[K3CAL] Final Fate of Surplus Tower Trailers

[Wa4prr]

Yep, the typical politician's response!  However, there is a slight chance that the contract with US Tower may have specified such a disposal of excess to get a better price and protect profits.  Just a theory, but what a waste!  73,

Ron Byzet / WA4PRR - Sent from my iPad

On Sep 5, 2013, at 8:26 AM, N3AE <n3ae at comcast.net> wrote:

> All,
> 
> You may recall a post about a bunch of surplus 100 ft trailer towers that were being sold by the federal government.  There was a bit of outrage in the amateur radio community because the terms surplus sale demanded that these towers be cut up for scrap (de-militarized in the surplus-world parlance).  I asked WHY they had to be de-militarized but never got an answer.  Requirements to de-mil are perfectly justified for items like comm sets, weapons, etc, but a lattice tower available as a stock number from US Tower?
> 
> One amateur was sufficiently upset that he wrote a letter to his congressman, who turns out to be the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for National Defense.   The congressman's reply is below.  Sometimes writing your Representative DOES stir up the pot.
> 
> OBTW ... according to the surplus property web site, these towers were sold 'as scrap' to someone for $6500 total.  Maybe this will not be repeated in the future thanks to W4ABC.
> 
> N3AE
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 18:29:03 -0400
> From: Jon Pearl - W4ABC <jonpearl at tampabay.rr.com>
> To: Tower Talk <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Towable towers available from the government
> Message-ID: <52211CAF.1060706 at tampabay.rr.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> ...and here's the *answer* that I received, today:
> 
> August 30, 2013
> 
> Thank you for letting me know of your concerns regarding the way in 
> which the Department of Defense (DOD) disposes of certain surplus assets 
> by auctioning them to the public. As the Chairman of the Appropriations 
> Subcommittee on National Defense, you can be sure that I share your 
> interest in this regard and appreciate knowing your thoughts.
> 
> The Defense Logistics Agency(DLA)Dispositions Services is charged with 
> disposing ofthe U.S. military'sexcess property. According to the DOD, 
> the excess property "is first offered for reutilization within the 
> Department of Defense , transfer to other federal agencies, or donation 
> to state and local governments andother qualified organizations." In 
> 2008, $2.2 billion worth of property was reutilized.DLA Disposition 
> Services maintains a Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO)to coordinate 
> transfers to state, local, and federal; more than 11,500 agencies in all 
> 50 states participate in this program. In 2011, over $500 million worth 
> of equipment was transferred to law enforcement agencies. Property that 
> has not been transferred or donated can be made available for purchase 
> by the public. Of course, assets with military characteristics must be 
> demilitarized prior to being made available to the public.
> 
> In an effort to be of all possible assistance to you, I have taken the 
> liberty of contacting Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, to share with 
> him your thoughts. The Secretary has assured me that your views will be 
> given serious consideration. This is a matter under careful scrutiny by 
> the Congress and you can be sure that I will continue to monitor any new 
> developments that occur.
> 
> Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding this matter 
> of mutual concern. It is my hope that you will continue to keep me 
> apprised of your interest in legislative issues important to you.
> 
> With best wishes and personal regards, I am
> 
> 
> Bill Young
> Member of Congress
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