen some scheduling changes by volunteers. "Volunteers aren't here as many days as they used to be. Instead of coming three days a week and staying two to three hours, they come one day and stay for six hours."
Lawn care
Jamie Butcher, officer manager at DJ's Lawn and Landscape, Austintown, said the increased gasoline prices have caused the business to raise the prices it charges customers this year. The rates have increased by $1 or $2 depending on the size of the lot to be cut, she said.
"The prices also have affected the areas we'll go to," Butcher said, explaining that the business has limited its coverage areas to Austintown, Boardman, Canfield and Youngstown's upper West Side.
Last year, they were more likely to go outside those areas, she said.
"We've picked up a lot more landscaping-type jobs, and we're focusing less on the mowing because of the gasoline prices," Butcher said.
Government
Warren has been conserving fuel by limiting take-home vehicles to employees who need them for emergencies and by asking police officers to park their cruisers for 10 minutes each hour, said Safety-Service Director William Franklin.
As fuel prices rise, parking the cruisers every hour saves gasoline and money and also lets the patrol officers do more community policing by walking in the neighborhoods and meeting residents and business owners, he added.
Struthers Police Chief Robert Norris has directed his officers to park cruisers in strategic locations with their engines off for 15 minutes each hour when circumstances permit.
Likewise, Lowellville Police Chief William H. Vance has asked that the motors of his department's cruisers be turned off instead of idling when they are stationary.
Officials in Struthers and Lowellville said they have asked all employees who use public vehicles to plan several tasks for one trip when possible rather than making several separate trips.
Merchants
The craze involving discounted gasoline at grocery stores heated up when fuel prices started rising, said Hermitage Shop N Save owner Michael Magnotto.
Magnotto said he started seeing an increase in shoppers using their discount cards when gasoline prices hit $2.85 per gallon. His store offers the 2 cents off each gallon of gasoline for every $5 spent, but also offers additional discounts on items called "Pump Perks." He said because of the Pump Perks, they have had people paying nothing for their gasoline in recent weeks, despite the prices.
Home health care
Illa Willis, owner of CI Healthcare Inc., said her home health care aides serve clients only in Mahoning County at this time because gas is too expensive for them to drive long distances.
Curbing car trips
Youngstown Police Department Detective Sgt. Rick Alli has calculated that his long-awaited 143-gallon "classic cruise" of historic Route 66 this summer will cost $2,500, about $300 more than he anticipated because of higher fuel costs for his Corvette convertible. Alli said if gas goes up 30 to 40 cents more per gallon, he'll cancel the trip.
"I drive like an old woman now," said Janet Johnson, secretary to YPD Chief Jimmy F. Hughes. She wonders why some drivers still floor the gas pedal when lights turn green -- which experts say is a waste of gas. Johnson said her car, a Chrysler Sebring, calculates miles per gallon and the most fuel-efficient speed is 50 mph.
YPD Capt. Dave Williams said he's canceled plans to attend bass fishing tournaments if the events are more than 100 miles away. "I'll fish local. I have just as much fun," Williams said.
Carpooling
The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments reminds people that they can save money on gasoline and other expenses associated with driving by using its free Rideshare Program.
Kathy Zook, manager of the program in Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning counties, said people may apply for the service by calling (800) 825-RIDE or (330) 779-3800, or going online at www.eastgatecog.org.
Zook said applicants are asked for their name, address and telephone number, and work or school schedule. They are then matched with someone with a similar schedule. Whether there is a match or not, they are notified, Zook said.
She said the process, including cost sharing, is determined by the people involved.