October 19, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

What do you think is behind the recent decline in gas prices?
(Asked at the Almaden Branch Library)

“Politics, just playing these games. It depends on who is in power. It’s good that they’ve come down, but I’m tired of these games. I think it will probably go back up after the election.”

Hazel Bolino, 49
Almaden
Part-time interpreter for the deaf


“I really don’t know; it could be that the stock market is doing better, but I think it’s just that supplies are back in line with demand.”

Betty Gonzalo, 41
Almaden
Homemaker


“It’s good that prices have dropped. I hear lots of rumors that the United States is buying more gas from foreign countries.”

Parvin Ghafouri
Almaden
Retired


“My dad was a vice president of Unical at one point. International supply and demand are the main reason that prices go down at the pump. Oil has become pretty much a commodity business now. There used to be a lot more gasoline companies, now it’s down to three or four compared with six or seven a few years ago. The change came after Hurricane Katrina, the lack of supplies drove prices up and now supply and demand are more in line.”

Rick Dietzman, 41
Almaden
South Hills Church pastor


“I think it has a lot to do with what’s going on in the Middle East and the recent visit to the United States from the ex-president of Iran. I’m hoping things will get better."

Sheila Sepehr, 42
Almaden
Homemaker


“It’s tempting to think it’s political but I don’t know how [the government] could bring that about. I imagine its because the world economy is slowing down and maybe China isn’t buying as much oil or gasoline.”

Norm Gillis, 70ish
Almaden
Retired

“I have no idea. It could be political, but we just moved back here and I haven’t spent as much time listening to the news. We spent three weeks driving back [from Connecticut] and I’m really happy to be back.”

Carol Skoog, 50
Almaden
Homemaker for now