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I am a 62-year-old owner operator with one construction dump truck
that is very well maintained and with low mileage usage. I planned
to use this vehicle until my retirement, which should have been in
2014.  However, with the regulations you are proposing that will
not be possible. I will be faced with an additional financial
burden to keep my business operational.  These very costly proposed
regulations will definitely put me out of business.  

With the proposed regulations, my vehicle investment will have a
zero dollar value. Selling it with the proposed regulations will
not be an option. It now has no value at all because of the
proposed regulations. There will be no option of selling to obtain
money for a new vehicle.  Ms. Nichols suggested that everyone
affected by this proposal could ship his or her equipment to other
states to be purchased. Of course at a cost to us as business
owners, which means we are losing more money.  The likelihood of
other states wanting our equipment is an unlikely scenario.  

I am troubled as to how the board and Ms. Nichols are making
decisions regarding these regulations without the knowledge of what
it takes an individual owner operator to maintain their business. 
These regulations as they are projected within the timeline
proposed will affect the owner operator far more than a large
company. 

I understand the need for clean air as my grandson has an airway
disease. However, a reasonable solution must be enacted. The DTCC
solution would assist in the cleaner air and allow companies to
gradually make the changes needed.   

Maintaining my business with the slowdown of construction and the
economy is extremely challenging.  This business is my only source
of income and the business that supports my family.  If the
proposed regulations are instituted as proposed, I will be left
with NOTHING, no business or job, no income, or any retirement.  My
plans to pass on this business to my grandson and provide him with
a future will certainly no longer be possible. 

All of you who have my fate and the fate of all owner operators in
your hands will continue to have job security, benefits, and
retirement provided to you.

I hope you will consider the devastation you will be imposing on
those of us who have worked hard to build our businesses and will
be left to try to start over at another career. Not that the board
is concerned but, consider what it will be like trying to start
over with a new career at my late age without a secure future.

In conclusion, I support cleaner air and the need for a solution,
however, the ability to support myself and my family must be taken
into consideration.  Please consider the DTCC solution and the
state of the economy.  If the regulations are placed into affect as
proposed, in the timeline projected, there will be thousands of
people who will become unemployed. If the requirements and timeline
are changed possibly, we can continue to operate, not placing a
burden on the state or ourselves until the recession is over.   

Thank you for your consideration, 
George King, King Trucking