MOUNT VERNON - As prices at the pumps continue to climb toward, and in some instances, exceed $4.00 per gallon, Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young’s administration has made it a priority to step up inspections of gas stations. 

“We understand how much of a toll rising gas prices take on your wallet; we are all feeling this burden,” said Young.  “However, what it is within our control to do is to make sure that when you pay for $20, $40, $60 worth of gas, that you are getting the right amount of product.  The results of the inspections indicate that people who are buying their gas in Mount Vernon are getting the best bang for their buck.”

In recent weeks, Michael Paulercio, the city’s Sealer of Weights & Measures, has conducted inspections of nine stations, a total of 52 petroleum pumps, 34 blended pumps (where different grades of gas come through the same pump), and six diesel pumps.

The result of the inspections found nine violations in total, with all but one of the violations found to be in favor of the consumer.  The pump in violation not in favor of the consumer was immediately put out of service, but was fixed and back in operation within a day-and-a-half.

Mayor Young said there are also some things that you can do as a consumer to make sure that you don’t end up getting cheated at the pump:

Be aware of “pump hanging” where the previous transaction may have not finished, and you could end up paying for gas that never ended up in your car, truck, or motorcycle. Make sure the pump starts at zero on both “gallons” and “total price”. Do the math, advised the mayor. Stop at one gallon, check the total price against the price displayed on top of the pump.  Stop again at 10 gallons and check again, and always get a receipt.  Make sure the receipt matches the prices and total displayed on the pump.