Since moving back 10 years ago, I’ve noticed that gas prices in Salisbury always seemed higher than many surrounding towns. It has made me wonder if the station owners here weren’t as savvy wholesale gas buyers as others or, perhaps, they were just greedier. Maybe they pay their employees more than others do. I would be okay with paying more for gas if employees were paid more than other towns, but I suspect this is not the case.

Recently, I went to the Costco in Mooresville and noticed that regular gas at all stations was selling for $1.61 or $1.62 per gallon for regular unleaded — about 20 cents lower per gallon than gas here in Salisbury. I ended up buying premium gas at Costco for $1.79 per gallon. I paid $2.79 per gallon when I last filled up here.

I’m all for capitalism and free enterprise, but gouging and price fixing during this terrible crisis (with many or most people out of work) is just wrong!

I would encourage other folks to temporarily buy their gas elsewhere until our local gas station owners stop colluding to gouge the public. I also plan to contact our state’s attorney general to look into this matter and encourage others to do likewise.

—Fred Krusemark

Granite Quarry