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Politics
Crist's towing bill gets new name
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published March 29, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - Almost every year for 10 years, state Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, has failed to achieve state regulation for towing companies. On Wednesday, he announced a new name for his as-yet-unpassed legislation: The "Glen Rich Act." Glen Rich, 30, was fatally shot by a towing company owner last year when he got into an argument with the person towing his vehicle from outside a bar in Tampa, deputies say. Donald Montanez, 44, of PPCI Inc. towing company, faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the incident. Though Rich's widow stood with Crist as he announced the bill's new name, it's unclear whether the legislation (SB 612) - proposed in the House by Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, as HB 93 - would have prevented the shooting outside the Sugar Shack club in January 2006. If passed, the Glen Rich Act would require wrecker companies to pay a $495 annual registration fee to the state. Tow truck drivers would undergo training and continuing education as dictated by a new state wrecker operator advisory council. Tow company owners convicted of a felony in the past seven years would be banned from conducting business, as would owners convicted in the last seven years of crimes involving repossession, motor vehicle theft, overcharging for repairs and a host of other vehicle-related offenses. Montanez did not have any felony convictions at the time of the Tampa shooting, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He also had not committed any of the prohibitive crimes detailed in the bill. Attorney Jay Hebert says Montanez shot Rich in self-defense when he feared Rich would hurt him. And though Hebert was not familiar with Crist's bill he said there is nothing in Montanez' history that would have prevented him from lawfully operating his business. Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed similar legislation in 2005 on the grounds it placed excessive burdens on the industry, hitting small businesses hardest. Crist said he was inspired to work on the legislation after his mother's car was towed incorrectly, ruining the vehicle.
[Last modified March 29, 2007, 01:35:12]
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by skipper916
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11/20/07 05:11 PM
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Well thief huh? what do you call someone who goes to a dealership and picks out a car, signs a promise to pay, then dont pay and still drives the vehicle? is that not a thief? then they want to hide it like it belongs to them.
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by James
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09/24/07 11:44 AM
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How can a towing co keep your vehicle with proof that you were at the establishment? Their spotters need better communication. No mgr on premises to make an educated decision.
That is not a true business. Pirates.
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by James
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09/24/07 11:40 AM
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My truck was towed from TGI Fridays' establishment, Hillsborough Ave, on Sunday Sept. 23rd, after my son and I had lunch there. Had receipt but CIS towing would not release the vehicle.will pursue in small claims court. Thoughts?
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by Pete
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09/05/07 03:25 PM
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No people who repo are legalized thiefs. We tow cars that are parked illegally. We have signed contracts from the property owners. Once the car is in our possession you can not take it with out pay a fee.
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by NoGypsyTowing
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09/05/07 02:43 PM
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Kickback contracts are a felony. But don't ever rely on TPD or the SAO to do anything about it. The legislature can pass all the laws they want. They won't be enforced! I can absolutely guarantee you that.
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by NoGypsyTowing
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09/05/07 02:41 PM
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Montanez went out and started a new tow co. It's CIS. It's one of the worst offenders out there. I witnessed them making a criminal tow. The police will do nothing, even though this guy is out on bond and ordered not to actively participate/in towbiz
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by David
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06/28/07 03:53 AM
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petes towing ......these people are legalized thiefs regulation is a must...How about I finance 4 tow trucks and start prowling the streets and signing kickback contracts. totally unprofessional...this kind of business leads to people wondering
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by craig
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05/09/07 06:31 PM
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This guy had his car towed b4 by same people dmm shame he lost his life on hg
is birthday because of a crooked tow truck driver trying to get 200dollars stealing a car in the AMs who
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by craig
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05/09/07 06:30 PM
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This club around corner from me and the wrecker service show up mysteriously in the Ams and just start towing been lots complaints bout it for a long time and other clubs in Tampa and I do believe they are stealing cars
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by Jack
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05/03/07 08:54 PM
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If the HCSO or the PTC would have listened sooner this would not have happened. They were showed video tape of PPCI illeagally coraling cars. This is already illeagal. So lets think about it.
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by Jack
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05/03/07 08:52 PM
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The man was shot because another tow driver was in his path while tring to leave. We were not there, lets see what happens in court. I say enforce the laws that are already on the books.
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by Striker005
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03/29/07 10:30 PM
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Oh come on john illegal tow get your facts straight. A man lost his life and you have to make it personal because you parked in the wrong spot one night,and got towed
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by D
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03/29/07 07:30 PM
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There are a lot of companys out there that are small operations that do obey the laws and this just sounds like a cry baby act from our governor,just remember when its 90 degrees outside and your car breaks down were the same guys that come out .
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by RICHARD
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03/29/07 05:52 PM
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BECAUSE ONE PERSON FOULS UP DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO SUFFR. EVEN IF YOU PASS A LAW THE VEHICLE OWNERS ARE GOING TO TAKE THEIR STUPIDITY OUT ON THE TOW DRIVERS.MAKING US PAY IS NOT GOING TO GIVE A LIFE BACK OR STOP ANOTHER FROM BEING TAKEN.WE DIE TO !!
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by Me
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03/29/07 04:03 PM
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there is tons of shakey things wrecker companies do and they fully need regulations to be inforced. It would weed out the ones that shouldnt be in it at all
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by John
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03/29/07 01:47 PM
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Now do something about illegal towing. The man in the article was shot trying to get his car back after it, and MANY others were illegally towed from parking spaces at a nightclub. The crooked tow truck guy shot him after effectively stealing his car
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