Protester hits streets of Roseburg

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Story Published: Sep 4, 2008 at 10:44 AM PST

By KPIC Web Staff

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ROSEBURG, Ore. -- People in Douglas County have been upset with high gas prices for some time, but one man decided he has had enough, and showed his frustration Wednesday morning.

Chuck Keller stood on sidewalks and protested throughout Roseburg.

Keller has lived in Roseburg for 35 years, and says gas is more expensive in Roseburg than anywhere else in the state, and some places in California. He says there's no good reason why it's so expensive here.

"40 cents cheaper in Florence, Coos Bay is 10 cents cheaper, San Francisco is 10 cents cheaper, Sutherlin is 10 cents cheaper. Eugene is 35-40 cents cheaper."

Keller says people living in this area are getting ripped off. He says gas prices are fixed, and has called the Attorney General to get involved.

"They need to justify the prices. A barrel of gas has gone down from $147 to under $110 a barrel. The prices right now should be $3.69 or less here at Safeway."

Keller was standing outside of Safeway, and says Portland workers set the price of gas for Roseburg.

"Here at Safeway, they call the district manager in Portland. I've talked to the district manager and she verified it that she sets the prices of what the market will be here in Roseburg, and that's why we're sitting at $4.01 here in Roseburg right now."

Keller says a Roseburg Safeway manager did ask him to leave.

KPIC called the Assistant Store Manager, and he would not comment on the incident, or even give us his last name.

Safeway spokesman Dan Floyd told KPIC that gas prices in Portland do not affect prices in Roseburg.

Floyd says, "Prices are based on the market, and Safeway attempts to be the lowest in the area. Fuel prices are competitive and they do offer incentives."

Floyd says there are fuel taxes in some cities, and that can fluctuate prices slightly.

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