Pump price protester plucked from roof

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BY HEATHER AUGUSTYN
Times Correspondent | Tuesday, May 06, 2008 | (51 comment(s))

VALPARAISO | Jay Weinberg took protests of high gasoline costs to new heights Monday afternoon at the corner of Silhavy Road and Ind. 2. (Watch the video.)

The Valparaiso resident used a megaphone to decry soaring pump prices from the roof of the Family Express gas station. Weinberg, who was led away by police, had reached the roof with the help of a friend with a dump truck.

"Price gouging, so we're shouting, who's jacking up the cost of fuel. I can't afford it, I'm banging on my dashboard, I can't believe they think I'm a fool," sang Weinberg, a musician who led about 20 friends in song in the station's parking lot below. The protest also attracted dozens of onlookers at the busy intersection at rush hour.

Weinberg said he realizes that the stunt, which stopped traffic along Ind. 2 and created traffic jams along Silhavy, will not bring fuel costs down, but he said he has another motive.

"The voice of the people is unheard," shouted Weinberg from the top of the gas station's roof. "We have no outlets and you have to do something dramatic before people notice," he said.

People did notice, including the Valparaiso Police and Fire departments that were dispatched to the scene to remove Weinberg from the roof and control his group of friends. They were videotaping the event and calling friends on their cell phones.

Inside, station employees were annoyed.

"That's just what we need, another headline," said the employee who declined to give her name and said she had no comment about the stunt.

Weinberg was led down from the roof by firefighters. Police searched and handcuffed him after about 20 minutes of asking him to get down.

"I understand what you're doing and it's fine, but this is private property and you have to leave," Sgt. Perry Stone told Weinberg's friends.

Station patrons said they were fully aware of the high fuel costs and were not sure how climbing on the station's roof would help their pocketbooks.

"I don't know what good it's going to do. He'll just go to jail," said Bob Oestereich, of Valparaiso, who came to get gas and a coffee.

Friends of Weinberg said he planned to do the stunt again at a future site and the group followed him to the police station in support.

No one from the Family Express corporate office could be reached for comment Monday evening.

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Rocko wrote on May 6, 2008 9:22 PM:

" Hey Erick way to be as negative as possible at least he's trying something now hes all over the news and radio and getting his song across so it sounds like a good idea to me "

Erick wrote on May 6, 2008 5:58 PM:

" This is like trying to preserve the forests with big paper signs. This idiot, because he couldn't do it in a sane and legal way, causes the town to drive gas guzzling vehicles across town to fish him off the roof. So we're trying to get people to save gas by causing them to use it. Good plan sherlock. "

Dad wrote on May 6, 2008 1:56 PM:

" Reply to Let's cut the crap Try not to be so negetive...your going to end up with high blood pressure...love DAD "

dose of reality wrote on May 6, 2008 1:51 PM:

" LOOK UP THE NUMBERS-YOU NEED TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH....I LOOKED UP THE EXACT NUMBERS AND FOR ALL GRADES OF FINISHED GASOLINE IN 2006 THE US CONSUMED 9,253 BARRELS PER DAY (IN THOUSANDS) AND IT WENT UP TO 9290 BPD IN 2007 OBVIOUSLY THE NUMBERS FOR 08 ARE NOT IN YET. Interestingly enough if you look at what your dollar is being spent on marketing, refining, and advertising are down percentage wise, however the cost of the crude oil is the only thing that has gone up.....hmmmmmmmm supply and demand......hmmmmmmmmm I could teach economics! Try using E85 its a bigger scam than gas. not only does it not give you as much fuel economy, but it drives up the cost of food, beer, and other grain related accessories. So don't believe what you misread MR. LOOK UP THE NUMBERS. "

pay up and shut is right wrote on May 6, 2008 12:52 PM:

" This is the environmentals fault. Start drilling now!!! "

look up the numbers wrote on May 6, 2008 12:38 PM:

" Gas usage is down.. look up the numbers before you believe what you have been told.
Pay your high price for gas if you want, but like Jay, I think its time for a change. "

TO Portage Res wrote on May 6, 2008 12:38 PM:

" All I have to ask is, Where do we all meet!!?? I'll be there!!, OH YEAH BABY!! LETS SPARK THIS ACCROSS THE NATION ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE!! "

Portage Res wrote on May 6, 2008 12:31 PM:

" I agree with what these people did, but they should have congregated on public property AROUND the gas station, not on top of it. That probably would have gotten the point across better than standing on the roof annoying the employees...

Lets take this further. I want to contact this guy and help him and get my friends to help him too! Its time we stand up for ourselves instead of moaning and groaning at the pump... "

Bank on it wrote on May 6, 2008 12:25 PM:

" He should have been on top of a bank. It is the dollar that is falling not the price of oil going up. Global trade is a good thing?? "

dose of reality wrote on May 6, 2008 11:50 AM:

" Amen to SUPPLY AND DEMAND......
Have you driven by the high school lately? Parking lot is still full....people are still driving unnecessarily...as painful as it is we are still using gas at a record pace.....hence the record profits. Also, if you blame the gas station (i.e. family express/speedway) your an idiot.....they only make a few cents a gallon on gas it is the refineries and big oil companies that are making record profits. We need to find alternate sources of renewable energy and until then we should drill in Alaska!!!!!! Quit importing oil that we could produce here. "

Jess Wundrin wrote on May 6, 2008 11:48 AM:

" How many people blowing a gasket here are the same people who demanded that no money be used to find the South Shore expansion?

You want people to stop using gas, there's got to be some alternative, no? You're going to pay either way, as you're finding out while watching us get closer to $4/gallon gas.

"

lets cut the crap wrote on May 6, 2008 11:44 AM:

" REPLY to payup n shutup:

No, actually YOU people are the reason our government is CONTROLLING US--BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU NAY-SAYERS WHO run around on a bunch of hamster wheels and do back flips for these politicians, who are filling their pockets with YOUR and the rest of our money, and LAUGHING at how IGNORANT you are at their brainwashing tactics--THEY ARE FEEDING YOU LIES AND YOU ARE eating from their hands!!! It's called AWARENESS and COMMON SENSE---GET SOME!!!
you conservatives---sheeeeeeeesh!!!! "

Lowellabama wrote on May 6, 2008 11:24 AM:

" BRILLIANT!! Now all we have to do is get this guy and all his friends, join him, and use our right to assemble on public property just outside of the gas stations. I applaud what he did, but we must not excuse it, since he did break the law, and could have broken his neck, caused accidents, or caused damage to the roof for which he could be held responsible. Peaceful, lawful assembly will go MUCH FURTHER than stunts. "

Intellgence wrote on May 6, 2008 11:23 AM:

" MWAHAHAHAHHAHH!! YEAH BABY!!! IM RIGHT BEHIND YOU JAY!!!!!!!!! TIME TO PLAN THE NEXT MOVE!! "

lets cut thte crap wrote on May 6, 2008 11:21 AM:

Intellegence wrote on May 6, 2008 11:09 AM:

" WOW!! HE OBVIOUSLY GOT HIS POINT ACCROSS!! LOOK AT ALL THESE COMMENTS ALREADY FORMING ON THIS ARTICLE ALONE! JAY, IM ALL FOR YA MAN!! THIS IS THE SPARK!! NOW WE ALL JUST NEED TO LIGHT THE FLAME!!

TO: WHAM BAM, THAT'S GREAT IN ALL, STEAL GAS???? EXPLAIN HOW TO DO THAT AT PREPAY PUMPS!!???? DUH!!!!! WOW. "

Stupid Is.... wrote on May 6, 2008 11:05 AM:

" as stupid does. Yawn. "

biggie wrote on May 6, 2008 10:45 AM:

" how about we pass the cost of the war onto the iraqis and take oil as payment...works for me! "

AC wrote on May 6, 2008 10:38 AM:

" I am with Jay. If the oil companies weren't boasting record profits and we were actually paying what they had no choice but to charge us maybe we wouldn't be so angry, but they ARE boasting record profits and its because they are bleeding us dry! We should all try to do a little research before paying the ludicrous price per gallon offered at Speedways and Family Expresses. Boycott those price gouging dirtbags and fill up somewhere else! I have yet to pay over 3.65 at the stations on rte 20 in Chesterton. Yet 3 blocks away I see people paying 3.80 and up because I assume they think they have no other choice. Neither Speedway nor Family Express will get a dime from me, not even for a soda! Shop elsewhere folks! It could very well make a difference in what these stations are charging! "

TAX PAYER wrote on May 6, 2008 10:35 AM:

" This is a good start. Lets take this creative energy and come up with some short term and long term solutions to this problem. Lets cut that speed limit back to 55 again. It worked before to cut fuel usage and accidents. Plus it gave us some great songs like "I can't drive 55". We'll take the massive fines of those selfish people who have to speed and fund more mass transportation. "

Bex wrote on May 6, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Glad to see an activist acting on convictions. I hope people realize that the gas tax holiday is a joke and vote for real change, BARACK OBAMA. "

WTG wrote on May 6, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Kudo's to Jay...I just recently spoke with friends from Tennessee, where gas prices are averaging 30 to 40 cents cheaper, than here in the midwest.
"

Start walking then wrote on May 6, 2008 10:31 AM:

" Don't like the gas prices then vote out the dummies like Durbin and Obama that fight refinery expansion. Obama doesn't even want you to have a gas holiday. "

SUPPLY AND DEMAND wrote on May 6, 2008 10:24 AM:

" WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS GET RID OF OUR LARGE VEHICLES, CARPOOL, AND CUT BACK ON OUR DRIVING. IF THE DEMAND FOR GAS GOES DOWN SO WILL THE PRICE. "

Power to people wrote on May 6, 2008 10:22 AM:

" Right on Jay! Little stones thrown in the water can create big ripples! The people's voice shall be heard through actions taken such as these. "

FE wrote on May 6, 2008 10:11 AM:

" Family Express is making huge profits off of gasoline, dont be fooled. These stores stick together in pricing regardless of what they purchased the fuel for...this equates to huge profits. I might accept it if it went to the employees but instead it goes to upper management and the CEO's new mansion.
Good job Jay. More people need to have Big Kahuna's like you. "

I Hear Ya wrote on May 6, 2008 10:08 AM:

" Too bad they don't make oil in China! "

Tom wrote on May 6, 2008 10:07 AM:

" Pretty soon our only option will be to ride pogo sticks that we bought at Walmart and are made in China. "

jojo wrote on May 6, 2008 10:06 AM:

" jay, you are a riot!!! "

GVT wrote on May 6, 2008 9:56 AM:

" Was that George Van Til on that roof protesting he now has to purchase gas instead of getting it free ? "

CookieCutter wrote on May 6, 2008 9:32 AM:

" Right on, brother! Time to start drilling off our coasts & in the Dakotas. China is allowed to drill in the Gulf of Mexico whilst our wonderful politicians are selling us down the river. We have PLENTY of gas right here and it's time we cut loose the environmental nut jobs that are preventing the drilling/refining. We need nuclear power too. If France can be nuclear why can't the United States? Ask Hil, Obama & McCain about this! "

kelli wrote on May 6, 2008 9:29 AM:

" At least he had the guts to stand up and be heard while the rest of us just complain about it. Perhaps we should all picket at the oil companies, then we will see all the bentleys and lexus vehicles they drive while some of us are cutting into our grocery budget just so we can make it to work. The next president better do something about these prices. "

payup n shutup wrote on May 6, 2008 9:21 AM:

" "its about time" that we allowed the oil companies resume drilling in our own country. Its about time we let BP expand production of the less expensive heavy crude from Canada. Its about time we allow construction of nuclear power plants. Its about time you socialists stop drinking the koolaide and recognize that the problem is NOT the oil companies. The problem is YOU and your socialist democrat representatives. You want to to all of the wrong things, at the wrong times, in the wrong way and expect a good outcome. "

fed up american wrote on May 6, 2008 9:19 AM:

" The protesting against the taxation without representation was something that lead to the revolutionary war. This one person will be just the first of many who is fed up with the government (who, by the way, does not pay for their own gas. I'm sure the congressmen have their own credit cards which we pay for) not doing anything about this but letting the fat cats at Exxon and Shell just keep getting fatter. "

Wham Bam wrote on May 6, 2008 9:17 AM:

" The government is not in the oil business nor do they set the price at the pump. I got news for you - if you don't like the price at the pump - don't buy it - steal it! "

shelley wrote on May 6, 2008 9:05 AM:

" One person can make a difference.

These did too.

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill Ronald Reagan
Alexander the Great Christopher Columbus Martin Luther
Samuel Adams
Napoleon Bonaparte
Dwight D. Eisenhower Theodore Roosevelt
Ulysses S. Grant Pope John Paul II
George W. Bush
Harry S. Truman George C. Marshall
Mikhail Gorbachev Lech Walesa Boris Yeltsin
John F. Kennedy
John Glenn Neil Armstrong
Susan B. Anthony Senator Margaret Chase Smith Whitaker Chambers
Simon Bolivar David Ben-Gurion Charles A. Lindbergh John Paul Jones "

Tony wrote on May 6, 2008 8:51 AM:

" This is what it has to take to get these politicians to take notice. Listen up Hillary we don't need a gas tax holiday! We need permanent releif from high gas prices. some of Hillary's biggest donations came from oil lobbyists so you better beleive the gas holiday is the most you will get from her. Why becuase it does nothing to hurt the oil companies that make billions, it hurts you and i the tax payer who will end up paying higher taxes elsewhere to fund this gas tax holiday. "

c.c. complainant wrote on May 6, 2008 8:39 AM:

" A single person fed up with this situation is just the start of civil unrest. The politicians came up with a gas tax holiday however, they all agree
three dollars a gallon is "fair". "

its about time wrote on May 6, 2008 8:14 AM:

" I understand the tresspassing issue but I believe V alpo has a history or finding reasons to arrest people who are simply utilizing their first ammendment rights to protest something that the government should and can fix.
unless the nation rises up in protest and does something drastic, the government will only piddle with it and not fix it. All these oil execs and lobbyists line the pockets or our politicians to keep it that way "

Lets start drilling wrote on May 6, 2008 8:06 AM:

" Its time to start drilling and support the refinery expansions. Just alone in the midwest there is something like $30 Billion in expansion projects to bring in the cheaper canadian crude but the environmentalists fight these permits every step of the way. "

MTD wrote on May 6, 2008 8:01 AM:

" Standing up for what you believe in and what others are too afraid to say! Kudos! "

I Understand wrote on May 6, 2008 7:57 AM:

" I understand where this guy is coming from. The gas prices are out of control!! What used to be $28 to fill my tank is now $46. I understand why he did it! "

GAC wrote on May 6, 2008 7:18 AM:

" Freedom of Speech!. You may not agree with Mr. Weinberg, but as a people we have fought long and hard for this right. Mr. Weinberg knew he would probably get arrested, but he made his point, brought his complaint into public view in a peaceful manner, and now he has to face the consequences which I'm sure he can handle. Right on Brother! "

fedup wrote on May 6, 2008 7:10 AM:

" Good for him. It is about time somebody says something, I just wish there was somebody listening. Miniorty rules because they have the bigger dollars. "

Thats the problem wrote on May 6, 2008 6:59 AM:

" You don't know how it would help. If everyone in this country got up off their butts and do what this man is doing in this vid, put up a fight. Things might change. This is SUPPOSED to be a free country but after all these years all people want is the government to take care of them and it has backfired on us. Instead of "taking care of us" they are merely controlling us. Get up and fight for your country and your rights as a human being!! People are already being tasered right and left for no good reason, the smoking bans have gone into effect, and soon they will be telling you what you can and can't eat or even how many children you are allowed to have.

In all reality, I am sure this will never happen... so our country will continue to control us. Because the people who cover this story think this guy is crazy. Well... in my opinion he's not, he's just fighting for his rights. Something most of us will never have the guts to do. "

Curtis wrote on May 6, 2008 6:42 AM:

" Good job, Jay! Your voice will be heard and I hope more people follow what you did!

Keep up the fight! Our voices will be heard! "

Pat Triot wrote on May 6, 2008 6:14 AM:

" This country needs more people like him. You may call him crazy and dumb, but it has to start somewhere. The Boston tea party happened to protest taxes. If a group of people tried that today they would be thrown in jail for a long time, too much government control. "

DryEyes wrote on May 6, 2008 5:28 AM:

" Quit your crying! Gas is over $8/gal in Eastern Europe. People overseas laugh at us. We moan and groan about gas prices as we drive away in our gas guzzlers. Get a grip and start reporting on news worthy events. "

Chris L. wrote on May 6, 2008 5:05 AM:

" Gas prices can't be too high! Take a look at the semis and large pick-ups/SUV's speeding on the expressways. Going 80mph and flipping off people doing the speed limit, tells me gas prices aren;t too high for them!!! "

-Shotgun- wrote on May 6, 2008 4:05 AM:

" Bravo! Bravo! "

bh wrote on May 6, 2008 1:12 AM:

" >>>>>>>>>>>> WAY TO GO <<<<<<<<<< "

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