GM won't cover fire truck repairs

During approval of bills at Monday's council meeting, Coun. Peter Kennedy, who chairs the town's finance committee, pointed out a paid bill of $2,246 made out to Robert's Chevrolet of Grand Falls. Kennedy explained that expenditure covered the cost to chinarepair Woodstock Fire Department's new rescue van. He said the GM van broke down while returning to Woodstock from Edmundston where the box was installed . Chief administrative officer Ken Harding said the new truck stalled near Grand Falls and couldn't be restarted. The driver called GM's roadside assistance and was told to have the vehicle towed to Robert's Chevrolet in Grand Falls. A couple of days later, Harding explained, the Grand Falls dealer confirmed its mechanics found and repaired the problem, "a kinked fuel line." The surprise came when town officials were told the repair cost for the new truck would not be covered by warranty. GM officials claim the problem was caused by the company putting the box on the truck with and refused to honour the warranty. Harding told council he contacted the Edmundston company about the problem. Not only did company officials deny responsibility, he said, they produced photo evidence which showed similar fuel line problems in other GM trucks with . Harding said the Grand Falls dealer would not release the truck to the town until the bill was paid. Both Harding and Woodstock Fire Chief Rick Nicholson appealed for help from officials at L.G. Wilson Chev Olds in Woodstock, the dealer from which the town purchased the truck. Harding said the company refused to argue on their behalf with GM. Harding, Kennedy and Chief Nicholson all expressed disappointment with the Woodstock dealer's attitude. Harding noted Woodstock taxpayers are left holding the bag because none of four companies involved will take responsiblity.