July 11, 2006

Charlene Zettel, Director

Department of Consumer Affairs

400 R Street

Sacramento, CA 95814-6200

Dear Ms. Zettel:

Unfortunately I must write to you regarding a problem that I have in dealing with the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and BAR Chief Richard Ross.  At our recent BAR Advisory Group Meeting on Monday, July 10, 2006 Chief Ross was asked a direct question by Chris Walker, who is the legislative advocate to the California Automotive Business Coalition (Cal-ABC), of which California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (CSSARA) is a member.  The question was:  Was BAR planning on any new regulations or are their any new regulations in the pipeline?  Chief Ross gave a lengthy answer, saying, “Not at this time.”

The next day I received in the mail comprehensive reform in BAR regulations that I think would have been a pertinent topic at the BAR Advisory Group Meeting.  It should at least have been put on the next meeting agenda.  I do not understand why BAR continuously tries to keep the industry it regulates in the dark.  This makes no sense.  We need interactive and proactive communications so that we can more properly address the concerns of our members in the industry. 

I hope that you examine these kinds of issues and help make some kind of meaningful resolution.  We appreciate your interest in the Bureau of Automotive Repair and your oversight of that bureaucracy and we desperately need your leadership.

Sincerely,

Dennis DeCota

Executive Director