Audio clip
Debbie Ledford Melton
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Staff Photos by Randall Higgins Don Ledford, founder of Don Ledford Automotive, talks with Thomas Hixson, of Ooltewah, in the Ledford dealership's service area in Cleveland, Tenn. The Ledford family, customers and local officials hope to convince General Motors to keep its brand in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- A community that once had four General Motors dealerships is rallying around the only one remaining, trying to convince the carmaker to keep its brands in town.
Don Ledford Automotive is scheduled to lose its GM dealership late in October, 2010.
There are other auto dealerships in Cleveland, including another American brand, Ford. But with the close of Hall Chevrolet this year, Don Ledford is the only remaining GM dealer.
"We are crying out for support," General Manager Debbie Ledford Melton said of her family's 28-year old company recently at the Cleveland City Council. The company includes the Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands.
Don Ledford Automotive has paid more than $1 million in business taxes into the community, she said, and about $19 million in sales taxes.
The council adopted a resolution supporting the company and asking GM to keep the local franchise. The Bradley County Commission is scheduled to make the same vote Monday.
Company founder Don Ledford said Friday he was surprised when GM included his Cleveland dealership on its closing list.
"I don't know what their thinking is," Mr. Ledford said.
"The community reaction is a lot stronger already than I thought it would be," he said. "It's good to know that people want you to be here."
GM sent letters to customers telling them of other dealerships close by in the region.
On the GM Web site, the automaker says it will not discuss dealership closings out of concern for the dealerships' privacy.
The company states on its Web site that be competitive, "restructuring of our dealer network is part of the overall effort to make GM a more competitive company."
Thomas Hixson was at the dealership on Friday and said he's been a customer for 10 years.
"It would be good for the community if GM kept them here," Mr. Hixson said.
The dealership is asking the community and its leaders to join in a Nov. 23 rally, the company's 28th anniversary. During the rally, which begins at 10 a.m., there will be opportunities to write statements and make YouTube videos addressed to General Motors.
"Some dealerships have been reinstated because of community and leadership support," Ms. Melton said.
IF YOU GO
What: Rally to save GM franchise in Cleveland
When: 10 a.m. Nov. 23
Where: Don Ledford Automotive, 4595 N. Lee Highway, Cleveland, Tenn.
Contact: www.donledford.com
Randall Higgins covers news in Cleveland, Tenn., for the Times Free Press. He started work with the Chattanooga Times in 1977 and joined the staff of the Chattanooga Times Free Press when the Free Press and Times merged in 1999. Randall has covered Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia and Alabama. He now covers Cleveland and Bradley County and the neighboring region. Randall is a Cleveland native. He has bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University. His awards ...
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