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Claxton dealership wants to stay open, wants to rally supporters

Claxton Dealership is appealing Chrysler's decision and asking people to get involved by signing an online petition

By JoAnn Merrigan
Published: May 21, 2009

The dismal weather matching the mood at Claxton Chrysler Dodge Jeep. They found out a week ago claxton as they try to deal with what's happening. "Well, we feel like we're real insignificant, that we're sacrificed and the big company just moves on," says owner Dan Womack.

Womack has been in Claxton for about five years. He has 12 employees and wants to keep all of them working. His general manager, Doug Shontz says many in town are supportive. "A lot of them are appalled. They just can't believe what Chrysler is doing to their home town dealership."

Both men say the dealership stands to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in new car inventory that can't be sold as new vehicles and warranty repair work. They also say Claxton residents would have to drive out of town to get repairs done. In addition, Womack says he's invested up to 150 thousand dollars in special tools that Chrysler required to service its vehicles.

Chrysler, which is in bankruptcy, is cutting nearly 800 dealers nationwide. (In our area, that also includes Savannah Dodge.) Both Savannah and Claxton are appealing the decision to the bankruptcy judge asking that if nothing else, that there be a delay.

They're also asking supporters to to the website www.Petition2Congress.com and register concerns. There's word there may be emergency legislation requiring a 60 day delay so dealerships would have more time to unload new car inventory.

"We've got 12 people here and their livelihoods depend on us," says Shontz. "If we just start drying up stuff around the town, the town dries up with it. It's going to devastate a lot of people. This is not just about us. But it's all about Chrysler and trying to save their own hind end."