by Joseph Hillenmeyer
People that filled up on fuel at the Gas City on LaGrange Road in Mokena on Wednesday, June 4 received a helping hand from 11th Congressional District GOP nominee Marty Ozinga. The concrete czar released some of the burden off of customers arms by pumping their gas, while explaining his plan to reduce the burden on their wallet if he is elected to fill the vacancy left by exiting U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Guatemala).
Ozinga said his plans to reduce gas in the short term center around removing the 6.25 percent Illinois sales tax on gas and reducing mandates on "boutique" blends that he believes drive up prices. However, Ozinga says the bigger issue is finding a long term solution, which he believes means more drilling and becoming energy independent in North America. He added that new technologies and new drilling sites, including in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, can reduce our energy dependence on foreign oil without compromising the environment. However, Ozinga would like research to continue on greener energy.
"In the long run, we also need to continue to develop alternative energy sources, such as nuclear, wind, solar, bio-diesel and anything else that might come along," said Ozinga.
Ozinga told Gas City customers that as a local businessman he can relate to the concerns felt by Mokena residents because increasing gas prices have had a very negative effect on his business.
"I'm in the concrete business here locally, last year we burned almost 4 million gallons of diesel fuel, with the price going up like it is, well, do the math; it's devastating financially," Ozinga said to customers and a few reporters around noon.
"The premise that I'm running on is that people have had enough career politicians," said Ozinga, "I'm not from the government, I'm here to help you and I have experience as a local area businessman."
Karin Betzer, of Decatur said she was "feeling the gas prices," as she stopped in at the Gas City on her way back home. Ozinga spoke with Betzer and helped fill her tank, while he explained his plans for energy independence. Betzer said she liked his ideas, and like most of the people that Ozinga spoke with, was not happy about paying more than $4 a gallon.
Most likely in part to the cost of gas, people weren't lining up to fill their tanks, but Ozinga said he talked to many people, from Mokena and elsewhere, and most seemed supportive of his fuel plans.
Two of his sons, Marty IV, 31, and Tim, 21, were also at Gas City on June 4 to help spread their father's message of cheaper and greener energy.
Ozinga has replaced New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann as the GOP Nominee, who pulled out of the race shortly after wining the February primary.
