Tow Times Online
Last updated: May 2, 2008
Headline News
Enter Hunks of Towing Contest
Hunks of Towing Contest
Enter the Tow Times Hunks of Towing Calendar contest - an industry first. The contest is open to men who work for a towing company. Winners will receive cash prizes and their photos will appear in the 2009 Hunks of Towing calendar. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar benefit the International Towing and Recovery Museum and the WTRAA Scholarship Fund. Deadline for entries is July 31, 2008. For rules and entry forms, visit www.towtimes.com. Calendar pre-sales begin this month. Click on smaller contest image located on the far right of ths page to enter or visit www.towtimes.com/page/contest/calendar/
04/29/2008
Tow Times Publisher Is Among 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees
Clarissa Powell, publisher of Tow Times magazine in Winter Springs, Florida, is one of the eight outstanding industry leaders who have been selected for induction into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame as the Class of 2008. The other inductees are George D. Connolly (Westminster, Colorado); Richard Daley (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada); William G. Miller (Chattanooga, Tennessee); J. Rodney Poynter (Bellevue, Kentucky); James Salentine (Greenfield, Wisconsin); Stephen B. Shinnick (Great Missensen, England); and Thomas A. Tedford (East Hartford, Connecticut). They were nominated by members of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum (ITRHFM) for their many contributions to the towing and recovery industry, their families and their communities.
“Each year, the inductees share common strengths which have led to their nomination into this prestigious group,” said ITRHFM President Rolfe Johnson. “This year’s inductees share a dedication to their state and local towing organizations as well as the national towing and recovery community.”
Hall of Fame members will be recognized at an induction ceremony to be held at 6 p.m. on September 20, 2008, at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A full weekend of activities will be held to celebrate this year’s inductees. For more information, call Cheryl Mish at 423-267-3132.
05/02/2008
USAC/MD Announces Fuel Surcharge Program
The United States Auto Club, Motoring Division (USAC/MD) has announced a fuel surcharge program designed to help offset the ongoing increase in fuel prices currently being absorbed by their independent service contractors.
Jim Hurst, SVP at USAC/MD said, “Our contractors are integral to the success of our business. Our customers depend on their dedication and expertise every day. We know that their fuel costs have increased dramatically just in the last few months. We feel an obligation to do what we can to help our service partners bear this burden during this difficult time.”
USAC/MD will pay $4 per paid invoice for tows and $3 per paid invoice for service calls to all qualified contractors. The program is retroactive to April 1.
Staley Cash, EVP of USAC/MD said, “Because of the competitive nature of our business, we will not be passing the cost of this surcharge on to our clients, We will fund it completely. I realize that it may not offset all the recent increases in fuel costs, however, we believe this is the right thing to do.”
USAC/MD has been providing auto club services since 1968. Corporate headquarters are located in Carrollton, Texas, with a location in London, Ontario, Canada. USAC/MD services over 15 million members for corporate clients in several different markets, including the automotive, insurance, wireless, and extended warranty industries.
04/24/2008
Pittsburgh Seeks Impound Yard Contractor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Mayor Luke Ravenstahl wants to move the city's impound yard to make room for riverfront development, according to a published report.
The city is seeking a private operator to handle the storage and release of towed cars, at a different location still convenient enough for those seeking to reclaim their vehicles. Interested firms have until May 9 to submit proposals.
Ravenstahl said a private firm would be required to expand the tow lot’s hours, and the administration would ensure that a new facility isn’t too far out of the way. The police officer who works the desk would continue to do that even when the facility is privatized, he said.
04/21/2008
New Jersey Tow Company Must Pay Insurer
A township-based towing company has paid a $75,000 settlement to New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. for violating the state Consumer Fraud Act and the Toms River township municipal towing ordinance by overcharging the insurer, according to insurance company officials.
Grone’s Wrecker Service was one of four towing companies licensed by Toms River to tow damaged cars, at the request of police. The Toms River Municipal Towing Ordinance lists the fees that towing companies can charge. Grone’s license to tow for the township has also been revoked.
04/21/2008
Trucker Sentenced in Missouri Tower’s Death
Clayton, Missouri - Christopher Cottrell, whose heavy-equipment truck struck and killed a tow truck operator in a hit-and-run incident in Des Peres last year, was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison, according to a published report.
Cottrell, 40, of Fenton, pleaded guilty Thursday in St. Louis County Circuit Court of involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license and marijuana possession.
Tow truck driver Aaron Helfrich, 32, of Festus, was working at noon last April 30 on the shoulder of Interstate 270, just south of Manchester Road, when he was struck by a tractor-trailer and killed instantly.
Helfrich’s parents and wife, Tonya, have a civil suit pending in St. Louis County against Cottrell’s employers, officials said. It is scheduled for trial in October.
At Helfrich’s funeral, 112 tow trucks, their red, blue and amber lights flashing, took part in the procession.
04/21/2008
See Live Demos and Much More at the CTTA SHOW, May 28-31 in Reno, Nevada.
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