Several members of the Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE) have written me recently to express their displeasure in my January 2009 Editor's Notes, "Let's Be Real, Folks" (click HERE to read). It appears as though they interpreted it to mean that I like the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) but don't like the CCRE. Also, several believe that BodyShop Business censored CCRE's press release that stated that the CCRE believed that the "14 Points of DRP Reform" discussed at the November 2008 CIC meeting would further promote steering. Unfortunately, it may have looked like we censored it because it was not mentioned in print in that issue due to arriving after our Industry Update section was completed. But the fact of the matter is that the CCRE release was posted on our Web site on January 6, 2009, included as the lead story in our January 8, 2009 online newsletter, and then published in print in the February 2009 issue. We would never censor anyone because we believe it is important to show all viewpoints.
Also, I would like to clarify that I have had several discussions with Tony Lombardozzi (as well as other CCRE members) regarding CCRE's viewpoints, one of which led to publicized comments in an article called "One Voice" that appeared in the January 2008 issue (click HERE to read). In fact, I look forward to speaking to him and other CCRE members at the CCRE annual meeting March 27-28 in Cincinnati.