Letter: ERS saves tourists

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 30, 2012

I would like to publicly thank Classic Towing and ERS Auto Repair of Astoria for coming to the aid of six stranded ladies who were visiting Long Beach, Wash., for the weekend.

On Saturday morning we got in the van to go shopping for antiques in the area, and found the van would not start. I sent the other five ladies off in another vehicle, and I would work on the problem of how we would all get back home to Silverdale, Wash., by Sunday evening.

A call was placed to AAA, who called Classic Towing. They came and towed the van to ERS Auto Repair. Curt Dean of ERS talked with my husband by phone, and thought the problem was the fuel pump. He gave us a quote for the repair and said he had to order the part, and it probably would not come in until Monday.

During that time, we made other arrangements for someone to come pick us up on Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning, I got a call from Curt Dean that the part had arrived that morning and the van would be fixed by noon. We were able to get in touch with one of our spouses, and averted the need for someone to pick us up, saving lots of time and gas.

I later found out that ERS Auto Repair is usually closed on Sundays, but Curt Dean and his friend from Classic Towing came in that morning to work on the car and get the six stranded ladies back on the road again.

Your community should be proud of these two businesses for giving up their Sunday morning. This was a good reflection of your community helping stranded tourists. Thank you.

BARBARA FRINDELL

Silverdale, Wash.