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A LETTER TO AMERICA FROM A DODGE DEALER |
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Written by George C. Joseph
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Thursday, 21 May 2009 |
My name
is George C. Joseph. I am the sole owner of Sunshine Dodge-Isuzu, a family
owned and operated business in Melbourne, Florida.
My family bought and paid for this automobile franchise 35 years ago in 1974. I
am the second generation to manage this business.
We
currently employ 50+ people and before the economic slowdown we employed over
70 local people. We are active in the community and the local chamber of
commerce. We deal with several dozen local vendors on a day to day basis and
many more during a month. All depend on our business for part of their
livelihood.
We
are financially strong with great respect in the market place and
community. We have strong local presence and stability. I work every day the store is open, nine to
ten hours a day. I know most of our customers and all our employees.
Sunshine Dodge is my life.
On
Thursday, May 14, 2009 I
was notified that my Dodge franchise, that we purchased, will be taken away
from my family on June 9, 2009
without compensation and given to another dealer at no cost to
them.
My
new vehicle inventory consists of 125 vehicles with a financed balance of 3
million dollars. This inventory becomes impossible to sell with no
factory incentives beyond June 9,
2009. Without the Dodge franchise we can no longer sell a new Dodge
as "new," nor will we be able to do any warranty service work.
Additionally,
my Dodge parts inventory, (approximately $300,000) is virtually worthless
without the ability to perform warranty service. There is no offer from
Chrysler to buy back the vehicles or parts inventory.
Our
facility was recently totally renovated at Chrysler's insistence, incurring a
multi-million dollar debt in the form of a mortgage at Sun Trust Bank.
HOW
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CAN THIS HAPPEN?
THIS
IS A PRIVATE BUSINESS NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY.
This
is beyond imagination! My business is being stolen from me through NO
FAULT OF OUR OWN. We did NOTHING wrong.
This
atrocity will most likely force my family into bankruptcy. This will also
cause our 50+ employees to be unemployed. How will they provide for their
families? This is a total economic disaster.
HOW
CAN THIS HAPPEN IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY IN THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA?
I
beseech your help, and look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Sincerely,
George
C. Joseph
President
& Owner
Sunshine Dodge-Isuzu
Melbourne,
Florida
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