Rising oil prices are isolating rural America. Small town way of life is in the throes of death.
Rural America is known for long-time residents who rely on slow rising gasoline prices to reach the supplies they need to sustain itself from month to month. The rising cost of oil is crippling these towns.
Kershaw, South Carolina is a prime example of a rural town of 2,500 residents. They travel once or twice per month to neighboring cities to buy the items not available in the small town. Many commute to the city to work.
Workers are moving closer to the jobs. Sheila Hinson, local Realtor, said, "My business is booming in the city, but hurting in Kershaw." She cannot sell the homes left behind.
"I have to go to town once a month now because I cannot afford the gas. I had to buy a bigger freezer," said Mary Johnson, of Johnson & Johnson. This local merchant has to open her store more hours despite doctor's orders in treatment her Parkinson's disease.
A Rite-Aid Pharmacy employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, "We are filling less prescriptions. The senior citizens cannot afford to come get their medicine."
Daycare centers have waiting lists for the first time. Families that have always been one-income, now demand two incomes to make ends meet.
Children are suffering the cost of gasoline as well. School buses are prohibited from running air conditioning units. School boards are to vote by summer's end on the temperature in the classrooms this fall.
School commutes are hurting residents. Katherine Long, University of South Carolina (USC) student said, "I had to cut my class schedule because I cannot afford to drive to Columbia more than twice per week." USC is 50 miles from Kershaw.
Lancaster County Library has cut routes the Book Mobile has traveled for the last twelve years. Chief librarian said, "With the cost of gas, we are looking for ways to cut the budget."
Meals-on-Wheels has operated in Kershaw from the Lancaster office since it was founded. Meals have not been delivered to Kershaw since oil was $103.00 per barrel in February, 2008.
Other charities are struggling to meet the community's needs. When asked for a charity donation, H&H Chevrolet dealership owner Annette Hinson replied, "People cannot buy cars, and business has been so off that I cannot afford to give."
Many residents are buying golf carts to drive around town. Town drivers are more frequently sharing the road with motor scooters from local motor sports shops.
Life-long resident Kenny Roberts said, "Gas is too high. I can't go see everyone I help." He hauls garbage for the elderly and delivers food from Buffalo Baptist Church to its shut-in members.
Businesses are closing that have been supporting Kershaw for the last 25 years. "I cannot afford to drive here anymore," said business owner Marcus Bailey of Bailey's Pottery and Antiques. He is a resident of the smaller town Heath Springs, seven miles from Kershaw.
Kershaw owned and operated swimming pool is seeing fewer students and members. Residents are investing in above ground pools, splitting the cost with neighbors.
With the continued loss of tax base, Town Council member Rose Marie Baker said, "If something does not change, the only choice we will have is to raise taxes." The first reading of the 2008-2009 budget revealed the largest increase in Kershaw history with no significant increase in services.
Kershaw Mayor Tommy Baker is open to suggestions and solicits them before each Town Council meeting. "Kershaw needs more support from the county," he said.
Main Street business owners that remain have banded together to produce a business-oriented festival to draw more potential residents and business to Kershaw. Owners are not willing to let their small town die under the weight of rising gasoline prices.
The trickle-down effect of rising oil prices on rural America is the isolation of small town residents. They cannot afford to live the way they always have.
Elderly residents are suffering for lack of service which has sustained them in the past and the inability to get the medicine they need. Families have changed home life to support the cost of gasoline to make ends meet. Children are exposed to heat unnecessarily. Young workers are moving away.
The cost of oil is too great when it kills small towns.
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