18 minute read
Lowdown
The Adventures Returns
Steve Calitri
Editor-in-Chief scalitri@towman.com April 2021 was the first issue in sixteen years without the Adventures of the American Towman in the back of the magazine, or anywhere. We immediately heard from the fans who religiously followed the exploits of AT, Pop, and HP (Horsepower). Phone calls, emails, messages. We had always run into Adventures fans at the shows and in aside remarks during phone conversations, but never so many in a short period of time. The last several weeks has been like fielding registration calls for AT Expo. “What happened to the Adventures!?” everyone wanted to know.
The Adventures comic-illustrator and co-writer, Don Lomax, has for now had to step back from the rigor of creating the monthly series. Don is truly irreplaceable, a throwback to the old comic creators who colored and lettered each comic frame by hand. Each Adventures episode is a priceless hand creation, unlike today’s comics produced and colored digitally via Illustrator or Photoshop graphic software. Let this Lowdown serve as a call-out to any comic illustrator who is a member of a towing family or somehow a part of our industry: if you’re interested in taking the baton on the Adventures, email me, scalitri@ towman.com.
Meanwhile, we are reviving the original first episodes of the Adventures that so mesmerized readers two decades back. Episode One is presented in the back of this issue. Many of today’s Adventures fans were too young to be reading AT back during the first episodes. I know they will be a thrill for you to read. For those who did read them back then, you’ll enjoy a second read all the more, like a long lost brother come back home to regale once again with the old tales.
The early Adventures were filled with episodes of intrigue involving terrorism and espionage and even a stint in the middle east. The episodes involved unusual recoveries and a flashback into our hero’s origins. Episodes featured a battle with a town councilman, abductors, a romance with a TV reporter, and the mystery of the beached whales.
For sixteen years the Adventures of the American Towman have represented the colorful world of the towing industry through the trials and tribulations of A.T. Armada, his Pop, and HP, his sidekick. We salute Don Lomax for his incredible work. Thousands of people in our industry are grateful for his talents and the dedication he brought to his drawing table.
The Adventures will also be reprised through a series of four books collecting all the episodes in exclusive printed and bound editions. The first book of about fifty episodes will be available by August.
Should you need even more of an Adventures fix before then, Adventures illustrations will be available on posters, coffee mugs, t-shirts and hats at www. towmanoriginals.com, AT’s new online merchandise store. Meanwhile, enjoy Episode One.
Hp and AT rescue abducted newscaster
Pennsylvania Creates PSA to Promote Move-Over By Brian J Riker
On Saturday, March 27th over 287 emergency responders with 139 emergency vehicles came together at the Manheim Auto Auction in Manheim, Pennsylvania to film a new Public Service Announcement that promotes roadside safety while educating motorists of the updates to the Slow Down Move Over law in the Commonwealth. Towing played a large part in this effort with companies from all across the Commonwealth bringing equipment and manpower to participate.
Organized by PennTIME under the direction of Todd Leiss, Traffic Incident Management Coordinator with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and event Co-Chairs Lori Shenk of Northwest EMS and Sherry Morgan of Morgan’s Towing, this event was inclusive of all that put
their lives at risk to keep our Nation’s highway system operational. Having towing well represented at the event, and in the coming PSA video, brings greater awareness to the need to react to vehicles other than law enforcement or fire/ems when alongside the roadway.
The timing, just before distracted driving awareness month in April, was perfect to get a jump start on promoting safe driving before the summer travel season kicks off. “Distraction-free driving keeps everyone safe, including first responders who put their lives in harm’s way to help when emergencies occur,” said Dr. Candice McDonald, 2nd Vice President of the nonprofit Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association that oversees ResponderSafety.com.
According to a recent poll conducted by the National Safety Council 4 out of 5 respondents admit to using their cell phone, with or without hands-free devices, while driving. 25% of those surveyed felt ◀
that speeding, distracted driving and other dangerous behaviors had increased in the past year due to COVID-19 and the resulting reduced traffic volume. Even more troubling to those of us that work roadside is the fact that most of the respondents to this survey still underestimate the risk presented when approaching an emergency responder vehicle on the side of the roadway. Only 2 out of 5 reported seeing a higher risk when an emergency responder is outside of their vehicle on the roadway.
Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum
Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.
“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with the Pros sessions have been a win-win. We’ve been able to take the opportunity to help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.” Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.
Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.
Todd Harless, Marketing Manager, Miller Industries; Cathy Brumgard, General Manager, International Towing Museum; Tom Luciano, Product Specialist, Miller Industries
Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks
Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics. This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.
The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems. The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.
Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.
Read more towing news at
towman.com
Find us on Facebook
Episode 1
Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum
Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.
“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with the Pros sessions have been a win-win. We’ve been able to take the opportunity to help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.” Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.
Todd Harless, Marketing Manager, Miller Industries; Cathy Brumgard, General Manager, International Towing Museum; Tom Luciano, Product Specialist, Miller Industries
Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.
Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks
Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics. This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.
The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems. The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.
Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.
Episode 1
Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum
Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.
“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with the Pros sessions have been a win-win. We’ve been able to take the opportunity to help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.” Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.
Todd Harless, Marketing Manager, Miller Industries; Cathy Brumgard, General Manager, International Towing Museum; Tom Luciano, Product Specialist, Miller Industries
Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.
Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks
Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics. This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will ◀
accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.
The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems. The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.
Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.
Read more towing news at
towman.com
Find us on Facebook
Tribute for Tow Legend James “Jim” Hix, Who Passes
64-year veteran Indiana tower James “Jim” Hix passed away on March 16 and a “Light up the Night” Tribute was given for him on Friday with the towing community coming out in large numbers.
Hix was considered a legend in the business, starting from scratch and building the largest wrecker service in the Midwest during the 70’s and 80’s.
Hix He bought his first wrecker by trading in his car and giving the man who sold it to him his paycheck of $290. He drove a wrecker by day while working another job at night until he and his wife focused solely on towing. Then he purchased other wrecker services and consolidated them into Hix Wrecker Service of Indianapolis.
In addition to his tow activities, he owned an auto parts store and an auto crushing unit. In his younger years, he was an avid race car driver, working for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for many years. He worked the Indy 500, the Brickyard 400, Formula One and Raceway Park. He was a member of the Old Timers Club at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Source: legacy.com
Episode 1
TDLR Clears Way for Credit Card Fees
In March the Texas Towing Advisory Board met to take up and consider a number of items, including the ability to pass along the credit card fees on transactions.
Under current Texas law tow companies and VSF’s are required, by statute, to accept credit cards, but have been prohibited from passing along the surcharges to the credit card holder. Southwest Tow Operators has been working for several years to reverse this position by the agency.
In 2019, a federal district court found that 604A.0021 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code was unconstitutional because it violates commercial free-speech rights under the First Amendment. This is the law that TDLR has been working under prohibiting businesses from passing along the fee.
On behalf of SW Tow Operators, Joann Messina, testified. Mrs. Mes- ◀
sina stated, “Our tow and VSF fees are highly regulated, so we are not able to increase our prices when our costs for fuel, insurance, or anything else goes up. The pandemic hit all small businesses across the state very hard and many employees lost their jobs. Being able to recoup credit card fees we are paying will help our small businesses rehire employees.”
TDLR reversed their position on the prohibition on passing through the credit card fee. Effective immediately, towing and storage facilities may begin charging the credit card fee. As part of the court ruling, businesses may not charge any more than they are being charged. Since fees vary, TDLR will form a workgroup to determine if a set fee should be set to reduce confusion. TDLR plans to set rules to help provide specific guidance. At this time, businesses are not required to list this credit card fee on the tow ticket.
TDLR staff requests your input on this issue as they develop guid- ◀
ance. Please submit your comments to Board.Comments@tdlr.texas.gov and include the rates you are paying on the swipe fees. They are also interested in knowing what the low, middle, and high fees are that you are charged when accepting payment via credit card.
Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum
Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.
“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with ◀
the Pros sessions have been a win-win. We’ve been able to take the opportunity to help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.” Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.
Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.
Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks
Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics. This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.
The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems. The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.
Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.
Read more towing news at
towman.com
Find us on Facebook
Tower Killed in Sacramento, Cal.
Tow truck driver Obinna Ugorji died after being struck by a suspected DUI driver in Sacramento, Ca. He was standing by the driver’s side of his tow truck when a Chrysler mini-van approached it and the disabled vehicle and ultimately hit the tow truck and driver, the California Highway Patrol said.
Authorities said the crash sent the tow truck driver into the roadway with fatal injuries, and that the tow truck driver was ultimately pronounced dead by Sacramento Fire Department.
CHP identified the suspect driver as Larry Godbold, 46 of Sacramento. CHP said Godbold didn’t provide a statement on the crash, but did say he wasn’t hurt and stayed at the scene. He was arrested for suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Source:sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article250275595.html
Slain Tower Remembered
AZ Metro tow owner John Weeks, 50, was shot and killed at his tow yard in Arizona, on Friday, April 9. Police say the suspect, Donovan Johnson, then stole a vehicle and took off. He was arrested the following Monday.
Amanda Matuschak-Keesler says her uncle cared for her as one of his own. “I watched my uncle work, sometimes, 7, 10 days straight,” says Amanda. “I’d find him in the yard sleeping in that truck.”
The family says Weeks had just purchased a flatbed truck to grow his business which employed and supported many relatives and close friends. A group of tow truck operators described Weeks as a generous business owner and a mentor. “I owe the man my life,” says Otis Parrish. “Bottom line, if I had been there, this would not have happened.”
Anyone who would like to help with unexpected expenses can at spotfund.com.
Source: azfamily.com
Episode 1
