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Small Medford tow firms want part of the pie By JIM DAVIS Medford and several of the city's tow-truck operators are heading toward a battle over who tows impounded cars and trucks and where the vehicles are kept. A group of smaller operators wants the city to put all of the companies on a rotation. The city contracts with two larger companies for the majority of police towing needs. "There's no reason why everyone can't share this," said Roger Twedell, who owns Twedell's Towing. "It's a very unfair program right now." Twedell and four other operators are also upset that the city is planning to build its own impound lot, meaning tow companies won't reap the benefits of storage fees. Medford Deputy Police Chief Ron Norris said trying to contract separately with all the city's tow-truck operators would be an administrative headache. He said the city is building an impound lot because it is responsible and liable for the cars and trucks that police impound. In July, the city's contract with Star 24-Hour Towing and Dick's Towing will run out. The city is asking for new bids, and the City Council is forming a selection committee, which will make the final decision. The city now operates a nine-company rotation system for tow-truck operators in accidents and breakdowns when the owner of the car doesn't specify a preferred towing company. Last year, police said, 392 vehicles were towed under that rotation system. At the same time, the city logged 1,743 calls last year during which vehicles were impounded because police cited drivers for drunken driving, driving while suspended or driving without licenses or insurance. Those vehicles were towed by Star or Dick's. The smaller operators want to be able to get some of those calls, too, said Chris Mastoras, owner of Western Towing Inc. "This is our livelihood," Mastoras said. "It should be on a fair rotation like every other city." Twedell said the city will require that tow-truck operators have the equipment to tow tractor-trailers and motor homes. He said those vehicles are rarely if ever impounded by police, but the requirement would bar smaller operators from bidding. "That pretty much eliminates everyone in the valley except for two companies," Twedell said. A separate issue is the impound lot. The city is setting aside $500,000 in next year's budget to build an impound lot and a property and evidence facility on Columbus Avenue, Norris said. The project will allow the city to store 240 vehicles initially and 130 more vehicles during a future phase. The lot will be secured with a high-technology alarm system, he said. Twedell said that is cutting into part of their business. "They're gambling that they're going to make a big profit off of this,'' Twedell said. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA