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July 2, 2005Donor may finance vestsTC hasn't received a similar offerByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - A local businessman may pick up the tab for more than 50 bulletproof vests Grand Traverse County sheriff's officials need to replace because of a national recall by Second Chance Body Armor. The sheriff's office received notification this week that it had 53 vests containing the material Zylon identified on a recall list issued by Central Lake's Second Chance last week. Sheriff Scott Fewins said replacement vests could cost up to $25,000 to replace, funds his office does not have on hand. The Grand Traverse business owner - whom Fewins wouldn't immediately identify - extended the offer Thursday. "A private donor has contacted us and an offer has been made to get the vests purchased," said Fewins. "It is very generous, obviously. "This person told us to 'find them, order them and send me the bill,' " he said. Fewins said county Administrator Dennis Aloia and the board of commissioners were informed about the offer. Fewins notified the county this week about the vest recall and potential costs to replace them. "(Aloia) and the board of commissioners have indicated that this is an absolute priority, and if any or all money can come from a private source, that would be great," said Fewins. Traverse City police Chief Michael Warren said his department needs to replace approximately 65 vests - both for active officers and reserve members - that could cost $30,000. Warren said the city hasn't received a similar offer. The city does not have replacement funds, he said. "It wouldn't hurt anything (to have a charitable offer), but there is nothing right now," he said. Fewins said he and his staff are meeting with vest vendors to review possible replacements. One company that likely won't win a bid from the county will be Second Chance, due to the company's financial status, which became bleaker Friday after the federal government filed suit against the manufacturer. Fewins said at least one other individual has expressed interest in contributing money toward replacement vests. "We are also hoping to find some federal funds or other matching money to offset the costs," said Fewins. "We are hoping to minimize (the cost) to whoever is going to pay for it, but no matter who does (a purchase) is going to be done quickly." See Related Stories: Second Chance Body Armor woes expand with Fed suit - July 2, 2005 Vest recall puts police in bind - June 30, 2005 Second Chance urges customers to replace all vests - June 23, 2005 Second Chance efficiency falls short at Alabama plant - June 7, 2005 Battered Second Chance may shut down operations - May 18, 2005 Village mourns loss of Second Chance Body Armor - April 23, 2005 Lawyers file for class action against Second Chance Armor - April 10, 2005 Employees: Second Chance Armor move will hurt town - March 26, 2005 Second Chance Body Armor moving to Alabama - March 25, 2005 Second Chance trustee seeks sale of president's assets - March 12, 2005 Study finds Second Chance vest inserts inadequate - February 8, 2005
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