Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - The Nassau West Department of Administration (DOA) announced early this morning that the Nassau West fleet of vehicles will soon be expanding. This is in response to recent mechanical mishaps with the current Nassau West One, the President's personal vehicle.

On "Good Friday" last month, Nassau West One was towed away to be repaired. Almost $400 later, a new water pump was installed. Just prior to that, the tires were rotated and balanced to correct a steering problem. Now, it appears, that the vehicle will need brake work done in addition to other long overdue maintenance, like an oil change.

A Department of Administration spokesman reported that the Department of the Treasury has secured a loan to facilitate the purchase of an additional vehicle for daily use between Benson and Tucson. The DOA apparently is no longer considering the idea of disposing of the current Nassau West One and replacing it with a brand new vehicle as previously published on this website.

This past weekend (Apr. 2-3) Nassau West President Kelly K. Bartram traveled to Tombstone and slept overnight in Nassau West One. "I really couldn't imagine not having the current Nassau West One around anymore. I'm very pleased that some rather peculiar methods of financing have been acquired by the Treasury Department so we can keep it," Bartram stated Tuesday afternoon.

Presently the search continues for a smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicle. Several vehicles that fit the description of what the DOA is looking for have been located. Unfortunately, calls to their sellers have yielded the information that most of these vehicles have already been sold.

What the Department of Administration is looking for, according to a list of requirements posted in their office at the Capitol, is a small, pre-owned Japanese pickup truck, preferably one with four wheel drive. The brands that meet or exceed the DOA guidelines are Nissan and Toyota, respectively.

The new vehicle will primarily just be a shuttle for Nassau West Transportation Workers' Union members to get to work in Tucson and back. The trip is about 45 miles, and currently costs about $20 per day in fuel. The new purchase will spare a plethora of precious petrol, which, in turn, will save a lot of money.

The current Nassau West One, which is a 1995 Chevrolet G20 (¾-ton) SportVan, will still retain its title when the President is aboard, and will remain parked at the Capitol when not in use. Nassau West One will still be the preferred method of travel for Presidential excursions, as well as business trips, and vacation road trips.

"Giving Nassau West One a little break now and then will help to ensure its longevity. Right now, it has almost 80,000 miles on it and it is ten years old. I'd like to see it last another ten, which is possible if it doesn't keep making these long daily round-trip journeys to Tucson," the President stated.