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Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I was born and raised into a family construction trucking company.
 My parents came to California in 1955, started their own company
transporting construction materials, ie. rock and sand products. 
They both worked in the business, as well as my brother and I when
we became of age to start washing and greasing the rigs. 
Eventually we became drivers and have been involved in the industry
for our lifetime.  As time progressed, we have seen the changes,
and demises of this industry.  Deregulation and open permit process
was the first blow in my opinion, that opened up the flood gates to
more competition and lower profit margins.  We saw our company
dwindle down in size primarily due to operating expenses
skyrocketing and increased competition with fewer jobs.  This era
was the 1990's.
 
With over 50 years in business, we ceased operations last year.
Unstable fuel prices, increasing insurance costs for employee
benefits, Workman's compensation increases, liability insurance,
DMV expenses, maintenance expenses, employee compensation and the
lack of construction projects all contributed.   Notice that I did
not mention the expense of equipment, since the older trucks we
operated were paid for.  Buying new trucks was just another expense
that the company could not afford to absorb in these economic
times.   
 
At 43 years of age, I am now a single truck owner operator raising
a traditional family on my income.  My wife is an educated
professional, recently a victim of economic times and was laid off
a job she held for seven years.  As I read through your proposals
for truck modernization, I ask that you stop and look around at
what is happening to our economy.  The lack of projects within the
housing and commercial developments, the State of California's
budget reducing construction funding, the lack of private projects
due to lending restrictions, all affect our businesses.  I operate
an older 1991 Peterbilt tractor, I specialize in local hauling via
semi end dump and flat bed services.  If I were to update my
tractor to a new '07+, it would add an additional $3K per month
expense.  Simply an expense at this time no one in this industry
can absorb...a bail out?...wishful thinking. 
 
I ask Carb to support the DTCC alternative that will protect
California's economy and improve our air quality.  
 
Sincerely,
 
David Grande
9933 Lakevista Street
Ventura CA 93004
805-290-5213