Guest Editorial

Gunder watches TV in his spare time

After an eventful day, I was listening to my local Channel 8 news and heard a lot of stories about bullying in schools. One elementary school child had complained to his parents that he was pushed up against a wall locker and his lunch money taken from him. If he cried about it to anyone, the fear of harsher punishment was intended to scare him even further.

While I was watching school authorities on the small screen trying to figure out what to do to get rid of the bullies, such as setting up new lines of communication, getting the principals involved and making it easier for the bullies’ victims to report the situations, it just clicked.

I realized I’ve experienced bullying in my adult life – with State Farm. The “bully” is State Farm.

Ray Gunder
Gunder’s Auto Center
Lakeland, Florida
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Letters to the editor

An independent shop owner speaks out

We are the last independent in our area, not because we want to be. The insurance companies will not allow us on their lists! We asked. They say they are at capacity in this area and will not be adding shops.

Well, if they are at capacity, why do we still get work from these people? Because there are still customers that want a choice and refuse to be bullied or blatantly directed. Frivolous is thinking that all of these shops that will have to close, and hundreds more Oregonians not working will not affect our economy.

Trusting the Oregon politicians to care for a struggling industry at the hands of greedy insurers is frivolous.

Signed: Anonymous

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Tired of being pushed around and stuck in the middle

After 30 years in the auto body industry as a body shop owner and/or manager, I have decided to temporarily or possibly permanently leave the industry. Being stuck in the middle of the customers, insurance companies, technicians and my boss and the constant arguing in the interest of all parties is more than I am willing to do at this point.

I have seen the customers become more educated and concerned about their repairs and investment and the insurance companies become tighter, less interested in a quality repair and more interested in the shops saving them money, as well as directing customers to their shops. Many of the things the insurance companies get away with are, in my opinion immoral, if not illegal.

During my hiatus, I am planning on speaking out about the issues I have run across by writing to industry leaders, lawmakers and papers.

Signed: Anonymous