The Alaska Towing Association (which is basically me) got an email from somebody with the title of Authorities Analyst, at the Colorado Department of
Regulatory Agencies, Public Utilities Commission Transportation.  This gentleman wanted to know what sort of statewide regulation of towing safety issues and enforcement process is in place in Alaska, if any.  Because they were wondering what other states do.

So what's the deal, Colorado?  Are they looking for new ways to regulate you?

Yes. Any chance I can get a copy?

There is a ton of stuff going on and we're in no real position to fight it. We have a couple rogue companies down here that have everyone pissed off, keep getting in the news and pushing everyone's buttons.

They just enacted a new law that requires that we buy a $50,000 bond to make sure we can pay any fines levied against us by the PUC. Now, they've had another emergency rule making session and are trying to limit the miles we can charge to 12.

The TRPC (George Connollys little pet association) has been pissing everyone off here for years in their attempt to gain control in favor of his enterprises. Statements like "we do this without any remuneration and for the towing industry" are starting to really piss me off. They've manhandled control of the board of directors to further their own interests (including the maligned Towers Widow Fund)  now for as many years as I have been involved.

Associations are supposed to represent the towers in a fair and unbiased manor. This one doesn't because there's been no changing of the guard since it's inception. Finally, George steps down as board President only to be replaced by his son and lo and behold, who is sitting at the meetings pulling his sons strings? Good ol George.

Until we get the association under control and back into the hands of the towers, we're going to be fighting the long fight. The newest thing is the TRPC trying to jump start a "Self Regulating Towing Board" much like the constitutional crushing dealers board in another attempt to further his power base.

Towers never are.  We can't work together in a cohesive, effective fashion.  The nature of the business is too completely competitive.  It's impossible for a company to become large enough that the "little guys" can't still carve out a chunk of their profits, and towers are generally forced to work several areas of the industry rather than picking one niche in which to excel and cover the market.  They must also engage in repair, or sales, or both light and heavy towing, or both towing and impound etc., thus infuriating their industry neighbors and destroying any opportunity to work together against evil governmental control.

Our State association was so pointless and unsupported that the board didn't even meet anymore--they called each other on the phone.  Their corporate status lapsed and become inactive.  So I had them struck from TRAA's list of towing association, and started my own, completely unofficial version, requiring no dues, no membership qualifications. 

It is little more than a name, a phone number, and a low budget website.  That I rarely update.  But we are listed with TRAA as Alaska's only towing association, which legitimizes our status and implies that our handful of "members" comprise a much greater component of the industry than they do.  Most importantly, it gave local towers a "legitimate voice" that we didn't have before.

If your statewide towing association is screwing you over, maybe you should start your own--Denver Area Towers Association. Jefferson County Association, whatever.  Pick one battle that local towers can all agree upon & stand behind, and then act like the public interest is the Association's primary interest. 

But you have to be a voice of reason, not an angry whacko with an axe to grind. Pick your battle carefully, and stick to it.  Make a case for PUC regulations ending up as being detrimental to residents, small businesses, property owners, etc., and provide news-worthy examples.

Every conversation with a governmental official is, by necessity, an educational opportunity.  Learn to educate idiots about the industry in 90 second sound bytes.  Because they have no clue, and don't care to.  So you only get two sentences.  Make them count.

It worked for us.  Who knows, it might work in Colorado too. 

PS...nice talking to you Bill! 

I dont know how that 12 mile limit is going to work Bill down here on the southern end of the state people want towed to Pueblo thats 80 miles away I don't see them getting there for free.  And the bonding was really nice but we will see how it turns out.

I don't agree that the bonding will solve anything. I also am pretty sure that the 12 mile rule won't fly. The Federal regulations are very clear and they speak to 'reasonable and compensatory'. Charging per mile up to 12, then telling us we can't charge after that wouldn't be considered reasonable by any stretch of the imagination unless they made it up somewhere else.

If you are registered with the PUC filing system, (and even if you aren't) Lonestar towing and The Parking Authority just submitted very good responses on this matter. You can read them here.

https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI.Mark_Show_Filing?p_key=A_41208&p_fil=G_112658

https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI.Mark_Show_Filing?p_key=A_41208&p_fil=G_112673

The problem with both of these responses is there has been no real facts to support the amounts submitted with the responses. I am still working on my response as I feel it requires someone with the necessary skills to get the numbers and neither side has such a person yet., One thing I know for sure, making us give away free miles isn't remotely fair especially for towers that work way outside the major metropolitan areas. We might as well be doing motor club work.

I am siting down with a CPA to build a company on paper then dissecting that company using real world data to come up with rates that I feel would be reasonable and compensatory. One of the problems is the PUC decided in it's infinite wisdom to try and get this done during tax season. Typically a CPA/Bookkeeper is swamped during this time preparing everyone's taxes and cannot devote any time to this type of issue until tax time is over. Everyone is trying to meet their demand in different ways and ultimately they aren't really accomplishing anything.

'Kay, I read the posted responses, and the PUC rulings...and a few other things.  First of all, WTF is wrong with your state?  Talk about bass-ackwards methods of protecting the motoring public!  What about property owners, business owners, and the motoring public that's still trying to motor down the dang road?  Lots of expletives keep interfering with clarity of thought.  I can't imagine trying to do business in that sort of political atmosphere...I'd pop a vein or something. 

That being said, I think you are playing a losing game.  I don't think Skyline, or even 10 different companies, can effectively convince the PUC number crunchers that their numbers are so woefully incorrect that they need to be revised...the typical governmental response is always, "fully considered... insufficient alternative data... non-verifiable... best interest of the public... remains in effect."

Instead of putting your CPA's kids through college with this fight, I would focus on your point concerning Federal transportation laws, because I believe you are right.  At the same time, offer up a non-monetary/ non-mileage related solution to reduce the problem that the 12 mile limit on mileage is trying to solve...I have no idea what that might be, since I don't know the areas/circumstances. 

We all hate the jerks that do things like haul impounds 50 miles, just because they can.  Maybe you could compare zoning boundaries: where are impound lots allowed to exist vs where the majority concentrations of small business and residential lots exist and at least prove that 12 miles isn't going to span the distance in X percentage of instances, and therefore the PUC is discriminating against an entire class/region of business owners with their 12 mile limitation.

And whatever Colorado's version of a State Economic Development Division is should be tapped for assistance.  No matter how important it is to protect the public, protecting small business in these poor economic times is supposed to be at the top of every Federal and State to-do list; remember, it's the small businessman who puts America to work.   

You know, it was 45 degrees today here in Denver.

Feel like an all expense paid trip to Denver for 2 months? (lol)

I'll cheer you on from here...Carhartts and pompoms!

Bill I do not have all my numbers yet I am still working on that and not having much luck of what all paperwork I need to fill out.  Ive tried to contact the powers to be up north and no one will return my call.  My uncle had a towing business for years with his shop before he retired but dont remember how to do the paperwork.  Ill find time here soon to get that done though.   Thanks for that information it shined alot of light on the subject I understand alot mor of what is going on now.

And by the way this is a great site Ive really learned alot from the members on here.  

If you are registered with the PUC, you can sign up for their e filing system. Every time there's an update or a change, you'll get notification from them. It works pretty well

My response to Bill (personally) at Skyline:
 
First of all, to the issue of "we are in no real position to fight it"..  Well, maybe if you were (all) a member you maybe would have a say and "be able to fight the issues" you so greatly have an issue with.
 
I'm not sure of what "rogue" companies you are referring to but I'm sure I could figure this out relatively quick...  However, I don't appreciate the idea of any one of the people who continually put their time in week after week being referred to as being dishonest, or trying to be "dominating the industry" by taking from the "little guys".  If you have a need to be accusing of such bullshit let me just remind you that us "rogue companies" you are referring to sure aren't trying to do any damn thing but further our industry as a whole.  That is a chicken shit accusation and a complete insult to all that is being done to further us all.  I WAS the little guy, the outlaw at one time myself.  I have had my fair share of issues with the certain people in our industry but by becoming involved with the TRPC and all it's member's has not only helped MY company, it has also shown me the GREAT amount of work that was being done for our industry that as a NON-member I was totally unaware of. 
 
So, maybe if you want to be able to fight for anything you just might think about getting involved yourself or at the very least keeping your invalid opinions to yourself.
 
Second, It is obvious that in your statement pertaining to the bond that you have absolutely no idea what is going on because if you did you would know that we are diligently trying to address EVERYONE'S response to the bill by making it a bit more fair for all involved.  Now, will everyone be happy about the bond? NO, but the board has taken a vote and it was pretty much a unanimous decision to go forward with it.  One should really know the facts before making such a accusation and also understand that this will only BENEFIT our industry as a whole.....  Unless that is you are trying to run your business in an illegal fashion. 
 
Third, let me just say that I think it's COMPLETELY disrespectful to say that this is the "Connolly's pet association".  I think you have just greatly insulted all the rest of the Companies that put so much of their time and energy into this.  Are you saying that we are all the Connolly's little puppets because if you are let me just remind you that I AM NO MAN'S PET...  I'm not sure how they have "controlled the board of directors to gain favor for their enterprises"???  I do believe all of our Companies have benefited from the the TRPC and yes, even non-members have and are still benefiting from the work of the association.  You bring up the Widow's and Orphan's fund and I think you should know that this particular fund has benefited more non-members that member's.  What a damn insult to such a great cause!!! 
 
Fourth, This association IS a fair and unbiased one.  If you choose not to be involved then quit crying your sad stories about how yuo have no say.  The last time I checked, anyone could pay their dues, attend meetings (lately even attend when you haven't contributed shit) and become aware of what is going on in our industry from a greater level, this is your own damn problem.  I guess it's just me but if you want your voice to be heard then maybe you should quit running your mouth on forums and go face to face with the individuals you have such a problem with..  This forum sounds like a chicken shit way to create more division than exists already. 
 
As far as George being the "puppet master" let me just advise you that we all should take notes on the pioneers in our industry..  We take into consideration all the points we get from them ALL, not just George Connolly!!  Your facts seem to be twisted because there have been many Board Presidents since I have been involved and I have been involved for a great while.  Again, ANOTHER bullshit accusation..
 
Fifth and final, What do you mean "get the Association under control and back into the hands of the towers"???  It IS in the hand's of the "towers".  We happen to be a VOTED in group and all have Companies to run...  This is really such a ridiculous waste of time to even have to address such shit but realistically I just cannot sit and let us (the assholes doing your damn dirty work) continue to be misrepresented this way.  In fact, it just proves to me that you are completely ignorant to the real issues at hand and just are spreading foolishness and lies. 
 
I cannot believe I had such a respect for you to have the idea of going out on your own.  You have lost a great deal of my respect.
 
This is such bullshit and a serious waste of our time!!
 
 
 
Gary L. Garcia
Ace Towing Enterprises, Inc.
TRPC Board of Director
Denver Chapter President

wow Gary. Didn't think you cared? Or at the very least, spent any time here.

First, I do take offense to companies (Lyons and one that's considerably older comes to mind) of companies that actively search out and abuse inconsistencies in the regulations to some criminal end. I guarantee you the companies I am talking about know specifically who they and I have no problem standing tow to toe with any one of them.

Having said that, I'm not sure how you took offense at that statement since it wasn't directed at you specifically.

I was a member of the association once remember? Do you remember what happened? I can enlighten you. Many many trips to meetings only to be not heard because I wasn't one of the big 5. If you look up "Good old boy network" in Funk and Wagnalls, it will say "See the TRPC". I finally got tired of battling with the AAA representative at the meetings who had more power than I did and the final straw was being told that I had no choice but to go to the AAA OFFICE to take the TRAA test that I had paid $300 to the association for the right to be certified. Of course I refused and asked for my money back. To date, that debt is still owed me by the TRPC.

Associations are supposed to be in the interest of those they profess to support. In order for that to happen, an association has to keep a couple things in mind. It is NOT designed to be any one persons special interest group. Let, me say that again in a different way. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. In most major trade associations, there are very specific rules as to how long you can hold each elected position. This is even true of our government. A typical association will limit the time to as little as two years serving as a member of the board and probably 2 years if you get elected President. After that, you're done. You can no longer function in that capacity nor use your connections to influence the decisions being made past being a regular member.

The why is pretty obvious. It is a position that carries influence that can be brought to bear in the decision making processes concerning all the members of the association. Because of this and because it's only natural for you to lean towards decisions that favor your company, the term needs to be limited. It doesn't work any other way.This is the biggest current failing of the TRPC. This is also why there is such a low percentage of turnout.

How long have you been on the board Gary? How Long was George on the board? His son? I'm not really familiar with the other members of this board but I am fairly positive that the median amount of time in these capacities all toll probably exceeds 20 years. That's too long. It's so long in fact that the board may not be a feasible entity any longer except in the pursuits of those that sit in these positions.

Here's a question for you. Did any of you seek the advice or notify ALL the towing companies in this state, member or not, when this whole bugaboo about the bond started? Or did you go to bat "for us" after it became public knowledge without trying to get the other towers on board with the decision making process?  (and you cannot use the "hey if they aren't a member, they don't count" rule)

The bond.

If you were trying address everyone's concerns about it, you would have done that before the emergency law making session happened making it law. You were aware of it before hand. All the talk and all the nonsense surrounding this is just that. I am still not clear on how the entire incident came about and I'm not sure anyone except those directly involved will ever know what set all this off. I believe this is just a ploy to create a "towing board"  that (again, IMHO) we don't need. Ok, let me rephrase that. We do need a towing board but we don't need a new branch on the tree of power for the current TRPC board members. Once we get the TRPC back into the hands of all the towers in this state, then we can undertake the herculean task of creating a board.

As far as the usefulness of a bond. It doesn't exist (except maybe financially for the PUC). A bond being required to pay fines can be subverted in exactly the same fashion as the PUC license. A new name, a new SSN number and you're all set. Illegals have got this process down to an art form. The only thing that will happen with a bond is more licensed and bonafide towers will be pressed to pay even more money out in a system that already strangleholds them at every turn. This will only have the effect of further making it impossible for us to compete with those that don't have to follow the rules. Many of us (myself included) have financial issues from the past, usually due to corporations not paying their bills, or issues with child support or an overburdensome Obama collection program strangling every cent that comes through the door. Why should these men and women be penalized even further for trying to play by the rules? Are you willing to call them unworthy, or even worse, criminals Gary? If you truly remember working back in the wreck chasing days, you know what it means to grab yourself up one more time by the boot straps every time someone slaps you down to keep trudging forward.

Also just recently, Georges son made a comment about having to pay more for the bond because of their credit scores that really gave us a peek into just how he perceives these individuals. I get the impression the thought would be they are beneath him. No matter what he does from this point forward, he will never be able to get past that remark with me.

I want to make 2 more comments about the widows fund.

1.)   I believe in the past that an accounting was asked for. If it truly is a public service oriented operation, then disclosing the financials in their entirety should be a no brainer. How much does a widow get? $1000? $1500? How much is in the coffers? Who gets paid to administer the program? How much interest does it make? Whats the plan? You have a chance to make me look bad here. Prove to the industry it's not just another cash machine and I'll eat every single word I've ever said on it.

Here's a thought. Instead of starting this 'program' where the money is used to pay the entitlements, Why not get all the associations together to buy an Occ-Acc insurance policy that will pay some real dividends to the families of the lost towers? Hell, you could even take it a step further and pay out from the insurance if a tower can't tow anymore to support his family due to an on the job injury! The way it's happening now, someone has to decide who's worthy and who isn't. The program is a failure for that very reason and will never be truly helpful to those in need.

2.)   When someone does something nice for someone else and they are doing it truly from the heart, they do not spend time telling everyone what great guys (and girls) they are because they do this or they give that. They just do it because they know it helps others and they get some good karma back from it. I listened to statements from the board members at the last meeting telling everybody what great and selfless guys they were because they gave time and effort to promote and manage the widows fund.

There's really no more to say on that. Those that truly understand what it means to give selflessly will understand what I'm talking about.

Oh and about your statement about losing respect for me. I never really offered it up to you to hold in the first place, now did I?

I will limit myself to pointing out what is likely obvious to most everybody but Ace and/or Skyforum.  The vitriolic exchange between the two of you is a perfect example of why most towers don't belong to their associations. 

The towers that are card-carrying members go out of their way to alienate those that don't belong to the association.

And the towers that don't belong have no comprehension of the work that goes into buffering the industry from political pressures, nor do they respect the compromises that are the ultimate result of many battles.

Speaking for myself, I certainly wouldn't want to be a member of any association that Gary helps manage--I prefer my "leaders" to be rational, openminded, and especially committed to inclusionary tactics and finding common ground to initiate open communications. 

I would also expect that those communications would be respectful, regardless of personal opinion.  Personal feelings are NOT supposed to be primary determining factors--representation is.  No matter how hard he feels he works for the industry, attacking an estranged member of the industry only proves that he only represents those who would agree with him. 

Everybody knows that in any group, club, or association, less than 10% of the participants do more than 90% of the work.  But if you aren't part of the club, you don't even get a vote.  So if Skyforum doesn't like the way that association is run, maybe he needs to join, and become part of the 10%...

Yup, she's right as usual. I wish she was a member of our group. We'd all be better for it.

One thing is for sure, I know how to get people to the forum. Pissing them off usually works very well.  (lol). I will venture to keep my personal opinions personal from this point forward and I am joining the association the association to once again become involved.

I do have an idea on how to get people to the association meetings

Do you really want to continue this publicly? I would be more than happy to oblige. It's been a lot more than 2 years since I was a member.

In all the years since I was a member, I only received an invitation 1 time and that was only to be at a tow show. If the TRPC is so adamant about getting towers to join, why aren't they actively pursuing them? I'm also a little surprised you can't find my records because they should be there. I still have all my cancelled checks from that time.Ask Dave from Long Bros, he remembers me coming to the meetings. Hell, even Gary should remember.

Everybody keeps coming to the defense of the association but no one has displayed any real facts here. I still want a question answered I have asked repeatedly. What exactly happened that caused this emergency rule for the bond to come about? I've heard all the he said, she said crap but I really would like the truth.

Another question I have is this. If George is not on the board anymore, why was he acting as if he were? Why was he directly involved in the conversations and decisions being made? Why was he sitting with the board and acting as a member of it? If Tim (and I am not sure I have that right, if it's wrong, I apologize) was truly elected to the board and George is no longer on the board, why doesn't he just step down and let his son handle it?

You keep talking about those that 'continue to come and pay dues' but the ones you should be targeting are the ones that don't. Someone needs to personally visit these companies and find out why they aren't a member and if it's a problem that can be fixed, lets fix it! Someone needs to spend a little money, create some mailers and start talking to them.

Hell, I love to talk. I'll get in my truck and make it my personal mission to take the message of the TRPC to them. All you gotta do is ask.  I remember offering to build a website for free once for the TRPC but that request went the same way as all the rest but that's a topic for another bitch fest. (Anyone that knows me, knows I love building sites, I am very good at building sites and I can usually be talked into it for free)

What if I told you I had an idea that would solve the PUC's problem and get them off our back, solve our problems WITHOUT a required bond and make every tower in the state come to at least one meeting a year.....

All you gotta do is ask.

February 13, 2012

Bill @ Skyline Recovery Systems LLC,

Here again I feel that you are shooting your mouth off about the Towing & Recovery Professional of Colorado and you are making statements on “Tow Nation.Com” which like most of the time when you make any statements you are telling lies again. I have been involved with the TRPC for over 16 plus years. I have served for 14 years on the TRPC Board with 10 of those years as an Executive Board Member. I made these statements so anyone with an ounce of common sense will know that I have a vast amount of knowledge of the TRPC Association and someone needs to set you strait if that is possible.

Bill has been a TRPC member for a year or two back in the early 2000’s and then was removed for non-payment of dues. For an individual that thinks we are such a poorly ran Association why are you attending so many of our meetings?  I will refer to our Denver Chapter Meeting in January 2012 and making statements that our Towing / Transportation Board are a good idea. Then 3 weeks later you make a statement I quote

“The newest thing is the TRPC trying to jump start a "Self Regulating Towing Board" much like the constitutional crushing dealers board in another attempt to further his power base.”

So were you lying 3 weeks ago in a room of 40 plus towers or now??

Now let’s talk about another of your misguided statements from your forum post;

“Associations are supposed to represent the towers in a fair and unbiased manor. This one doesn't because there's been no changing of the guard since its inception. Finally, George steps down as board President only to be replaced by his son and lo and behold, who is sitting at the meetings pulling his sons strings? Good ol George.”

Again good ol Bill should check his facts because in my last 16 plus years as a member and a Board Member I have been involved with at least 4 different Presidents and only one was named George. Also to my knowledge in the previous 10 years before my involvement with the TRPC there was 3 other Presidents that I am aware of and none of them were named George either, hum where is your facts Bill? Oh I’m sorry King Bill knows it all, or maybe only in his little world. This association as always looked out for the best for our industry in our state; unfortunately sometimes what is good for the majority isn’t the best for everybody. In my 14 years of being on the board looking at everything we do as what is the best for everybody and if not it is at least for the majority and we will fight for everyone of our member’s which usually always is good for the non-member as well. A majority is usually 85 to 90% of industry.

Now let’s talk about Bill’s statement about George Connolly;

“The TRPC (George Connolly’s little pet association) has been pissing everyone off here for years in their attempt to gain control in favor of his enterprises. Statements like "we do this without any remuneration and for the towing industry" are starting to really piss me off.

Now as most of you that have been involved in the Association for a long time knows that in the Late 1970’s I think 1978 the TRPC was previously known as the “Western States Towing Association”, this association was started in 1967 and in 1977 was financially defunct. In 1978 the infinite wisdom of several of the industries people knew that the Towing Association was needed for the Towing Industry to grow and succeed with all regulations that was being placed on our industry as well they over seen the transformation to our current name “Towing & Recovery Professionals of Colorado”. These people were Mr. Meyers with Mid-America Wrecker Sales, Bart Hagerty with Insurance of Denver, Bob Melendy with Frisco Standard Towing, Sam Clothier with Bob’s Towing, Milt Dreith with Dreith Industries and George Connolly with Connolly’s Towing, Thanks to these very passionate people that we have an association today. All of these people except for George Connolly have retired and became Honorary Members or have passed on and if any of them ever heard someone be so ignorant as to make a statement “George Connolly’s little pet association” they would defiantly give you a piece of their mind as ask if you would have an ounce of respect in your body “Just say Thank You” and they would move on!!!

Now let’s talk about Bill’s statement that really disgusts me the most;

“They've manhandled control of the board of directors to further their own interests (including the maligned Towers Widow Fund) now for as many years as I have been involved.”

Where do I start, history; in the mid 1990’s there was discussion from many areas including TRAA for Associations to have some type of a benevolent fund for towers. In 1996 a gentleman by the name of Mark Anderson from Air Cushions USA located in Florida was in our state visiting with customers. When a discussion with Bob Swaney & George Connolly came up about a Widows & Orphans Fund he was told that the TRPC would like to start a “Widows & Orphans Fund” but there wasn’t enough funds at the current time to start one. A short time later Mr. Anderson contacted Bob Swaney & George Connolly and informed them that he was going to make as sizable donation to the TRPC to start our “Widows & Orphans Fund” and that very fund is still in existence to this very day. The very statement that Bill has made about this fund really shows how ignorant he is. This fund has probably helped at least 16 or more Tower’s families in just the last 10 years. 2002 Richard B. Beckner, a Mirage Towing driver that was killed in the line of duty was my first family to interact with involving this fund. You see Mirage Towing wasn’t even a member at that time and Joey was always a little resistant to be a member but after that presentation of the check to the Beckner Family tears in his eyes he told Bob Swaney that Mirage Towing would always be involved with the TRPC and he was until God called him home in 2009, and yes Mirage Towing is still a member to this day. You see to make any negative statement about the TRPC’s “Widows & Orphans Fund” Just makes me sick because just out of the 5 donations from the 6 deaths in 2011 I personally know that it saved one family from being evicted from their house. Then there was one that I will never forget, when we met with the family they shared with us how they had to spend every current dollar they had to the Funeral Home that morning and that yes they had some funds coming in a few days but they were completely out of groceries. That check from our Widows & Orphans Fund put food on that table for that very night’s meal, and yes this was a non-member. You see this fund is for Towers both members and non-members the only requirement is that the persons death was in the line of duty.

Now about your statement about the $50,000.00 bond and limiting the miles on tows to 12 miles for local tows;

“They just enacted a new law that requires that we buy a $50,000 bond to make sure we can pay any fines levied against us by the PUC. Now, they've had another emergency rule making session and are trying to limit the miles we can charge to 12.”

Now your remark of “They” must mean the TRPC as everything else in your post to the forum was referencing the TRPC. First of all the PUC was well into writing legislation that was going to affect all of us and we caught wind of it 3 days before it was going in front of the House Transportation Committee. The legislators instructed PUC to talk to us before they would proceed forward. In that meeting they had told John & I that they had intentions of adding additional annual rates to all carriers in rule making if they were able to pass HB11-1198 and we told them we had a problem with any additional rates to PUC if they didn’t start to majorly enforce the current rules. This is when they told us that they must always issue a PUC permit to anyone that applies if they have the proper forms and that all they could due to a company that has a civil fine imposed on it if they didn’t pay was revoke their authority and have revenue revoke their license plates. So if you get a $10,000.00 or a $50,000.00 fine it is a lot cheaper to change your name, have your insurance company re-file your documents under your new name and buy some new license plates than to pay a $10,000.00 or $15,000.00 or even $50,000.00 fine. Now maybe I’m just not to smart and this never happens or maybe I’m a genius and this is the first time this has been ever discussed, because if you haven’t figured this out it happens. When we discussed with PUS about our Towers / Transportation Board they were listening, especially when we discussed about the bond and how it would stop these people from just walking away from these fines. Now as I stated earlier you stated at the Denver Chapter Meeting that us cheap people that pay our due allowed people like you (tight ass, cheap SOB) to attend and even make comments you stated your were for the Towers / Transportation Board which you have to have the bond to make it work must mean that you are for the bond right? Or again was this just another lie in front of all those towers? Just for your FYI the insane rate reduction and the now new purposed rules were all from PUC not the TRPC again check your facts!

Now about John Connolly; he is the 4^th President that I have worked under since I have been on the TRPC Board, I also know very well 2 of the 3 presidents from the 1990’s and after giving John Connolly a chance he is by far probably the best President for our association in the last 20 years. He has accomplished more in his 2 years than any other President that I have worked with. Now I’m am not just saying this to defend John because if anybody knows John he doesn’t need defending because I’m sure you will soon know of his opinion of you and your comments. Although I sure hope you don’t personally need his help in the future because I know what I would tell you if I was in John’s shoes. This current President has given everyone such as members and honorary members a say as to what happens in our association as well has made the board more available to anyone that wants to address the board and unless you live under a rock he takes more flack than any previous President has. That is because he believes it isn’t just John’s way, it is what the vote of the Board is or the vote of the membership and he would tell you this isn’t the Connolly’s Association it is the “TRPC Association”. Inclosing Bill PLEASE PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND because I’m tired of seeing WAISTED TIME writing these letters to people that make stupid statements and drag this industry down by spreading lies or false statements, instead you need to spend the time and get the facts right and become an asset to this industry.

Sincerely,

Rob Mooney

Denver West Towing

TRPC State Treasurer

This is Bill from Skyline Recovery Systems LLC. statements from TowNation.com/forum:

There is a ton of stuff going on and we're in no real position to fight it. We have a couple rogue companies down here that have everyone pissed off, keep getting in the news and pushing everyone's buttons.

They just enacted a new law that requires that we buy a $50,000 bond to make sure we can pay any fines levied against us by the PUC. Now, they've had another emergency rule making session and are trying to limit the miles we can charge to 12.

The TRPC (George Connollys little pet association) has been pissing everyone off here for years in their attempt to gain control in favor of his enterprises. Statements like "we do this without any remuneration and for the towing industry" are starting to really piss me off. They've manhandled control of the board of directors to further their own interests (including the maligned Towers Widow Fund)  now for as many years as I have been involved.

Associations are supposed to represent the towers in a fair and unbiased manor. This one doesn't because there's been no changing of the guard since it's inception. Finally, George steps down as board President only to be replaced by his son and lo and behold, who is sitting at the meetings pulling his sons strings? Good ol George.

Until we get the association under control and back into the hands of the towers, we're going to be fighting the long fight. The newest thing is the TRPC trying to jump start a "Self Regulating Towing Board" much like the constitutional crushing dealers board in another attempt to further his power base.

Skyforum state:

What if I told you I had an idea that would solve the PUC's problem and get them off our back, solve our problems WITHOUT a required bond and make every tower in the state come to at least one meeting a year.....

All you gotta do is ask.

OK Bill I'll bite, what is the answer and remember it has to involve SB12-049. Please advise

This isn't my fight, and I do apologise for sticking my nose in, but all of this posturing and recrimination aside, how is the following even possible? 

Quote: First of all the PUC was well into writing legislation that was going to affect all of us and we caught wind of it 3 days before it was going in front of the House Transportation Committee.

A full blown Association, various chapters, non-affiliated towers, illegal towers, the press-- EVERYBODY was unaware, and totally missed this right up until it was going to be presented to the state Legislature?  If your PUC is really allowed to operate so completely cloaked, you all have much bigger problems than a bond and a mileage limit. You are lucky the Transportation Committee doesn't operate as underhandedly. 

Why isn't every single tower in Colorado talking to their representative?  Planning en masse sit-ins on the Committee?  Signing up in hoards to testify at any and all open legislative hearings by the Transportation committee?  Obviously, not everybody gets a chance to say their piece, there is not enough time, but the PUC can't operate, or dictate legislation, in total darkness unless you all let them. 

Five hours working on a response and I lost it.....

I will be responding to all of this tomorrow.

Sometimes I hate my own forums. I can;t believe I spent all day answering everything posted here, including my idea to solve this and a quick slip of the god damned finger and it's all gone!!!! There's no way I can retype it right now. Yes Magz, I also picked up on that as well as a couple other things.

Response to Magz,

Quote : A full blown Association, various chapters, non-affiliated towers, illegal towers, the press-- EVERYBODY was unaware, and totally missed this right up until it was going to be presented to the state Legislature?  If your PUC is really allowed to operate so completely cloaked, you all have much bigger problems than a bond and a mileage limit. You are lucky the Transportation Committee doesn't operate as underhandedly.

Why isn't every single tower in Colorado talking to their representative?  Planning en masse sit-ins on the Committee?  Signing up in hoards to testify at any and all open legislative hearings by the Transportation committee?  Obviously, not everybody gets a chance to say their piece, there is not enough time, but the PUC can't operate, or dictate legislation, in total darkness unless you all let them.

Response: Yes our association's Lobbyist knew about the bill and was told that this was just a clean up bill that was consolidation of 5 statues into 3 statues I believe. The actual bill was not released ( as a stall tactic) to general public until late on the previous Friday that the bill went to committee on Tuesday. When we received the bill it was very obvious that it was much more than a clean up bill and that is were our fight started.

Towman1,

I'm certainly not trying to tell your lobbyist or your organization how to do your job, and I'm sure there's more to the situation; there always is. 

However, whichever Representative sponsored that bill to the House knew exactly what was in it.  The Sponsor statement is public record, and generally must be advanced prior to bills being accepted in committee regardless of whether a bill itself is available for review prior to presentation. 

If the Sponsor statement wasn't clear or was incomplete, that Rep's name should be splattered everywhere as being in collusion, and in violation of legislative rules...if the bill wasn't formally sponsored, or if the rep introducing the "clean-up" bill was also a member of the House Transportation Committee, somebody ought to be filing a formal complaint with the state.

Jesus, anything that can go wrong usually does. Had 2 major failures on trucks today. Lost an engine in one and a tranny in another. All happening while we are in the middle of opening a new division to our company.

As soon as I get the fires out, I will be coming back to this post. Just didn't want anyone to think I was hiding out anywhere. I will also be answering towman1's posts item by item....

The question still remains, what was the catalyst? what started all this in the first place? I am still not personally satisfied with any of the information that has been presented so far.

I could maybe set a couple things straight here for Bill. I believe your comments and personal attacks is what people are most upset about. So lets talk about some of your issues. First my father is a paid member of the TRPC and he is a Denver chapter member. He is still very active in the towing business and when there is a chapter meeting he likes to attend. I don't really see a problem with that. Members are encouraged to attend chapter meetings. You are not a member and you were there, I don't see a problem with that either. Now just because I let my father sit next to me and bought him dinner doesn't mean he is pulling my strings or running the board. I know you two have some bad history, but that's no excuse for bad mouthing the TRPC. If you want to bash me because of who my father is, go ahead, but please keep it to that.

Now in your defense the chapter meeting was out of hand. There were multiple conversations going on around the room and nobody really knew who was in charge of the meeting. The place it was held was not much help either. I think we should just write that meeting off as one of the bad ones, and try to help Gary make it better next time. After all it was Gary's meeting as he is that Chapter's president.

The Widows & Orphans fund is a real sore subject since its entire fund was depleted last year helping families of drivers that died. Maybe you didn't know that last year was Colorado's worse year in history for drivers dying in the line of duty. By the way, every cent in the fund is accounted for by the treasurer along with what families it went to. At that meeting we were not blowing our horns about all we have done, we were informing the membership what had taken place with the funds. There were a few non-members in that room, so we were explaining what the fund was for and its purpose. You see that as blowing our horns and I see that as communication of information.

After last year and the magnitude of deaths, there have been many things in the works involving the expansion of the Widows & Orphan fund beyond its primary function. Burial policies and death benefits are the main topic of discussion, which hopefully our insurance folks will have some of those answers by April or May board meetings. By the way since you missed it in the meeting, the current primary function of the Widows & Orphan fund is to get money to the family quickly for food and bills until insurance kicks in. The 2nd function is to help them get to Tennessee for the Wall of the Fallen ceremony.

I keep hearing you and others say you have ideas on how to deal with PUC or that there are better ways. Well, I'm listening. If you know a better way than the towing board concept, PLEASE tell us. I hear people bitching and complaining, I don't hear solutions. I'm not being sarcastic or busting your balls. I'm serious, PLEASE tell me. We need positive input. The TRPC is trying to come up with a way that's good for all, yet strong enough to survive well into the future.

The truth about HB1198 and the 3 days is not a lie. Truthfully we were all asleep at the wheel. PUC was taking all their titles and combining them into one area of the statute, and towing slipped under the radar. Nothing on the bill was listed as towing. The association didn't catch it, the lobbyist didn't catch it, I didn't catch it and to be fair here, you didn't catch it. When we did find out, we killed what we could in the very short time we had. We did suggest the bond be put in statute instead of annual renewal fees, annual truck fees, and driver fees applied in rules, and by doing so we saved 95% of the towing carriers in Colorado approximately $1500.00 a year minimum. By doing that we pissed off the PUC and out came their rate reduction in emergency rule proposal. You see if PUC would have got $1500.00 annually from each towing carrier that would have been over one million dollars in their pocket.

So I ask you, what do you think the towing industry would have gotten for their one million dollars? I'll tell you the answer- nothing, nadda, zip and zilch. At least with a bond they have to actually do something for their money. Yes the bond did sting when they came out with the base price and some, like yourself, had to pay $2,500 bucks, but that was not the intent nor the objective of the TRPC contrary to your belief.

Many ask is the bond the solution to PUC and the answer is NO its not. The bond is a first step that many towing carriers are going to make to get where we need to be.

Where is it we need to be? We need to be an industry that gets paid appropriately for the dangerous jobs we do. Where each carrier is competing on the same playing field. Where motor clubs don't dictate our futures. Where emergency towing carriers are treated as first responders. Where people think of towers as something more than a road cone. Where health benefits and proper wages to our employees are a common thing. The list goes on and on.

One thing I see that you and some others have in common is the presumption that someone else is to blame, or its someone else's duty or responsibility to act. Like your comment that someone needs to spend some money to send out mailers and go visit people. Or the comment all you got to do is ask. The TRPC is all volunteer work and we ask for support all the time. It's your duty to step up and help your industry, not mine to come beg for it.

You made a comment about respect and you never offered him your respect to lose. I'll let you in on something, you don't give someone your respect, you earn it.

Hopefully in the future you and I can simply agree to disagree. To me that is much more positive and productive than the personal attacks.

I spend a lot of time on trying to keep my company compliant with the eleventy-billion rules and regs out there, or at least make it look like we are compliant.  

To that end, I was recently updating our MC-150 for compliance with the PRISM program...which got me thinking about this thread.  I asked some questions here on TowTalk about PRISM a while back, and mostly got WTF? responses, including from Colorado...despite the fact that Colorado is supposed to be a participating state.

PRISM stands for Performance & Registration Information Systems Management.  It is a cooperative Federal-State safety program developed to reduce commercial vehicle accidents. It is implemented in conjunction with IRP, which is the International Registration Plan, which allows interstate CMVs to only have to be registered in their home state.  The IRP provides for an interstate DOT number from one state to operate in all states, and the PRISM program provides for two-way tracking and reporting of all safety issues between the Feds and the States.  

The states manage the PRISM portion, and they are tied into all the Federal safety programs.  No commercial vehicle can be registered/re-registered without a current and valid DOT number and updated MC-150.  No commercial vehicle can be registered/re-registered with OOSO or too many violation points/unsafe operations records.  Driver violations count toward company violations in the Federal safety programs, so names and companies are also connected to VINs and DOT numbers. as well.  

Specific to THIS conversation, Colorado is part of PRISM, according to FMCSA.  PRISM ties vehicle VINS to DOT numbers and safety records for the purpose of registering vehicles, so how is that Colorado has such an issue with unsafe towing companies that it has been necessary to implement a bond process?

Since the commercial vehicle is tied to the safety record by it's VIN, how is it possible for a company to go out of business and restart under another name and DOT number?  PRISM is applied to all CMVs requiring a DOT number, whether intrastate or interstate, at the State's discretion, and safety violations (wrecks,traffic violations etc., ) are reported and tracked in both directions between Feds and State. 

Without a valid, recently updated DOT number, a tow truck can't be registered.  Without valid registration, these trucks can be removed from service/impounded by any podunk deputy. 

So if Colorado is a PRISM state, why isn't PRISM the primary tool in use by the regulatory authority? So why not down these trucks/drivers/owners by refusing registration and siccing the Feds on 'em?

Even IF PRISM is currently linked only to interstate CMVs over 26,000 lbs in the CO program, the Federal grant allows for implementation on ALL registered CMVs...it would be a very, very small step to add intrastate CMVs to the program.  A software tweak at the DMV...done.  An enormous argument for the bond being unnecessary, and an alternative method for removing rogue towers from the mix.

I haven't had the time to get back to this thread but the reason the PUC has instituted a bond program is because our association board members started a fist fight with them without our permission or knowledge. They all have the negotiation skills of a gnat.

When I get done with my own current fiscal emergencies, I will sit down and answer Johns post. I am also aware of the regulations you speak of in your post.

The State Patrol here really doesn't want to mess with it. (for probably fiscal issues) and the PUC, being a zero sum office, just doesn't have the money or manpower to get it handled.

I'm not sure about Colorado but, In Oklahoma we do not need to have DOT numbers to run a towing company.

We do need everything that Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation/Wrecker Serv. Division requires for a towing business. Basically, Commercial insurance @ state minimums or higher, License fee, Okla DPS truck inspection.. Thats about it.

If i was to rack up a huge fine, I suppose I could re-regester my tow truck into a new LLC and reapply for a wrecker license. I guess thats what the more unscrupulous tow truck companys have been doing in Colorado. Racking up huge fines and instead of paying it, Just close down and open a new business under a new LLC or whatever..

Colorado wants the bond in place to prevent that..

It's going to only hurt the small companys that are trying to stay afloat, $500. to $1500. to pay for "Fine" insurance is a hard hit for a little guy like I am. And it would make me mad because i'm doing things right and legal yet i need "Fine" insurance in case i break towing regulations.

On the Tom Martino show in Denver, on Thursday (KHOW 630) 2 towing company owners called in and complained about yet another fee on small companys by the state that the big companys could more easily absorb,  1 of the towing owners said he couldn't take the $1500. hit for a bond and it was going to put him out of business. The second said something similar. You can listen to it online at KHOW/Martino but itll make you mad when they grasp it as just another cost of doing business.

It DOES make me mad..."Just another cost of doing business..."  We can only absorb so much before that cost has to be passed on to the customer.  Who oftentimes can't afford it.  And don't want to pay more for towing even if they CAN afford it.  I get soooo tired of the public assuming we are charging them 10 times more than what is reasonable, while public officials pile on regulatory fees and limit what tow companies charge at the same time.

1. Since government entities don't have to be "run" for profit, the people who run them are oblivious to the way a FOR profit business operates. Hence entities like PUC just assume we have unending coffers like they do. What right do they have to impose a civil fine on us anyway?

2. Bill I understand completely where you are coming from. An association that Is supposed to represent an industry such as Colorado towers has an obligation to do just that. Unfortunately like Magz says 10% do the work...  In most organizations such as this, they usually work for free. It's human nature for us to take care of ourselves before others, so weather or not the powers that be had good intentions when they started, they always fall to their survival instincts. I have been involved with enough clubs and organizations to have seen first hand how that works. This is why leaders need to change so often. To protect them from themselves.

I know nothing of the TRPC so i can't speak as to whats going on. I just know human nature.

That being said, the only way to do something about it is to get involved, get others who share your views to get involved.

I know i don't have time to get involved here(in my state), but i also know that no one is directing the the towing industry in my state down a path that I don't agree with, that says the represent myself and my industry.

(at least that i know of)

If they(TRPC) really do have a good ole boy network going on, it will be hard to break from the inside. Maybe they need a competitor organization. If they don't represent the majority, it should not be hard to gain other towers to help lobby for things that will help the Colorado towing industry.

Being from Colorado, my hopes of moving my company there someday has really dwindled...