First Name | David |
---|---|
Last Name | Grande |
Email Address | dwgrande@sbcglobal.net |
Affiliation | |
Subject | Truckbus08 |
Comment | Ladies and Gentlemen, I was born and raised into a family construction trucking company. My parents came to California in 1955, started their own company transporting construction materials, ie. rock and sand products. They both worked in the business, as well as my brother and I when we became of age to start washing and greasing the rigs. Eventually we became drivers and have been involved in the industry for our lifetime. As time progressed, we have seen the changes, and demises of this industry. Deregulation and open permit process was the first blow in my opinion, that opened up the flood gates to more competition and lower profit margins. We saw our company dwindle down in size primarily due to operating expenses skyrocketing and increased competition with fewer jobs. This era was the 1990's. With over 50 years in business, we ceased operations last year. Unstable fuel prices, increasing insurance costs for employee benefits, Workman's compensation increases, liability insurance, DMV expenses, maintenance expenses, employee compensation and the lack of construction projects all contributed. Notice that I did not mention the expense of equipment, since the older trucks we operated were paid for. Buying new trucks was just another expense that the company could not afford to absorb in these economic times. At 43 years of age, I am now a single truck owner operator raising a traditional family on my income. My wife is an educated professional, recently a victim of economic times and was laid off a job she held for seven years. As I read through your proposals for truck modernization, I ask that you stop and look around at what is happening to our economy. The lack of projects within the housing and commercial developments, the State of California's budget reducing construction funding, the lack of private projects due to lending restrictions, all affect our businesses. I operate an older 1991 Peterbilt tractor, I specialize in local hauling via semi end dump and flat bed services. If I were to update my tractor to a new '07+, it would add an additional $3K per month expense. Simply an expense at this time no one in this industry can absorb...a bail out?...wishful thinking. I ask Carb to support the DTCC alternative that will protect California's economy and improve our air quality. Sincerely, David Grande 9933 Lakevista Street Ventura CA 93004 805-290-5213 |
Attachment | www.arb.ca.gov/lists/truckbus08/67-daves_rig_002.jpg |
Original File Name | Daves Rig 002.jpg |
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2008-11-24 20:41:08 |
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