DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT… 'FORE' THE KIDS: At 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 6th, the marshal at the Cardinal Golf Club will sound his horn. The first 18 of 144 golfers will ritually gaze down the fairway, flex at the knees, wiggle their hips, waggle their clubs and eventually swing them, and the 2005 AARO Charity Golf Tournament will be officially underway.

Known as 'The Independents Tournament', AARO president Wally Clayson has organized the annual event for the past 12 years. The beneficiaries of the fundraising - upwards of $200,000 to date - are some very special kids.

"They're outpatients of the Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre, which is a wonderful place. Believe me when I say this, because I know it to be true from first-hand, family experience," said Clayson. "I have a granddaughter, she's a young woman now, but when she was little she was one of their patients, and that institution was truly a Godsend to us."

Bloorview MacMillan is planning to formally recognize the support they receive from Independents. A physical therapy room in a new building under construction at the hospital will be named 'The AARO Therapeutic Gymnasium'. And that's something Clayson feels the shop owners and suppliers who turn out for the annual event can take pride in.

Raising money for a worthwhile cause could not be more fun. At the AARO Charity Golf Tournament, the smiles 'n chuckles begin at the first tee and never do seem to let up. Professional MC Ted Bisaillian ensures the laughter continues during the banquet dinner.

"Ted has to be Canada's funniest stand up comedian," comments AARO board member and 'tournament regular' Vatché Shahinian. "There's simply no relief from his twisted sense of humour, he makes my eyes tear and my sides hurt every year. The laughs continue all through dinner and afterward, right up until the last item has been claimed from the prize table."

Get in on the high jinx and the golf, and help some very deserving kids in the bargain; book NOW for the 2005 AARO Charity Golf Tournament.

"We also need hole sponsors and more merchandise for the silent auctions and door prizes," appeals Frances Ricci, the event registrar. "Time is running short; please call me at 1-800-268-5400 to get involved."

Posted June 12/05

BUSY TRAINING SEASON WINDS DOWN: In the late evening of Thursday, May 26th at an ODP Card Certification Course in Etobicoke, instructor Glenn McNally will reach for the off-switch on his digital projector. In an instant the screen will turn from bright white to shadowy gray. Blinking to re-focus their vision, his students will head for the exit door. Their departure will signal more than the conclusion of the evening's program; it will bring the curtain down on the entire 2004-05 AARO 'On Track' training season. Was that McNally heard to go ... "whew"?

Frances Ricci, our association's training coordinator, thinks the gasp likely would emanate from Glenn McNally. "According to my records, the course on the 26th will mark 286 hours of technical training he'll have done for us this season. I know that I'll breathe a sigh of relief, so will anyone wonder if Glenn does, too?" she asks. "The man's a walking bundle of energy," added Ricci. "I really don't know where he finds it all, but if it could be bottled and he was selling it, I'd be the first to get in line."

While the current training season is nearly a done deal, work in the AARO training department continues. Indeed. According to Frances, a case can be made that the work never ends.

"We're already mapping out the new season, and some very exciting and innovative stuff is in the works," said Ricci. "I think our 'regulars' will be extremely pleased with what we're going to roll out, and that there'll be many 'new faces' in the classes. Our 2005-06 'On Track' technical training program is going to stir up lots of interest around the industry," she predicted.

Ricci suggests that members watch for announcements and 'breaking news' in her AARO Web site training column, and in postings to the vBulletin message forums during the summer months.

Posted May 6/05

Rising Health Care Costs? Not at The House AARO Built!
ASSOCIATION BUCKS TREND AND LOWERS PREMIUMS:  When was the last time you opened the mail and found a notice advising you that your insurance rates were being reduced? Okay, stop laughing. We're trying to be serious here. Are you saying you've never received a letter like that, and you never expect to get one?

We understand why you're laughing, but wouldn't be surprised if you were actually crying. Health care costs have really gotten out of control. But your reaction also tells us that you are not one of the 250+ garages enrolled in our Auto Pac 'Health & Life' Employee Benefits Plan. Why? Because they just received one of those aforementioned 'good news letters'. We know that to be true, because it was AARO that sent it to them.

The letter was our Annual Group Insurance Report. Following highly detailed statistics - tracking the plan's performance over the past year - was a final number that our insured are always anxious to see. One longtime participant concedes that he reads the last paragraph first. Others have said they prefer to read the benefit-by-benefit analysis and try to estimate what's coming. But however they arrived there, all were pleased with what they found on the bottom line; their Auto Pac insurance premium is going down 4.8 percent for the next 12 months.

We're not sure what gets most ink in the newspapers, stories alleging government corruption, or gloom and doom about the rising cost of health care. In view of this, we asked longtime member and Auto Pac participant - and recently elected AARO director - Gerrard De Souza (Gerry & Sons Auto Service, Markham) if he was surprised to be getting a reduction in his premiums.

De Souza says that as a member of the AARO board he'd heard advance reports that the Auto Pac plan was performing well in the current year. But even were he not privy to the inside information, news of the upcoming rate reduction would not have come as a huge surprise given that he'd received a similar letter the year prior when premiums were also reduced.

"My family and our staff at the garage have been enrolled in Auto Pac since 1983, and the plan has always done well. Sure, there have been years when premiums had to go up like everything else in life, but it's never been a 'shock and awe' hit like the ones some shop owners have told me about. At AARO we self-administer our own plan. I think that has a lot to do with its success," said De Souza.

Something else that weighs in heavily concerning the De Souza family's long term commitment to Auto Pac is the personal service and assistance with filing claims that they've always received. "It's nice not having to cope with voice mail, insurance company personnel, or worse, the third-party administrators many of them are using these days," Gerrard observed. "Whenever another garage owner is whining about impersonal service and claims disputes with his insurance company, if he's an AARO member I ask him why in the heck isn't he on our association's program."

Debbie Grimes who co-administers the Auto Pac Plan believes there are three reasons that over two-thirds of the association's members are not participating:

(1.) A few simply don't provide benefits for their employees, which is something she finds hard to understand in view of the shortage of skilled technicians in the industry, and

(2.) some members feel obliged to give their business to an insurance agent-customer, and

(3.) a third group of members were at one time enrolled in Auto Pac, but succumbed to a low-ball quote and left the AARO plan, she says.

"I really feel sorry for the members who jumped ship. It's usually only a year or two later that they call us wanting to get back on board. What happens is that upon renewal, the agent who low-balled them to win their business moans about their claims experience not being good, and he jerks their premium through the roof," said Grimes. "The hard part for me is having to tell our member that we're contractually obligated by the underwriters not to allow them back on our plan unless everyone supplies long-form medical evidence of good health. And that means coverage for any pre-existing health conditions they, their employees, or their respective families might have must be waived," she explained.

Flexible plan designs are offered under the association program. To borrow from automotive parlance, 'high-end', 'low-end', and 'mid-range' models are available. According to AARO executive director Bill Burkimsher, every member should find an Auto Pac benefit package to meet his needs and fit his budget.

"Our continuing objective is to ensure that Auto Pac participants receive protection of the very highest quality, backed by a superior level of personal claims assistance and service. We pledge to accomplish this while maintaining the operational efficiencies necessary to minimize the impact of rising health insurance costs in Canada," said Burkimsher.

Editor's Note: Members interested in learning more about the superlative Auto Pac 'Health and Life' Employee Benefits Program are invited to contact plan administrator Debbie Grimes at 1-800-268-5400, or Click Here to send Deb an e-mail.

Posted April 26/05

SECOND-CHANCE CHECKLIST:  Among other things, our association Web site - www.aaro.ca - is like a bulletin board. Fast-breaking news and timely advice is posted on a day-to-day basis. The information is, of course, targeted directly at Independent garage operators.

The Letters to the Editor feature, and the vBulletin Message Forums are two areas you should visit often - once every day, if possible. Of one thing we are certain: while you may have only a passing interest in some of the postings, others will prove to be of crucial importance to you. Guaranteed. We know this to be true, because our board members and office staff collaborate regularly to ensure you are kept right up-to-date on issues impacting your business.

An Independent's day never has enough hours in it. We realize many of you have probably missed some of the important bulletins that have been presented in our Web forums. That's why we've reproduced the more recent postings in this News Brief. Hopefully they will not have become too "dated" to be of use. Unfortunately, that may well be the case for those of you who don't ever access the AARO Web site. I.e. if you're reading this (for the first time) hard copy in 'The AAROgram' newsletter, some of the information that follows may now be of limited value.

Okay, let us get on with the Second Chance Checklist, but wait... before we do that, how about making a pact with us. Upon reviewing the bulletins and messages that follow, if you find one or more that are of interest to you, make yourself a promise to check vBulletin and the Letters to the Editor postings on a regular basis. Fair enough? Good, because we really do want to get future information to you while it's still fresh.

Alrighty then, here we go ...

Price Reduction On Most Popular SPX 'Emission Test' Replacement Parts
Posted Feb. 11/05

AARO member Don McLaughlin (Goodturn Ride Centres, Hamilton) has sent us a document that contains good news for Drive Clean facilitiy operators. Well, for those who use SPX equipment, that is. The document is a pricelist Ralph Schors provided to the Drive Clean Office that Don got this afternoon (Feb. 11/05).

"Maybe you should pass it along - it's a schedule of price reductions on the higher volume SPX parts available through Superior Service and their vendors," explained McLaughlin. "At last year's June meeting, Peter Thomas of SPX advised the DC Focus Group they'd reviw their prices with the intent of lowering them, and he's now delivered on that promise."

We thank you for sharing the good news, Don.

Here's the pricelist for interested members to download and print:

Click Here to go to vBulletin and download document
This has been downloaded 93 time(s).

Administrator

Loans for Tools Program
Posted Feb. 9/05

For those of you who are not aware of this program, the Ontario Government has made available to first-year apprentices a loan to help them buy tools and equipment.

In the Automotive sector (automotive service technicians) the loan amount is $800.00.

The loan is interest-free during the term of an apprentice's program and for up to one year following completion of training.

After the one-year period, interest is charged at the rate of prime plus 1.5%.

If an apprentice quits the program or if an apprentice's registration is cancelled, the loan is repayable to the Ontario Government within 60 days of cancellation. After 60 days, interest is charged at the rate of prime plus 1.5%.

Tools and equipment that an apprentice buys to use throughout his or her apprenticeship and as a skilled worker are eligible. Manuals and code books that will remain the property of the apprentice are also eligible.

To apply for a loan, the apprentice should contact The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Univerisities to have a Loans for Tools information package sent to them.

For information please contact the Ministry at 1-800-313-1746.

Luanne Fedosoff

Apprentice Training Tax Credit
Posted Feb. 11/05

I just received confirmation from the Ministry of Finance that this has been passed and is retroactive to May, 2004.

Here is the information from the Ministry's website.

"This tax credit would provide private sector employers with up to $15,000.00 for the first 36 months of training for apprentices in qualifying skilled trades. Depending on the size of the business, the refundable tax credit would reimburse employers for 25% to 30% of the cost of wages for eligible apprenticeships. Qualifying skilled trades would include designated construction, industrial, and motive power trades, as well as the service trades eligible under the apprenticeship component of the Ontario Cooperative Education Tax Credit".

Ontario Cooperative Education Tax Credit.

"If you are a private sector employer, you can receive tax credits for hiring university, college or vocational school students enrolled in cooperative education programs and leading-edge technology programs. The tax credit provides 10% (or 15% in the case of small businesses) of the employee's salary or wages, to a maximum of $1,000.00 for the duration of each four-month placement for each student".

For more information please check the Ontario Government website Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Luanne Fedosoff

Apprentice Vehicle Mechanics' Tool Deduction
Posted Feb. 22/05

I received a phone call today regarding the Apprentice Vehicle Mechanics' Tool Deduction.

You will need the Employment Expense Guide, Chapter 6 "Employed Apprentice Mechanics" (I have a copy of Chapter 6 in the office, just call or e-mail me and I will fax it to you).

The employer needs to fill out form T2200 "Declaration of Conditions of Employment" (I have a copy as well).

The employee must fill out form T777 "Statement of Employment Expenses" (Yup, I have this one too).

These forms and the guide can be downloaded off the federal government Web site(www.cra-arc.gc.ca). At the top of the page you will see "Forms and Publications", click on it.

Select 2004-T1 General Returns, Forms & Schedules. Select the letter "T" you will be looking for T4044, scroll down they are in numerical order.

On the left of the screen you will see "Forms" select this and then the "T7" and/or "T2" this will take you to the forms. These will give you the T777 and T2200.

Luanne Fedosoff

NASCAR Members Club
Posted March 2/05

Cool. We knew our favourite sport was popular, but according to NASCAR there's 75 million of us fans.

75 MILLION! "Holy raceday, Batman - thats more people than twice the number for every man, woman and child that lives in Canada."

Talk about bragging rights: NASCAR is claiming they've got the most devoted and loyal fans in all of sport, and who is going to argue the point? They're so convinced about this, they've set up a membership organization called the NASCAR Members Club.

AARO staff member Caroline Martin looked into it, and informed us the annual dues are only 40 bucks, and that she bets a lot of our members would be interested. (Did you know her hubby is a technician?)

"You should tell them about the NASCAR Members Club a.s.a.p.," she recently reminded us. Given Caroline's insistance - one does not say "no" to an AAROette on a mission - we decided we'd best do that, so here's the scoop:

We dug up a radio newsfeed featuring Dale Jarrett talking about NASCAR's new membership club, also a direct link to a page on their official Web site where you can get more information and enrol Online, if you wish to. To access all of this, just CLICK HERE

Administrator

Letter to the Editor
Posted March 3/05

I just wanted to write in an ask that you please post this so that everyone clearly reads and understands the changes to the consumer protection act (CAA).  I have read it myself and as a garage owner also a balliff specializing in vehicle siezures i can see where issues could arise resulting in loss of income to garage owners.

Thanks a lot.

Robert Simmons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply - Gino Vendittelli:

If I'm reading section 57, subsections 2 and 3 correctly it seems we can't charge diagnostic time (fee for an estimate) if "repairs in question are authorized and carried out"? Hopefully I'm misinterpreting these sections! Any comments?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply - The Editor:

I think Mr. Vendittelli made a valid point.

Sometimes giving an estimate is simply not a good idea. e.g. when a job is the type whereby more time could be spent diagnosing the cause of a problem than doing the actual fix.

In cases like this a job should only be accepted under the estimate-waving terms of Section 56 (2), paragraph (b)...

56 (2) "a repairer may charge for work or repairs without giving an estimate if; (b) the consumer specifically authorizes the maximum amount that he or she will pay the repairer to make the repairs or do the work..."

Obviously some prudence will be required concerning "the maximum amount to be authorized". I.e. make it high enough to ensure you don't paint yourself into a corner. Moreover, imagine the favourable impression you'll have made if the cost of the work turns out to be quite a bit less than the "maximum amount" your customer authorized.

One more word of advice:

Carefully document EVERYTHING on the work order. Have the vehicle owner "sign" it and "initial" the terms under which you've accepted the job.

Jobber now offering Dollar Points
March 14/05

We have an independent automotive supplier who has realized the value of membership and will be offering AARO Dollar Points to AARO members.

Fincham Automotive Supplies Ltd. located in Etobicoke has been busy working with the AARO staff to ensure that AARO members who purchase parts with them will receive AARO dollar points to take advantage of AARO Technical Training courses, AARO Management training and AARO membership dues.

This program will be launched in April 2005.

This is exciting news for all AARO members who purchase parts with Fincham Automotive currently and others who will be joining AARO to take advantage of all the benefits of membership.

Diane Freeman

AVG Anti-Virus Software Now Available through AARO
March 18/05

AARO is now providing members with AVG, the highly acclaimed anti-virus software from Grisoft.

This product is recommended by the AARO Tech Team to protect your workplace computers from viruses. Included are such features as:

• Scheduling of both AVG updates and scans of computers.

• Allows for customized scheduling of updates and scans.

• For those with a dial-up connection to the internet, AVG 7.0 is able to detect the connection and can be set up to check for updates on detection of the connection to the internet.

• Technical support via e-mail is available to all AVG 7.0 customers.

• The interface of AVG 7.0 provides at-a-glance information about the status of the various components.

• The impact of running scan on the overall system performance is much less in AVG 7.0. Therefore, it is possible to use the computer when the AVG scans the system for viruses with almost no visible impact on performance of other applications.

Hey members, because of AARO's volume purchasing power, AVG comes to you at a much lower cost than other anti-virus software such as Norton and McAfee.

We've been asked not to go public with the preferred AARO pricing, so please e-mail (service@aaro.ca), or give me a call at the office (1-800-268-5400) for this information.

Luanne Fedosoff

WHMIS
Posted April 5/05

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

WHMIS regulations require that employers provide training for all employees who work with or can be exposed to hazardous materials.

To learn more about these regulations, and to find out how you can train your employees quickly click on the link below.

http://aaro.mywhmis.com

To register for the online WHMIS training, please call me, Frances Ricci, at 1-800-268-5400

Frances Ricci

How to Prepare an Occupational Health and Safety Policy
April 11/05

Not enough to do? Well here is something else you can add to your list…

One of our members called today, to inform me of a little visit they had from the Ministry of Labour and what was missing from their wall of information.

You are required to prepare a Health and Safety Policy for your shop. Below is the link from the Ministry of Labour’s web site, with an example of what is required.

CLICK HERE for link

Luanne Fedosoff

That wraps up our Second Chance Checklist, folks. But guess what? While this article was being written, a new vBulletin message presented itself, and another Letter to the Editor has appeared. As we recommended at the onset, AARO members would be well advised to check for postings daily because new information appears on a day-to-day basis, and what's more, it is often time sensitive.

Posted April 18/05

AARO PREZ ON THE MEND: Like the Toronto Blue Jays' brilliant pitcher Ted Lilly, our association's president has been on the 'disabled list'. Lilly came off it recently, he started for the Jays on April 10th. Wally Clayson will unfortunately remain sidelined for a while longer, but that's quite understandable: Lilly had shoulder pain. Clayson had one-half of a knee replaced.

Knee trouble is no stranger to technicians who plied their trade in the days when Clayson was turning a wrench. There was less attention to workplace hazards and cold concrete floors back then, and knee problems are common among the demographic. Body parts are like car parts. Sometimes they can be repaired, sometimes they have to be replaced.

"I had orthoscopic surgery on my other knee several years ago, but this one was too far gone," said Wally.

Clayson checked into Scarborough General Hospital in the early morning of March 10th for a surgical procedure medical journals refer to as "the Oxford". Instead of replacing his entire knee - as would have been done a few years ago - they replaced only half of it. However, that doesn't mean there's only "half the pain" during recovery, he lamented.

"The worst part was the leg-bending machine they hooked me up to. There was a button for me to depress to self-inject morphine when necessary - I think I wore the paint off it," he quipped.

Clayson remained hospitalized until the 16th of March, and has been recuperating at his home since then. The use of a walker was required initially, and after that it was crutches, but he's now making do with just a cane and has been driving himself to a clinic for physical therapy three days a week.

Well done, Mr. President. We bet there'll soon be reports of "Wally-sightings" at the local golf courses.

Editor's Note: "CLICK HERE" to say hello and send get well wishes to Wally.

Posted April 6/05

NEW ADVOCATES ANOINTED: Applications from four aspirants to serve as 'AARO Industry Advocates' have been approved. Mike Adema (Jake's Auto Service, Georgetown), Rick Callaghan (410 Auto, Stouffville), Jamie Holmes (The Master Mechanic Inc., Mississauga) and Tom Zekveld (Tomlin Auto Service, Oshawa) were appointed by the association's directors at their March 29, 2005 board meeting.

Mike Adema's family have been AARO members for over 26 years, and Rick Callaghan for seven. Jamie Holmes is the CEO at Master Mechanic (founded in 1982), a chain of 37 independently owned repair facilities operating throughout Southern Ontario. (AARO president Wally Clayson operates a Master Mechanic location in Toronto.) Tom Zekveld is an eleven-year member of the association.

"These gentlemen are well-known and highly regarded by AARO and the industry-at-large, and that makes us proud to welcome them aboard," commented VP Lynda Collins, the acting chair for the board meeting. (Clayson is currently recovering from extensive knee surgery.) "With these appointments there are now 12 industry advocates, that's almost like a board-in-waiting," she added.

Posted April 1/05

Posted March 18/05

Leaner, Meaner Air Compressors / Barrier Gel for Technicians' Hands / 'Medical Bracelet' for Cars
SPOTLIGHT ON NEW PRODUCTS: Periodically we like to focus on new product offerings that could be of interest to our readers. Upon emptying the current automotive PR bag, we found three items that may tickle your curiosity. However, we make no assumptions nor offer any guarantee. (Note the emphasis placed on the word may.) In other words, if the following leaves you yawning, just thank us for the nap it may induce.

Okay, now that we've dealt with the disclaimers, let's get on with things: First up is Leaner, Meaner Air Compressors that Won't Let You Down. That's the claim of the manufacturer, Sullivan-Palatek, Inc. of Michigan City, Indiana who are now offering direct-drive technology in their lower horsepower range of air compressors.

The advantages to direct-drive air compressors? Significant power margins and slashed energy and maintenance costs - the challenge is to contain energy while ensuring a reliable supply of available air. Those are two sound reasons why you should consider switching to a direct-drive electric air compressor system, they say.

According to the folks at Sullivan-Palatek, by eliminating moving parts such as belts, gears and pulleys, direct-drive rotary screw air compressors have fewer moving parts; hence, they are less likely to fail or require service or replacement parts. And fewer moving parts also mean added efficiency, which translates into energy savings, they contend.

Jim Cook, a manager with Pick Your Part, the leading self-service auto recycler in the U.S. gives the new compressors an enthusiastic 'thumbs up': "We were frequently running out of air with our piston compressors. Now we use 25-and 30-HP direct-drive units from Sullivan-Paletek to ensure that we can meet our demand for continuous and efficient air availability," he said. Pick Your Part operates nine large auto parts recycling yards throughout California.

"We use air-driven tools and pumps to empty vehicles of anti-freeze, motor oil, transmission oil, fluids and gasoline," Cook explained. "The direct-drive Sullivan-Palatek air compressors have held up to constant demand for air with very little maintenance." The Pick Your Part yards also use compressed air to disassemble motors and to remove motor parts, wheels and tires, he added.

The Sullivan-Palatek company claim their 'small-but-mighty systems' provide up to 8% improved efficiency and energy savings over gear-and belt-driven models, resulting in annual savings of many kilowatt hours of electricity. This is made possible by their use of larger air end assemblies, leading to slower turning rotors and improved operating efficiency, they explain.

"We take pride in the fact our units provide extended service life and higher pressure using lower horsepower," says the Sullivan-Palatek press release. "Click Here" to visit their Web site.

Next up is a product that could elevate your status in the minds of your technicians' wives:

Mechanics Beware - The Right Tool for the Job Might Not be in Your Toolbox. That's the catch line from Bobella Marketing LLC whose distributors suggest that, "for healthy, clean and soft hands" your technicians should apply Mechanix Armor Barrier Gel before they grab any tool."

The first tool for any automotive repair job now comes in a tube. Mechanix Armor Barrier Gel forms a protective layer on hands that stops grease, grime and harmful solvents from entering the skin. "Handle your tools bare-handed with glove-like protection, leaving your hands clean, soft and healthy," recommends the product's maker.

Patent-pending Mechanix Armor Barrier Gel is greaseless, all natural, non-toxic and has been field-tested by professional technicians and auto workers. All involved in the workplace trials were apparently impressed. The gel protected their hands, made clean-up easy, and actually healed the skin, helping to prevent irritation, cracks and bleeding, they reported.

According to Bobola Marketing, Mechanix Armor gel holds on to those automotive elements and then releases them when the technician washes his/her hands in soapy water. The product contains natural ingredients and a clinically tested formula that forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface which ...

• Prevents the penetration of harmful compounds into the skin such as gasoline, used engine oil, solvents and other invasive chemicals.
• Makes clean-up easy, effortless, and more thorough.
• Improves a technician's grip when working in greasy environments.

Mechanix Armor Barrier Gel comes in a 4 oz. bottle which contains over 100 applications and is available from select retailers and can also be ordered online > http://www.mechanixarmor.com

The Old AARO Philosopher said he did some research on the Mechanix Armor product, and he figures that for about 10 cents an application association members can't go wrong. We hesitated to ask him "why?", but he has a habit of elaborating on his thoughts and comments without anyone urging him to explain them:

"The shop owners will be held in high esteem by their technicians' wives and girlfriends," he predicted. "When being caressed by their mate's soft, clean hands, those gals will be thinking nice thoughts about the owner."

Editor's Note: (Reminder to self ... in the future, remember to carefully edit the old goat's quotes.)

Moving right along, we now come to the third and final entry in this edition of New Products Showcase:

Rescue Facts Acquires Canadian Distributor is the heading on a media release from the Oregon-based manufacturer of the Rescue Facts Information Pack. An Ontario company, Silent Medic - www.silentmedic.com - has been retained to handle the product this side of the border. As indicated in our tagline at the onset, what we're dealing with here is, (in essence,) a medical bracelet for automobiles.

The Rescue Facts Information Pack is a highly visible strap with the Universal Medical Symbol that attaches with velcro around seat belts and child safety seats. Other applications include motorcycle and snowmobile helmet chin straps, backpacks and many other personal items including a pet collar version. Inside is a form containing personal medical information, emergency contacts, allergy alerts and more.

Written in English and French, Rescue Facts provides necessary information about a patient's medical condition, allergies and medications. The idea is the brainchild of Brian Day, a police officer, and John Mulry, a former EMT and tow truck driver. Both of these gentlemen have experienced first-hand the frustration associated with an accident scene and the attempt to identify a crash victim and render aid.

For more information about this unique safety product, visit the maker at their Web site > www.RescueFacts.com

Posted March 15/05

DRIVE CLEAN GETS 'B+' GRADE, or at least that's what one might assume from a recent study of Ontario's emissions IM program. According to the researchers involved, their analysis show that Drive Clean has led to major reductions in harmful vehicle emissions. Following is a summary of their findings:

Vehicles are the largest domestic source of smog-causing pollutants in Ontario. Smog-causing pollutants include nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds such as hydrocarbons (HC).

Drive Clean reduces emissions of smog-causing pollutants as well as other pollutants by requiring designated vehicles to have their emissions tested before their licence plates can be renewed or ownership is transferred. The test identifies vehicles with emissions problems and Drive Clean requires them to be repaired.

A new report describes results from an independent analysis by Stewart Brown Associates of emissions data collected from 1999 through 2003 from emissions tests of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and non-diesel heavy-duty vehicles for the Drive Clean program. An improved computer model (MOBILE 6.2C) was used to analyze program results.

During this period Drive Clean has reduced smog-causing emissions by more than 81,200 tonnes. Overall, smog-causing emissions from LDVs are estimated to have been reduced by more than 140,000 tonnes from 1999 through 2003 due to replacement of older cars, new emissions technology and cleaner fuel as well as repairs to vehicles that fail a Drive Clean test. This means that Drive Clean is responsible for nearly 60 per cent of the overall reduction figure.

In 2003 alone, smog-causing emissions were reduced by the equivalent of removing more than 600,000 typical LDVs from Ontario’s roads. In addition, from 1999 to 2003 emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas, were reduced by over 690,000 tonnes due to Drive Clean Emissions of the climate-change gas carbon dioxide (CO2) were reduced by more than 100,000 tonnes, as a result of improved vehicle fuel efficiency of LDVs due to emissions system repairs required by Drive Clean.

During the same five year period, smog-causing emissions from less than 14,000 NDHDVs were reduced by more than 160 tonnes and CO by more than 760 tonnes.

Past AARO board member Don McLaughlin (Goodturn Ride Centre, Hamilton) is elated with the findings from Stewart Brown Associates.

"We've taken a lot of flak over the past few months, and I personally feel much of it was unfair. Reading the findings from the study made me feel like a kid who just got a good report card," he enthused. "The Stewart Brown analysis confirms the positive impact Drive Clean has made on the environment. I would hope this will silence some of the naysayers," added McLaughlin.

Editor's Note:  Don McLaughlin is a member of the Drive Clean Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) which reports to Ontario environment minister Leona Dombrowsky.

Posted March 25/05

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT SOON COMETH, and it will help you to increase customer satisfaction and remain competitive, says Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Business Services.

Okay, that's the spin the government has put on the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA), but they mentioned the word consumer and the word protection in the same breath. Whenever they do that garage owners feel a muscle in a specific part of their anatomies contract, and wonder if a blindfold will be offered before they face the firing squad. And make no mistake about it, the countdown has begun. Regulations impacting motor vehicle repairers (that's you) have been filed, and they will take force on July 30, 2005. That leaves you with approximately five months to prepare for them.

Don't break into a sweat, however. There is no cause for alarm. AARO executive director Bill Burkimsher says compliance with the CPA regulations really shouldn't prove difficult. According to him, the rules remain much the same as we've been accustomed to under Bill 22, the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (MVRA).

"AARO was involved with the government for two and a half years in the development of Bill 22. We had a great deal of input into the regulations that were finally rolled out," said Burkimsher, "and I think it's fair to say that professionals in the industry have had few problems complying with them."

The MVRA was repealed a couple of years ago when Bill 180 - the Consumer Protection Statute Law Amendment Act was passed. (Ref. News Brief of Dec. 17/02) Bill 180 was the enabling legislation that spawned the CPA and also regulations that will affect - or are already affecting - a number of other industries, including real estate brokers, travel agents, mortgage brokers, time share and vacation clubs, fitness clubs, and vehicle leasing. In our case, although it was repealed, the rules governed by the MVRA have continued to apply to motor vehicle repairers, and will remain in force until July 30th when the revamped regulations under the CPA take effect.

The main variance in the way you must do things under the CPA involves repair estimates. Under the current MVRA regulations, a written estimate for work to be done is necessary only if the customer requests one. Under the CPA, you will be required to give all customers a written estimate, and can not charge for the repairs if you fail do that.

As is the current rule, a reasonable fee may be charged for preparing an estimate providing that the vehicle owner is told in advance how much it will be. Two other things concerning estimates that remain the same are: 1.) the estimate fee must be waived if the repair is carried out, and 2.) the cost of the work can not exceed the estimate by more than 10 percent.

Are there any exceptions to the rule that 'if you fail to provide a written estimate, you may not charge for the work you've done'? The answer is "yes", but only under the following circumstances:

a) the repairer offers to give an estimate and the consumer turns down the offer;

b) instead of receiving an estimate, the consumer specifically authorizes a maximum amount they are willing to pay, and

c) the final cost does not exceed the agreed to amount in (b) above.

Signs must be displayed that describe the new estimate requirements, and the way that you calculate your labour charges, (which is currently required,) but it appears to us that life under the CPA will otherwise be much the same as it has been under the MVRA.

Mandatory warranties on repairs remain '3 months or 5,000 km for new or reconditioned parts', and a warranty is not required whatsoever if the customer has authorized you to install used parts. That's also the status quo, but prudence about documenting such details on your work order forms goes without saying. And if you haven't already been doing that, then all we can say is, "shame on you".

Now if you're really prudent about such compliance matters, you will want to read the CPA regulations on the Ontario government's official Web site. Unless you're involved in vehicle leasing, your main area of interest will be "PART VI - REPAIRS TO MOTOR VEHICLES AND OTHER GOODS". Here's a link to the pertinent pages:

Posted Feb. 25/05

Ontario's 'Transit and Road Safety Bill' Implicates Auto Technicians
MTO CONCERN ABOUT FLYING VEHICLE PARTS is reflected in legislation introduced by Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar at Queen's Park yesterday. One of the regulations included in the proposed Transit and Road Safety Bill could extend liability for serious highway mishaps to third parties - automotive technicians, for example. As they envision things, a technician would be at fault if police found his negligence had caused a part to detach from a vehicle and led to an accident. Although it is mainly problems with large trucks that prompted the regulation, passenger vehicles also fall under it.

The overall intent of the Transit and Road Safety Bill is to ease congestion on Ontario highways. Flying vehicle parts are only one of the issues it addresses. The broader objective is to allow police to clear and reopen highways faster after collisions and spills.

"About 60 percent of all delays on urban highways are the result of collisions, spills or other debris," said Takhar. "The proposed Bill would mean fewer delays and less frustration for all drivers travelling on Ontario highways."

According to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), there were over 22,000 collisions throughout the greater Toronto area (GTA) last year, alone. These delays amounted to the equivalent of closing a highway for a month and a half. The Transit and Road Safety Bill would allow police to clear highways much quicker following a collision or spill. It would also clarify police powers to remove disabled vehicles and debris from the roadway while protecting police, and the province and/or the municipality from liability.

The McGuinty government says it recognizes that traffic delays and highway closures negatively impact the Ontario economy. One minute of traffic delay for each trip translates into $170 million in higher shipping costs each year. (Good grief. How do they come by these statistics?) Currently, police wait for truck owners to arrange for the clean up of spills. There have been cases where the transportation companies, or their insurers, have insisted on sending a crew from hundreds of kilometres away, causing extended delays. The legislation they've introduced would correct that, the government says.

The Transit and Road Safety Bill would also:

Allow Ontario to implement a new National Safety Code Standard to improve truck safety in Ontario. The new standard would require more thorough pre-trip inspections of commercial vehicles by the driver. The checklist would increase from 23 to 70 items.

Create new offences for flying vehicle parts with a new Highway Traffic Act provision that deems a vehicle unsafe if a part becomes detached. This would make all drivers, including personal vehicles, commercial carriers and third parties - here's where we come in - (e.g., mechanics) responsible for parts that detach from vehicles travelling on the highway. For example, in the past year, an incident occurred where a metal part weighing about two kilograms detached from a truck and went through a car windshield.

AARO executive director Bill Burkimsher says MTO contacted him last year for his a reaction to the aspect of the Bill that could extend liability for accidents caused by flying vehicle parts to third parties, including technicians.

"I implored them to exercise extreme caution concerning the inclusion of third party liability in their regulation, urging that they not provide for it without also empowering technicians to impound a vehicle when a driver is informed about a necessary repair, but refuses to have it done. I knew that was going to be a tough sell," said Burkimsher, "and obviously it was, because what we've got here is the potential for liability, but no empowerment."

Burkimsher advises that the Transit and Road Safety Bill will be subject to the usual 'first, second and third readings and Royal Assent', but feels there is little doubt that it will eventually be passed into law. He recommends that if they aren't already doing it, members should make it a habit to document all instances whereby repairs have been recommended, but are refused by the vehicle's owner. Every effort should be made to get the customer 'sign (their refusal) off' on the work order, he suggested.

Posted Feb. 23/05

WATCH OUT FOR UNBRANDED U.S. VEHICLES: Our friends at the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario (UCDA) warn that vigilance should be exercised by AARO members involved with the buying and selling of used motor vehicles. Some cars offered to you that appear to be "clean" may actually have been "written-off" stateside, but not branded in Ontario.

According to UCDA executive director Bob Beattie, history searches have determined there's been a recent rash of counterfeit U.S. titles presented to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). "We don't know how many bogus titles are being presented, but we do know that many wrecked vehicles cross the border every day," he said.

Bonnie Black, who looks after repair lien registrations and vehicle history searches for AARO members, suggests that although you will not see the U.S. title there are a number of things you can do to avoid being stung:

• Before buying a car from a private seller, check the date of issue of the registration permit and have her do a Vehicle History Search. This will disclose when the vehicle was first registered in Ontario. Compare this date with with the model year to determine if it came from another jurisdiction.
  
  
• Check the vehicle carefully for missing VIN numbers on the dash or door, and check the odometer to make sure it is in kilometres.
  
  
• If you are buying wholesale, determine where the selling dealer bought the vehicle... at auction, from the public, or from another dealer. If you are at all suspicious, contact Bonnie at AARO and have her do a Vehicle History Search before you make payment and purchase it.

"An ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure," said Black. "Bob (Beattie) tells us UCDA has made MTO aware we've got a serious problem with these U.S. write-offs, but in the meantime it's a matter of 'caveat emptor' - let the buyer beware."

Posted Feb. 11/05

Association's First-Ever Female VP
LYNDA COLLINS BREAKS NEW GROUND: She knows her way around service bays and is equally comfortable in a boardroom setting. These are unique attributes that on January 11, 2005 were recognized by her peers. The occasion was the inaugural meeting of the AARO board of directors for the current term, and an historical occasion it was: they elected Lynda Collins as our new vice president. In doing so, her fellow board members made Collins the first woman to ever hold the office.

"We enjoyed perfect attendance at our initial session, and one of the directors commented that the atmosphere around the table was the best he'd experienced in years. I think that made Lynda's election as VP extra-special for her," observed AARO president Wally Clayson.

Collins became a director in 1993 following years of association-related activity in Ottawa where she and husband George own and operate C. Armstrong Motors, an automotive garage originally established in 1936. (Good grief. That beats the inception of AARO by three years.) The Collins's took charge of C. Armstrong operations in 1989, but George had been turning a wrench for the prior owner from 1960.

Since joining AARO's board, Lynda has spent time as Treasurer, and served as a member of the Blueprint 21 Task Force that oversaw the 'restructuring of the association for the new millennium', a project the outcome of which is currently the focus of some necessary 'tweaking'. This is a process that is close to her heart, says Collins.

"After they elected me vice president, I thanked the fellows for the confidence they bestowed in me, and told them I hoped they'd give me a mandate to help fix the Blueprint 21 Board Policy Manual," said Collins. "I feel the consultant who was involved lost sight of the original reason Bill (executive director Bill Burkimsher) contracted him. Bill wants to have a viable succession plan in place for when he retires, and I want to help ensure there'll be a smooth transition when that day arrives," she added.

Collins got her wish. Later in the meeting she was appointed to chair a task force to review and fine-tune board policy. Current president Wally Clayson, past president Jim Angier and longtime director Vatché Shahinian were appointed to work with her on the project.

Two additional seats (one year-term) were added to the board, the first for Director Representing Associates, and the second for Director Representing Employees. Instructor Glenn McNally was appointed to serve as Director Representing Associates, and Gil Verway, a Burlington-based technician, was appointed as Director Representing Employees. Jim Angier, (Jim's Auto Pro, Newmarket,) a past board member and AARO president with many years of association experience was appointed to fill a vacant board seat.

The added AARO board seats are not simply a departure from 'doing things the old way', just for the sake of change. Quite the contrary, they reflect an omnipresent need given the current state of affairs in the industry. According to Clayson, the coming year will bear witness to exciting developments in the Independent sector, and not just in the province of Ontario, but clear across the country. He says that a renewed sense of pride and desire for self-sufficiency on the part of Independents has awakened a slumbering giant known as NATA - The National Automotive Trades Association of Canada. (Editor's Note: More on NATA in a future News Brief.)

A presentation by Glenn McNally was part of the board's full agenda. The newly-elected AARO director provided an update on the service information access issue, and gave a progress report on the formation of VISTA, (Vehicle Information and Service Tool Access). VISTA, he explained, is a national task force being set up that will work through NATA seeking a solution to the blockage of repair data problems now facing independent Canadian technicians and garage owners. For some, this has already become a serious shop-floor issue. McNally's recommended strategy received the AARO board's enthusiastic approval.

'A meeting is a meeting, is a meeting'... and over the years Wally Clayson has participated in many of them. When asked for his assessment of the most recent one, here is what he had to say:

"I'm delighted with the makeup of the renewed AARO board. We have a nice balance of experienced directors and some bright, positive-minded new people. Their attitudes and dispositions are terrific - the spirit of teamwork that was in the air, and the smiles around the table said it all. I'm expecting great things from this group," he enthused.

Editor's Note: To view a Directory of the AARO Board Members, CLICK HERE

Posted Jan. 18/05

NO CURE FOR TSUNAMI-INDUCED STUPOR:  The catastrophic horror unleashed on Boxing Day by an earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean has dumbed our sensibilities. In this era of 24-hour, CNN-style newscasts, the destruction wreaked upon the Indonesian shorelines was inescapable. The carnage and human tragedy left in the wake of the giant waves has been right in our face. 

As of January 5th, 146,000 people are officially dead, of which about 40 percent are said to be children. But as staggering as these numbers are, with helicopters only now reaching some of the worst hit remote areas, they may be dwarfed by those that are yet to come. Indeed, it is believed that more than 100,000 people may have been lost on the island of Sumatra alone.

Tragically, malnutrition and disease is now beginning to claim the lives of those who did manage to survive the tsunamies. The broken families, the innocent orphaned children... all of this unspeakable grief and suffering will continue to play out on our TV sets and in the headlines of our daily newspapers. Are we thick-skinned enough to tune out such a relentless assault on our senses? Can we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, and numb our minds to it? Your AARO board of directors thinks not.

The association has a long held policy concerning charitable contributions. We don't make them. The reasoning behind this is not Scrooge-like, it is simply because we do not have a mandate from you, the members to make such decisions on your behalf. That's not why you joined the association. Besides, "giving" is a personal thing - you are perfectly capable of making your own decisions about which charities you feel inclined to support.

But what about our annual charity golf tournament, you ask?

The AARO golf event is a horse of a different colour. Participation is voluntary. Members who enjoy golfing turn out, and in the course of play there are fund-raising competitions in support of the Bloorview MacMillan Centre for Physically Challenged Children. The cheques AARO has issued to that fine institution over the past eleven years now exceed $150,000.00, but none of this was drawn from the association's own resources; the proceeds were all derived from fund-raising activities at the annual tournaments.

However, in the case of the tsunami disaster, the situation is desperate and the need is immediate. With thousands-upon-thousands of lives already lost, and multi-thousands more at risk, there is no time to develop a new charitable event like the golf tournament. Yes, with the blessing of you, our valued members, we propose to depart from our long-standing policy and commit some of the association's own resources to help the people in the hardest-hit parts of Indonesia. Your board of directors believes the sheer magnitude of this human tragedy 'transcends AARO policy', and we think you'll agree with us on that.

AARO executive director Bill Burkimsher said the idea of getting the association involved with the tsunami relief effort occurred to him prior to the new year. He recalls the precise moment the thought struck him.

"My wife Sue and I had just received a phone call, and accepted an invitation for New Years Day dinner. I was manning the television remote, channel-surfing, and going on about the over-indulgence that's associated with the Christmas holidays when I happened across a shocking tsunami newscast about all those orphaned children," he said. "There they were on the TV - homeless, hungry, grief-stricken kids - and there I was, sitting in the comfort of our family room and whining about having ingested too much food and drink. Now, I ask you... what is wrong with this picture?" That was when the idea to involve AARO came to him, Burkimsher explained.

Some calls from Burkimsher to board members followed, and it was soon apparent they were in favour of AARO suspending its policy, and contributing funds - to a maximum of $5,000.00 - for the tsunami relief effort. CARE Canada was selected as 'the relief agency of choice' based on its operational efficiency, and focus on children. (CARE uses only five percent of it's budget for administration - including fundraising - costs.)

President Wally Clayson explains how the proposed 'IndependentsTsunami Relief Drive' will be handled:

"We will invite our members to contribute, and AARO will match each of their donations until a maximum contribution from the association of $5,000.00 has been reached. This will be a great way for members who've been thinking of contributing to the tsunami relief effort to get 'a double bang for their buck'," enthused Clayson. "The funds will be turned over to CARE Canada by AARO in the name of 'Ontario's Independent Garage Operators' to demonstrate that ours is a caring industry," he added.

The association will draw its contribution of (up to) $5,000.00 from reserves that are a 'non-dues revenue source'. Consultations will be undertaken with CARE Canada to ensure that official tax receipts can be secured for members who donate to the Independents Tsunami Relief Drive.

Bill Burkimsher said he will personally donate $500.00 to kick-start the drive, and Wally Clayson has volunteered to chip in $200.00. With the 'matching dollars' from AARO factored in, that gets the Independents' Tsunami Relief Drive off-and-running with $1,400.00 in the trust fund. Go Independents, Go!

Note: Member contributions should be made payable to:  AARO In Trust - Tsunami Relief. Mail to: AARO - 10-5100 South Service Road, Burlington, ON L7L 6A5   Images of children - REUTERS / APP / GETTY

Posted Jan. 6/05

"Transparency" is a word frequently used by the news media these days. Favoured by political commentators in particular, it is usually deployed in a negative context. For example, when the dealings of people in a position of trust lack openness and transparency, reporters assume they might be trying to cover something up.

The word 'transparency' is given various meanings in an unabridged dictionary, but our concern is with its use as a term, and how it is defined in current board governance and management literature. One explanation from these sources that makes my A-list is…"transparency - a condition opposite of secrecy". Ann Florini also handles it nicely in her book, The End of Secrecy. She clarifies its meaning this way: "Secrecy means deliberately hiding your actions; transparency means deliberately revealing them". The essence of the message in my editorial is intrinsic to both definitions.

In today's modern western democracies there is a growing demand for openness and transparency. There's certainly an expectation of it from politicians. One need only look at the results of the last federal elections to see that. Transparency and trust are inextricably connected - voter perception that they'd indulged in secrecy and wrong-doing cost the Liberals many seats, and led to the current minority government.

Politicians, however, are not the only ones to be held accountable when core values are suspect. Leaders of all stripes are expected to embrace a culture of transparency, and to make it an integral part - if not the cornerstone - of their managerial value systems. And yes, it is also an expectancy of people in positions of responsibility and trust with trade associations. For my part, as the manager of the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO), I view all of this increasing attention to transparency as being a healthy trend.

Independent garage operators comprise the bulk of our membership. They are by-and-large a "very open, straight-up, what you see is what you get" group of people. And they expect and deserve in kind treatment - and open leadership practices - from their elected representatives. Adherence to a culture of transparency at AARO will therefore ensure that our members enjoy a satisfying and participatory experience.

There are exceptions to every rule, and transparency is not always advisable. When it conflicts with more basic objectives it's not such a good idea - as when one attends a costume ball or is playing poker, for instance. But at the risk of sounding flippant, I suggest that activities such as those are hardly the pillars of an association's normal operational regimen.

Providing it is not a 'secret society', a closed-door management style by its leaders can only lead to suspicion and the disaffection of an organization's members. The only justifiable occasion for secrecy that immediately comes to my mind is the annual election of directors. Obviously the members must be able to vote freely when casting their ballots. However, in most any other circumstance I maintain that openness should be integral to an association's modus operandi.

While I concede that transparency can not guarantee that right decisions will always be made, nor ensure that information won't be manipulated or misconstrued, of one thing I am certain: A policy of openness, honesty, integrity and respect of its members' opinions and views will vastly enhance an organization's potential for success.

Clear and efficient communication plays a vital role in sustaining the confidence and trust of an association's members, and technology has produced the tools to deliver greater transparency. A Web site with message forums and other interactive features can help to provide a constant flow of member-generated ideas and opinions. The whole question of openness and transparency recently became very topical at www.aaro.ca, the Online home of AARO.

Leaders of an organization whose members embrace a culture of transparency must ensure this core value is not compromised when they work with third parties or under partnership agreements. This must be an important factor in the decision to enter into or remain in such third-party relationships. The controversy played out on the AARO Web site held both third-party and internal ramifications for us.

AARO members and others in the industry spoke out, and the message was loud and clear. In the short term, their frankness led to some embarrassment for us, but in the longer run I am convinced that a commitment to transparency by our new Board of Directors can serve only to strengthen the association.

- Bill Burkimsher

INDUSTRY ADVOCATES ARE A SPECIAL BREED: AARO board member Lynda Collins is perplexed. She is regularly asked to explain 'what an Industry Advocate is', and has noticed that it is often one of our own members posing the question. What's worse, she finds herself hard-pressed to provide them with a straight-forward answer.

"At the conclusion of our annual elections last week, a member asked me if Industry Advocate is just a term, or is it a title? I told him it was both - if he was advocating on behalf of Independents as an individual, it would be terminology; but if he was appointed by AARO to promote our interests, the words 'Industry Advocate' become a title," said Collins. "By the time I was done with my explanation, I think the poor fellow was more confused than ever," she added wryly.

Collins thinks some definitive 'splaining is in order. Wally Clayson, the association's newly-elected, or should we say 'elected again' president, fully agrees. And he wasted little time requesting a publicized explanation of the term/title Industry Advocate from your beleaguered editor.

"No one ever posed the question to me in quite the same manner they did to Lynda, but I've been asked many times what an Industry Advocate is. You're going to be reporting on the 10 members who recently applied to become Advocates," said Clayson, "so that would be an ideal time for you to clarify things," he asserted.

Given that it is seldom wise to shirk someone's request when it's clear they're in a position of authority, (e.g. president to humble editor,) it would appear prudent that we give this the old college try.

All right, then, here it is ...

Well, there it be. Hopefully the above definition will remove any misgivings as to precisely what an Industry Advocate (of the AARO variety) is all about. As the prez mentioned, 10 aspiring members handed in their signed applications at the annual meeting, or subsequently faxed them to us. All have declared an eagerness to be appointed as Advocates.

Following is a rundown of these industry-loving volunteers:

Jake Adema (Jake's Auto Service, Georgetown); Glen Blake (Blakeney Auto Service, Markham); Steven Bottero (Stenmar Automotive & Equipment Repair, Weston); Conroy Charles (Wenmar Automotive, Concord); David Evans (D & L Automotive Inc., Brantford); Sean Kolmer (Eastside Auto Service Ltd., Oakville); Nick Liobotis (Jim's Service Centre, Mississauga); Roydon Rump (Roy Rump & Sons Tire & Auto, Ottawa); Gil Verway (Armour Tire & Auto, Burlington); and Grant Willard (Two Guys Auto Service, Bracebridge).

Having thumbed through the applications, Wally Clayson said good vibrations were evident in the comments applicants filed to support their appointments.

"I found it refreshing to read what a high regard some of those members hold for the association. It's all about disposition and attitude," maintained Clayson. "There's just no place for negativity in an organization like ours. Positive people got us to where we are today, and it will be positive people who proudly carry AARO forward into the future," he asserted.

"The Industry Advocate applications are being processed and screened, and will be tabled for review and discussion by the board at its first meeting early next month," said AARO office administrator Debbie Grimes. Successful applicants will be invited to attend board meetings as observers; two or three will be drawn by lot for each of the meetings during the year, she explained.

Bill Burkimsher, the association's executive director, predicted that committee postings could be another role for the Advocates. He cited the joint MTO/AARO task force that formed earlier this year to update Ontario's 'light-duty vehicle' safety inspection guidelines by example. "When workers are required for such projects, we won't hesitate to call upon our Industry Advocates to help carry the day," said Burkimsher.

Posted Dec. 8/04