Seniors, handicapped say assistance is a necessity
MARQUETTE -- High gas prices are tough on all consumers this summer. But actually getting that gas into the vehicle has caused a big headache for some.
Freedom Gas in Marquette was one of the last to offer full service, an option they ended about three weeks ago. Now, they're bringing it back.
Evelyn McKindles is like any other motorist; she drives almost everyday to get to work. But what's not so easy for her is actually filling up the tank.
And she's not alone. Many Marquette residents any say it's not that easy to fill up their own tank. Buttons and payment options at self-serve stations can be confusing, and sometimes there are even physical obstacles.
"The machines, to me, are very confusing, very complicated and hard because you're strength is gone," says McKindles. She's heard from others that arthritis and back problems limit other senior citizens at the pump.
McKindles and many others typically got their gasoline from Freedom Gas in Marquette during their "full service hours," but due to the financial burden and new higher technology pumps, the service was discontinued.
"That's really not fair," McKindles said. "If they don't have it, that means none of us can get out and pump our gas."
Freedom Gas says they've gotten plenty of calls since the change, and the callers weren't happy.
"We had an awful lot of customers who were seniors, a lot of customers were handicapped," says store manager Bill Larsh.
But being a full-service station has its disadvantages: that's an additional person and salary the competitors aren't funding. Still, despite the extra cost, Larsh said he knew he had to do something.
"It's more of an ethical issue on my part," Larsh said. "I looked at this and thought, if I had to tell my mother this, I wouldn't feel very good about it."
So, Freedom will now be offering "Senior Assistance Day" every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If a senior needs assistance any other day of the week, they can call ahead with a description of their vehicle and someone will be on hand to assist at Freedom.