Wisconsin Auction News

An Oregon man, Trent Stewart, was crowned the ”2007 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion” in Springfield this last Saturday.

Stewart had gained the title at the 44th annual contest at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center.

The “Reserve World Champion” was awarded to Ty Thompson of Billings Montana, and Tom Frey of Creston Iowa had the honor of being the “World Champion Runner Up”.

Curious as to what winning the World Auctioneer Contest will get you?  $5,000 and one-year use of a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab LT.  Not too bad, huh?  You’d better start practicing!

Inkster police officers working during the annual department auction netted well above their goal of $10,000 Saturday afternoon.

A final total of $14,941 will be deposited into the police forfeiture account as a result of the sale of cars, computer equipment, clothing, electronics and other items seized throughout the year during drug raids and other police actions, said interim Deputy Police Chief Erick Barnes.

“Having the auction is a major undertaking for the department,” he said. “All of the merchandise has to be cataloged properly.

“We exceeded our goal this year, and I give credit to all of the officers who helped make this year’s auction a success,” he said.

The auction took place Saturday, June 9 in the parking lot of the police headquarters on River Park Drive, and lured about 100 residents looking for items that typically would cost much more.

Barnes said believes that fact that three cars were available translated into more bargain hunters bidding during the event.

“Whenever you have high-end merchandise like vehicles up for auction, it’s bound to attract more people,” he said.

Those who picked up vehicles were among the biggest winners at the auction. Vehicles up for sale included a Mercedes, which sold for $3,200; a Lexus, which sold for $4,650, and a Mercury Cougar, which sold for $875.

Some officers involved in the organization of the auction were surprised at the numbers because there were fewer items up for sale this year.

Some items seized during raids were not yet released by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office – but those items will go on sale next year at the auction, which will be in June 2008, Barnes said. 

Auction proceeds are typically used to fund anti-drug enforcement activities.

 http://www.journalgroup.com/Inkster/4848/auction-nets-police-department-14000