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Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association P O Box 25604, OKC, OK 73125 - (405) 319-1724, www.Okwoa.com January 2001 Newsletter Dear Fellow Wrecker Owners: I hope this letter will arrive in time. If it doesn't, it's my fault this time. The holidays and weather held up my getting the letter ready in a timely manner. I apologize for this if it didn't make it in time. As you might remember we didn't have a meeting in December. It turned out to be a good idea since December 12th (the second Tuesday of the month) was the night the first snow storm moved into Oklahoma. It has increased the work load of most wrecker services. It was a good boost to the bottom line at the end of the year. Speaking of bottom lines, it was a very good thing we were able to get an increase in our hookup rates due to cost of fuel. It has been mentioned that fuel will again raise dramatically this summer due to the additives required to lower the emissions to meet the government's requirements. We may want to look into getting a "fuel surcharge" which is a special fee allowed when the cost of fuel goes over a specific price and increases as fuel raises. The OCC set this up for wreckers in the past. Now it would require legislative action to become law. This is why we need lobbyists. The lobbyists have a shell bill prepared to help control the illegal, gypsy wreckers. The wording hasn't been decided but we are hoping to get some language that will help the DPS and local law enforcement agencies to make sure these vehicles are safe and have insurance (most don't even have valid tags). They also will be able to check the vehicle being towed to make sure it isn't a stolen vehicle. We are also requesting that the name and other information of the operator be painted on the side of the vehicle even if it also says NOT FOR HIRE. In Texas a non-licensed wrecker cannot pick a vehicle up from a licensed wrecker storage facility. We also hope to introduce legislation that will help alleviate the tendency of some insurance companies to "dump" junk vehicles on us. We will have the greatest battle in this area. We aren't looking for all the storage fees, only to collect for the cost of removing the vehicle from the scene at the request of a law enforcement officer and a few days storage while the claim is being investigated. We need stories (in print or legible hand writing) of vehicles left by insurance companies. Include as much information as you can, like insurance company name, adjuster, claim number, dates, what happened, when was it abandoned, amount of tow bill (no storage fees) and how long it took you to find out they were dumping it. If they promised to pick it up, write that down also. Photos and a copy of the tow ticket would be GREAT! Mail it to the OWOA address. OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION RULES MEETING The Oklahoma Tax Commission held its rule making meeting on December 14th at 1:00 PM. I was able to notify all the members in their newsletter. I was also able to fax a copy of the proposed changes to the Officers and Directors. There were many rule changes that have been requested by the OTC for the approval of the Legislature this next session. We requested that wrecker owners be allowed access to insurance records since we are trying to stop insurance dumping. If we are successful in getting legislation passed, we obviously will need to have access to the insurance carrier of the vehicle that was towed. Dues Information As another reminder, dues paid are for a 12 consecutive month period. Dues are not for a specific year only. If you pay dues in January, 2001 the membership is good thru December, 2001. If you pay in February, 2001 the membership is good thru January, 2002. It doesn't matter when you join, it is for a 12 month period. Also, the dues amount depends on how many wreckers you have up to 4 wreckers. If you have one wrecker dues are $160.00. If you have 2 wreckers dues are $180.00. Three wrecker is $200.00. The maximum dues are for 4 wreckers which are $220.00. No matter how many wreckers you have, $220.00 is the maximum dues. Payments are acceptable for dues. Payments are accepted for any amount - for as many payments as you wish (up to 12 payments). If you have one wrecker and wish to join, you may make 12 payments for $13.33 each. For the increase in ONE hook-up per month (obtained by the OWOA) you can be a member and know what's going on in our industry in Oklahoma. The good news is, that we have almost doubled our membership since mid 1999. We are definitely on the upswing. Many wrecker owners know how important it is to ban together so our needs and concerns can be expressed to the Legislature. These same wrecker owners know how very important it is to have a presence at the Capitol every year. We will make more strides for our industry this year. I hope you will want to participate in determining your future rather than letting someone do the work. NEXT MEETING Our next meeting will be January 9th (always on the second Tuesday of the month) We will be in Krebs, Oklahoma at Pete's Place. They have some of the best Italian food on the planet. I am looking forward to it You may always check for the location of the next meeting on our web site. The web site is www.Okwoa.org. Pete's Place is located on Hwy 270 in Krebs, Oklahoma.
Pete's Place is located in the "V" caused by Hwy
270 and SR 31. It is about
0.8 mile east of the junction of Hwy 270 and Hwy 69. It is East of McAlester. Apparently anyone in the area knows where
Pete's Place is located. It
is family style dining and is really very good.
We could use a head count so contact Henry Moss at (918) 423-8644
or contact
me on the website or at my work number (405) 632-4401 (FAX 405
631-3460). You only need
to notify one of the locations.
Don't do all three. We
need to know by Monday Jan 8th around Noon.
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