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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2016-01-28, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016. PAGE 17. Locals aim to tow, rent, remove snow in community rid 1RAMSPORIOWIR6 4 WOO Brussels ON, W: 519.887.9189 C: 519.887.9060 88WP(ACNtr•TONYPI CNEY!'AJTMAII.Ct7M A helping hand Tony Peachey, left, and his fiancee Betty Walden recently opened A and B Transport and Rentals from their home in Brussels. The business will focus on providing services such as snow removal, towing and renting out equipment like trucks, trailors and tractors. (Denny Scott photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen For Brussels resident Tony Peachey and his fiancee Betty Walden, retirement was just the start of a new adventure as the couple opened A and B Transport Towing and Rentals. Tony, who had worked as a transport driver for Home Hardware's distribution centre in St. Jacobs for 27 years, said he was anxious to move on to another phase of his life. "When I was doing that I was gone seven to eight days at a time," he said. "Now that I'm retired, I wanted to do something else. They say do what you love, what you have a passion for and I always wanted to own a tow truck." Tony said that after retiring he went through all the certifications necessary and started looking for a tow truck, which he located near Ottawa. "At that time, I was thinking, I have a lot of toys," he said with a smile. "I have a motor -home, a 1974 Corvette Stingray, a backhoe, a compact tractor and some other equipment so I thought I might as well start a rental company and dabble in that as well. It keeps me happy and busy." All told, Tony and Betty have the tow truck, a 2016 Dodge Ram truck, an 18 foot heavy duty trailer with 5,200 -pound -rated axles, a 21 -foot full -tilt drive on trailer, the sub- compact tractor and two trailers (6' x 10' and 6' x 12') and the collection is set to grow. "In the spring, I'm hoping to look for a dump trailer for rental and possibly a rototiller to do garden work," he said. The tow truck is a flatbed, which Tony said was an important decision BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED for him to make. "It makes it so I'm not just picking up vehicles that are damaged," he said. "I can move cars from point A to B like antique cars for events or, thanks to having the proper licensing, I can go pick up cars in the United States and bring them back here." Tony also figured he would take on some snow removal for people around Brussels after starting with family and friends. Through word- of-mouth, he was soon handling many driveways and walkways with his compact tractor and snow blower, which he says works very well. "It's smaller, so it's easier on the driveways, and it allows me to keep working with the equipment I have," he said. "In the spring, I think I'm going to be using my riding mower and attachments to get some grass cutting work as well." Tony has been in Brussels for almost 11 years and originally moved here for a kind of semi- retirement for himself which unfortunately didn't really stick. "I would leave on Friday to drive and wouldn't get back until Wednesday or Thursday of the next week," he said. "There were no weekends. It was rough." With the recent dumpings of snow in Huron County, the hours for Tony seem as long as they were when he was driving a truck. Now he's home every night, which makes all the difference he said. Tony recently joined the Ontario Provincial Towing Association. He feels it shows that he works within important safety rules and guidelines and also puts him on the list of approved tow trucks for the Ontario Provincial Police when dealing with motor vehicle collision scenes. "Being on that list is the only way they can call you," he said. "They call the towing association and then the association sends over whoever has the right equipment." Tony says he wants to focus equally on all aspects of his job, which is something he can only do thanks to Betty, who worked for Sunlife Insurance as a disability analyst for 21 years. "I'm the brain and he's the brawn," Betty said with a laugh. Tony agreed, saying that having Betty at home and keeping track of the business is what lets him be out working when he has to be. "If it wasn't for her brains, I'd be overwhelmed," he said. Betty moved to the area with Tony less than a year ago and the couple has been together for just over two years. Betty and Tony both have family in the Brussels area and that factors into the business, they said. "We have grandsons, 17 and 12 - years old who want to be involved," Betty said. Tony said he hopes to bring them in so, someday, he can retire for real. In the meantime, however, he is happy to not be driving a truck and sitting for long periods of time. "With this work, I get more exercise and more fresh air. It's good for me," he said. For more information about A and B Transport, Towing and Rentals, call 519-887-9189 or e-mail tonypeachey@hotmail.com #1 And We I Still Try Harder Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community -Owned Since 1985 Looking for local heroes There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community. Now you have a chance to say thanks. Nominate that special person for the 31st Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards. Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win, please feel free to try again. I nominate as Citizen of the year for Blyth Brussels & area & area I feel she/he deserves this award because L Nomination Deadline July 31, 2016. Name and phone number of nominator