The Bradley County Commission on Monday unanimously agreed to approve a resolution urging General Motors to continue to supply Don Ledford Automotive with their products.
Commissioner Lisa Stanbery made a motion for the resolution after Debbie Ledford Melton, general manager of Don Ledford Automotive in Cleveland, explained the situation at her family’s dealership.
Ms. Melton said that Don Ledford Automotive has served Cleveland and Bradley County for the last 28 years, and GM is now planning to pull their franchises of Buick, GMC and Cadillac from Don Ledford Automotive.
“I’m not mad at GM, but I’m very disappointed,” Ms. Ledford said. “I am fighting for my family business.”
According to a news story, other communities have had their GM dealerships reinstated thanks to community support. Ms. Ledford is hopeful that the same can happen in Cleveland.
To begin a groundswell of support, Ms. Ledford announced Nov. 23 as a customer rally day at Don Ledford Automotive.
She also provided commissioners with contact information of key GM representatives and asked each commissioner to send letters and e-mails and contact GM via phone concerning the issue.
“We should be able to say something about that, since the federal government put a little money in that,” said Commissioner Howard Thompson. “Shouldn’t we?” With that, the commission approved the resolution.
Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis also reported that sales tax collections are down $4,000 from last year.
Following this announcement, the commission approved the consent agenda, which included budget amendment requests from Emergency Medical Agency, Traffic Safety Grant, Board of Education, Relapse Prevention Initiative and Juvenile Services, as well as numerous appointments to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Agriculture Board, Southeast Tennessee Community Corrections Advisory Board, Nursing Home Board and Recreation Board.
daniel@danielkbrantley.com