OKLAHOMA WRECKER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
300 SW 29TH
(405) 319-1724
4th Quarter 2004 – Non-Member Newsletter
WHAT HAS THE OWOA DONE FOR ME……?
As many OWOA members are talking to non-members about the advantages of being a member it seems a couple of comments come up many times. The first is “why do I need to join, I get the same benefits?” This year was a little different. Members with faxes and email knew of the rate increase on May 28th and could take advantage of it. Members without “electronic mail” knew within 5 days of the bills passage when they received the monthly member newsletter and collected the largest rate increase for wreckers in the history of Oklahoma. They also knew about the upcoming rule changes before the “rulebook” was mailed. And now, the members with “electronic mail” are benefiting from weekly information of a benefit we passed last session. We can also help with advice on many issues and topics that “pop up” everyday in business. So maybe you don’t get the same benefits after all.
The other comment is “what has the OWOA done for me?” I guess I should answer that question. To many new operators to the industry some of these accomplishments may not seem like much. Find someone that’s been around awhile that you trust and ask them if they thought the OWOA would be successful in getting things changed. Now you know why they are members.
1995 – One member and one non-member were able to get enough wrecker operators involved to stop the “$10 Notification Fee” fiasco and all the horrible legal problems it caused wrecker operators. Many wrecker operators were almost put out of business over this discriminatory tax. If you think things are hard now, you don’t know what “hard” is. This law caused the DPS and wrecker operators to “square-off”. While wrecker operators (being business oriented) were preparing for audits, the DPS (being law oriented) was preparing for criminal prosecutions. This fiasco was still listed in our rulebook until this latest edition was published. Thanks God it’s gone from the rule book and the choir is singing “free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I’m free at last”. We must never allow any law or bill like this to be introduced again that could jeopardize the friendly relations that we currently have with the DPS. This proves “numbers” count at the Capitol and your legislators do listen to their constituents when we talk as one.
1996- Tried to start a “Wrecker Commission” and attempted to affiliate it with the Used Motor Vehicle Commission. It probably would’ve worked out great for wrecker operators, but we lost in the House by one vote. Tell me contact with legislators doesn’t work, I have proof it does! This is when the “W” tag was “born” by a legislator that lost the very next election in which he was opposed.
The DPS at this time (no one involved with the DPS in 1996 is currently in DPS Wrecker Services) took one to two MONTHS to get a wrecker inspected to be able to use it. Imagine, making 2 or 3 truck payments and still not being able to make one call. Currently the inspection time is less than four days and usually one or two days to inspect a wrecker anywhere in Oklahoma!!!! And you are asking “what has the OWOA done for me”? I think I have your answer!!!!!
Jan. 1999 - Wrecker operators took over the control of the OWOA. We acquired consultants to help us with the government regulation of our industry. Later in the year held our first wrecker training class in Cushing, OK. Also held our first “Trooper Cadet Training Class” to show Trooper Cadets how wreckers worked and what they could do. The young Troopers enjoyed the class and the OWOA made many new friends.
2000 – OWOA Members acquired the largest single increase to our fees since 1988. Started setting up a “grass-roots” lobbying effort. Started a web site for wrecker industry in Oklahoma. – www.okwoa.org.
2001- Killed a bill by bankers that would require wreckers notify owners and lienholders before storage fees can be accessed. Bill died at first vote. I have something else the OWOA did for you. The OWOA and the DPS have made great strides in seeing the other side’s point of view and are making headway into becoming friends and really serving the public as they should be served.
July 2002 – Passed a bill to increase the “after hours release fee” from $5.00 (which was the amount a former DPS employee thought would be reasonable for getting out of bed to let a drunk get his/her vehicle. This was passed and made law without one wrecker operator’s approval, consent or advice.) to a fee matching work & wait time. Also introduce a bill to require insurance companies to pay for wrecker and storage fees under liability coverage. Insurance commissioner refuses to make insurers pay fees. Law sent to Attorney General’s Office for an opinion. I think that’s at least 4 items that have benefited you as a wrecker operator.
2002 – OWOA members hold another “Trooper Cadet Training Class” in OKC. Also hold first Towing & Recovery Class at the OCFD Training Center in OKC. Members attend the DPS Administrative Rule Change meeting to present wrecker operators’ ideas and concerns. The Administrative Rule Change Meeting will become an annual event for the wrecker operators input into changes to benefit our industry and serve the public. Attorney General’s Opinion says insurers are responsible for towing and storage under liability coverage. Insurance commissioner still won’t make insurers pay fees.
2003 – May, OWOA holds another Towing and Recovery Class in OKC. Also administer the TRAA Certification Test. Pass a bill that allows wrecker operators to dispose of “junk” vehicles in 17 days instead of 42 days (some rules apply). Also change the parties responsible for rotation districts and make rotation logs available for inspection upon request. Insurers “sneak” a bill through that removes the insurers responsible for towing and storage fees if coverage doesn’t exist in the policy. We started year attempting to pass “Illinois law” that would suspend a driver’s license if vehicle owner abandons a law enforcement tow vehicle. Unable to get enough support for passage so language is changed. Unable to have enough contact with legislators to make sure a bill by insurance lobbyists isn’t introduced through the “back door” to “screw-over” wrecker owners. WE MUST HAVE MORE CONTACT WITH OUR LEGISLATORS BY MORE MEMBERS!!!!
2004 – May – Hold another Towing & Recovery class in OKC for Light Duty and Heavy Duty. In the Legislature we attempt to pass “Florida Law” that suspends the ability to purchase a license tag if a law enforcement towed vehicle is abandoned. Oklahoma Tax Commission unable to perform this task and bill passes Senate and is killed in House Committee (not enough contact from wrecker operators for support). Other bill introduced to the current language in DPS “Rule” book issued this summer. The OWOA obtained many goals with this bill. The DPS now has 3 inspectors assigned to the DPS Wrecker Services to monitor wreckers and illegal wreckers. Two of the inspectors are OHP Lieutenants which have the ability to stop wreckers and write citations for illegal actions/activities.
Did I mention how many unlicensed wreckers in OKC have “not for hire” spray painted on the side of their “pickup-wreckers” with Krylon? Here’s a “freebee” that members have known since last spring. If you are a licensed wrecker you will want to use tow lights when towing a vehicle and something else in case one of these inspectors happens to be in your neighborhood. Do you know what the second item is? The fine is over $100.00 (plus court costs) if you aren’t using it and could eventually cost you your DPS license. Oops, I’m out of room on this newsletter and can’t tell you the second item. Sorry!
Have you noticed that we now have a “title 42 section” at the Oklahoma Tax Commission/Motor Vehicle Division instead of a consultant or two approving the title 42s when they didn’t have anything else to do? Instead of 4 to 6 weeks to have a title 42 approved it is now less than 2 weeks time from the moment a title 42 reaches the MVD. Do you think this change happened by accident? Something else was changed in the title 42 process for Class AA wreckers. Do you know what it was? That’s about 8 or 10 major things so far, isn’t it?
November 2004 – Making plans for next legislative session to see which areas we need to address to provide the most help to members. We are looking at rotation by counties and municipalities and what can be done to correct the problems that exist for members. We could use some help and some input. We are also talking to a law firm about handling abandoned vehicles as a collection matter. What do you think now? Has the OWOA done anything for you?
REMINDER
If you received this letter you are not listed as a member of the OWOA. Your dues have expired or you were never a member. Please consider this a special invitation to join our ranks and become a member of the OWOA and show your dedication to our industry. I know times have been hard and it’s not easy to come up with the dues amount in one lump sum. Fuel prices are soaring to new heights and insurance premiums have doubled and tripled. We have taken steps to help offset these fee increases and now we need help supporting our lobbyists. Please consider becoming a member.
We do take payments and if you can’t afford $13.50 per month to be a member, perhaps you should decide on a different profession. If you prefer to not receive this newsletter, please send me a note or fax a message or call my office and I can remove you from the mail list. The greatest advantage of being a member is that someone somewhere has been in a similar situation to a problem you are facing and may have the solution to your problem, or at least an idea where to start. It’s also nice to belong to an organization that will stick up for its members and help find solutions to problems.
Here is the REMINDER. If you are not a member you may not use the OWOA logo or insinuate or suggest that you are a member of the OWOA in any form. You may not use the Logo on your wrecker, office or any paperwork. You may not use the Logo on any invoice or letterhead or uniform. You may not suggest, insinuate, lead-to-believe, or any other manner or form that you are associated, affiliated, or related to the OWOA nor do you follow any guidelines set forth by the OWOA or any member of the OWOA. To do so is against the law and the OWOA will enforce its right to protect its Logo and trademark from this day forward. Other than that, have a nice day.
Our next meeting will be in the Tulsa area in Owasso Oklahoma. We will meet at the Golden Corral (7730 N Owasso Expressway, Owasso). The meal will start at 7:00 PM and the meeting will start at 8:00 PM. We will have a short board meeting at 7:00 PM for the Officers and Directors to take care of some business. Even if you are not a member you are welcome to attend the meeting to see what is happening. This is where we share our ideas and ask for help with problems. For you new operators, I guarantee there isn’t one thing that you are facing or will be facing that someone at this meeting hasn’t already faced and resolved. The advice is free. I hope to see you in Owasso. Remember there is no meeting in December. The next meeting will be on the second Tuesday in January.
Please consider joining us as we improve our industry and try to make it better for our families and employees. If you think there is an item or two that you can use in this newsletter, you ought’ a see the member’s newsletter. You can’t believe the things going on around you that you have no idea about. Kind of like a frog in a hail storm. Just to make a point, watch the Sci-Fi Channel on Wednesday, November 17th. There is a show in the evening called Proof Positive. Watch it on November 17th and see if there is someone on this episode that you might have heard their name or perhaps know.
Please get involved. It’s like we used to say in the late 60’s and early 70’s (……yeah, and I’m older than that too!!!!), If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. I have heard lots of wrecker operators say they were going to join they just haven’t filled out the form. Fill it out today and mail your dues or your first payment. Thanks for reading the newsletter.
– Chris Puckett, President.
What has the OWOA done for you?
Read inside for a tip that could save you a citation and a fine.
Next Meeting – Owasso, Oklahoma
Golden Corral – 7730 N Owasso Expressway
Meal starts at 7:00 PM if you would like to dine out
Meeting starts at 8:00 PM
Have you been wanting to join but just haven’t filled out the form? Fill it out and mail it today while it’s on your mind.
OKLAHOMA WRECKER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Please make checks payable to” “O.W.O.A”
300 SW 29TH - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73109-6793
(405) 319-1724 – FAX (405) 631-3460
Company Name ______________________________________ DPS # __________ G AA
PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY
Owner/Contact Name _____________________________Position__________________
Adress__________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________ State ________ Zip _______________
Bus Pho ____________________ Fax ___________________ Other ______________
Email Address _________________________________________________________
Number of Wreckers __________ X $20 (Max 4) + $140.00 = $_________(Maximum $220.00)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER DUES ARE $200 PER YEAR – 12 MONTH PERIOD.
Amount of 1st payment $_______ Balance Due $______ in ___payments on _______ day of the month..
Dues are for a 12 consecutive month period. Dues must be paid in full in 12 months.
Senate’s Name __________________________ Representative’s Name _______________________
Associate Members $200.00 (Businesses without licensed wreckers &/or a DPS License)
1 wrecker = $160.00
2 wreckers = $180.00
3 wreckers = $200.00
4 or more wreckers = $220.00
Mail dues to: OWOA, 300 SW 29th, OKC, OK 73109-6793