Letter to the Editor – Gary C. Brown

Dear Editor,

The rising gasoline prices have my phone ringing!

In 2005, oil companies skyrocketed gas prices because of a hurricane! After the tragedy of 9/11, the economy tanked.

Congress gave billions to giant corporations, but shut off funds to local banks that fund small businesses. Our business was suffering, and we had four college students to support.

By 2008, I was “fed up” with the oil companies’ greed! I put together a plan to fight back. I encouraged five friends to join me, as we bought used pick-up trucks and changed out the gasoline engines for good used diesel engines. This doubled the miles per gallon; plus, diesel was cheaper than gasoline!

We named our project, “Shade Tree Conversions” and wrote a book by the same name, explaining how to do the conversions.

Ed Grisemore, one of my heroes, wrote our story for The Telegraph. The Georgia Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin picked up the story and so did “Farm Show Magazine.” They publish stories about inventions born in farm shops.

Then, The Telegraph gave permission to newspapers nationwide to run our story.

When our story spread nationwide, the oil companies tried to buy us off. I thought about the million soldiers who paid for our freedom with their precious lives and told him to get out!

Now, my phone rings. People want my help with the rising gasoline prices, but this time, the problem is in the White House. I can’t fix stupid!

Gary C. Brown

Fort Valley, Ga.

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