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Road Warrior Newsletter
 

July 22, 2011

Dear NJGCA Member:

Here's what you'll find in this edition of the NJGCA Road Warrior, and thank you for reading:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!
On The Road in your mailbox, USDOL, Meetings with Legislators and more

NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•Private sector job market improves, but state’s unemployment numbers rise
•Right to Repair proponents in Massachusetts present 43,000 letters in support of legislation
•Report: Motorists holding onto their cars, put more miles on their vehicles
•Twelve automakers band together to protest E15 proposal

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE
ETEP TRAINING ADDED TO CLASS SCHEDULE!  See our THREE class options below!

MEET THE FOLKS AT LIBERTY GAS
•Looking for a new brand for your station? Take a look at the opportunity below!

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE
•TMP Energy Solutions: Another Way to Save On Your Energy Bills!

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR LEASE
•Interested in acquiring or leasing a property?  See below!

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM BELLOMO FUELS
•Serving New Jersey since 1910 -- Over 100 years of supplying gasoline retailers like YOU!

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

THE MEMBER TOOL BOX
•On the NJGCA Homepage
•Know your Territory Manager!


 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS

ON THE ROAD IN YOUR MAILBOX, USDOL, MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS AND MORE

Late last week or early this week you should have received (or will soon receive) the latest edition of On The Road, our official publication.  Though I know that you are busy running your business, and trying hard to balance work and family during the summer, please make a conscious effort to read completely through the entire magazine. 

As you’ll instantly be able to tell from the cover, the overall theme of this edition is how adding a convenience store to your establishment can be a smart business move.  We’ve included a few articles that highlight and outline some of the benefits and draw backs of adding a c-store.  The coverage starts on page 18.

In addition, I’d like to point out a few key pieces that you should look out for:

Page 3 - Executive Director Message:  Take a look at my message to get an update on some of the events swirling around Trenton.

Page 6 - Legislative Roundup: Read through a number of critical issues that are important to your small business. 

Page 10 - The Mechanics Lien: Learn how you can ‘repossess’ a customer’s car for not paying their bill – Legally!

Page 12 - Training Class Schedule: See our new class schedule for all you education needs (or just scroll below to see them in this Road Warrior!)

Page 30 - E15 or NOT E15: The government has proposed a mandate that revises the current blend of motor fuel for to include 5% more ethanol on vehicles produced in 2001 and later.  Will this affect you?

If you haven’t received the latest edition of the OTR, you can click HERE to view it online at our website.

The lazy days of summer maybe a time for vacations and trips to the beach for most, but that doesn’t mean that we’re resting on our laurels while others are soaking up the sun.  While it may be a bit quieter than when the Legislature is in session, we are using this “quiet time” to follow up with key legislators on three important topics: The Below Cost selling proposals that have been floating around Trenton, the Internet Lottery bill, and the Cash/Credit signage bill. 

That means we have a series of meetings lined up over the next two months to discuss these issues and more.  However, we may be calling you and other members to join us in meeting with these legislators.  Why?  Because if you live in a particular legislator’s district (or operate your establishment in their district), having you join us can be incredibly persuasive.  Legislators like to hear from their constituents and putting a name and face together helps them to understand why a particular bill can be good or bad for the survival of your business. 

For the last few weeks we’ve been updating you on recent actions by USDOL.  We’ve been getting a number of questions about their recent crack down from our members and have been presenting them directly to USDOL.  If you have any questions, you should contact me directly so I may make note of them.  As soon as we get an official response, we’ll be publishing the answers for all NJGCA to see.  

USDOL’s campaign to find employers that are not complying with current wage and hour laws certainly has shaken things up.  We are happy that most of our members are responding to our alerts and know that USDOL is coming.  While there is a lesson in there about paying attention to events as they unfold and staying involved in the association, I’m pleased to note that most of our members now recognize that this is an area of their business operation that can no longer be “Business as Usual”.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can let your guard down. As we’ve stated, the question is not IF USDOL will come to your shop, but WHEN will they come knocking.  Remember, when they pay you a visit, they’ve already scoped our your location and have a good idea of who works at your shop, at what times, and under what conditions – So if you are doing something wrong, don’t try to lie to them and fool them; you’ll only make it worse on yourself.  This is definitely one instance where honesty is the best policy and you’d be foolish to try and pull the wool over their eyes. 

Reach out to me if you have any questions on this.

As the price of gasoline continues to rise, the public and the press are continuing to rail against the volatility and high prices in the gasoline marketplace.  A few weeks ago, President Obama made an announcement that he would tap 30 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in order to help lower prices at the pump.  It’s now a few weeks later and we know that the President’s gamble has not paid off – prices that had declined almost 50 cents a gallon, have crept back up 30 cents since the Obama release.  However, the decision to release oil from SPR puts the nation one step closer to a disaster should there be any loss of supply for any reason.

With this in mind, I was quick to remind our friends in the Press that this was a poor idea and wouldn’t work.  We sent out a press release earlier this week to kindly point out the fact that we called it weeks ago.  That piece was published by NewJerseyNewsroom.com and you can take a look at it by clicking HERE

Can’t say we didn’t warm them!

Thanks for listening - See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                                                                   

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

7/21/2011:
Private sector job market improves, but state’s unemployment numbers rise
On Thursday, state officials released figures showing that 11,600 residents found work in June, while another 6,000 lost their jobs.  The number of jobs lost includes 4,700 former government and public education workers.  Though the number of jobs grew, and it signaled the fifth consecutive month in a row of private sector job gains, the unemployment rate has risen 0.1 to 9.5%.  Click above to read more on the latest employment numbers.

7/20/2011:
Right to Repair proponents in Massachusetts present 43,000 letters in support of legislation
Support for the re-introduced Right to Repair legislation in Massachusetts hit a high note as 43,000 letters of support have been sent to urge lawmakers to pass this consumer friendly law.  Right to Repair would enable independent repair shops to obtain critical technical data to make needed repairs.  NJGCA supports the same initiative in New Jersey, and helped lead the charge to win passage of the bill in the General Assembly in 2008.  Unfortunately, the proposal wasn’t heard in the State Senate before the new legislative session, but we continue to urge legislators to pass this bill to benefit all New Jersey motorists.

7/7/2011:
Report: Motorists holding onto their cars, put more miles on their vehicles
A recent report by AutoMD.com illustrates that drivers are holding onto their vehicles longer and are planning to put more miles on them than in previous years.  The same survey found that nearly 80% of those interviewed plan to put up to or over 50,000 more miles on their current vehicle than they put on their previous vehicle.  Many cite the economy as a key reason for prolonging their next car purchase.  As more motorists drive their cars longer, it presents another opportunity for automotive repair shops to service the needs of their customers.  Click above to read more on this survey.

7/5/2011:
Twelve automakers band together to protest E15 proposal
A group of domestic and foreign automakers have come out to criticize the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to permit the sale of E15 motor fuel.  The new blend, which contains 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, is harmful to engines produced before 2001.  Additionally, automakers worry that many later model vehicles that do not have fuel systems capable of handling E15 fuel may also be harmed.   

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

                                                                                                                                                                                   

TRAINING CLASSES!!
-ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT NJGCA HEADQUARTERS-
66 Morris Avenue - Springfield, NJ 07081 (Union County)

THREE CLASS OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
     1). NJ Emission Inspector Training 
     2). NJ Emission Repair Technician Re-Certification Classes in July 2011
     3). Entire NJ ETEP Training Course

1. NJ EMISSION INSPECTOR TRAINING CLASS
DESCRIPTION: This is the Motor Vehicle Inspector course, plus the state approved training program. NJGCA is offering a SPECIAL ONE DAY Emissions Inspector Class & Final MVC Test.
CLASS COST (INCLUDING MANUALS):
     •NJGCA Member rates: $299
     •NON-Member rates: $329
CLASS SCHEDULE: 
     Tuesday, July 20th, 2011 at 7:30am
PLEASE NOTE: We will serve coffee/donuts in the morning and lunch at 12:00pm. You will take the MVC test at 1:00pm

2. EMISSION REPAIR TECHNICIAN RE-CERTIFICATION CLASS (2 THURSDAYS)DESCRIPTION: This is the ETEP course that your ERT’s need in order to recertify their license.
OUR CLASS INCLUDES: 
     •New Jersey State Specific Information Course
     •ETEP Section 6 “OBDII Monitoring Failures”
     •Section 7 “Light-Duty Diesel Vehicle Technologies and Testing”
     Everything your technician needs to Re-Certify his ERT license!
CLASS COST (INCLUDING MANUALS):
     •NJGCA Member rates: $489.00
     •NON-Member rates: $629.00
CLASS SCHEDULE:
     Thursday July 21st and Thursday July 29th

3. ENTIRE ETEP TRAINING COURSE
DESCRIPTION: This is the initial ETEP Certification course; the entire program, section 1 – 7. This is everything you need to become a licensed Emission Repair Technician.  Tests are given through out the course and technicians that pass will receive a certificate to demonstrate they passed the New Jersey Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP). NJGCA has provided this program to the NJ Department of Transportation, UPS, and NJGCA members through out New Jersey.  Our pass rate on this class is 100%.
OUR CLASS INCLUDES:
     •Section 1 through 7 ETEP Training and NJ State Specific.
CLASS COST (INCLUDING MANUALS):
     •NJGCA Member rates: $1,495.00
     •NON-Member rates: $1,695.00
CLASS SCHEDULE: Eight Full Days of Training each Thursdays for eight consecutive weeks from 8:00am to 4:30pm:
     •September 8, 15, 22, and 29
     •October 6, 13, 20, and 27

A NOTE ON ALL CLASSES: FUTURE DATES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND.  CONTACT DEBBIE at 973-376-0066 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!!

**To Register call Debbie Hill 973-376-0066 x 203 or debbie@njgca.org**

                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                    

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE

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 require12 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 Phil Apruzzi 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 Phil Apruzzi at 973-376-0066 or email Phil at phil@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
66 Morris Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081
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. 

 THE MEMBER TOOL BOX                                                                               

 ON THE NJGCA HOMEPAGE


MEMBER SAVINGS PAGE
Check out all of our MBPs and Programs designed to SAVE YOU MONEY!

HELPFUL LINKS
Looking for something? Take a look at our list of useful links!

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Find all our communications and search for old e-newsletters. Take a look!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE ARCHIVE
Need to catch up on events? Want to see what's going on? Find out here!

 KNOW YOUR TERRITORY MANAGER!  

Henry Darden: Territory Manager for Middlesex, Union, Somerset, Part of Essex (Southern Half)
Cell: 973-477-0057
Email: henry@njgca.org

Jack Leli: Territory Manager for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem
Cell: 732-995-1637
Email: jack@njgca.org

Bob Quirk: Territory Manager for Bergen, Hudson, Part of Essex (Northern Half)
Cell: 201-214-8836
Email: bob@njgca.org

Frank Stewart: Territory Manager for Morris, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic
Cell: 973-234-7403
Email: frank@njgca.org

 

 
Serving the small businesses that serve the motorist