Convenience stores acted well in trying times

To the editor:

I am very proud of the vast majority of Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association members who stood tall and faced the events of Sept. 11 with calm heads, dignity and patriotism.

Our members were faced with public panic, consumer demand for fuel that increased by 200 percent to 400 percent in less than 12 hours, a general lack of reliable information regarding future petroleum supply and intense scrutiny by the attorney general's office.

The fact that the attorney general's investigation into alleged price gouging yielded only 48 alleged infractions clearly indicates the vast majority of gas stations and convenience stores across Missouri took the brunt of the public's fear and outrage and still managed to provide consumers with plenty of fuel at very reasonable prices.

I firmly believe no other industry could have done what our members did under those very trying and extreme circumstances.

RONALD J. LEONE

Executive Vice President

Missouri Petroleum

Marketers and Convenience Store Association

Jefferson City, Mo.