Greencastle Councilman continues to raise awareness of gas prices

For over a year, Greencastle City Councilman Vincent Aguirre, who represents the Fourth Ward, has looked to have a conversation about gas prices in Greencastle and Putnam County. 

"Whenever I am working in any capacity, but especially in my city councilman capacity, I try to listen, learn and then lead. Last year, when I started talking about this, I was listening to so many people talk about gas prices. I have lived here for my entire adult life and seen it, but having people come to me and ask what we could do, I knew I had to do something. I started doing research, finding articles where industry experts say Greencastle is an anomaly. The industry experts have said Greencastle prices do not reflect any other market variable and should be more in line with Brazil or Crawfordsville. Then, I tried to lead and go to every gas station and try to talk to management, but that didn't work out. Fortunately, I had a volunteer who decided to step up and deliver letters for me to every gas station, asking for a conversation," Aguirre told The Putnam County Post. 

One gas station owner took Aguirre up on his offer.

"We talked for about an hour about various things, including the gas station owners looking to one particular station, match that price and carry on. I tried to push him to understand simple economics and if you lower your prices, you can sell more chips. We were supposed to talk further about that, but he's never called back or texted back since. I think it is important that he did say they all point to one gas station and match their prices. That is what we all see. After that, I tried to explore what more I could do," Aguirre said. 

This month, he acted on what more he could do by bringing the matter up to his fellow council members during the Greencastle City Council meeting. Aguirre asked those on council who have relationships with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita to start looking into the gas price saga in Greencastle. He said some council members said the prices are no different than elsewhere and the rest of the council seemed receptive. 

"I did bring up to the council, specifically some members who have long lasting relationships with the Attorney General's office to start making sure they are aware of what is going on here. Although sometimes our attorney general may think his battles are elsewhere with schools or people who aren't like him, truly one of his biggest jobs is consumer protections and this is a very important consumer protection moment. I am hoping that some of our council members who went to school with him, were in the same fraternity with him and see him regularly at meetings or events can nudge him to at least look at what is going on here. I am not making claims, but I am saying someone needs into this. I understand me waving my fist at gas stations here in Greencastle isn't going to do much," Aguirre said. 

Aguirre said he has heard from residents who have mentioned getting gas outside of Greencastle and Putnam County as a result of the prices.

"That probably moves the needle," Aguirre said. "I think that works pretty well for commuters. I can go weeks without leaving Putnam County, so that doesn't really impact me. When I go out of the county limits, I do try to fill up there. It is an issue, and it works for some people. Hopefully, they can help move the needle a little bit."

Aguirre said there are two separate issues at play. One of them is the national and geo political landscape issues with a war, and the other is local. 

"Of course, I would love to see gas prices go down and problems be resolved. Independent of that, it is still our own, local issue and that has been established. Industry experts say our gas in Putnam County and Greencastle is statistically higher than everyone else. I would love to get back to the learning stage and have owners come in and explain why from their perspective, but without having that opportunity, I don't know what else to do.

And, he has heard people say it is not the government's job to tell private businesses what to do or how to set prices, but Aguirre also says he has a job to do.

"That is fair, but I am not saying that I or council should tell them how to set their prices. What I am saying is we do deserve an explanation as to why gas prices are so much higher. In addition, the ability to walk and chew gum does exist, so while we are talking about gas prices and trying to understand, there are other things that I and others in city government are able to do. I would also argue that this is a really important issue for many. I know some people, myself included, a few cents here or there doesn't impact me as much as someone who is living paycheck to paycheck or commutes miles away, but this is a big deal for them. It is important for our government to ask really hard questions, and that is what I am trying to do," Aguirre said. 

If anyone has any concerns, Aguirre said they should contact the Indiana Attorney General's Office.