WRECKER ROTATION SERVICE STILL BEING DISCUSSED

To follow up on a story we reported last week, dealing with alleged problems surrounding Dothan`s wrecker rotation service....., over a dozen wrecking and repair companies are on a rotation list for the city, including some who list different company names several times on the rotation with the same addresses and phone numbers...a violation of city guidelines. But, that is not the only issue...some are allegeding that not only are those companies towing their customers cars, but their wallets right along with it. WDHN`S Crystal Walker spoke to one local man yesterday, who says he is a victim of price gouging and expects the city to do something about it. Mr. Ott Massey says he had no idea that his son`s car accident would end up costing him hundreds of dollars...after he insisted the vehicle be towed to his home, but was denied. Massey says he had wanted the car pulled four miles to his house, but instead it was pulled eight miles to Mike`s Body Shop on Hodgesville Road, in the end costing him close to $500.00. He said his son had the accident in front of the northside Walmart, and it cost him $485.00 to get the car towed. Mike Harger, owner of the shop, says he did not price guage Mr. Massey, and could not leave the area because he was too busy at the time. He said,"when we arrived at the scene, Mr. Ott asked if we could take the car to his house, and I said no because were behind, but I will take it to your home tomorrow at no extra charge." Massey said he is not only concerned about the money he`s spent, but the amount being charged to hundreds of customers just like him...he says the solution is for the city to bid out the service and get out of wrecker rotation. Chief John White of the Dothan Police Department, says there is bound to be an issue with any system you come up with. White said the big sticking point seems to be the price...the city cannot set a price...can the city bid it out?...there are issues with any system you come up with. White also said everybody`s charge is the same for 15 minutes or five hours...they think that`s a lot of money, but whether you pull 70 cars or 15 to 20, you want to get paid. There has been talk about the city getting out of the rotation business and operating it`s own wreckers, possibly bringing in revenue for the city, but Chief White who`s department runs the towing service, says it`s unlikely the city would turn any profit. The commission has formed a committee to discuss these problems and possible solutions.