OWOA NEWSLETTER
3rd Quarter - 2002
Dear Fellow Wrecker Owners:
There has been a lot of things happening and changing in our industry so I will try to cover as many as I can. I first want to advise members that Donnie Cruse of Wreckmaster fame was killed at his residence in Toronto, Canada along with his wife, daughter and granddaughter. It seems a former boyfriend decided he didn’t want to be a “former” and stalked Donnie’s daughter and ended up killing Donnie and all of his family and then killing himself. A terrible, terrible tragedy. What a waste! TRAA is setting up a tribute to Donnie for his work in our industry.
The next bit of bad news is that the Our’s Garage vs. City of Columbus case was decided against the wrecker industry but there is a “glimmer” of hope. The U.S. Supreme Court decided to remand the case to the lower courts to make a factual determination if states should have the right to legislate towing for “safety regulation” reasons. This was a court case that was hoped to end a state’s ability to cause fees to be restricted to what the state thought was proper. Now it is time to decide if the towing industry is willing to amass funds to try to change the law or support Federal Legislation to end the states total authority over wrecker services. I will try to keep you posted on the events.
Julie of Don’s Wrecker in Oklahoma City wanted to let everyone know that it is profitable to fight for your right to be paid for your service and you can win. Julie decided she was entitled to be paid for providing service to the law enforcement community and to the owner (who happened to be the leinholder) of a vehicle. Julie took inspiration from Jimmy Robertson at Owasso and Phil Graham (Towing Leader - OKC), and decided to see what she could do. She filed a small claims court case against an insurer, owner (car lot leinholder that “holds” titles) and the driver/debtor of the vehicle. She had a problem with the insurer in that Julie couldn’t prove the vehicle was a total loss (language that was added to the law last year) so the insurer was removed from the case. The car lot/registered owner was held responsible for the towing and storage fees and was in disbelief that he owed fees for the vehicle. Julie’s attorney was very helpful, but Julie did all the research and setting the case up. Julie was so excited that she had won and was pleased with the results. She not only had this case on file but also had 2 others, which she won by default. This is one happy wrecker owner and the bank account shows it. This is what the OWOA is working towards; to be sure we are paid when we perform services for law enforcement.
First I want to thank Gloria Davenport of D & H Wrecker Service in Ardmore. (I think Jack helped some, maybe.) Gloria set up a wonderful meeting. I was disappointed more members and wrecker owners couldn’t attend. The food was great and the meeting place was wonderful. I really enjoyed Budroe’s BarB Q. We had the extreme pleasure and good fortune to have as our guest Senator Johnnie Crutchfield. Senator Crutchfield is from the Ardmore area and many, many wrecker owners know Senator Crutchfield. I was able to spend a great amount of time with him prior to the meeting and I enjoyed every minute of it. Senator Crutchfield is a down to earth, caring person. The people of Senate District 14 are extremely lucky to have a Senator like Senator Crutchfield. Senator Crutchfield was an educator before becoming a Senator. He is “rooted” in and has extremely close ties to many wrecker owners in the area and knows many of them on a first name basis. He is a friend to our industry and should be supported. Senator Crutchfield has an opponent for the upcoming election and we should support him with our time and our dollars. You may send campaign donations to Senator Crutchfield (payable to “Johnnie Crutchfield for Senate”) at 1909 Melody Lane, Ardmore, Ok 73401 . Senator Crutchfield has been a great help to our industry and we need to make sure he knows our appreciation. Whether it’s $25.00, $50.00, $100.00 or more, Senator Crutchfield will appreciate our support. He would also appreciate our time of putting up yard signs or calling friends and family in the South Central Counties of Oklahoma to ask for their vote for Senator Crutchfield in the upcoming elections.
Senator Crutchfield was good enough to speak to us about the importance of “one on one” contact with your legislator. He pointed out that he would return a call to a constituent more quickly than other calls. He stressed the importance of how our legislative form of government works and why he responds to constituents whether they voted him or not. He pointed out that he is responsible for representing all residents of his District. He told us it was more important for the personal phone call or hand written letter to him rather than a form letter or a “canned” pre-recorded message that may not represent his constituents. He was very knowledgeable of the trucking industry and asked questions of our industry.
Senator Crutchfield wanted to know the single most important issue that we needed help with. While we have many, many issues, it is extremely hard to pick the one most important issue. The attendees at the meeting mentioned obtaining reasonably priced insurance, government regulations/rules, rotation, illegal wreckers, disposing of junk cars and several more topics. The single most, all-inclusive issue seemed to be getting paid for providing services. The second most important seemed to be getting rid of junk cars more quickly. These seemed to be the largest concern of wrecker owners at the meeting. And you thought all we did at meetings was party.
Also at the meeting was S.T. Bolding, the western Oklahoma DPS wrecker inspector/auditor. Actually I am not sure of the best title for this job. S.T. informed us of an upcoming “sting” operation to catch some illegal wreckers in Southwestern Oklahoma. He wasn’t specific of the town but he did mention that he was borrowing a vehicle from a legal wrecker service to set up a “tow for hire” sting operation. I will let you know how this works. It is good to see the DPS decide to regulate not only legal wrecker owners, but also the illegal variety also. Also S.T. passed around some bulletins and handout for law enforcement to recognize illegal wreckers and appropriate actions. There were also 2 other handouts regarding hazardous material/waste cleanup. There were some guidelines about HM or HW cleanup and how the law has changed to include the new language added by the insurance lobbyists this year (already). There is also added guidelines from the DPS about releasing vehicles to the insurance company to an insurance pool and how a hold harmless letter can be used to obtain the release. Hmmmmm….. Do you suppose the insurance lobbyists have been contacting DPS/Wrecker Services lately??????? What do you think they are telling the Legislators??? You might think I am paranoid. I just hope I am paranoid enough!
I want to thank Tommy Burrows of Liberal Radiator and Wrecker in Turpin, Oklahoma for setting up and encouraging other wrecker owners in the Panhandle area to take the TRAA Certification Test. Tommy has enlisted the help and support of other wrecker owners to set up a TRAA Certification test at his facility on July 7th . If you get this in time and want to take the TRAA Certification Test, contact Tommy at (580) 778-3904. I want to salute the wrecker owners in the Panhandle area and tell them how proud of them I am that they can work together for a common goal. The test will be held at Liberal Radiator and Wrecker, which is located 8 miles North of Turpin Oklahoma on Highway 83 (located on the right (east) side of Hwy 83). The official address is Rt 2 Box 284R, Turpin, Oklahoma. It is also 1 mile South of the Kansas/Oklahoma Line on Highway 83. The test will take place on July 7th at 1:00 PM. Tommy has some applications for those that wish to “sit” for the Certification test.
Not only “hats off to..” but a great big SALUTE to Jim Wilson of Cushing at Jim’s Truck Center. Jim is probably the biggest supporter of education for wrecker owners in Oklahoma. Jim not only supports education for his business but also for all of Oklahoma. Jim unselfishly prodded and cajoled directors and members to support a Towing and Recovery School in Oklahoma. Originally we had set Cushing Oklahoma as the site for the school on August3rd & 4th . Things change and as usual wrecker owners can adapt to changing situations and events. The school will now be in Oklahoma City on August 2nd and 3rd (Friday & Saturday). The site is still being worked out but it may be at Sammy’s new location in OKC or possibly another location. Jerry Mativi of Oklahoma Wrecker Sales was able to acquire some financial support from Miller Industries and Oklahoma Wrecker Sales to help setup the Recovery School. The instructor is Tom Luciano. Tom is the premier wrecker recovery instructor in America. He is probably the foremost authority on recovery processes in America. If you have ever called Dewey Farrington in OKC for advise or help, you need to attend this school. This will be the biggest event in the wrecker industry in Oklahoma for 2002. Thanks Jim for all your work and persistence in getting the ball rolling. OWOA owes you a lot.
If you would like to attend, the cheapest way is to be a member and make a deposit for the school by July 29th. The deposit will be $100.00 payable by July 29th and the balance due the first day of class (August 2nd). This will be a school to remember. Last month I explained some of the benefits of education and training. I have an offer you can’t refuse. If any attendee of the class decides that they didn’t get their money’s worth, we will refund the fees to anyone that doesn’t feel they benefited from the class. That’s right! A money back guarantee, no questions asked. You, and only you, will decide if you got your money’s worth. The fee to non-members with a deposit is $350.00. The fees for paying at the door for members and non-members are listed elsewhere in this newsletter. The fees include lunch both days and the booklets and handouts needed for the class. But the deal holds true for anyone attending the school. If you don’t feel you benefited from the class, just say so and your fees will be refunded. This school is that good . No matter what you think now, you won’t want to ask for your money back. But if you do, we will honor your request. Think about it.
We are also trying to get a TRAA Test Scheduled for Saturday Evening after the school for taking level one and two of the Certification test, while the new information is fresh in your mind. Call if you are interested in that. There won’t be time for another newsletter before the school. This is it. Enroll now! If you don’t do it in the next few days, you will forget. And you will be disappointed. This really is a great opportunity. The OWOA is going to offer the class to the DPS Inspectors and Gene Fitzpatrick to attend to see how it’s done. This is your best chance for cheap education and to gain a great deal of knowledge and expertise in your chosen field.
Our next meeting will be in OKC on July 9th at 8:00 PM (meal at 7:00 PM or when you get there). Non-Members are always welcome. Once again, when we talk of Legislative issues, we will make you put your fingers in your ears (just kiddin’). We will be at the Oklahoma Station Bar B Q at 4333 N.W. 50th in Oklahoma City. If you don’t want to eat, it’s OK. There is a shopping mall at 50th & N. Meridian and the Oklahoma Station is a separate building close to 50th street. Judy Albrecht (Cavin’s Wrecker, El Reno) was kind enough to offer to set up a meeting in OKC. There is plenty of parking and the food is great. She had attended a meeting there and thought it would be a great place to have ours. I appreciate the help.
Our Consultants, Bruce Robertson and Bob Morgan, want to attend and cover how to talk to legislators and have us decide how we can best use our combined efforts to get the bills introduced that we want. If we decide we need a rate increase or if we want to work on disposing of junk cars more quickly, or if we want to work on getting paid for our service, we need to meet and decide which direction we want to go. This is a very important meeting and I hope we can have several members to help us decide our path. Whatever path we choose, we need to present a combined, collective, solid front to make sure we achieve our goals and have a successful legislative session. We need to be able to speak with a collective combined voice. Be there to help decide our future. If you have a special concern, please let us know, whether it’s rotation, illegal wreckers or whatever. We need to speak with one voice as to what we should take on this next session.
Next Meeting =
July 9th – 8:00 PM – (meal at 7:00 PM)
Oklahoma Station Bar B Q
4333 NW 50th – Oklahoma City, OK
Register for the Towing and Recovery School in OKC
August 2nd & 3rd.
Contact the OWOA
300 SW 29th, Oklahoma City, OK
73109
(405) 319-1724 - fax (405) 631-3460