News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2009
Contact: Pia Brady, Jennifer Brunner Committee Press Secretary
(Office) 614-602-6529 / (Cell) 614-579-7473
Brunner Calls on Congress to Aid Shuttered Dealerships
Candidate Says Government Must Minimize Disruption to Affected Employees & Communities
COLUMBUS -- Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner today called on the U.S. Senate to take an active role in assisting those auto dealers slated for closure by Chrysler and General Motors, as well as those communities hurt by plants and dealerships closing.
“We must ensure that our nation’s auto dealers are treated fairly and equitably, and that they have an opportunity to close their operations in a manner that minimizes hardships to their employees and their communities,” Brunner said. “Many Ohio auto dealers are third- and fourth-generation family businesses that play a vital role in their communities, and when they are forced to close through no fault of their own, government has a responsibility to step in and help.”
Brunner noted that the impact of these dealership closings is likely to be felt throughout Ohio, thereby hampering the state’s economic recovery. “Every time a dealership or an auto plant closes, it means fewer Ohioans working, more unemployment, less community involvement, and a loss of thousands of dollars in sales tax revenue for the affected city or town, as well as the state,” Brunner added. “In other words, it’s a lose-lose proposition.”
Ohio has been especially hard hit by recent closings. GM recently announced its plans to shutter a distribution center in Groveport employing 80, as well as a stamping plant in Mansfield that employs about 700 and a powertrain facility in Parma that employs 37.
Brunner also questioned whether GM and Chrysler needed to eliminate so many dealerships; Chrysler alone announced the closing of nearly 800 dealerships earlier this year and GM is expected to announce even more. “Closing these facilities will create a tremendous void in the communities where they are located. Automobile dealerships are an integral part of many communities. They provide generous donations to United Way chapters, sponsor Little League Baseball teams and create a substantial amount of revenue in newspaper advertisements. Loyal customers were created because the dealerships created deep seeded community bonds. Communities were loyal to the dealers not the company brand. Closing these dealerships will change the basic fabric of American life –loyalty to home town business,” said Brunner.
Brunner has been endorsed by national
and local labor unions for her commitment to labor issues and working
families. She is currently running in the May 2010 Democratic primary
for U.S. Senate to replace retiring Senator Voinovich.