A comment during the Calhoun County Commission meeting today created some frustration for one local gas retailer who did not appreciate being the topic of conversation regarding an accusation of price gouging.
Following the Commission meeting, Ridgeview News Publisher, Shari Johnson, stopped into Baker’s Mart to question the statement that had been made saying ”Over a period of one day their gas prices had changed from $4.09, to $4.20 and then back to $4.09, a matter Doug Cottrell, owner of Baker’s Mart vehemently denied. Stating that their gas had been $4.09 for some time and had not changed.
Mr. Cottrell had also been contacted by Commissioner Matthew Walker, and he defended not only himself but all other stations in the County, saying that ”We (collectively) are cheaper than anyone. We’re under the state average and have taken the initiative to keep our prices low. We’re too small and too poor of a county to price gouge anyone.”
As the AAA website attests, Calhoun is indeed below the state average. And as can be visualized quickly with the surrounding red counties around Calhoun, our gas prices are lower than anyone around us.
Mr. Cottrell went on to say that he was a very transparent business owner. When Covid first began to cause issues in the state, gas went from $11,000 for 8,600 gallons of gas to the same size load costing him $42,000 just three weeks ago. “I’m going to sleep well tonight,” he said, “because it’s true.”
Ridgeview News believes that It’s important as a community to not only make sure we know when something is wrong, but also when something is right. Being in business in Calhoun County isn’t for sissies. You have to have a strong back to shoulder the opinions of people, most of which have never done what you do, and have no concept of the realm of your personal livelihood.
I appreciate Mr. Cottrell’s candor today and encourage citizens to continue asking questions and seeking information. Support your local retailers, we need them!
