By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 commentator
Dallas, TX – What does Land Commissioner and candidate for Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, married couples, and auto repair shops, have in common? I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Middays. The answer: a lot. According to this week's Dallas Business Journal, David Dewhurst's blind trust is a key investor in a group of franchised auto-repair shops moving into the Metroplex. Oh, and only married couples need apply. Those are the only people the company is recruiting for ownership. This disturbing on many levels.
First, as explained to me by reporter David Wethe, a blind trust is set up for politicians and managed by an outside, independent party to make investments. So just how blind is this trust? Dewhurst's brother Gene is the manager.
Second, they require both man and wife to work there, together, everyday. What makes a married couple more qualified to own and operate an auto-repair shop then let's say, anybody else? I spent six years involved in the auto industry and I'll take passion and knowledge any day over a marriage license. The owner of my dealership started out as a porter. He knows the business from the ground up. The article goes on to say that the owners of the Frisco store "keep two books handy: Auto Repair for Dummies" and "Total Car Care for the Clueless." I rest my case.
And third, did I mention the name of these auto-repair shops? Christian Brothers Automotive. There are no brothers with the last name Christian. This makes me nuts. Mark Carr, president and majority owner of Christian Brothers, says he selected this name to differentiate it from other auto-repair shops. Why does it sound like he's using the religion card? Out of all the names in the world to choose from...
Oh, and Mr. and Mrs. Auto-Repair Shop Owner, forget about growing and branching out. Christian Brothers allows only one franchise per couple. This way you can catch up on your reading. For KERA Marketplace Middays, I'm Maxine Shapiro.
Marketplace Midday Reports air on KERA 90.1 Monday - Friday at 1:04 PM.