Bing

The last blog was too long, so I will break this next topic into 2 postings.
     The day that the termination letter arrived, Keith called Detroit mayor Dave Bing to ask for his help.  He was a customer and had bought many cars from us.  Keith had to leave a message but mayor Bing called back within the hour.  Keith explained the situation.  Mayor Bing seemed outraged and said "They can't do that!" He said that he had connections at GM and he would call them immediately and get back to Keith.
    A few days went by and Keith spoke with his secretary and faxed some information to her.  A couple more days went by and Keith called again and emailed.  Nothing.  He never heard from him again.  Why didn't he call back?  Everything we knew about him showed that he was a stand up guy. Why didn't he call and just say "Sorry, can't help you out."? Did GM or some politician tell him to stay out of it?
    Bing's former top aide, Karen Dumas, was also a customer.  She is the woman who was just in the news a few weeks ago and was let go in somewhat of a news scandal.  Anyway, the day we closed the doors for good, she was there to pick up her vehicle which had been in the body shop with significant damage. There was trouble getting a certain part and she loudly accused us of deliberately stalling. It was so stupid.  She was making a scene at the cashier's window.  Most of the employees were in the showroom where the farewell was going on but Keith came onto the scene and when he realized who it was, proceeded to give her this:
     You've got a lot of nerve to come in here today and make faulty accusations and only be concerned for your own problems and why don't you come to the showroom and tell the 65 employees who are about to be unemployed in an hour about your petty little bull___ problem when your boss didn't lift a finger to save their jobs!!
    If you know, Keith, you know he doesn't back down.
 She did a complete 180 and apologized.  She went to leave and returned with an envelope with 4 Red Wing Tickets!  Can you imagine?
    Nothing that happens in the city of Detroit surprises us anymore.  All the stories of scandals, corruption, incompetence and inaction - that is not news to us. God help that city because it needs help!