March 20, 2009

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear «First Name»:

TRADESHOW BEGINS TONIGHT, FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL & MORE!!

If you didn’t read our latest In Case You Missed It e-newsletter, our fight to protect small business owners from Big Oil hit a new high on Monday.  After a long day of lobbying Legislators, the Senate version of our First Right of Refusal legislation passed 30-3!

Monday’s victory was a huge step forward for our Association in our quest to keep lessee dealers from having the rug pulled right out from under them.  I would like to personally thank all the lessee dealers and UDNJ for coming to Trenton and helping us get this bill passed!

However, the Legislature is now on their Budget Break and all activity in Trenton is geared toward getting next year’s budget passed.  That means it could take until early May before we’re back in Trenton to fight for this legislation. 

Regardless of when they reconvene, a battle looms ahead as we try to get our bill heard in the Assembly.  This dog fight isn’t over – not by a long shot.  We will need you to be prepared to act when the proper time comes.  Stay tuned and be ready to act when you see our next Wildfire Alert!

One final note: I’m thrilled with the efforts of Exxon and Shell dealers in helping us get First Right of Refusal passed.  They have been reliable and steadfast participants in convincing Legislators of our cause.  However, I'm greatly disappointed that LUKOIL and Sunoco lessee dealers have not participated thus far -- they are merely sitting idle while others fight their battles.

Let me be clear in this – If you are a LUKOIL or a Sunoco lessee dealer, you are going to be in the same fight very soon.  It’s not a rumor, it’s a coming reality.  It is simply unfair that others are advocating on your behalf while you stand still.  You have as much an interest in seeing First Right of Refusal succeed as the Exxon and Shell lessees do.

Put plainly, I’m not happy that you aren’t helping.  Please help get First Right of Refusal passed!!  Get involved before it’s too late.  The business that you help save may be your own!!

The NORTHEAST 2009 TRADESHOW starts TONIGHT!!  That’s right, after months of work and preparation NJGCA’s first tradeshow begins this evening at 6:00pm at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Meadowlands Expo Center is NOT in East Rutherford. It is located at 355 Plaza Drive - Secaucus, NJ 07094.  See www.mecexpo.com for more information.

If you haven’t done so already, click HERE to visit the NJGCA NORTHEAST 2009 Home Page for details!

First up on the agenda this evening will be our Paid Family Leave Seminar presented by our partners at the Employers Association of New Jersey.  This informational colloquium will explain how to implement the new, state-mandated Paid Family Leave Laws and how it will affect your small business!

Tomorrow, Saturday the 21st, NJGCA will host an Alternative Fuels Seminar. Moderated by Calisto Bertin of Bertin Engineering, this forum will focus on how the push for more environmentally sensitive fuels and technologies will affect the retail gasoline industry in the years ahead.

And lastly on Sunday, March 22nd, NJGCA will present a Family Fun Day event for all our members, their families, and employees. Enjoy an exciting afternoon of food, amusements, and activities as we reward our families for contributing to the success of your small business!!

All this and a world-class tradeshow with over 400 vendors and exhibitors, demonstrating the latest merchandise and services for your small business!  This is a MUST SEE event!

Check out our latest Events & Announcements e-Newsletter earlier this week with full details.  You can read it by clicking HERE

Last year, NJGCA fought the passage of the Predatory Towing Prevention Act and the over reaching rules it would impose on anyone operating a tow truck.

This week we are thrilled to announce that the law has been amended to protect honest tow truck operators.  Thanks to the efforts of our friends at ASSP/NJ and the Garden State Towman’s Association, the Predatory Towing Prevention Act was modified so that it only applies to private property/trespass tows and will not affect those who perform public or emergency tows.

We congratulate ASSP/NJ and the Garden State Towman’s Association on their victory!!

SEE YOU AT THE TRADE SHOW!!!

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

•NJGCA was speaks to Legislators to get First Right to Refusal passed in the Senate.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

•Governor rethinks his budget proposal
•Stimulus Update: Majority of funds will go to transportation needs
•Residents split on furloughs and property tax cuts
•NJGCA in the News: Risalvato pushes for First Right of Refusal



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 Monday, March 16, 2009.  NJGCA and lessee dealers were in Trenton to convince Senators to vote for S-2553, the Senate version of our First Right of Refusal legislation.  Small business owners and NJGCA Staffers flooded all levels of the State House to lobby key lawmakers.  The measure ultimately passed 30-3, but must now be heard before the full General Assembly.

NJGCA Members and lessee dealers stand at the back of the Gallery above
the Senate floor waiting for official proceedings to being.

Small business owners in the State House corridors wait to speak with Senators about
S-2553 and how it will help them own their business locations.

Executive Director Sal Risalvato speaks to lessee dealers seated in the Senate Gallery overlooking the Senate proceedings before the session begins.

Executive Director Sal Risalvato congratulates the assembled small business owners outside the State House after the State Senate passed S-2553 by a 30-3.

3/18/2009:
Governor rethinks his budget proposal
Harsh reaction from state residents has prompted Governor Corzine to reconsider parts of his budget plan, including his proposal to eliminate the state income-tax deduction for property taxes.  The idea is slated to save roughly $440 million next year, but has been sharply criticized by home owners.

3/12/2009:
Stimulus Update: Majority of funds will go to transportation needs
Cabinet members recently confirmed that over $1.05 billion dollars of New Jersey’s stimulus allotment would go to infrastructure projects.  Of that amount, $469 million will go to state roads and highways repairs and $424 million for mass transit.

3/11/2009:
Residents split on furloughs and property tax cuts
A recent Quinnipiac poll illustrates that Garden State residents are split on the idea of forcing state workers to take 12 furloughed days off and cutting property tax rebates for nearly all residents.

3/9/2009:
NJGCA in the News: Risalvato pushes for First Right of Refusal
Executive Director Sal Risalvato spoke with Oil Express on NJGCA’s efforts to get a First Right of Refusal bill passed in the State Legislature. Click above for more details.

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