I do not make it a habit of criticizing the local merchants of the Valley, but this time I must.

The local fuel prices are way out of hand and the merchants tell us it is due to competition. That is a cop out, as there is no competition in the Valley.

When called on the line about this, they are quick to say “transportation charges”, which is also a bunch of bunk. I hauled fuel for several years and the price is set at the rack depending on the destination, not at the pump. It may cost 2 cents more at the rack for delivery to Overton as opposed to Mesquite.

My question then is, why are we paying 24 cents a gallon more for diesel here at Maverik than at the Maverik in Mesquite? I can answer my own question. It is due to greed, price fixing and taking advantage of the people of the Valley.

The following is a list of prices I found on-line at 11:35 AM on Dec. 14 for diesel:

N. Las Vegas – Rebel at Lake Mead & Pecos, $3.69; Sam’s Club at Losee & Craig, $3.72; Fabulous Freddie’s at Craig & Valley Drive, $3.73. Mesquite – Maverik, $3.67; Smith’s, $3.68; Chevron, $3.70. Overton and Logandale – Maverik, $3.91; Wally’s, $3.95.

I normally put, on average, 30 gallons when I fuel my truck. If I can save $7.20 by filling when I am in Mesquite or $6.60 in North Las Vegas, you can bet the local stations will not be getting my money.

I would like to suggest, when you go to Mesquite or Vegas for other business, time your fuel buying there instead of here. It does not make sense to make a special trip for fuel but it does make sense to top off while you are there. To hit these local price gougers in the pocket book as they have been doing to us, is the only way we will get the prices down.

Until the prices here are comparable to Mesquite and Vegas, our motto should be: “Buy fuel elsewhere”.

Dave Cooper

Overton