Interestingly enough, the Jan. 3 Times Herald featured "Price creep at gas pump," a USA Today article that tried to examine the rising costs of oil and gasoline products and their future implications.
Let's examine the effect of higher gasoline prices in St. Clair County. With some of the highest rates of unemployment in the state, we will continue to spiral.
People without jobs are least able to weather increasing gasoline prices. Generally, they find a minimum number of jobs at the lowest rates. They have no expectations for the near future except higher prices. Seniors on fixed income also are targeted by rising fuel costs. Their continued loss of income already is increased by rising health insurance costs.
Let's look at another local example. In the past several years, Silver Stick has sent visiting teams 40 to 60 miles to compete at venues with few or no spectators in attendance.
I believe before Silver Stick officials address this problem, we must figure a way for an earlier start locally. With ice available for an earlier start and many teams within a few hours drive, we can start by eliminating the games at Lapeer and Flint in the early stages of this prestigious tournament.
While the city tells us about the benefit of a combined Chilly Fest and Silver Stick, we can follow this lead with very little adjustments. Remember the single-game elimination of many years ago. It could continue this progress.
