As far as Esso is concerned... they're not.

The ongoing battle at the corner of Hwy 5 and 16 over unpaid local tradespeople following the business collapse of Barry and Lori Uranick is still a hot topic at the Neepawa coffee circles.

Some local tradespeople and businesses are irate that after all the dust has settled it is they who are left holding the bag, all the while, the Esso banner continues to wave.
In a conversation with Jon Harding, Imperial Oil [see Esso] public affairs spokesperson, he said as far as the company is concerned, the entire dispute is between two local businesses.

“It is Imperial's understanding, based on media reports, that there is an ongoing dispute between two Neepawa-based companies concerning construction work at this retail site. Imperial has no involvement with this dispute, nor does the company have any position on this issue,” he wrote.

Technically, he is correct.

However, small towns abhor technicalities.

We generally try to do what's right regardless of technicalities.

Legal wranglings aside, what most Neepawa people see is a large oil company washing its hands of the situation and hiding behind words like reseller and rebranding.

As well, most people couldn't give a flyin' cowpie about business synergies and relationships.

What they do know is their friends and neighbours are hurting.

We have all heard the boycott mumblings and let's face it, voting with one's dollars is ultimately the most powerful lobby in a free market system. But it is doubtful, that the current anger over the situation will serve as anything more than a minor annoyance for a big oil company.

In a letter to the editor, Harding took exception to an article published in The Neepawa Press, saying the story was inaccurate. It was, in fact, the quotes and assertions of John Lavich that were mainly in question.

Regardless, yes, Pioneer Petroleum was the buyer of the property at the mortgage auction sale.

And yes, Pioneer is selling Esso gas under the Esso banner, and that is mainly the limit of Esso's involvement.

And yes, Pioneer wasn't part of the Uranick deal to begin with.

And yes, the Uranicks don't have the money to pay the unpaid bills.

And yes, John Lavich does not have anything in writing saying that either Pioneer or Esso made any promises.

So, where does that leave Neepawa tradespeople and all of the trickle-down impact on the rest of the community?
Esso-L.

TIP OF THE TUQUE:

A Kenora, Ont. couple called to thank a Neepawa teenager, who they believe was named Kevin, for assisting them this weekend when their travel trailer tire blew east of Neepawa. According to the couple, the young driver stopped, changed the tire and drove off before they could properly thank him.

Way to go young man... that's the kind of altruistic deed that puts the heart in heartland.