This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

DELTA GAS

Summit residents, please join me in boycotting the Delta gas station on Summit Av. and Walnut St.

On Friday, April 5, 2014 between 3:00 and 3:30, my eighteen year old daughter was getting gas at this location in Summit. A mundane activity, yes, but what happened next was a violation of her rights as an American citizen.

She only had $10 for gas.  Apparently, the attendant did not listen to her carefully and claims she said 10 gallons. When she noticed the gas continuing to flow, she called the attendant.  The pump had exceeded $14.

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When she did not have the money to pay the additional $4, the attendant insisted she pay anyway, and demanded to be paid. He held her "hostage", and wouldn't remove the nozzle from her car. Since Jersey girls don't pump gas, she didn't know how to do it herself. He wouldn't let her leave.

Young man, I do not know what country you came from, nor do I care. As John Amos says in the movie with Eddie Murphy-Coming to America,"this is America, jack!" That nonsense doesn't fly here.

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

IN THIS COUNTRY, females have equal rights to males. IN THIS COUNTRY, holding someone against their will and traumatizing them is also illegal. I'll say it again-THIS NONSENSE DOESN'T FLY HERE!!

When I  came to pay the $4 for the mistake that YOU MADE, you refused to tell me the name of the proprietor of the establishment, and threatened to call the police on me.  I only ask nicely once.

My uncle was the proprietor of Florham Park, Madison, and Chatham Sunoco stations for over 40 years. Another uncle, my cousins, and my husband all worked for him at some point during those 40 years. He would say if the pump runs over,  you can ask the customer for the money, but you can't force them to pay. The owner must eat the loss. His name, as proprietor, was prominently displayed over the door.

Your responsibility as the attendant included listening carefully to what the customer was requesting, and to ask them to repeat it, if you didn't listen carefully the first time. Your responsibility was to watch the pump that it did not exceed the requested amount.  Most importantly, it was your responsibility to assure that this any young lady felt safe in her environment and not felt threatened and terrorized by a captor. Young man, you have failed miserably in all of your responsibilities.  You should be relieved of your duties.

So, residents of Summit and surrounding towns, please do not be easily persuaded and be lured into this DELTA station and purchase gas here just because it is less expensive. Please boycott this establishment because they held one of your own-your classmate, your teammate, your sister, your daughter's friend, your fellow Hilltopper "hostage" on American soil, in this small town. Send this owner a message.  This behavior will not be tolerated in Summit, New Jersey!!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?