February 2016 Newsletter

Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
FEBRUARY 2016 NEWS BULLETIN
Montana Automobile
NextGen
Meeting
Dealers
Association
The NextGen dealers are fresh off their most recent meeting,
held here in Great Falls at the end of February. Thirteen
NextGen-ers (plus one parent) listened to presentations on
the following:
■■ The NADA Director of Grassroots Advocacy discussed
important issues facing dealers today. The conversation
surrounding LIFO was clearly on the top of many people’s
minds. There also seems to be a lot of interest in traveling
to DC for the annual NADA Washington Conference. If
you have a NextGen at your dealership that wasn’t able to
attend, encourage them to put their name in the hat.
■■ American Financial led the group through a deal audit to
see if the sales departments at our stores were capturing all
the right documentation and getting customer signatures
on paperwork. The takeaway was we need to be inspecting
these much more often. Ask your AFAS rep to walk you
through a deal audit the next time they’re in your store,
or email me at [email protected] if you need more
info on what we looked at in our deals.
■■ The Montana Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program
Manager spoke about dealer trade regulations when it
comes to transporting vehicles on trailers. Watch for an
upcoming email to detail all the regulations.
■■ American Financial also discussed the process of
forecasting in the
F&I Department.
The point was
made that this
process should
begin in October to
allow the finalized
forecast to be in
place by years end.
in Great Falls
These meetings have been great in terms
of the information speakers have brought
to the NextGen dealers. It’s been a nice
mix of hands on work (like tearing
apart deal jackets to see if everything is
accounted for) and important messages
from people that we don’t see in our
Whitney Olson
dealerships (like the State speaking on
MTADA President
transporting dealer trades).
In my opinion, even more important than the issues we’ve
discussed in the meetings, is the opportunity to connect
with other dealers my age, in my position at their stores. We
often forget how isolated we are as dealers. Taking the time
to connect with others around the state has been invaluable.
It’s gratify to see how far we’ve come since the years of
attending the main convention as children and we appreciate
the Association’s support in providing NextGen dealers’ their
own space to meet and discuss current issues.
The NextGen meetings are free for attendees. The only cost is
transportation, a hotel room and the time these folks are out
of the store. Clearly, time away from the dealership has the
most impact, but I’d encourage you to think about attending,
or sending someone in your store. Our next meeting is
tentatively scheduled for November 1 -2 in Billings. Hope to
see you there! n
IN THIS ISSUE
NADA News p2
Chairman’s Message
p3
Violence & Vehicles p4
Legal Update p6
Next Gen Meeting Highlights p7
and more!
Montana Automobile Dealers Association • 501 North Sanders • Helena Montana • 406.442.1233
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE:
NADA Commends NHTSA Public Awareness
Campaign on Recalls
TYSONS, Va. (Jan. 21, 2016)-National Automobile Dealers
Association (NADA) President Peter Welch on Thursday
issued the following statement in response to the National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s
announcement of a new public awareness campaign called
Safe Cars Save Lives that urges consumers to check for open
recalls at least twice a year and to get their vehicles fixed as
soon as parts are available:
“NADA fully supports smart strategies aimed at expanding
how owners and operators are reminded that they have
or may have vehicles with outstanding safety recalls,
and NHTSA and Administrator Rosekind should be
commended for this effort to increase the recall completion
rate by raising awareness among the public about the
importance of responding to manufacturer and dealer
notices about an open recalls on their vehicles.”
NADA, which supports a 100-percent recall completion
rate, urged NHTSA to consider launching such a public
awareness campaign - similar to the effective “Click it or
Ticket” ad campaign - during the April 28, 2015, NHTSA
Workshop entitled Retooling Recalls:
Getting to 100% Completion.
In a May 29, 2015, follow-up letter to
Rosekind, NADA wrote:
Don Kaltschmidt
NADA Director
“NADA encourages NHTSA to capitalize on its excellent
track record for effective public communications by
engaging in a comprehensive and sustained awareness
campaign stressing the importance of recall remedy
participation. Thanks to NHTSA, ‘Click it or Ticket’ and
‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ are iconic slogans ingrained in
our national lexicon. By using solid research indicating
why owners and operators don’t get their vehicles fixed,
NHTSA can target a campaign with various means of
communications. Whether it’s the crash test dummies
suggesting, ‘we’re the dummies, you need to get your car
fixed’ or some other strategy, NADA is confident that
NSTHA has the communications expertise to get the
motoring public’s attention, to promote the VIN-lookup
tool, and to enhance recall campaign effectiveness.” n
NADA Completes Rebranding Effort, Launches New
Logo as Part of Refocus on Advocacy Efforts
Changes include Renaming Political Action
Committee “NADA PAC”
TYSONS, Va. (Jan. 11, 2015)-The National Automobile
Dealers Association (NADA), one of the nation’s largest
industry trade associations, today announced the
completion of a major corporate rebranding initiative
that coincides with ongoing efforts to re-center the
organization around its core mission of advocating on
behalf of the nation’s 16,500 franchised new-car dealers.
As part of the rebrand, NADA refreshed its corporate logo
to both deliver a modern look and serve as the anchor for
a cohesive aesthetic across all of NADA’s communications
platform, including print, online, email, social media,
advertisements, marketing materials, presentations, videos,
signage, displays, and NADA Convention materials. NADA
also re-designed its sub-brand logos - including those of
the NADA Academy, NADA Convention and Expo, NADA
Retirement Program, and others - to align more closely
with the refreshed NADA logo.
NADA President Peter Welch explained that creating a
single, strong brand that is instantly recognizable to each
of NADA’s stakeholder audiences - including member
dealers, auto manufacturers and industry partners,
policymakers, the media, and the public - is a vital part of
being a successful, influential advocacy organization.
“A strong and recognizable brand is critical to the
individual success of each of our dealer members, just
as it is critical to the success of the manufacturers of the
vehicles our dealers sell and service,” said Welch. “It’s no
different here at NADA.”
Political Action Committee
renamed “NADA PAC”
NADA also announced it was changing the name of its
political action committee to NADA PAC, the National
Automobile Dealers Association Political Action
Committee, from the earlier Dealers Election Action
Committee (DEAC). As the third-largest trade association
Continued on NEXT PAGE
2
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE:
NADA Defends Dealers at Hostile FTC Panel
It has been no secret that while some government
regulations are necessary, many have adversely affected
local dealerships. In the course of a year, NADA leaders
and industry allies met with elected officials and federal
regulators to discuss mutual concerns. And a recent Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) panel showcased that dealers
have a tough job ahead of them.
also explained the importance of
franchise laws to the preservation of
intra-brand competition. Moreover,
NADA’s media relations team did a
stellar job of balancing out the coverage
by generating a series of positive articles
about the franchised dealer system.
On January 19, the FTC held a one-day workshop in
Washington, D.C., on the topic of auto distribution and the
state laws that regulate it. Unfortunately, the proceeding was
not a balanced one. Many of the FTC speakers, as well as
the supposedly neutral academics and economists invited
by the Commission to participate, brought preconceived
attitudes that were hostile toward the franchise system—
and counterproductive to the dialogue. The panel quickly
revealed an imbalanced agenda that resulted in an
exceedingly one-sided discussion.
The process now moves to the written comment stage.
To combat this FTC action, NADA will be preparing and
submitting a comprehensive set of comments. We will
continue to work closely with ATAEs, dealer lawyers,
dealer accountants, and other third parties to ensure that
the record is both balanced and reflective of the reality
of the retail-auto industry. NADA is also developing an
appropriate Congressional oversight strategy and will
continue to engage with the media so that the truth about
the benefits of the franchised system is what the public
hears.
Still, that did not deter NADA and those speaking on behalf
of our franchise system. The dealer representatives who
were permitted to speak, including NADA President Peter
Welch, were very well prepared and ready to openly engage
with the FTC. They all presented informed, credible and
effective counterarguments to every point raised by the FTC
and its manufacturer invitees.
Respected auto analyst Maryann Keller, the managing
partner at Maryann Keller & Associates, cited empirical
evidence showing that intra-brand competition significantly
lowers new-car prices. The valuable input rebutted claims
that a direct-sales model would benefit consumers. Keller
NADA Rebranding Effort
Jeff Carlson
2016 NADA Chairman
It falls on our shoulders to educate government officials
about the dealer business. While regulators may have good
intentions, they cannot enact ‘good’ rules that benefit our
customers unless they are informed and willing to listen.
NADA will continue to work on a multi-platform, multifaceted effort to engage the FTC in the future, and challenge
false information that comes out of any agency in the
federal government.
When it comes to harmful regulations, know that NADA is
poised to defend its dealers nationwide while upholding the
integrity of our valued franchise system. n
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
PAC by total contributions, NADA PAC has a long record
of supporting members of Congress from both parties
who recognize the importance of local dealerships to their
communities, consumers, economies and constituents.
NADA’s rebranding comes at a time when the organization
has recommitted itself to its core advocacy efforts in
Washington, D.C. This commitment has included
the transition of its in-house retirement plan into a
partnership with Empower Retirement, as well as the
2015 sale of the NADA Used Car Guide - which for more
than 80 years was the industry standard for accurate and
comprehensive used-vehicle valuations. - to J.D. Power
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
and Associates. NADA also re-launched its website in April
2015.
“Enabling NADA to better focus on its core mission
of enhancing America’s new-car dealer network,
and advocating on behalf of our dealer members in
Washington, D.C., has been one of my primary objectives
as president of NADA,” Welch added. “Whether we’re
talking about mobilizing our grassroots network, testifying
before Congress, or the sign on our door, if it’s going to
benefit America’s franchised new-car and truck dealers,
then NADA is going to do it.” n
3
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
Violence and Vehicles
Violence involving motor vehicles is becoming an increasing concern for workers
today. Whether you drive on company business or commute to work, you must
stay alert to avoid violent encounters.
Courtesy of
SafetySmart.com
A carjacking or a hi-jacking is a situation you wouldn’t want to find yourself in. The
robber may only be after your vehicle or the cargo it carries, but he or she may have no qualms about injuring or killing
anyone who gets in the way.
In another type of violent crime, a person is vulnerable to assault when entering or exiting a vehicle, particularly in an
isolated, poorly-lit location. When a vehicle is halted by a breakdown, minor accident or even stopped for a traffic light,
the occupants can be vulnerable to attack.
It’s a scary world out there on the roads, but here are some steps you can take to stay safe:
• When you have a choice, travel over well-populated, well-lit routes, especially at night. Ride with companions if
possible.
• Tell someone where you are going. Keep in touch with your dispatcher by radio or phone. Consider carrying a cellular
telephone in your private vehicle for reporting emergencies. When planning a road trip, you might lease a cellular
phone.
• Keep your vehicle in top condition to prevent breakdowns which make you vulnerable. Don’t let fuel or oil run low. If
you do have a breakdown, pull well off the road and put your flashers on. Wait for police or a tow truck. Do not open
your door to anyone offering to help. Instead, crack your window enough to talk, and ask the person to call for help.
• Be suspicious of minor accidents. If a vehicle runs into the back of yours, it may be a trick to make you get out and look
at the damage so an assault or carjacking can take place.
• Keep all doors locked and windows closed when driving. Many assailants and carjackers have jumped into vehicles
stopped for traffic lights with the doors unlocked.
• Do not antagonize other drivers. There is no excuse for violent behavior on the road, but it can be provoked by slow
drivers impeding traffic. Travel at the speed of traffic and stay in the right lane except to pass. Signal well ahead of turns
and lane changes. Never respond to angry behavior by making gestures or honking. If threatened by another driver, get
away and call police. Also call the police
to report possibly drunk or drugged
drivers. The vehicle license number,
description and direction of travel will
help police.
Carrying valuable cargo calls for special
security precautions. New technology is
being used in an attempt to protect drivers,
such as the video cameras being installed
in taxis. Follow all your company’s
procedures. They are there not just to
protect the property, but to protect your
life. n
4
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
President Obama Signs the 2015 Budget Act
Increasing OSHA Penalties
President Obama signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015
into law yesterday. The deal was negotiated quickly to avoid
a default on the nation’s debt. Perhaps as a result, it includes
a surprise for those with an interest in occupational safety
and health: penalties imposed by the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) are increasing. Title
VII of the Budget Act—entitled the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015—
requires mandatory upward adjustments of multiple civil
penalties, including those proposed by OSHA. By no later
than July 1, 2016, OSHA must issue an interim final rule
containing a “catch up adjustment” to its civil penalties.
Prior to issuing the interim final rule, OSHA is not required
to follow notice-and-comment rulemaking provisions. The
changes to the penalty amounts depend upon the cost-ofliving adjustments established by the Consumer Price Index
(CPI). The initial catch-up adjustment amount will be the
percentage difference between the CPI in October 2015 and
the CPI in October 1990, which was the year that OSHA
penalties were last adjusted.
The percentage difference between the CPI in September
of 2015 and October 1990 is approximately 78 percent.
Using that figure, OSHA’s penalties would change roughly
as follows:
■■ Other-than-Serious Violation: Maximum of
approximately $12,476 (The current maximum is
$7,000.)
■■ Serious Violation: Maximum of approximately $12,476
(The current maximum is $7,000.)
■■ Repeat Violation: Maximum of approximately $124,765
(The current maximum is $70,000.)
■■ Willful Violation: Minimum of approximately $8,912;
maximum of approximately $124,765 (The current
minimum is $,5000; the current maximum is $70,000)
■■ Failure-to-Abate: Maximum of approximately $12,476
per day (The current maximum is $7,000)
These numbers are approximate because the October 2015
CPI data is not completed. The initial penalty increases
must become effective by August 1, 2016.
Any agency, including OSHA, may seek to impose a smaller
initial penalty increase than what is called for under
these formulas by: 1) publishing a notice of proposed
rulemaking requesting comments regarding the penalties;
2) concluding, based on the comments, that an increased
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
penalty will have a “negative economic impact” or impose
“social costs” that outweigh the benefits of increasing the
penalties; and 3) obtaining the approval of the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget. Under the
leadership of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels, OSHA has
consistently touted the benefits of engaging in “regulation
by shaming,” which includes issuing citations with high
penalties that are accompanied by hard-hitting press
releases. Given these policies, OSHA is not likely to propose
anything less than the maximum penalty increases.
After the initial catch up adjustment is made by July 1,
2016, OSHA is required to adjust penalties no later than
January 15 of each year using the CPI. As such, employers
should expect to see OSHA penalties increase annually with
inflation.
Until the Budget Act was signed, OSHA and the Social
Security Administration were exempted from the Federal
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. (The Internal
Revenue Service was and remains exempt). The Budget Act
was negotiated by a small group of Republicans and the
White House. No information regarding their reasoning
in increasing OSHA penalties is available at this point. Dr.
Michaels and Congressional Democrats have pushed for an
increase in OSHA penalties for years. In addition, the need
for additional revenue has been a key discussion point in
budget negotiations, and the increase in OSHA penalties
will clearly accomplish that.
Employers have typically looked at a variety of factors in
determining whether or not to appeal citations issued by
OSHA, including the risk of future “repeat” or “willful”
citations, the steps necessary to abate the alleged hazard,
and customer and employee relations issues. The amount
of the penalty often has not been a significant factor
in determining whether or not to contest. Given these
increases, that may change. n
Article by
Melissa A. Bailey
Washington DC
Shontell Powell
Washington DC
5
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
LEGAL UPDATE
Failure to Payoff Trade Is a TILA Violation
A car buyer trades in the old heap for a new ride and the
dealer agrees to pay off the balance on the heap. The dealer
doesn’t pay off the trade, so the buyer sues. In such a suit,
you might expect to see claims of fraud or breach of contract,
but what you seldom see is a claim that disclosing the lien
payoff without actually paying off the trade constitutes a
federal Truth in Lending Act violation.
Here’s a real-life situation from Maryland where the issue
arose. Gesele Jones bought a used 2007 Pontiac. There was
a dispute regarding whether the seller in the transaction
was Hampton Park Enterprises or Koons Automotive, Inc.
Jones signed two sets of sale documents prepared by a Koons
employee. Jones signed the first set of documents at the
time of sale and later returned to sign a second set. The
documents included a buyer’s order, a retail installment sale
agreement, and an application for a certificate of title. As
part of the sale, Jones traded in a 2006 Ford Taurus. Koons
allegedly agreed to pay off the amount Jones owed to Prestige
Financial Services on the Taurus, but never did so.
Prestige eventually repossessed the Taurus and told Jones
she was responsible for the remaining unpaid balance. In
response, Jones sued Koons in federal court for failing to pay
Prestige. Jones alleged violations of the Truth in Lending Act
and the Maryland Consumer Protection Act and various
common law claims. Both parties moved for summary
judgment. The trial court ruled for Koons on some claims
and for Jones on others.
First, Jones argued that Koons violated TILA by disclosing
on the first set of documents a $1,000 down payment she
never actually made. The court granted summary judgment
to Koons on that claim, finding that Koons did not violate
TILA by disclosing the down payment. The court noted
that although Jones did not pay the down payment, Koons
never charged her for it, and Koons absorbed the cost of the
disclosed amount.
Jones also argued that Koons violated TILA by indicating
it would pay off the amount she owed to Prestige and then
failing to do so. The court granted summary judgment to
Jones on that claim. The court found that both versions of
the retail installment contract listed the amount that Jones
owed to Prestige in the itemization of amount financed as
an amount to be paid to a third party. Accordingly, the retail
installment sale contract stated that Koons would pay off the
prior balance. Koons did not make any payments to Prestige.
Therefore, Koons incorrectly itemized that amount, in
violation of TILA.
Finally, Jones argued that Koons violated TILA by failing to
disclose certain fees. The court found there was a genuine
6
issue of fact regarding when the various
R. J. “Jim” Sewell, Jr.
MTADA General Counsel
sale documents were provided to Jones
and whether they accurately disclosed
the fees. Therefore, summary judgment on this issue was
inappropriate.
Koons argued that it was entitled to summary judgment
because Jones could not prove she suffered any actual
damages as a result of the alleged TILA violations. Some
TILA claims fail if the consumer cannot show “actual
damages,” while other claims, if successful, entitle the plaintiff
to so-called “statutory damages” even in the absence of actual
damages. In this case, the court found that the relevant
TILA sections provided for statutory damages. As a result,
the court rejected Koons’s argument because Jones was not
required to prove that she suffered any actual damages.
Another possible defense to a TILA claim is the equivalent
to a plea of “oops.” It’s called the “bona fide error” defense.
If the creditor can show that the violation occurred because
of a mistake and that the creditor had in place procedures
to avoid such mistakes, it can dodge the TILA bullet. Koons
tried this one, too, but the court determined that Koons was
not entitled to summary judgment based on this theory
because there was a question of fact regarding whether
Koons’s sale procedures were reasonably adapted to avoid
TILA violations. n
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FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
NEXT GEN MEETING
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
We would like to thank American Financial for
sponsoring our Next Gen meeting...
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
7
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
DEALERS CORNER
Don ‘K’ Enters Race for Montana Senate
Whitefish businessman announces candidacy
for Senate District 3, will face Majority Leader
Rep. Keith Regier in June primary
Prominent Whitefish businessman Don “K” Kaltschmidt
has announced his bid for the Montana Legislature,
entering a contested Republican race for a senate district
that encompasses the resort community.
Earlier this year, Republican House Majority Leader Keith
Regier announced his candidacy for the open seat in Senate
District 3 after reaching term limits in the House.
Kaltschmidt’s entry into the race sets the stage for a faceoff in the primary election between two conservative
Republicans with contrasting backgrounds.
A March 14 deadline for candidates to file their declarations
for the June 7 primary election is quickly approaching, and
so far no Democrats have filed for the seat.
Kaltschmidt, 59, owns Don K Chevrolet Chrysler Subaru in
Whitefish and touts his background as a community and
business leader, as well as his ability to hold conservative
principles in the liberal-leaning community of Whitefish as
testament to his strength of leadership and diplomacy.
Senate District 3 is currently occupied by a termed-out Sen.
Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, who is precluded from running
for Senate.
In Montana, House members may serve four two-year
terms in any 16-year period, while Senate members may
serve two four-year terms in any 16-year period.
Regier represents House District 4, an area south of
Columbia Falls characterized by a deep conservative streak.
Kaltschmidt, who party affiliates have considered a GOP
darling for years, said he feels well-positioned for an earnest
run at the statehouse after investing decades mounting a
successful business.
“For years the party has been asking me to run, but I haven’t
been able to put my affairs in order in a way that affords me
the time to invest in this level of public service,” Kaltschmidt
told the Beacon. “I got through the recession, I added
dealerships, and we have built a very successful business.
Next month I am going to turn 60, my sons are tending to
the business, and I am ready to give back to the community
and to the state.”
Kaltschmidt grew up in Kalispell and, after serving in the
Marine Corps, returned to the Flathead Valley. In 1985,
Kaltschmidt was hired as the sales manager at Jim Dowen
8
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Chevrolet in Whitefish. He was promoted to general
manager, and in 1991 became the sole owner.
By 2011, after several bumpy years, he expanded to include
Subaru, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. The recession was
a brutal time at the dealership, he said. He stopped taking a
salary in 2008 and 2009, and the company was down to 28
employees.
Today, the dealership boasts 102 employees, and
Kaltschmidt said his business acumen provides him a
unique ability to negotiate with and appeal to both sides of
the political aisle in Helena.
“That’s a unique strength in today’s political climate. The
Republican party is very strong here in the Flathead. We
have a pretty big tent. But I think our weakness is that
we tend to fight within ourselves when we shouldn’t,”
Kaltschmidt said. “It has been a blessing for me to be a
conservative, both fiscally and socially, and to live and
work in a progressive community like Whitefish, which is
the Flathead Valley’s only blue spot. Working with people
who hold different opinions has been a very big growing
experience for me. I know how to work with the other side,
and I know how to get deals done. That has really helped
me as I move forward and I think I can help with some of
that divisiveness in Helena.”
The divisiveness was particularly evident during the 2015
Montana Legislature, when Republican infighting stymied
the party’s efforts to prevail on almost every front.
Under Regier’s leadership, and by a slim margin, lawmakers
in the House voted down Senate Bill 416, a $150 million
infrastructure bill, and voted to adjourn for the session.
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Congrats to NADA Dealer
Academy Graduate Reid Garrett
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
Reid Garrett started selling cars for Phil Meador Toyota-Jeep-Eagle
in 1994. What started out as a job to “get by until something better
came along” quickly grew into a long and rewarding career. He went
to work for Bill Underriner in 2014, who sponsored his attendance
to the NADA Dealer Academy in 2015. The Academy changed Reid’s
mindset with relation to the car business. It is having a huge impact
on his success. Reid has been married for 22 years and has 5 children.
His oldest daughter Caitlin is serving a church mission in Argentina
and returns home in June. Reid is passionate about training and
positive motivation, and gets the most satisfaction from mentoring
others to succeed in the car business. He is active in his church and
community. Reid is a hands-on General Manager for Underriner
Honda in Billings. n
Don ‘K’ Enter Race for Montana Senate
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Kaltschmidt said the party’s failure to agree on a
compromise package that would have created jobs and led
to badly needed building projects was disappointing.
“I thought that our party didn’t look very good last session,”
Kaltschmidt said. “The two sides couldn’t come together
and I don’t think they were that far apart. And that is what
I am good at. I have been doing that my entire life. I believe
that I could have done better, and that with my leadership
ability, I can reach out to people and strike an agreement.”
Regier defends his voting record and said he stood by his
caucus in opposing Bullock’s infrastructure bill and others
because they didn’t include enough compromise.
“The idea that there has ever been a true compromise is
fantasy,” Regier told the Beacon earlier this year.
Regier noted that moderate Republicans defected from the
conservative bloc to pass major legislation on issues like
Medicaid expansion and the Flathead tribal water compact
between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and
the state of Montana, compromising the state GOP’s values.
Acknowledging that he still has a lot to learn about the
political process, Kaltschmidt said he’s also not a novice and
has earned the backing of prominent Republicans like U.S.
Rep. Ryan Zinke and former Secretary of State Bob Brown.
Prior to the redistricting of the state’s legislative boundaries,
Whitefish was located in Senate District 2, a seat Zinke held
from 2009-2011.
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
The last Democrat to hold the seat was Dan Weinberg, who
served form 2005-2009.
Kaltschmidt said he is pro-life and a strong supporter of
Second Amendment rights, and as a member of and former
bishop at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
Whitefish, holds strong Christian values.
He said his main departure from the GOP platform is his
stance on conservation issues, which he said are important
to him, his family and his community.
“The one area in which I am a little more progressive is
conservation,” he said. “I am a big Glacier National Park
guy, a big state lands guy. I love the outdoors and am
committed to the environment. That said, I grew up as the
son of a logger, and I certainly think that we should be able
to harvest our trees responsibly.”
Former Montana House Rep. Scott Reichner, of Bigfork, is
helping to manage Kaltschmidt’s campaign. Bea DePratu,
the widow of former state Sen. Bob DePratu – who also
found business success in the automobile industry – is
serving as Kaltschmidt’s treasurer. n
Don is not taking PAC money but only individual
contributions.
To contribute please send a personal check to:
Don “K” for Senate SD3
Po box 1299
Whitefish, Mt 59937
170 max per person; 340 max per couple
Please include name (s) mailing address,
occupation and employer.
9
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
10
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
35 Years of Raising the Standard in
F&I
F & I Products
F & I University
Compliance Programs
Automotive Training Academy
Dealership Development Programs
MasterTech Vehicle Protection Program®
800.967.3633 | www.AFASinc.com
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
11
SAVE THE DATE!
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
102nd MTADA
Annual Convention
AUGUST 12th–14th, 2016
Crowne Plaza Hotel • Billings, Montana
Take
Take Note
Note Families: This is the also the first weekend of the
MontanaFair in Billings.
Billings. More
More information
information at
at
www.montanafair.com.
www.montanafair.com.
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FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
Montana Automobile Dealers Association
Montana Automobile
Dealers Association
2016 MTADA Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT-ELECT
VICE PRESIDENT
Whitney Olson
Bison Motor Co
Great Falls
406-727-2552
Chuck Notbohm
Notbohm Motors
Miles City
406-234-4480
Vacant
CHAIRMAN
NADA DIRECTOR
DEAC CHAIRMAN
Joe Billion
Billion Auto Group
Bozeman
406-582-7777
Don Kaltschmidt
Don “K” Whitefish
Whitefish
406-862-2571
Toby Hubbard
University Motors
Missoula
406-721-4900
OFFICE STAFF
DIRECTORS
Debbie Jean
Office Manager
MTADA
406-442-1233
Cell: 406-461-6333
Jim Peterson
Valley Ford
Kalispell
406-755-3673
Toby Hubbard
University Motors
Missoula
406-721-4900
EXEC. VICE
PRESIDENT
Bruce Knudsen
MTADA
Helena
406-442-1233
cell: 406-461-7680
Joe Billion
Billion Auto Group
Bozeman
406-582-7777
Tony Pierce
Snowy Mountain Motors
Lewistown
406-538-4014
Chuck Notbohm
Notbohm Motors
Miles City
406-234-4480
Garry Brayko
Archie Cochrane Motors
Billings
406-656-1100
Eric Henricksen
Subaru of Butte
Butte
406-676-4420
Sandi Tyler
Karl Tyler Chevrolet and
Cadillac
Missoula
406-721-2438
Whitney Olson
Bison Motor Co
Great Falls
406-727-2552
FEBRUARY 2016 MTADA NEWS BULLETIN
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