MN Professional Towing Assoc.

Spirit Ride Information

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Hello everyone,

Most of our membership knows about the Spirit Ride.  Last year MPTA members and guests raised over $650 for Spirit Ride at the Elko Picnic.  The Spirit Ride is designed to draw media attention to Move-Over laws and the needless sacrifices towers and other first responders make in serving the motoring public and transportation industry. After Chip Kauffman of B/A Products first approached American Towman with an idea for a drive across America to promote Move-Over, the vision for what could take place began to grow. To date, over 300 towing companies have signed up to carry the “Spirit” by car carrier as towers continue to volunteer to participate and also lend their ideas to the project.

 

To participate in the Spirit Ride, please visit the link below and sign up.  Looks like Spirit Ride is looking for MPTA members to bring awareness throughout the State of MN.

 

Please click here:

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JOHN “BUTCH” MANTON THOMPSON, JR. OBITUARY

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JOHN “BUTCH” MANTON THOMPSON, JR.

( August 28, 1944 – May 22, 2017 )

John “Butch” Manton Thompson, Jr. 72, Barnum, died Monday, May 22, 2017 in Solvay Hospice House, Duluth.  He was born on August 28, 1944 in Duluth to Edna and John Thompson, Sr.  He grew up in Lawler and Duluth and later moved to Barnum where he attended Barnum High School graduating in 1962.  Butch attended Dunwoody for a short time and later enlisted in the United States Army until receiving a medical discharge.  He later worked on the Railroad, plowing snow for the State of MN, and as a mechanic for Odberg & Ryan in Duluth and Moses Chevrolet in Carlton.  In 1967, he began working for his father at Thompson Motor Service in Barnum and in 1981 went on his own with Thompson Motor Service.  He also operated Big T Truck Center in Carlton for about 5 years and also purchased Lake City Towing in 1992.

He was a member of Barnum Community United Methodist Church.  Butch was also a member of Barnum Community Club, Barnum Fire Department, Barnum Lions Club, and the Moosehorn Rod & Gun Club.  He had a great love for classic cars and organized several car shows in the area and was a member of both the National and Minnesota Impala Clubs.  Butch was also involved in the Minnesota Towing Association.  He truly loved his Barnum community and loved to help support and promote events that were happening.  Butch loved to visit and was often found in area restaurants soaking in the latest news or enjoying a game of cribbage with his friends.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents.

Butch is survived by his wife, Sharon; two sons: Chad (Erica) of Esko and Jay (Shanna) of Duluth ; 5 grandchildren whom he thought the world of: Alex, Zach, Nicholas, Grant, and Clarissa; two sisters: Valerie (Terry) O’Rourke and Judy (Ronald) Welhaven; several nieces, nephews, in-laws and many friends.

Visitation will be from 6-8 PM, Friday, May 26 in Barnum Community United Methodist Church and continue Saturday, May 27 from 10 AM until the 11 AM service in Barnum Community United Methodist Church.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Barnum.

To sign the guestbook online, go to:  www.hhkfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.

Heavy Duty Tow Schools with Tom Luciano

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It was September of 2014 since the MPTA hosted a 2-day Heavy Duty Tow School featuring Miller Industries Tom Luciano.  In all reality, the MPTA, actually towing students were blessed to have Tom here for three days.  As most of you know, when Mr. Luciano comes to town, which only means one thing… a disciplined, hard nose approach to learning the techniques of heavy duty towing and recovery.

 

Between all three days, over 60 towing operators/students attended this highly anticipated event as all were not disappointed.  Spending valued time in the classroom learning chains, straps, pivot points and leverage, later trading in the classroom textbooks for a great learning experience in the field.  On the third day, for the first time, towing operators/students benefited from working with Tom learning more about rotators and their delicate operations.

 

Congratulations to those who attended this Heavy Duty Tow School featuring Miller Industries Tom Luciano.  We are fortunate as an Association to have Tom back up here every two years.  So… hope to see you next time!  Special thanks to the Pellow family of Twin Cities Wrecker Sales for hosting our great Heavy Duty School and working with Miller Industries in securing Tom for three days!!!

 

About MPTA

The MPTA (Minnesota Professional Towing Association) was founded back in the early 1980’s by independent towing owners/operators such as Dick Pellow, Bruce Koehler, and Tom Eaton.  The MPTA was founded on the premise protect the rights of towing owners/operators thru legislative and legal support.  Throughout the history of the Association, MPTA has been endorsing towing and recovery classes ensuring the towing industry protects it’s honesty, integrity and still doing their work safely.

Resources

Legal Counsel: Randy Thompson Nolan, Thompson, & Leighton 501 American BLVD West, Suite 595 Bloomington, MN 55437 Phone: 952-405-7171 Fax: 952-224-0647 rthompson@nmtlaw.com  

Contact MPTA

2886 Middle Street Little Canada, MN 55117 Ph: 651-487-2231 651-487-2447 (FAX) Main Contact / General Questions: nikki@mnssa.com