“They have given Santa Paula every chance, and we really appreciate that they stuck it out as long as they did... we commend them for supporting Santa Paula and working to make the business successful.” Now, Bobkiewicz added, “Our hopes are to get a new business in there that can even come close to being such a fine business that Ford of Santa Paula has been.”“This is a big loss throughout the community in so many ways... for the dealership employees, for the community in general,” and the impact on city sales tax revenues,” said City Economic Development Specialist Rochelle Margolin. “We’ve offered to assist them any way we can.”Ford of Santa Paula proved itself to be “excellent citizens that worked well with the community and the city... we tried to assist them the best we could with the resources we could.” Although a top sales tax revenue producer, Margolin said the dealership will be “missed, not just as a car dealer, but because of who they are.”The city, Margolin added, will do whatever it can to “help with the transition and what might become of the building to help support the community again.” Representatives of Ford of Santa Paula were not available for comment by press deadline.Stark economic downturns, rising gasoline prices and the collapsing housing market have negatively affected auto sales throughout the nation. In late 2006 a Ford dealership closed in Ojai, and last year a Chatsworth-based Ford dealership abruptly shut down after just 14 months in business.
Ford of Santa Paula to close dealership February 29
February 22, 2008
Santa Paula News
A company that epitomized community service, as well as being a major sales tax revenue source for the city, is closing, with February 29 being the last day for Ford of Santa Paula.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA company that epitomized community service, as well as being a major sales tax revenue source for the city, is closing, with February 29 being the last day for Ford of Santa Paula.The dealership, located on South Hallock Drive, was purchased by Hamer-Toyota, a legendary Santa Fernando Valley dealership, in October 2003. The purchase was the first time that Hamer, founded in 1939, had been involved in another dealership.Ford of Santa Paula personnel lived up to the company’s vow to become involved in community service, with Bud Brown, Hamer’s public relations director, becoming active with the Chamber of Commerce - he is credited with leading several record fundraising golf tournaments - and other organizations, including those benefiting youth and public safety. The company was a good neighbor and corporate citizen, said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.“We’re sad about what’s happening with Ford of Santa Paula, and have nothing but compliments for Steve (Mares, the general manager) and Bud for the operation they ran.... We’ve dealt with them for years” on various issues, including “making sure that we could buy vehicles from them other than state contracts” normally utilized by municipalities.
