Obama Administration Closes Family Business
- Rick Scarborough
- May 22, 2009
In 2003 George Joseph began the multi-million dollar process of renovating his Sunshine Dodge Isuzu dealership in Melbourne, FL in order to make it "more modern" - at Chrysler's insistence. Today? He is fighting to keep it open. His is one of almost 800 dealerships that Chrysler will be closing, short of a miracle.
Mr. Joseph employs 50 workers who are depending on him for their livelihood, all of whom will lose their jobs if the dealership closes as planned on June 9. He currently has 125 new Dodges on his lot and incurred a multi-million dollar debt when he renovated his dealership. He also has $300,000 in parts that may soon be worth nothing.
"We're going to save it in any way we can," Mr. Joseph said earlier this week. "I'm in very bad straits financially. How does one unwind 35 years of his life in three weeks?" He has also said that this could bankrupt his family, which has owned the dealership since 1974.
"We have a lot of employees who have never had another job in their lives," said Joseph. He has worked their since the beginning himself. His is just one example of many Americans who are frustrated and anxious about Chrysler's decision to terminate the dealers' franchise agreements.
He wrote and faxed the following heartbreaking letter to hundreds of politicians, asking them how this could happen in America:
May 19, 2009
Letter from a Dodge dealer
Letter to the editor
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
Where does an executive branch get the power to force corporations to close private businesses? If you don't stand for Mr. Joseph who do you think will stand for you if they decide to eliminate your job or business?
If this angers you as it does me select here to fax every member of Congress and every Senator and express your outrage at the government's intrusion into private business!
Select here to contact President Obama, your elected U.S. officials and state officials and express your feelings on this issue: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.
Select here to become a partner of Vision America. Select here to make a one-time donation.
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I remain...Your servant and friend,
Pastor Rick Scarborough
Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes. 2 Chronicles 19:7
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