EDGEWATER, Fla -- Don't tell Myron Hammond of Edgewater Towing & Recovery that you can't fight city hall. He did and he won!
After all of the political wrangling and rhetoric, Hammond was right back where he started Monday night with exclusive rights to law enforcement towing in the city limits of Edgewater, leaving Bishops Towing of New Smyrna Beach and Universal Towing of Holly Hill unhitched.
Hammond had faced the prospect of having to go on a rotation with the other two wreckers, losing two-thirds of the police contract with each of the other tow towing companies getting a third of what he has had to himself for 10 years.
Before the final vote allowing Hammond exclusive rights to the towing in the city for police calls, several of the councilors and the mayor used the dais as their soapbox, reprimanding him for having the audacity to put up two large signs in the days leading up to the vote that were critical.
The signs were headlined in bright red letters that read: TOWING THE LINE -- Don't Let Edgewater Sell Us Out To Special Interests -- JOBS ARE AT STAKE -- Let Your Voice Be Heard. It was followed by the time and location - none other than Edgewater City Hall.
Hammond, 58, knew he was fighting an uphill battle going into the meeting, but he was desperate, knowing that if he lost two-thirds of that contract, he'd have to let two of his guys go. And that was just not acceptable. When the meeting began, it was a standing-room-only crowd with more than a hundred supporters, most of them for Hammond. In fact, he did the least talking of the parade of people at the podium, with one speaker stating on his behalf: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Hammond, 58, knew he was fighting an uphill battle going into the meeting, but he was desperate, knowing that if he lost two-thirds of that contract, he'd have to let two of his guys go. And that was just not acceptable. When the meeting began, it was a standing-room-only crowd with more than a hundred supporters, most of them for Hammond. In fact, he did the least talking of the parade of people at the podium, with one speaker stating on his behalf: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Despite the huge placards on US 1 only this online news outlet took notice and asked questions; even going on a ride along with Hammond Saturday in one of his tow trucks. Countless people stopped into Edgewater Towing & Recovery Friday and throughout the weekend. Scores more called him after seeing a brief advance of the meeting on Headline Surfer and on the website's Facebook pages.
Before voting on the matter, several of the elected officials had harsh words for Hammond even as they professed their admiration for his 10 years of service.