| Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association September, 2000 Newsletter Dear Fellow Wrecker Owners: I need to repeat that the OWOA members have been successful in obtaining a rate increase for ALL wrecker owners in Oklahoma. The rate increase went in effect on July 1st, 2000. There are several wrecker owners (non-members) that have not heard the news. You may get the rates from the OWOA web page at www.okwoa.org . This is not all that was included in the bill that gave us a rate increase. Included in the Bill that passed the Legislature was wording by the State Farm Insurance lobbyist that allows any insurance company the ability to release a vehicle to the insurance pool without the vehicle owner’s consent. This is a law that you need to know about. All members received a letter stating the three requirements for release to insurance companies and allowing protection of the law. All wreckers on rotation lists need to know these items. It could cause lots of problems for you if you aren’t aware of the rules. Some insurance adjusters have been misinformed and think all they need to do is call the wrecker service and demand the release of the vehicle. This is not accurate. Don’t get caught in the middle, know the law and the requirements. There is also a "wrecker owner beware" in relation to this new
law. All members have
received this letter and know the requirements and what to watch out
for in releasing vehicles to the insurance companies.
ELECTION OF OFFICERSThe next meeting will be in Oklahoma City. This meeting will be the election of Officers and Board members
as provided for in the Bylaws.
A copy of the Bylaws will be available on our web page along
with this newsletter. Members
will receive an invitation to the meeting and a reservation form that
must be returned by September 6th (if you wish to join in
the meal). The meal will be served at 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
This meeting will be at the Silver Pitcher at 9101 S Robinson
in Oklahoma City. It is a banquet meeting facility that
specializes in meetings and receptions.
I wanted a meeting place that had plenty of room and no worries
about a speaker system that would keep members from hearing the election
proceedings. There will also be a presentation at
this meeting. If you do not wish to eat the meal, please feel free to attend the meeting
(8:00 PM) to cast your vote.
Each member wrecker service has one vote for each office. A wrecker service has a vote if it is
a member in good standing (dues paid in full to date) and attends the
meeting. There are no
proxy votes. Only fully
paid-up members in good standing may be nominated for a Board of Directors
position. Only members in good standing for the
last 3 consecutive years may be elected to an Officers position. Any member in good standing may make
a nomination from the floor for any office.
A second to the nomination must be made by any member in good
standing. Any and all offices are open for nomination. I have selected five members to be on the Election Committee
for nomination of a slate of Officers and Directors. Any member in good standing may make a nomination from the
floor for any and all offices in addition to the Election Committees
selections. I encourage new members to get involved. This is how we get new ideas and new
perspectives on how our industry should change and become prosperous
for all members. This
is how we decide what tasks we will undertake in the next Legislative
Session. This is the most important meeting of
the year. You may make reservations by returning the invitation being mailed (PO
Box 25604, OKC, OK 73109),
or by phone to Puckett’s (405 632-4401), fax (405 631-3460), send
me an email at chris@okwoa.org .
Pick any one of the above, just make sure you attend.
This is for you and your industry.
Make a difference. Also included in the member’s invitation letter is a description
of a law that has been on the books for years but not in our regulation
book. It is a way for a wrecker service to
collect some fees (not a full wrecker bill or any storage fees) from
the insurer of the vehicle involved in a collision. We discovered this in the last Legislative Session. Is this worth the fees to join? I would think so. If you decide to join that evening, we will welcome any and all members.
We do not want this to be closed to certain wrecker services
only. It is for our industry
and the livelihood of every wrecker owner. Don’t sit on the sidelines and
watch; get in the game. Remember,
(ALL TOGETHER) This is an Association of Wrecker Owners, Ran by Wrecker
Owners. DUESDues are $140.00 plus $20.00 for each wrecker to a maximum
of 4 wreckers ($220.00). If you have one wrecker you owe $160.00.
This came as the result of several wrecker owners concerns that
the larger wrecker services were not paying as much as the smaller wrecker
services. If you don't like this schedule, get involved and change it.
Payments may be made for dues in any manner or installment amounts you
choose. There is no interest
or finance charge for payments.
The dues last for 12 consecutive months.
If you pay in September of 2000 you will be a member until September
of 2001. We are going to make a difference in the laws in this State for the benefit
of all wrecker owners and the general public. This is the purpose of our Bylaws and we will make sure that
the public is served and the wrecker owners get a fair shake. TROOPER CADET SCHOOLIf you have access to a computer, look at the photos from the Trooper
Cadet Wrecker School put on by several OWOA members. This is a great way to get to know the future Troopers and
more importantly, for them to know wrecker owners and their equipment. Due to a handout at this demonstration,
these Cadets are aware that a copy of the DPS License must be carried
in the wrecker, that a "W" or Apportioned tag is required,
that the DPS License number and weight must be on each side of the vehicle
and that there should be a "AA" or "G" sticker on
the windshield of each legal wrecker allowed to tow for hire
in Oklahoma. While this is only a start, at least
we are making new Troopers aware of the requirements and showing them
how wreckers work. BRAND NEW ROLLBACK FOR $100.00Friends of Towing are again raffling a brand new rollback wrecker for
a $100.00 donation. This
is to support the National Towing Museum and pay off the mortgage. Dewey Farrington has the raffle tickets
and will be glad to make sure you have a chance to get a $100.00 rollback
wrecker. He may even
drive it back for you from the meeting next year.
The drawing will be held in April of 2001 so there is plenty
of time. If you would
like to cut your odds, you could buy a chance now and a few more later
this year or the first part of next year.
TRAA CERTIFICATIONJim Wilson of Jim’s Truck Center in Cushing has the TRAA Study Guides
and Test Applications available for purchase. Members pay $100.00 for the Study Guide for level one and seat
at the test site (non-members pay $125.00). There will be an opportunity to take the test at the Texas
Tow Show in Plano this September but you must hurry to get your application
in to Jim. Contact Jim
for Class 2 Certification exams.
Contact him at (918) 225-1013 or fax at (918) 225-1040. You will need to send a check payable to the OWOA and a passport
photo for the testing. There
will be other chances to test later when we have enough wrecker owners
interested to take the test.
You may contact Dewey at the OWOA phone number (405) 319-1724. ELECTION YEAROne more reminder to contact a local candidate running for office this
year. This is very important
and may prove to be very helpful to you in the future. This is the best time to make new contacts and become friends
with your Legislator. Contact
them today and offer a donation to their campaign or any other way to
help them in the election process.
This is how the American election process works. If you don’t participate, you
will not know the benefits of this process.
HAZMAT MATERIALI received an email from the distributor of VELITE. It is
a natural product from the ocean that can neutralize the effects of
hydrocarbons in our environment.
In other words, with this product you can spread it on an oil
spill from an accident and leave it on the ground knowing it will resolve
the problem of oil in our environment.
EPA approved and documented.
It will also clean up an existing problem on land, like in a
wrecker lot. My explanation is way too simplified. I was so excited about this product
that I contacted the distributor and asked him to attend our meeting. I warned him about the election but
he still agreed to attend. He
will be coming in from Houston.
I will have this presentation before the election to give him
a chance to return to Texas.
This product may resolve the problems of hazardous material after
an accident and what to do with the oil and debris when swept up.
I am looking forward to asking a few questions myself. This may well be worth the price of admission alone. NEXT MEETINGTUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2000 –
8:00 PM MEAL STARTS AT 7:00 PM – RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR MEAL!!!!!! $20.00/Person (includes tip) We can bill you or you may pay at the meeting – Receipts available for taxes. MAKE RESERVATIONS BY SEPTEMBER 6TH
– 5:00 PM MEETING AT: SILVER PITCHER 9101 S ROBINSON – OKC, OK
Fax Puckett’s for a map at (405) 631-3460 Make reservations at (405) 632-4401 Or email at chris@okwoa.org |