Chamber sends out a call to action on steep gas prices

HARLEM VALLEY — The Harlem Valley Chamber of Commerce (HVCOC) is joining forces with the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce (DCRCOC) in its campaign to lower prices at the pump. The chambers are providing an online petition for both members and nonmembers to complete, which will then be sent to federal elected officials in hopes of encouraging them to find effective ways to lower gas prices.“Higher energy prices are a chain reaction to all price increases,” states the DCRCOC’s site, explaining that according to economist Nouriel Roubini of Roubini Global Economics, “an increase in oil prices to $140 a barrel could even cause the recovering economy to revert back into recession.” The introduction to the petition claims that “if anything, it will surely slow the economic recovery. “Another concern regarding gas prices is that in the summer refineries will switch over to the summer blend, a more expensive process,” it states. “Join us in this unified effort to encourage our elected officials to find a way to act on behalf of our businesses and taxpayers.”The petitions are being sent to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker John Boehner, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Charles Schumer, Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, Congressman Chris Gibson and Congressman Maurice Hinchey.Tammy Cilione, vice president of communications for the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the idea for the petition “rolled out” of a breakfast on May 3.“Basically, with the rising gas prices, everyone understands it’s impacting everything and industries are seeing costs rise,” she said. “From food prices going up, with the cost of transporting goods putting more of a burden on the business community, especially small business, it’s been difficult.”Cilione said the petition is meant to let the region’s and the nation’s elected officials know “that they need to step in and help business owners, as business owners are already facing so much hardship in this day and age.”Harlem Valley Chamber of Commerce Vice President Brad Rebillard agreed the idea was a good one, especially when considering one’s options.“I think standing by and doing nothing is worse,” he said. “Doing nothing is more or less a vote of confidence that things are fine and that they can do what they want to do. I think you have to do something if you don’t like what’s going on.”That’s why Rebillard is hoping chamber members around the county, as well as nonmembers who make it to the county’s website, take action.“The more people that know about this the better,” he said, adding that the high gas prices have definitely hindered businesses throughout the Harlem Valley, just as they have others throughout the nation. “I think if you go around town and ask any business if it’s been impacted, they’ll tell you less people are coming in. I’ve even spoken to a person who has a towing business who said business is down because people are not driving and having accidents. Maybe that’s a good thing, but I think gas prices affect all levels of business, especially seeing how rural we all are [in the Harlem Valley].”When asked for solutions, Rebillard replied with humor, and a glimmer of desperation.“I think that when I’m going down the road I should put one leg out and push,” he said. “Anytime I get in the car and turn the key I think about where I’m going and plan as many things that I have to do from point A to point B, so I don’t have to go out again. That impacts us all.”So far the petition has been drawing receptive participants. According to Cilione, after the first week online, about 663 people had submitted the form. She did warn those interested in doing the same to follow the instructions carefully, especially the section that asks for a phone number, because if it’s done incorrectly the petition won’t be processed.The link to the gas price petition is www.dutchesscountyregionalchamber.org/GasPrice_petition.php. One can also go to the DCRCOC website, www.dutchesscountyregionalchamber.org, and then follow the prompts to the petition.