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Letters for March 22, 2010
How Are Gas Companies Profiting?
Ed Matthews’ question about rising gas prices and sales taxes of 29 percent (“Why are gasoline prices rising?” The Daily News, March 11) are intertwined. To answer his question, when the oil companies reaped the profits from their $4.25-a-gallon gasoline, this set the profit margin to be attained from now on to be achieved regardless of consequent.
To the 29 percent decline in sales taxes, if we use the pre-Hurricane Katrina fuel prices of about $1.85 per gallon, the $4.25 per gallon was a 129 percent increase, or if a pre-increase gas bill were $100 a week or month a post increase would be $229.
At today’s $2.55 a gallon or 35 percent more than the $1.85 a gallon pre-Katrina fuel prices — the $100 a week or month would be $135.
The $135 figure is only temporary because the $4.25 a gallon hasn’t been attained. So, the consumers will continue to adjust spending, and sales tax revenues will continue to shrink.
I have a question maybe some guru can answer: If the oil companies are passing only the cost increase of crude to the consumer, where are the huge profits coming from?
C. A. Little
Santa Fe
Some residents in Galveston have complained about the enforcement of city codes in neighborhoods that were hard hit by Hurricane Ike.
Galveston Should Give Residents A Break
It’s been very upsetting to me that several of my neighbors have commented that they’ve received letters from the city telling them they need to do something with their home or their yard or receive a fine. Hurricane Ike hit our neighborhood, like many others, pretty hard.
Most of our neighbors have moved on, too devastated to rebuild or shellshocked to even imagine staying. Those who stayed have rebuilt or still are trying. It’s been a very taxing experience on us all even a year and a half later.
One of our neighbors received a letter stating she needed to clean it up or get a fine. This single woman, who didn’t have any insurance, received no Federal Emergency Management Agency help, didn’t qualify for a Small Business Administration loan because she didn’t make “enough money,” and has no family to help her, doesn’t have a clue what to do. Not to mention that any money she makes from her job is going toward a mortgage.
Another of my neighbors who has five children received a similar letter. He owns a small apartment complex, but had no home insurance, received no FEMA aid, and didn’t qualify for a SBA loan because he didn’t make “enough money.”
He’s slowly putting his apartment complex and home back together, doing the absolute best he can, and the city wants to fine him as well.
I realize the city is working on hard times and a recession like the rest of us — but really? Is this the right way to do it? All this government grant money, and we either make too much money to qualify for it, not to mention the 100 loops you have to jump through to get it.
But OK, we understand there are people who need it more than others. The city needs to cut some of us a break. Most of the people of Galveston are doing the best they can. Compare us to New Orleans and we’re way ahead of where they were one and half years later.
Stacy Avina
Galveston
Ask Your Doctor First
There are a lot of articles in the paper and little booklets in the mall about pills and miracle pills that will make you feel and look 10 years younger — be careful.
They sound good. People say they are good and explain what the pills have done for them.
Check with your doctor before you take any of these drugs, especially if you have thyroid trouble.
I know I am one person who didn’t check with the doctor. I am still dizzy and weak.
Louise Martin
Galveston
Make Landscaping Rules Clear
In regard to Sandy Hardin’s letter, “Landscaping doesn’t always require a permit” (The Daily News, March 11): Please clarify what the restrictions are for private landscaping in the public right of way. After all, it does seem to visually extend the private property owner’s property line, thus making it more desirable for resale.
A line needs to be drawn so that we all know what is allowed and what isn’t allowed.
Morris Snelson
Galveston
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