Document text
M/SUNNY Temp: 53 °F Wind: NW at 12 mph Saturday, April 26, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 7, 2003 New car surprises Gold Hill police chief Rod Countryman couldn’t believe he was being offered a $25,000 police car for free By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — Police Chief Rod Countryman is still shaking his head in bemused appreciation over the gift of a state-of-the-art police car from an out-of-state Good Samaritan. Countryman was at City Hall when Mark Guzy of Nevada dropped in to chat. Guzy asked him questions about what he envisioned for the department. Countryman told him he’d like to see his two-man department become as efficient and professional as possible. Guzy, who owns and operates Driven Images — a worldwide, high-end car rental agency — in Nevada, asked him if a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with all the "bells and whistles" would help. "I told him it would be great!" said Countryman. Countryman said Guzy was visiting the Rogue Valley and had read stories about the financially beleaguered city in the Mail Tribune. "He said he wanted to do something to help a small police department and from what he’d read, it sounded like Gold Hill could use some assistance," said Countryman. Countryman, who celebrated his one-year anniversary on April 1, couldn’t believe he was being offered a $25,000 police car for free. "It’s kind of hard to believe and very, very positive for the community," said Countryman. When the chief signed his contract last year, he was the only officer. The Gold Hill Police Department had been defunct for over two years because of budget woes. The police car had been sitting in the old fire station. It had four flat tires, more than 106,000 miles on the odometer, a dead battery and a light bar that didn’t work. In addition, Gold Hill did not provide Countryman with a uniform, badge or even a ticket book. "It was pretty bad," said Countryman. "We had absolutely nothing." Now he has a brand new police car with lights, sirens, radio and an extra six-inch wheelbase which provides a larger rear passenger area. "It makes it easier to get prisoners in and out of the back," said Countryman. Guzy also kicked in two additional mobile radios "just to help," he said. In addition to the unexpected gift, Countryman is pleased with the progress his department has made in just one year. A few months ago, Countryman was able to hire another officer, 12-year veteran Hank Hobart, to help him bear the load, and Countryman finally got a day off. "I hadn’t had a day off from last April till the middle of November," said Countryman. Countryman also managed to get a 1999 Ford Police Interceptor through a government leasing program. "Now we have two fully equipped police cars," he said. Countryman and Hobart also have new digs. Once crammed into a small room in City Hall, the two now have their own Gold Hill Police Department building at 165 Fifth St. (next to the Gold Hill Market and Deli). "At least we have room for each of us to have a desk in here," said Countryman. As for the motives behind the Good Samaritan, attempts to reach Guzy for comment proved unsuccessful. Countryman said he isn’t surprised. "He didn’t do this for the publicity or the recognition," he said. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S