SCOTT SIDELL is the general manager of Tonkin Subaru & Tonkin Chevrolet Buick GMC in The Dalles. He has been given a glimpse of rural generosity by a community member buying his dinners and others coming by to meet him and welcome him to the area.
SCOTT SIDELL is the general manager of Tonkin Subaru & Tonkin Chevrolet Buick GMC in The Dalles. He has been given a glimpse of rural generosity by a community member buying his dinners and others coming by to meet him and welcome him to the area.
Scott Sidell, general manager of the new Tonkin dealership in The Dalles, was surprised to have his check for dinner at the Baldwin Saloon picked up last week by a community member.
He said Dan McHale of Hire Electric paid the bill to welcome him into town and that was a “great introduction to rural life.”
In addition to being treated to dinner, Sidell said several people recognized him from a photo that ran in the Chronicle and came up to introduce themselves.
“Dinner was great and the conversations were great,” he said. “There is just a nice feel to this town.”
He recently arrived from a Tonkin dealership in Gresham to oversee operations at Tonkin Subaru & Tonkin Chevrolet Buick GMC, 2222 West Sixth Street.
Sidell said the relationship between Tonkin and the community “works both ways” so free hot dogs will soon be served on Sundays at the dealership. The doors are open seven days a week and Sidell said the staff is looking forward to a little grilling action.
“We want to be part of the community,” he said.
Sidell came from a Tonkin dealership in Gresham to oversee the transition after the company purchased Bob Stone Freeway Autocenter.
He said the inventory has expanded because Tonkin has 14 dealerships to draw vehicles from. Any car or truck featured on the website, www.tonkin. com, can easily be driven to The Dalles if requested by the customer.
“That saves people the 90-minute drive there and the 90 miles back,” said Sidell.
He said the business also offers more trucks, both new and pre-owned, to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers.
Although he does not have a background in agriculture, Sidell said his wife, Pam, and daughter, Sydney, are equestrians and the family enjoys riding and attending hunter/jumper events.
“We enjoy the country and look forward to getting to know folks in the more rural parts of the Mid-Columbia region,”
For now, Sidell is commuting to The Dalles and using the ride to gather his thoughts before work and unwind after his day.
“It’s a beautiful drive and the scenery is magnificent,” he said. “I’ve heard that the weather can get pretty challenging but it’s been pretty nice so far.”
Sidell said Bob Stone, owner of Freeway Autocenter, had a long history of civic involvement that Tonkin also plans to pursue.
“We are super excited about continuing some of Mr. Stone’s commitments and taking on others to show our support for the community,” he said.
The Tonkin family of dealerships is Oregon’s 17th largest private employer and was voted one of the “Best 100 Companies in Oregon to Work For.”
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