Local business explains reasons for parking toll
Staff reporter
The issue of a few truck drivers looking for a place to park has exploded into a major topic of discussion at the past three Marion City Council meetings and caused headaches for one local business.
Laura Legg, manager of Ampride of Marion and Hillsboro, expressed her dismay with the situation.
"For years, truck drivers were on the honor system when using our lot," she said. Drivers purchased fuel from the subsidiary of Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro and in return could park in the parking lot located behind the convenience store.
Legg said diesel volume was down and management realized that the majority of those parking in the company's lot were not purchasing fuel from the business.
The company then established guidelines stipulating truck drivers or companies can either purchase 500 gallons of fuel per month from Ampride or pay $50 per month to park in the lot.
So five parking permits have been issued, Legg said. There is sufficient space to accommodate eight trucks which leaves room for those trucks who park for a while after purchasing fuel.
One of the arguments of the truck drivers is that the business does not take the fuel credit cards provided by their companies. Legg responded that Cenex-group credit cards are nationally accepted charge cards or drivers could pay cash at Ampride, obtain a receipt, and be reimbursed by their companies.
For Ampride management, there are typical overhead expenses associated with a business such as a graveled parking lot.
"That costs several thousand dollars," Legg said.
It is common knowledge that the margin for fuel profits is slim. Businesses count on other purchases such as drinks, tobacco, and food to keep their doors open. However, when large trucks fuel up, or worse yet discontinue purchasing fuel, it can significantly impact the company's profit margin.
"Times are tight," Legg said. "All businesses are struggling to make a profit."
When the issue came to light that required truck drivers to pay to park at Ampride, the owner of Jeff Tomlinson's truck was willing to pay the $50 per month.
Tomlinson's truck is owned by Randy Pfaff of Russell and leased to Brisk Transportation which has a contract with Dillons.
"I have a dedicated route," the Marion resident explained, where he drives the same route each week where he delivers food to Dillons stores in Missouri.
What if he didn't have a place to park? Tomlinson would have to commute to the terminal in Hutchinson — a 130-mile round trip.
Could his company purchase $500 worth of fuel instead of paying the $50 rental?
"Dillons sells bulk fuel to Brisk Transportation," Tomlinson said, which is cheaper than what can be purchased at Ampride.
Is this an issue for truck drivers in other communities?
"My truck owner owns five trucks but this is the only place he has to pay to park," Tomlinson said.
Tomlinson said he and wife Rita could use a Dillons discount card to shop but "we prefer to shop locally," he said.
Tomlinson is sympathetic to Ampride's predicament and can see both sides of the conflict.
"I can understand why guys don't want to pay but also understand Ampride's position," he said, for costs associated with upkeep of the lot.
Tomlinson has a parking area at Ampride until he tells them otherwise.
Is there a similar issue at Hillsboro's Ampride store? No, possibly because that store does not have any area for truck parking.
Truck drivers in the area have stated that parking in other communities typically is not an issue. Parking lots usually are available at grain elevators, truck stops, and other areas on edges of towns that allow truck parking.
For Dwight Gooding of Marion, his solution turns out to be relatively simple. He drops his trailer at Johnson's General Store in Florence and drives the tractor home and parks it in his yard.
The 35-year over-the-road veteran drives for Roehl Transportation of Marshfield, Wis. He has a dedicated run that takes him on the road Sunday through Friday, but he is home every weekend. If he didn't have a place in Florence, he would have to park in Newton or at his terminal in Hutchinson and use his personal vehicle.
Contact was made with Gooding Tuesday morning via cell phone while he was driving his truck through Colorado.
He said he was not in favor of a truck lot being located on Steve Jost's property on West Main Street.
"It would cost too much for the city to make it work," he said. Gooding suggested an area of 200x300-feet for a truck parking lot.
"If I had to pay, I would want a guarantee that the lot would be secure," Gooding said.
And does he have problems finding a place to park while on the road?
"There are truck stops and rest areas I can use," Gooding said.
If a parking lot is established in Marion, Gooding said he was concerned about the dumping of hazardous waste but added it would be the responsibility of the truck owner, not the city or lot owner.
For Legg, the issue is simple. She drives to work as does most everyone else in the community and doesn't understand why truck drivers cannot do the same.
"It's the American Way," she said.
