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Drivers, start your own gas pump By Jennifer Nitson Ashland Daily Tidings Representative Randy Miller wants Oregon to be a little less unique. The West Linn Republican has introduced HB 2749 to the Oregon Legislature, which, if passed, would allow Oregonians to pump their own gas. Oregon and New Jersey are the only states in the union where it is illegal to fuel your own vehicle. "It is my belief that the state of Oregon should have a compelling reason to restrict any activity by its citizens," Miller said. "I happen to believe that Oregonians are competent enough to pump their own gas." But do they want to? Greg Bailey, owner of Ashland Exxon and Valley View Exxon, believes most don't. "I talk to customers all the time about that," Bailey said. "It's amazing. I would say four out of five people say they like it just the way it is and they'd like to keep it that way. I believe we have to have someone taking money anyway and they might as well be giving good service." Khosro Khosroabadi, owner of Ashland Mobil, disagrees. "I think it's great that every other state in the United States believes a customer that can pour their own coffee can pour their own gas," he said. "It's convenience and time. Now days, with technology and how fast the world's moving, people just don't have the time. They'd be able to get their gas without having to wait for the gas attendant." Ana Delfosse, owner of A-Tech 76 in Ashland, is conflicted about the measure. "As a business owner, yes, but here is also the human aspect of this that's going to put many people out of work," Delfosse said. "We still have to have one attendant here. What it would eliminate would be the extra help - the second attendant we need when it gets busy." Bailey said he would not operate with less attendants if the bill were to pass. "My customers really seem to enjoy good service when they come in," Bailey said. "I'd keep it just the way it is whether it passed or not." The bill does make a provision for seniors and those with disabilities, requiring stations to have attendants on hand to pump gas for them at the same, or a lower, price. In a market where prices are influenced by supply, demand and regional competition, it is questionable as to whether passage of the bill would result in lower gasoline prices in Oregon. Miller said that even though supporters of the bill were pointing to lower gas prices as a benefit of the legislation, price is not necessarily related to overhead. Like many station owners, Delfosse is a commissioned dealer. She does not buy the fuel outright and resell it, but she essentially sells the gas for the oil company and they set the retail price. "I always get the same cents per gallon, no matter what the price," she said. Delfosse makes 8 cents per gallon of gas sold, a figure that hasn't changed in the last six years. "It's hard to cover expenses, especially considering that the minimum wage has gone up twice in the last six years." "Our employment doesn't have any effect on gas prices," Khosroabadi said, another commissioned dealer. "That's their price. That's their gas." Consumer reaction to the bill is also mixed. Keith Crider from Medford addressed the bill as he fueled up at Valley View Exxon. "I hate it," he said. "It's part of what makes everything in Oregon so great. I travel around on business quite a bit and I end up pumping my own gas all over the country. I like coming back to Oregon and not having to get out of my car. And the gas prices are not really any higher than anywhere else." Richard Best of Ashland likes the bill. "I'm in favor of it, I think we're the only state in the U.S. where we're too stupid to do that," Best said before he drove off while the gas pump was still operating. Though many people on their way in and out of Oregon are unaccustomed to not pumping their own gas, some appreciate the service. "I like it personally, and I think that California should have gas attendants," said Bob Stone of Yreka, Calif. "I would just as soon have someone else do it." Emanuel Orozco of Los Angeles was surprised to find out at A-Tech 76 that he could not pump his own. "I think it's nice in one way, they give good service too � I'd rather just pump my own gas," Orozco said. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -