March 13, 2009

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear «First Name»:

Your Patience and Efforts are Required:
EXCELLENT WORK: NJGCA & LESSEE DEALERS GET A-3726 PASSED IN COMMITTEE!!
Passage an important victory, but this battle is far from over!
NORTHEAST 2009 TRADESHOW begins in ONE WEEK!

I am asking all NJGCA members to be patient with all of the communications you will be receiving from me in the next week.  It is imperative that I notify you as every development occurs in the fight to pass First Right of Refusal legislation.

Unfortunately the action in Trenton is happening at the same time I must communicate with you to share details for our first ever trade show taking place next weekend.

I am asking for your patience, and I am asking you to please read every message I send, as every communication will contain important information and instructions.  In another week I promise to be quieter (well not really..but I will try) and resume my normal weekly communications.

NOW GET READY FOR THE DOG FIGHT!

Two weeks ago, I informed you that NJGCA and lessee dealers were successful in getting S-2553 – the Senate version of our First Right of Refusal legislation – passed in the Senate Commerce Committee.  I said that it was a significant first step to see the bill passed, but that we were in for a dog fight.
 
Today, I’m thrilled to say that our efforts were successful in getting the Assembly version of First Right of Refusal (A-3726) passed by the Assembly Transportation Committee!!  I was very proud to see all of you who showed up to participate in today’s hearing.  I have special appreciation for UDNJ and their efforts in this fight.
 
BUT…I need you to get right back to work.  The battle is far from over and we still have a whole lot of work to do before we see First Right of Refusal become law.  DO NOT be a slouch and stay home thinking the other guy will show up….so you won’t have to!  DO YOUR PART!  NO SLACKERS PLEASE!

Big Oil and their allies will be fighting us the entire way!

On Monday, S-2553 – the Senate version of First Right of Refusal – will be up for a floor vote in the Senate.  There is still a chance that we can get A-3726 on the Assembly board list for Monday as well.

Why are we pushing so hard to get these bills passed?  We must get these bills voted on before the Legislature goes on their Budget Break.  Once it begins, nearly every legislative action will be focused on next year’s budget.  Since we are well aware that Exxon and Shell will soon divest their retail assets, it is imperative that we get this addressed NOW – or it may be months before we see further action.

So what do you have to do?  BE AN ACTIVIST!  We need you to call your State Senators and Speaker Roberts to move these bills along! 

You should have received our latest Wildfire Alert with instructions on how to proceed.  If you haven’t read it already, click HERE to see what YOU MUST DO to help us claim victory on Monday!

In only ONE WEEK, the NORTHEAST 2009 Tradeshow officially begins at the Meadowlands Expo Center! 

This three day show promises to be a MUST SEE event!  We recently sent out a special Events & Announcements e-Newsletter with full details.  You can read it by clicking HERE

And don’t forget, if you haven’t done so already, SAVE an extra $10.00 and register online today for NORTHEAST 2009!  Sign up yourself, your business partners, and your employees NOW to avoid long lines at the door. DO NOT MISS FAMILY DAY MARCH 22!!

Go to http://www.aaspnjnortheast.com/Registration.aspx to register.  Then mark your calendars for March 20-22 – This will truly be an event you cannot miss!

Sadly, I’m concluding this week’s Road Warrior on a somber note. Long-time NJGCA member Charles Pritchard tragically lost his son, Daniel, on February 22nd.  Daniel was shot to death while working part-time as a gas attendant at his station in Verona.  You can read more about this heartbreaking story HERE and HERE.  Please send your sincerest thoughts and prayers to the entire Pritchard Family on this terrible loss.

See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:

THE NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS

•Opportunity Knocks: Are you interested in acquiring a new location?

SNAPSHOTS

•From NJGCA's appearance before the Assembly Transportation Committee

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

•NJ Property Tax Average tops $7,000 per home
•Governor’s budget proposal sobering
•NJGCA in the News: Gas fumes & smoking don’t mix!
•Garden State to receive $524M for mass transit



THE NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS

Emily Bielen, owner of John’s American Service Center, recently contacted NJGCA for help in selling her small business.

For full location details and to view this classified ad, please click HERE

Interested parties are to contact Emily Bielen at 732-388-9291

If you are interested in placing a classified ad, please contact Debbie Hill.

SNAPSHOTS...

…From Thursday, March 12, 2009.  NJGCA testified before the Assembly Transportation, Public Works, and Independent Authorities Committee in support of A-3726, our First Right of Refusal legislation.  The bill is aimed at protecting small business lessees, such as the Exxon and Shell lessee dealers in attendance.  Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, a Prime Sponsor of the bill, testified on behalf of the proposal.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick testifies before the Assembly Committee with NJGCA Member Jeff O'Connor.  Jeff is Assemblyman Bramnick’s constituent and recounted his own negative experiences after Big Oil sold his location to a distributor.



Assembled lessee dealers and NJGCA supporters listen to the Assembly Committee deliberate and take testimony on First Right of Refusal.



Executive Director Sal Risalvato and attorney Peter Gunst, a legal expert on the Petroleum Marketers Practices Act, testify before the Assembly Committee.

Executive Director Sal Risalvato addresses the assembled lessee dealers outside the State House after the Assembly Committee hearing adjourned.

3/12/2009:
NJ Property Tax Average tops $7,000 per home
Though statistically the smallest average increase in property taxes in over a decade, Garden State residents now pay an average of  more than $7,000 per home for the first time ever. 

3/9/2009:
Governor’s budget proposal sobering
Citing a need to cut spending in light of economic difficulties, Governor Corzine has proposed a budget for next year that will raise taxes on businesses and the wealthy, and eliminate property tax rebates for most households.  Also included were tax hikes on cigarettes, wine and liquor.

3/8/2009:
NJGCA in the News: Gas fumes & smoking don’t mix!
Bergen County Record Reporter John Cichowski, recently asked Executive Director Sal Risalvato to respond to a reader’s question: "Just how flammable are gasoline fumes?"  See Sal’s colorful response at the link above.

3/5/2009:
Garden State to receive $524M for mass transit
New Jersey will be allocated $524 million from President Obama’s stimulus package to be used for mass transit projects.  State officials are permitted to use the funds toward high-priority projects at both the Department of Transportation and NJ Transit.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES IN OUR “NEWS AROUND THE STATE” ARCHIVE