Proposed Gas Boycott Divides Texas County
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/3828394.html
BEEVILLE, Texas - In many ways, Beeville is a typical
slice of rural America, a city of about 33,000 that was
built on farming and ranching.
It has all the fast food places and a Wal-Mart,
but things like malls and specialized medical care
are at least an hour away _ more than just an
inconvenience with gas prices hovering at about
$3 a gallon.
"It's hurting everybody; everything is going up
except the pay," said Debbie Ponce, a 35-year-old
hairdresser who no longer makes the lengthy trip
in her sport utility vehicle.
It was such inconveniences that prompted Bee County
commissioners this week to call for a boycott of
Exxon Mobil Corp., because, according to County Judge
Jimmy Martinez, the world's largest oil company is
making record billion-dollar profits while consumers suffer.
"I understand free enterprise. I understand
we live in America. But, by golly, just because
they have a license doesn't mean that they can rob,"
Martinez said.
The boycott starts Monday _ the same day immigrants plan
to stay home from work and school in protest of proposed
immigration law reforms _ and will continue until gas is
down to $1.30 a gallon, Martinez said. He added that he
hopes counties follow the example set by this oil-rich part
of South Texas.
Martinez said Irving-based Exxon was targeted because
of its size and the message it sent with its $400 million
retirement package for Chief Executive Lee Raymond.
"They're coming into my office, they're having to make
a decision whether to drive for dialysis in Corpus Christi
or whether they want to put food on the table," Martinez said.
The Beeville Bee-Picayune Web site ran a poll showing
72 percent of those surveyed planned to boycott Exxon.
_________________________________________
.
|
