Toledo, OH- Vern Maier a truck driver from Hawkins, New Jersey has been stuck in downtown Toledo for the last 5 years. In March of 2004 Mr. Maier was traveling through Toledo via I80 when his truck needed fuel. Rather than stop at one of the many gas stations along the Ohio Turnpike Mr. Maier ventured in to downtown Toledo looking to fill up. While looking for diesel fuel in downtown Toledo Mr. Maier received a call from his mother in St. Paul Minnesota with the devasting news that his father had just passed. Mr. Maier exited his truck to pre-pay for the diesel, upon returning to his truck Mr. Maier discovered that someone had stolen his 1989 Kenworth XL356 18 wheel truck and all of his earthly possessions. All Mr. Maier had left was the $25.32 left in his pocket, which left him just .80 cents short of a greyhound bus ticket to St. Paul. Mr. Maier who could often be seen asking for money around 5/3 Field in the summer as well as the parking lot international park quickly became a local celebrity.
Upon hearing the news of Mr. Maier's success local business owner Rola Harris said
" I knew Mr. Maier pretty well, he used to come into the store here every day and ask for .80 cents, he had the longest story I have ever hear by someone asking for just .80 cents. He would always start off by saying, Hand to god I'm not a bad guy, I never thought he was bad but damn that man was annoying"
Local businessman Dan Weis said "I used to see him outside of Hens games all the time, he was always wearing the same white shirt and black hat, nice guy but he has to get a shorter story" when we informed Mr. Weis of Mr. Maiers success and just how long he had been here Mr. Weis said
"Really? 5 years? damn......5 years for .80 cents? are you sure he didn't work for our local government?"
As happy as we Toledo should be for Mr. Maiers success the grim reality has set in that the local population has dropped by one more person.
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