June 6, 2008
Another Scam Letter Purportedly from U.S. DOT Is Currently Circulating
There has been another round of fraudulent letters sent to the motor carrier industry purporting to be issued by U. S. DOT requesting submission of their company's financial information on a release form entitled, "Authorization to release financial information". Please be aware that DOT does not require any financial information to be submitted in this order or fashion. SMA has had reports from members in Houston and Austin of having received this scam letter.
SMA SUMMER MEETING – JULY 13-15,
The code to receive the group rate of $119 Sunday through Tuesday for the SMA summer board meeting being held at the Montbleu Resort, Lake Tahoe, NV is STSMA 8. Click on book a room at the top right corner of the website www.montbleuresort.com/. Hotel cut-off date is June 27 for the $119 group rate.
SMA Foundation Scholarship Applications
SMA Foundation scholarship applications are coming in very slowly. The deadline for applying is Monday, June 23. Download application at www.mytexasmover.com. To raise supporting funds for the SMA Foundation, the Trustees have selected an enticing array of items for which raffle tickets will become available soon. • A trailer-smoker • A brooch with matching earrings • A four-day vacation retreat at Wild Oak Ranch near San Antonio • A Backing Digital Camera • Sleeves of golf balls with the Foundation logo will also be on sale at the summer & annual meetings • Cost of printing the raffle tickets will be sponsored by associate member, Movers Equipment Services. Links to websites to view the trailer-smoker, and get more details on the Wild Oak Ranch are posted on the SMA website www.mytexasmover.com now.
FMCSA Issues Advisory Warning on Drug Chantix
The FMCSA has issued an advisory warning that the popular prescription smoking-cessation drug Chantix may adversely affect commercial drivers’ ability to operate their vehicles safely. “While we do not name any medications, such as Chantix, in FMCSA regulations, it appears that medical examiners should not certify a driver taking Chantix because the medication may adversely affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle,” FMCSA said. FMCSA said its rules defer to physicians and health-care professionals to determine drivers’ medical fitness for duty. However, the agency cautioned that it issued the advisory because the drug has “actual and potential side effects that could impact safe driving.”
DPS Inspected Thousands of Vehicles During Roadcheck 2008
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Roadcheck 2008, a 72-hour intensive inspection program was conducted June 3 - June 5. DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers and noncommissioned inspectors, along with Highway Patrol troopers who have received specialized training in commercial vehicle inspections stopped thousands of vehicles to inspect safety equipment and check driver log books, driver licenses and endorsements. During Roadcheck 2007, inspectors examined 6,051 vehicles in Texas. As a result, troopers removed 1,659 vehicles and 259 drivers from service because of the serious nature of their safety violations. The Roadcheck program,which stretches from Mexico to Canada, is designed to reduce commercial vehicle highway fatalities through increased vehicle safety. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) sponsors Roadcheck and vehicles passing inspection receive a CVSA decal exempting the vehicle from inspection for a 90-day period, unless they have an obvious safety defect.
One Owner Liquidation Auction
Carlton Henslee Trucking Co., Wolfe City, TX Due to the death of Mr. Carlton Henslee, the estate has commissioned the R.J. Smith Auction Service to sell at public auction to the highest bidder, all of his equipment and real estate. Mr. Henslee was in business for 61 years. View dates for the equipment is July 24 & 25. There follows a partial listing of items to be auctioned: 16 trailers; 8 trucks; tractor and farm equipment; office equipment and building; real estate. Auction Date, Time and Place: WOLF CITY, TEXAS 606 MAIN STREET 10:00 A.M. – JULY 26 More detailed information available from R. J. Smith Auction Service, 903/662-5720, Mobile: 903/450-6540 www.northeasttexasauctions.com
Mark Your Calendars – 2008
June 23 – Deadline for SMA Foundation Scholarships July 13-15 – SMA summer meeting, Lake Tahoe, NV Sept. 22-24 – SMA annual conference, Lake Charles, LA Oct 22 – Austin Board of Realtors Trade Show