Posted on 07/02/2008 1:56:55 PM PDT by dragnet2
There are no utilities and no public transportation in this unincorporated town of a couple hundred people along a narrow road that winds through the mountains 314 miles north of Sacramento. Many people here buy gas for their vehicles and gas or diesel for generators that power their homes.
"I'm scared to death" of rising fuel prices, Hanley says. At the store, the hub for visiting whitewater rafters and residents of other isolated towns, gas cost $5.30 a gallon on a recent day when the national average was $4.07.
This community may be an extreme example of how rising gas prices are hitting rural Americans particularly hard, but people in small towns from Maine to Alaska are in a similar bind as those here.
Soaring gas prices are a double-whammy for many rural residents: They often pay more than people who live in cities and suburbs because of the expense of hauling fuel to their communities, and they must drive greater distances for life's necessities: work, groceries, medical care and, of course, gas.
"The people who can least afford this are getting hit the worst," says Glen Falk, retail pricing manager at OPIS. "These are people who can't telecommute or carpool or use public transportation or any of the other things that people in metro areas can do to ease the pain."
Leaving town to get groceries
When the only gas station in Allen, Neb., closed last summer, a gallon of gas cost $2.56, according to prices posted on two abandoned pumps. Since then, Allen's 411 residents have been driving 11 miles to Wakefield or 28 miles to South Sioux City to fill up.
Allen's grocery store went out of business last August, forcing people to shop in South Sioux City or 21 miles away in Wayne. Doctors, dentists and other essentials also require a road trip.
"You have to leave town for about everything," says Jerry Schroeder, an insurance agent who has lived in Allen for all of his 57 years. He recalls when the farming town, founded in 1891 as a railroad stop, had four grocery stores, four gas stations, two banks, a doctor, two farm equipment dealers and a mortuary.
Now Schroeder often parks his gas-guzzling Dodge pickup, which he calls "the last truck I'm ever going to own," and uses his wife Donna's Mercury Grand Marquis. It gets 25 miles per gallon. "We're all going to have to change," he says.
Elizabeth Macrander, 24, has worked at the bank in Allen since November. For the first few months, she drove to work every day from Sioux City, Iowa, filling up her Mercury Mountaineer (14-15 mpg) every two days. "I didn't have a paycheck left," she says, so in May she bought a house in Allen.
Shelly Jones quit her job in Sioux City after moving to Allen with her husband, Jay, and their three kids because the commute was so expensive. This summer, they're using their Big Country camper less often and stockpiling food and milk in the extra refrigerator in their garage to reduce grocery runs.
High gas prices make Jones angry and worried about the future of the town she loves. "You're almost forcing the rural communities to shut down," she says.
T.J. Day, 43, a maintenance worker for a local tribe, shakes his head with disgust as he fills up. He figures it will cost him $40 worth of gas to drive 70 miles to Yreka and 70 miles back. "You can't afford to go anywhere anymore," he says.
At Parry's Market, employee Dan McCarthy, 50, says the store pays 2-3 cents more each week for almost every item it stocks because of rising freight costs. "Where do you catch a break?" he asks.
'It's very frightening'
McElyea worries that senior citizens in remote areas could die if they neglect their medical needs because of the high cost of getting around. Some poor residents and senior citizens come to the center because they're running out of food, she says.
In the past few weeks, calls from people needing medical attention and help paying utility bills have soared, says Derry, the center's director. "I worry a lot, especially about the elders," she says. "It's very frightening."
Frank Woodman, 79, who came to the senior center for lunch with his mother-in-law Mary Silva, 93, calls gas prices "terrible."
"At our age, we have to go to the doctor quite often," he says. "That's 38 miles each way, and you always think about how much it's costing in gas. I know people who don't bother going, even when they know they need to."
Back at the Forks General Store, Hanley cringes when she's asked how much higher gas prices might go. "I don't see any end, to be honest," she says. "I think this country is headed into a depression."
I bet some of these people are sitting on top of reserves that if drilled could relieve their worry...they have the Eco Nazis right in their own state to thank for their distress
Like Rush said today, “the Libs look at us like filthy little energy pigs that deserve to suffer for polluting their planet.”
We’ll see what happens but I’m starting to think most Americans are on the Dems side. Which means things will only get worst.
Exactly, and Gov. Arnold does not want any drilling...even tho it is seeping up in parts of the beaches... he enjoys flying from Sacramento to see his Kennedy bride a couple of times a week..
It’s a shame that some isolated rural communities don’t have stores and gas stations. Too bad the last gas station in town closed down, but what can they do? If there aren’t enough people to support a local gas station or a local grocery store, then they are out of luck.
And these rural communitites have trouble getting doctors to locate in such places, but that’s nothing new.
And the electorate is poised to reward the people who have contributed so much to creating this situation by electing even more of them to congress and very likely putting one in the White House.
I have never lived through a real economic collapse but my dad did. They made it through the 30’s but not without a lot of suffering and with a world war at the end of the decade. I wonder what awaits us?
I'm beginning to think the Amish have the right idea.
You make a good point. Before I sympathize with these people, I have to know how they vote. If they vote a straight Democratic ticket, I’ll show them no sympathy at all.
This is true. The liberal elite envision a future US with everyone forced into compact "eco friendly" housing.
True. The elites will give all the rural areas to the Federal government. what a mess!
You make a good point. Before I sympathize with these people, I have to know how they vote. If they vote a straight Democratic ticket, I’ll show them no sympathy at all.
I don’t care if they voted Republican either because they chose to live there. If they don’t like it...move.
bttt
We are being nailed by this is western MD.
With the exception of the uber-liberal area near Frostburg college, it’s all God & gun-loving redneck conservatives.
We are being invaded and colonized by suburbanites escaping the DC/Balto area.
Their McMansions have driven our property taxes sky high.
Even though the housing market has tanked here and the McMansions are being sold [or are endlessly awaiting a sale] at bargain prices, our taxes will NOT be commensurately lowered.
[the official word from our state and county commissioners]
We are suffering and I have told everybody for the last 6 years of the “boom” that we are in the middle of a rural cleansing.
Nobody believed me, even when “cheap” Wal-mart jacked up prices to reflect the “new median income” that resulted from the influx of $250,000+ a year urban immigrants.
We don’t deserve this, can not afford it and can not afford to leave.
[and why should we? most of the families in this area have been here since before MD was even a state]
Central planning, metrocrats are rejoicing.
What in the world is medical care doing on that list? I buy groceries every week. I go to work five days a week. I see the doctors maybe twice a year. Is this some liberal plot to stick medical care into every story?
I can't go that far. I grew up in a somewhat isolated rural area of small farms, and I can tell you that this is America's conservative Republican base. When gas prices get high, it's easy for you and me to say "just move," but in reality, it's not easy to find a buyer for a remote small farm. It's often the only asset these people have.
That said, my support for rural Americans is predicated on one very important factor: I only support and sympathize with CONSERVATIVE rural Americans. If they vote for the slow ruination of America (i.e., the Democratic ticket), they get what they deserve.
Gas prices threaten to shut down some rural towns”
No doubt, and then the rest of the nation.
I live in a rural county where the high price of EVERYTHING is taking it’s toll. I won’t suffer quite like so many good and decent people are, and will.
BUT, it must all be ok, because the Dem leaders with the responsibility to come up with a plan, haven’t...and they are out enjoying their vacation.
It’s not the high price of gas that’s hurting us, it’s the complete lack of leadership that’s going to kill our country.
If we don’t drill and do all things energy real soon, it’s going to get very ugly....and if we are able to dig our way out, I will be one of those that will want to get even.
You must not be elderly. My mother is 83, in good health, still drives and travels. But the nature of some of her meds dictates seeing her MD at least four times a year. Add trips for minor illnesses (flu, etc) and dental care visits, it adds up for older folks.
Yes, what you describe in western Maryland is a rather insidious way to take land from the poor, isn’t it? — that is, huge increases in property taxes. It puts rural landowners in a real bind: 1) Stay put, and slither into the poor house, or 2) Sell, but uproot your life and heritage. It must be depressing for the longtime locals there.
DRILL
Agree.
Hard common sense decisions should have been made long ago on several major issues that all Americans are now unfortunately facing. They were ignored then, as they are now.
Nancy Pelosi should stop going to the danged dentist, because she can't drill her way out of aging teeth and her own ethics decay!!!
the farming town, founded in 1891 as a railroad stop, had four grocery stores, four gas stations, two banks, a doctor, two farm equipment dealers and a mortuary.looks like the town was going toes up LOOOONG before the price of gas went up...
Probably Forks of Salmon, which is still in Siskiyou County southeast of Yreka. Pretty country. My sister and brother-in-law have a cabin in Callahan. He shot a bear there. Now has a bearskin rug.
Follow the link.
The article mentioned or talks about towns from Cal, Iowa, and Nebraska and maybe one or two other states.
Just guessing, but I would imagine this is affecting anyone living remotely on small or fixed incomes, regardless of what state they're in.
Oops. Make that SOUTHWEST of Yreka.
Actually, we are hoping another old-fashioned winter will winnow out the UW-Madison drop outs that arrived over the past decade. It is much hipper to live in a city (lower carbon footprint, dontcha know?) and there are jobs there, if they need one and more to do if they don't.
Yes, some of the villages have lost essential shops, but, in our case, we are 8 miles from a town of 4k and even the 3-day-a-week commute 45 miles each way for DH is still doable in our 35 mpg Focus. We have cut the budget to the bone, as the manufacturing business has really taken a hit. Some eBay selling helps, too. We do have a network of good old types and hunting/fishing/gardening/gathering/wood cutting are still doable, in our late 50s/mid 60s. People look out for the really elderly and a couple of the good docs make it their business to make a few special house calls, if necessary.
People lived here without the town, utilities, central heat, etc for 80 years. Many lived, had large families and died in their 90s, in the same house. It can be done. And it can be done on $40k-$50k/year in some style. For those who have way less, there are things like SHARE and buyers food clubs for food and good neighbors who will look in, do some chores and offer rides, all without the need for excessive Social Services.
We missed the housing boom out here and folks aren't into line of credit equity loans. The floods haven't helped the low lying towns or private roads that were washed out, that's true, but folks are still managing. We have been able to keep the progressives out of most township positions or to get rid of the few who occasionally manage to get in. It is a constant battle, but most of us value independence and we show up to vote when it is essential.
Any hardy conservatives who want cheap property by most suburban standards are welcome, of course.We do have winter, but thirty below keeps the riff raff out, for the most part.If you can support yourself, pay your bills on time and don't think you are here to *give back* to some lower life form or turn this into some *happening* place, you will be accepted, after awhile.
It ain't easy, but it's home.
Sounds to me like a nice place to live. I bet they spend less on gas then a year ago now that they’re combining trips.
” I don’t care if they voted for Republicans either because they chose to live there. If they don’t like it...move.” This is a very stupid statement. Most rural areas are farming communities and without them you starve. There is a need for rural towns and they are being punished more than people who live and work in cities where they have excess to everything they need.
I was born in 33 and survived the depression AND WWII when gas was impossible to come by. It's everyone else's turn to tighten the belt and limit your whining to a glass of 2 Buck Chuck...
The dummy has no clue what a depression is.
If prices are rising, there is little chance that we are anywhere near a depression. In a depression, prices would be falling like a rock.
A terrifying number of farmers have sold their land and moved on.
[the new “cash crop” growing in their fields is strip malls]
We went from $200 a year in property taxes to $1200.
This 280 year old log house sure isn’t worth that but the acre situated a mere mile from I-70 is.
This house was bought for a measly $5000 in 1991.
What it is currently “appraised” at is a sick joke, especially since that’s what the taxes are based on.
I may eventually die in poverty or by starvation, but by God, I’m going to die *here*, same my ancestors have for hundreds of years.
Every ancestral connection I have is within 10 minutes of here and I’m not abandoning that.
[it’s a hillbilly thing, I reckon].....:)
Given the left's desire to push people into big, efficient, crime-ridden cities, I wouldn't put much doubt in this statement. They absolutely hate self-sufficient people. And, rural people are generally self-sufficient.
Obviously she along with most rural types are probably not Wall Street types with degrees in economics. However, I personally take more stock in what the rural folks would say over what we are being fed by Wall Street and the Fed gov.
Agree.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention our crime jump.
After the new “community” up the road was built, we had a rash of break-ins and thefts.
They did not touch the rich homes.
They only hit the poorer locals.
Sounds like some ‘bored kids’ came along with their elite, liberal parents.
I’m sure it was quite entertaining for them, since there’s nothing else to do out here but watch God’s beautiful world going by.
I’m still getting to use to locking my doors and *not* being able to wander the woods and river banks without concern, like I used to.
Heating oil will be $5.00 per gallon this winter. Seniors and famalies making less then $75,000 per year income (family of four) will be forced to choose between being very cold, staying sick or consisting on a diet of Ramen noodles.
Indeed, your correct about the northern states, I live in Maine. My average heating bill was $600 per month and it will grow to $1,000 a month (but I am converting to wood). and buying a chainsaw :)
But hey, according to our wonderful government statistics, we are not in a recession. It’s the non-recession recession!
I’ll tell you why the disconnect with Washington and why half of us are barely grumbling about the economy and the other half are screaming for blood:
30% of our GDP is megacorporations with hedges against such bad times, like access to credit, cash reserves, vested in emerging markets where cheap labor without bennies are still plentiful, accountants to shield tax liabilities, offshoring to further shield tax liabilities. Defense spending and other outsourcing from government. Legal teams and risk managers to keep the busines focused on revenue growth. This doesn’t make these companies bad, it just makes them more protected.
21% of our GDP is government. 2% GDP stems from government spending alone in the last two years on defense or our GDP would have entered negative territory in February (although they probably were but am already writing a book here so I’ll save that for any of you that want to mail me on that). Probably no need to educate on why government can give itself raises to cover the cost of living.
That leaves the 49% of the GDP, evereone else. Out of this 49%, 70% is small business and represents a majority of the middle class. This has been where the job losses have been severe. Small businesses are being preyed on by government, banking and utilities. No meaningful investment from the investment community itself to transition into safer markets, no government assistance, an IRS ready to audit with simple clerical mistakes, rising healthcare costs (along with everything else) causing skilled employees to go elsewhere. Horrific domestic business conditions, consumer spending on non-discretionaries going off the cliff, oh yeah and did I mention energy costs making air travel and other transporation becoming non-viable to attempt to drum up new business outside of a local area?
There ya have it. 51% of the GDP offset what is deep recessionary conditions for the 49%. We are headed to financial collapse and the 49% will have all there savings erased. The 49% considered ‘Main St.’ is now dragging down Wall St. which was highly predictable to anyone with an once of economic knowledge.
I doubt the 49% will sit back and calmy accept there wheat pasta and yellow cheese rations 2-3 years from now. Best have a month of food and water on hand and become armed. Even our nimwitted government will tell you to have this kind of back-up food and water supply on hand for any emergency. The good news? We will make it through and rebuild, but the easy days are over for many for a good long time and that sucks!
That's something to be proud of. Keep up the good fight!
No, the majority of Americans feeling this pain deserved so much better. It means your quality of life has gone down and mark my words, it’s going to get worse before it gets better (although energy should ease some after August for about a year, maybe longer depending on energy policy). It’s likely many Americans will need to move back into the big cities in dumpy housing to find work. Or Americans will have to spend much time about emerging markets, economics and finding the ability to use the Internet to service the global economy. All the choices are hard for probably about five years. I feel your pain and anger. I ran numbers in June 2007 and spent 14 hour days preparing my small consumer health marketing business for what I knew was coming. Now I work 14 hour days to barely pay the bills.
It would probably make you more pissed to know exactly is to blame and the sell-out of 97% of our population so that 1% of the rich could become super-rich to ski behind 3 yachts instead of 1 or have 6 homes instead of 3. Don’t worry though, I and other data people are making appropriate records, so after it’s all said and done some justice can be served to these people, wherever they may hang there hat on this globe. I personally will be running for Congress in 2012. Wait till they get a load of me :)
Lack of education can indeed kill you young. The Democrats were evily brilliant to figure out how to utilize mass media such as T.V. and the Internet to propogandize, get elected and create endless legislation which further keeps them in power and the ability to spend endless more funds getting elected. Then more policy is created to keep more energy offline which drives up the price, allowing Washington politicians to personally invest or de-vest. That kind of information and practice would be day-traders in prison. In Washington, your lame if don’t take advantage of this. It’s sickening.
The same. But your Dad saw a massive market crash and depression. The old saying was, never trust bankers they love foreclosures. We just had one in March that was nicely covered up and the Fed did stave off (temporarily) systemic collapse of our entire financial system. Your Dad saw widespread banking failures in his day, but no American has seen a complete economic collapse, it has never happened.
Wheat pasta rations and yellow cheese await. But in the end, perhaps it would be better to eat the rations and change the political landscape back to a Republic in a financial collapse rather then this slow march toward a Fascist regime of spoiled brats. I would rather see it done the easier way, but I believe it is now a probability the financial house of cards will collapse. But this will be cumulative effect and reach a tipping point, my numbers peg this roughly 2010.
Think 60 million gun owners are going to forgive those in power in Washington if such occurs? Wonder why there has been so much debate by Dems about the 2nd Ammendment? How about our military, being treated less then dirt by the dirty Dems? Think they’ll rush to defend the White House to fire on our own citizens? The BATF yes, the military no. Listen though, our stock is of one of the best on earth in innovation, independence and stubborness. We have just forgotten those painful lessons of 1929-1945. But think about this, the Greatest Generation were US in 1928, going to speakeasy’s and partying it up! Think we will just all lay down and die? I don’t.
“I don’t care if they voted Republican either because they chose to live there. If they don’t like it...move.”
Wrong attitude buddy. We have all been accustomed to living where we want, what to drive and what to eat, access to quality medical care and warm/cool home environments. This is government failure on both sides of the aisle based on a moronic consensus about a failed economic theory called the Efficient Marketing Hyposis. Congress is supposed to conduct controlled economic experiments, not blindly accelerate there dumb ideas about fairness. Read into Alexander Hamilton the first U.S. Treasurer for more insight. Your lack of empathy toward suffering Americans and why they are in such dire straights is disturbing.
*sigh*
I guess no hope is better than false hope.
That’s what databases are for. Microsoft Access as a program works fine for a beginner wish to cross-tabulate data for future use.
I have to...there’s no other choice....:)
We’re dealing with a wishy-washy whiner here, who wants someone to deliver her.
The Dems and others in fact.
Does anyone wonder why government facilities that have been built in the past decade or so now resemble fortified bunkers, with CCTVs covering every angle, bullet proof glass, fortified electronic ID entries, scanners, metal detectors, and armed security? Even seen some with automated vehicle barriers that pop up out of the concrete. lol..
Check out newer constructed local, state and federal government buildings. It's pretty amazing stuff.
I often ponder...Is this all about the Oklahoma event? Or something else yet to be seen?
In the Great Depression, over-inflated home values began falling like a rock, particularly Florida and California. Sound familiar? Energy and food are shooting through the roof but other asset classes are now deflating. Is the U.S. dollar inflating or deflating? Is specific monetary policy of devaluing our own currency inflation or does imports like oil typically rise 600% in five years while demand globally has increased only 10%? Is the dollar tied to asset classes that are rising or are they DEFLATING? Perhaps the key here is that domestic asset classes such as banking and real-estate were greatly overvalued to begin with by crafty new accounting methods and ridiculous government legislation.
BTW, saying we are heading for a depression is not saying we are in one. You are correct, a depression is a cumulative effect of deflating asset classes over an extended period of time.
Unlike the Great Depression, we also have tremendous oil shocks in a very short period. We are starting to break some of the Great Depression’s records already. To me as an economist, the writing is on the wall we are headed towards depression but don’t worry, many people now are in denial just as they were back then. The good news is we produce six times the amount of food with only twice the population of 1933 and communications have gotten infinately better. We’ll recover fast but be wise. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
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