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The Daily Illini Online
published Friday, September 14, 2001
I know that the day of Sept. 11, 2001 will long be remembered for the terrorist attacks that happened on this day. I will, however, also remember it for another reason. I know that in the course of the next hours, days and even years we will learn just how this day has affected our lives.
I do know one way that it has affected my life already. I will never be able to drive past a Citgo gas station without remembering what I saw Tuesday. I know that this pales in comparison to the many sights that we have all undoubtedly seen on TV and wouldn't amount to anything for those who are at the center of this terrorist activity. However, what I saw was not much better than a terrorist act.
I had just finished filling up my car with gas not at a Citgo but at the Sam's Gas Station where I usually do. On my way home I did, however, pass by the Citgo station on the corner of Bradley and Mattis avenues where I saw gas prices at more than $4.
But that isn't what really bothered me. The young man who was in the process of changing the price was being videotaped, I assume for the local news, and had a smile on his face while doing it. Not only that, but when the news ran there was no mention of this gas station's name or location so we consumers would know who was trying to turn a profit on a day like Tuesday.
I have taken it upon my self to provide a little of that information. I called this gas station, which is listed as a Colonial Pantry Food Store, at 1201 N. Mattis Ave. in Champaign. I talked to a man who didn't have anything to say about the price of the gas except that he only changes the prices as he is told. And he was told to raise them to $4.25, obviously at 6 p.m. Tuesday when I saw him, and then back down an hour later.
I did in fact go out and check close to midnight Tuesday, and even though the station was closed, the price displayed on the sign was in fact back down to $1.96. I feel as if a profit is being made from tragedy, and I personally will not stand for it. Just as I am going to support my country in its war on terrorism, I am going to support and demand that my state officials put an end to those who want to make a profit on a day like today.
Jeffrey D. Suckow
junior in engineering