Our daily habits of driving, drilling, buying and supporting all of the economic benefits a free economy demands has cost us dearly, but none more so than for the people of Shishmaref.

The demand is not declining, either nationally or internationally. People are driving as much as they used to. The economy is doing pretty well, which is increasing demand. I don't expect significant price declines. (And) I don't know that it won't rise more.

They just rely on people driving farther and farther to get to work. But for the economy here to grow, we need to provide a place for employees to live. Gas at $2.57 a gallon makes it pretty hard for someone making $12 an hour to drive a long way.

I consider myself as a free spokesman for the people.

Love and understand the Italians, for the people are more marvellous than the land.

A lot of people helped us out along the way. My mom was always driving us around, but people on our team would help us out with lots of things.