Council backs auto dealer in franchise fight
Resolution asks for restoration of Chevy, Cadillac franchises
By DAVE RANK Daily News Staff
With a little more background information provided and the personal appeal of Heiser Automotive Group’s president, the Common Council changed its collective mind — mostly — and voted to support a resolution asking General Motors Co. to restore Heiser’s Chevrolet and Cadillac franchises in West Bend. Heiser Automotive Group Inc. has asked for arbitration on GM’s franchise revocation decision and Chris Dulla, the dealership’s president, said community support would help its cause. Two weeks ago, the seven aldermen decided not to act at all on the
resolution requested by Heiser protesting the removal of the dealership franchises from Heiser Chevrolet Cadillac of West Bend. On a 6-1 vote Monday, the Common Council voted to back the resolution. Alderman Tony Turner cast the lone no vote. “My position hasn’t changed,” he said. “I consider this almost meddling in the free enterprise system.” He did not feel the city should get involved in a private business decision. Others saw it bdifferently. Steve Hutchins asked for the reconsideration after he learned more from Heiser about GM’s decision, he said. It’s a local business asking for support, Hutchins said. “I think we should give them the support.” “We would be supportive of any business in the community,” said Roger Kist. Before its final vote, the council voted 5-2 to reconsider the resolution with Turner and Michael Schlotfeldt voting against. Schlotfeldt continued to express doubt about the resolution, stating another local GM dealer, Bob Fish Pontiac Buick GMC Inc., 2275 S. Main St., might apply for the franchises taken from Heiser. Dulla responded that there was no guarantee GM would want to restore the Chevrolet and Cadillac franchises in West Bend at all if his company lost its arbitration appeal. Heiser Chevrolet Cadillac of West Bend is located at 2620 W. Washington St. It employs 26 full- and part-time workers. Last year, GM received $50 billion in federal help to pull it out of bankruptcy, with the government receiving $2 billion in preferred stock and 61 percent of the company’s privately held common shares in return. The automaker has been consolidating its franchise dealerships to streamline operations, with Heiser’s West Bend site on its current hit list. The Chevrolet franchise has been in West Bend since 1984 with Heiser obtaining it in 2005. In 2008, Heiser bought the West Washington Street facilities from GM for $1.75 million, according to information released by the dealer. Heiser Automotive Group also owns Heiser Toyota, Scion, Milwaukee; Heiser Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Glendale; Heiser Chevrolet, West Allis; and Heiser’s Northpoint Ford, Milwaukee, as well as 76th Street Body Shop, Milwaukee, and Heiser Collision Center, West Allis.