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Road Warrior Newsletter
 


 

February 08, 2018

Dear NJGCA Member:

Thank you for reading this week's NJGCA Road Warrior!

Here is what you will find in this edition:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:
• Membership Fairness Doctrine Refresher; Testimony to Transportation Committee on Safety Inspections; Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act
 

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
- Monmouth County: Gas Station and Repair Shop Business Since 2001
- Asbury Park: Commercial Building for Sale. Possible Sale of Business
- Bergen County: Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

• Supporters Hope Latest Out-of-Network Bill Becomes Law 
• Expect Gasoline Prices to Increase Into Spring, Maybe Summer

• Coffee May Come With a Cancer Warning in California
• Toyota Recalls 645K Vehicles Worldwide Because Airbags Could Fail

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
• Emissions Inspector Training Class, THURSDAY, February 15th
• Section 8,9 & 10 Re-Certification Class, MONDAY, March 5th; TUESDAY, March 13th, THURSDAY, March 15th, & MONDAY, March 19th

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD
• The Amato Agency: Garage Insurance and Workers Compensation! 
• ATS Environmental: Confidence in your Tank & Compliance Testing

• Bellomo Fuel: Exceptional Service, Aggressive Petroleum Marketing
• CBIZ Insurance: Our Business is Growing Yours!

• Gill Energy: Getting you There!
• Lending Capital: "Commercial Loans Made Easy" Program
• Salomone Brothers: Tank Testing and Environmental Compliance
• TMP Energy Solutions: Another Way to Save On Your Energy Bills

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
• Participate in the NJGCA PAC today and help us keep our Agenda rolling in Trenton!

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE
TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE

                                                                                                                                       

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!

MEMBERSHIP FAIRNESS DOCTRINE REFRESHER
TESTIMONY TO TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ON SAFETY INSPECTIONS
COMMON SENSE NUTRITION DISCLOSURE ACT

The following subject was not on my radar to be discussed in this week’s newsletter, however, a former member who dropped membership seven years ago called me very angry because an official from the Department of Weights and Measures stopped in to inspect his location. Weights and Measures was there at my request as another long-time member called me with a complaint. The former member expressed his anger that I would call the authorities and inquired why I did not notify him first to correct any perceived violations. I informed the non-member that we always afford these types of courtesies to current members, however, since he has not been a member for seven years, he is not entitled to this service. I explained to the former member the terms of our Membership Fairness Doctrine, where NJGCA guarantees in writing that non-members will not receive the same assistance as paying members that support the organization. It is just that simple! We run into situations like this regularly, but since this happened shortly before sitting to write this newsletter, I’m still angry that this person thinks he is entitled to the same courtesies that I would extend to any of you who pay your dues. I will remind you every now and then that you are entitled to this as an NJGCA member.
 
The Assembly Transportation Committee held an open hearing last week and invited NJGCA to testify on any issue that we would like to see the committee undertake. The hearing was called at the last minute and as I had a previously scheduled commitment, Eric Blomgren testified in my absence. We decided since we had already made a presentation to the new governor’s administration asking for consideration to close all central inspection lanes and have inspections conducted at private facilities, that it was a good idea to make a similar presentation to the Transportation Committee. The new governor announced several weeks ago the name of his choice to head the Motor Vehicle Commission, but I just learned that his nominee has declined the position. I will let you know when a new Motor Vehicle Chief is in place, as we will have to work with him on all aspects of the inspection system.
 
Next, I want to thank all of you that responded to our last minute request on Monday to contact your member of Congress regarding the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (HR 772). Even for those of you who do not operate convenience stores, we appreciate the support for your fellow members. This is a burdensome issue for convenience stores; the passing of this legislation will keep convenience store owners from having to make cumbersome regulations that deal with excessive menu labeling. These regulations were part of President Obama’s healthcare legislation efforts. The House of Representatives passed this relief for convenience store owners on Tuesday by a vote of 266-157. NJGCA members from all over the state participated by contacting their member of Congress. We noticed every member of Congress in New Jersey heard from NJGCA members, but for some reason, Congressman Payne, representing Essex, Hudson, and Union counties did not receive any emails on this legislation. Just as a reminder, we rely on your participation to move our policy goals forward and be able to best represent your interests in Trenton and Washington. Legislators depend on the voice of their constituents in order to make decisions in your best interest. For the next special alert we send, do not hesitate to reach out to your member of Congress and let them know where you stand on issues that affect your business!

 

Unitl next week -

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                     

TRAINING CLASSES!!

All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 4900 Route 33 West, Wall Township, NJ 07753
 

Emissions Inspector Training Class - One Day Only!
THURSDAY, February 15th -- 7am to 3pm

Want one of your technicians to become a NJ Emissions Inspector? We can help! Our one-day class will provide all the information for becoming a NJ Emissions Inspector, and the State will administer the written test the very same day at our offices!  We are offering the class: Thursday, February 15 from 7:00am to 3:00pm. Cost $275.
Click HERE for the registration form.


ETEP Re- Certification Class: Sections 8,9 & 10
Section 8: Monday, March 5th
Section 9: Tuesday March 13th & Thursday March 15th
Section 10: Monday, March 19th
2:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Do you have an emission repair technician that needs re-certification? We are offering sections 8-10 classes this march! This four day class meets NJ DEP's requirements for re-certification. Member rate: $675 & Non-Member rate: $795 Call our office if you need more information. 
Click HERE for the registration form.

FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 732-256-9646 or DEBBIE@NJGCA.ORG TO LET HER KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING A SPECIFIC CLASS.  THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GAUGE YOUR NEEDS AND KEEP TRACK OF THOSE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE!!

                                                                                                                                 

 CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS

FOR SALE:

Business For Sale: Monmouth County gas station and repair shop in business since 2001 is for sale. Owner is relocating out of state and is interested in selling business and equipment. Owner is open to limited financing. Business has a strong 10 year lease. The building has two repair bays and the gas pumps are leased to a large independent tenant. Repair shop business currently employs a Manager and two full-time Technicians. For inquiries and more info, please call Mark at 908-670-7798.
 

FOR SALE:
Commercial Building in Asbury Park, Possible Sale of Business, Too!  For listing information, please click HERE.
 
FOR SALE:
Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale in Bergen County!

Business established in 1980. Fully equipped repair shop with 5 lifts including an alignment rack with a 2-year-old Hunter Hawkeye alignment machine. New Hunter tire machine & wheel balancer. AAA aproved and very busy.
 
Towing business also available which includes 3 Freightliner/JerrDan flatbeds (2015, 2016 & 2017), a 2012 Dodge crew cab wrecker with a Jerrdan Quick Pick & dual cable winch & 2 service trucks (a 2012 GMC 2500 utility truck with a plow & a 2014 Ford transit battery/service vehicle).

Pumping over 1,000,000 gallons per year. 100x300 lot with plenty of parking. Excellent location!!! Call Jim @ 201-851-3084.

         
 

                                                                                                                                     

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

2/6/18
Supporters hope latest out-of-network bill becomes law

Given the recent changes in the law in Oregon, this report digs deeper into the history of self-serve gas around the country. The practice goes back as far as 1905, when motorists could get gas at “filling stations.” 

2/1/18
Expect Gasoline Prices to Increase into Spring, Maybe Summer

Most of the country will transition to low RVP rating at the bulk wholesale level in March and April, and suppliers must have summer-grade gasoline at retail outlets no later than June 1. These are important dates for anyone in the business regardless of where you sit on the supply chain, as the transition to lower rated RVP gasoline affects operations at refineries, terminals, and in the back office amid the supply rotation. This is also a key factor in why gasoline prices increase from winter to spring historically. 

2/1/18
Coffee may come with a cancer warning in California
California coffee shops may soon have to warn customers of possible cancer risks linked to coffee consumption, as a potential cancer-causing chemical acrylamide is created when coffee beans are roasted. A lawsuit first filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2010 targets several companies that make or sell coffee, including Starbucks, 7-Eleven and BP. In addition to paying fines, the lawsuit wants companies to post warnings about acrylamide with an explanation about the potential risks of drinking coffee. If the suit is successful, the signs would need to be clearly posted at store counters or on walls where someone could easily see them when making a purchase.

 
2/1/18:
Toyota recalls 645K vehicles worldwide because airbags could fail
Toyota is recalling 645,000 vehicles worldwide after the company discovered a defect that could prevent the deployment of airbags in a crash. The affected airbag systems could develop an open circuit that would cause the airbag warning light to illuminate, which in turn may prevent the activation of side and curtain shield air bags, or the front air bags. The defect may also cause all three kinds of air bag to simultaneously fail in a crash.  
                                                                                                                                                                                          
MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD:

 
      






TMP Energy Solutions
Another Way to Save on Your Energy Bills
We have had a number of NJGCA members successfully reduce their rate per kWh signing up through our energy saving program. We know it's difficult to collect 12 months worth of previous electric bills to get an "accurate" analysis when comparing a variable rate to a fixed rate, but we now have another option available. 
 
This new solution is a power purchase option; the other program is still in full force and has saved members thousands of dollars. If you sign up for the power purchase option, you will be grouped with other NJGCA members until the minimum kW demand is acquired. By pooling the member's usage together, you will be able to take advantage, as large energy users do, and receive a lower kWh rate.
 
Each member will receive their own contract. Each member is responsible to sign and return the agreement the day it is received in order to secure the price for their group. Please do your due diligence, so when you receive the proposal and the agreement you will be able to make an intelligent decision.
 
If by chance, you still want us to assess you bills, to give you a price to compare, we will require 12 months of your most recent utility bills. There are no bills required, but we would still like to have one bill per meter on file to check account #'s, meter #'s  service addresses and other pertinent information incase there is a problem.
 
The term of the agreement is for 12 months. During this term period, you will have price protection against any energy price increases along with a low fixed kWh rate.
 
If you are interested in becoming part of this power purchase option, please contact Greg Cannon at the NJGCA.
Remember when you sign up your energy through the NJGCA Energy Program, TMP makes a considerable donation to the NJGCA Scholarship Fund through their proceeds. This has no affect on your rate, and costs you nothing out of pocket.
 
We hope to help hundreds of NJGCA members reduce their utility costs by participating in this and our other cost reduction programs.  Our purpose, in the endeavor, is to help NJGCA members lower their energy costs while supporting the NJGCA Scholarship Fund. 
 
Contact GREG CANNON at 732-256-9646 or email Greg at greg@njgca.org. Mention that you are interested in saving money on your energy bills. NJGCA & TMP Energy Solutions will handle all the rest. 
                                                                                                                                                                        


POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
DEFENDING OUR MEMBERS.
PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS.
ANSWER THE CALL & CONTRIBUTE TODAY!!
Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members.

However, in order to truly affect the debate, we must ensure our friends in the Legislature are re-elected. It is for this reason that your Association has established the NJGCA PAC.

For too long, the weight of funding our Political Action Committee, the arm of the Association responsible for political donations, has rested upon a few. This is not only unfair to those few members who have shouldered this burden, but means we are not utilizing our full strength to affect the debate in Trenton.
To truly understand the importance of supporting our allies, consider our successes in Trenton:
We defeated BELOW COST SELLING
We made history in getting FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL signed into law!
We have built large support for RIGHT TO REPAIR and got it passed out of the Assembly
We defended your small business against the false accusations of Attorney General Anne Milgram
We gained wide support to move New Jersey to an all PIF Inspection System and close the CIF lanes
...and MUCH MORE!!
In each instance, we achieved these goals with the help of our friends in the Legislature!

If every member contributes just $100.00 we will be able to provide the help necessary to ensure victory for our allies. 

 
PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO:
NJGCA PAC
4900 Route 33 West, Suite 100
Wall Township, NJ 07753
Please make your donation payable to NJGCA PAC

 
I understand that times are tough for all NJGCA members, but this is just as important as any battle we have fought in the past.
 
We have made great progress in Trenton. I hope that you will answer the call. 
                                                                                                                                     
Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior.  Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.