Residents and Workers Share How Rising Gas Prices Have Affected Them

The average price of gas on Long Island was $4.12 per gallon as of Monday, about an eight cent increase from the week prior. Nationally, gas prices averaged $3.83 per gallon, an increase of just 2.8 cents in the same week.

In light of recent near-record high gas prices, Sayville Patch interviewed customers at the located at 188 North Main Street in Sayville, to gather their reactions as to how the dramatic increase has affected their driving and shopping habits, home budget and general quality of life.

Peter Zambuto, 32, of Kwik Kold Refrigeration & Air Conditioning said his business has been adversely affected by the soaring prices at the pump.

"I do service. It's definitely hurting us. We can't raise our prices – then our customers complain. It's costing us almost triple. We're losing money," said Zambuto.

He also found that his enjoyment of life overall has decreased.

"I'm definitely shopping a lot less. I try not to go out as much," he said.

Three friends and Sayville residentsBarbara Yusko, 48, Jean Skolnick, 49, and Danielle Lankowicz, 45, were at the gas station filling their bicycles up with air.  They found an ideal way to save money, stay fit and spend some quality time together outdoors.

"I was off last week. I'm a teacher, and I didn't take my car out all week on purpose," said Yusko. "I think it's a scam. I just think it's political; there's money in gas ... We're riding our bikes everywhere this summer. We're not joining a gym."

Residents must also take into consideration the price of  gas for boats and increased airfare when planning their leisure activities. While it sounds like Yusko and her friends will still have a fun summer, some adjustments will have to be made.

"Also our boat gas is going to be expensive. I don't think we'll be cruising around.  We'll be tying up or going to the beach," said Yusko.

Skolnick said, "I told my kids, 'You're going to have to start riding bikes a lot more.'  It takes 75 bucks to fill up your car and 75 bucks to fill up your kid's car."

On a recent trip to Florida Lankowicz opted to drive there instead of fly.

"It cost us $1,000 to drive to Florida versus $2,500 to fly, because we're a family of five," she said.

John Urena, 41, said the recent surge in fuel prices has affected him, "slightly."

"You don't just run out for one thing, you try to combine the trip into two or three errands," said Urena who works for UPS and commutes to and from Brooklyn every day, and is more grateful than ever to have a car that gets great gas mileage.

While Urena takes the train to work two days a week to beat the traffic he said that it is still cheaper for him to drive than to take the train.

"I wouldn't just run out for a coffee... You're a bit more conscious of it now.  If it gets worse, then I've got to sit down and think about it," he said.

In answer to the near-record high gas prices Rep. Steve Israel, D-Huntington requested on Monday that President Barack Obama tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), an action which he said would help to mitigate costs at the pump almost immediately.

The SPR contains 727 million barrels of oil, and is the largest quantity of government owned emergency crude oil amassed worldwide.

Israel said that the gas would hit the market in under two weeks once released.