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Road Warrior Newsletter

February 7, 2014

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:
•Compliance Calendars are in the mail; Reminder about State of Emergency Gouging Laws; CVS to Stop Selling Tobacco

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
Do you have equipment for sale?
•Are you looking for a new employee?
•Are you interested in selling your business? 

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS AND LET US HELP YOU!!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

•CVS To Stop Selling Tobacco: Move could potentially benefit c-store retailers, e-cig manufacturers
•CVS Continues to Sell Nicotine Replacement Therapy -- Will CVS Exempt E-Cigs?
•NATO, NYACS and Manufacturers Sue NYC: Seek injunction on coupon and discount bans

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
Emissions Inspector Training on February 12, 2014! Scroll down for more details!

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE
•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!

THE MEMBER TOOL BOX
•On the NJGCA Homepage

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE

TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE

                                                                                                                                                                                 

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

COMPLIANCE CALENDARS ARE IN THE MAIL!
RECENT STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS

CVS DECIDES TO STOP SELLING CIGARETTES

I hope everyone is staying safe and warm with all the crazy weather we have been having, but I will address that in a moment. First, I know that it is already FEBRUARY and many of you do not have your DEP compliance calendars yet. Well, I have good news. The calendars were just delivered to NJGCA headquarters, and they are going out in the mail right away! We were told that DEP experienced a number of issues with their printer, and the calendars had to be sent back and reprinted TWICE so that is what caused the delay.  Rest assured, calendars will be in the mail shortly!

Now, back to the crazy weather. Just this week, Governor Christie declared a State of Emergency TWO TIMES (on Monday and Wednesday). Usually I send Wildfire Alerts to warn my members about gouging. However, do I NEED to keep reminding you about gouging laws when there is a State of Emergency? You all know the proper and honest ways to operate a business, and you all know what you need to do to keep yourselves out of trouble, no matter the weather!

Finally, I just wanted to make quick mention about the big news this week -- CVS has decided to stop selling cigarettes. To me, this indicates TWO things. 

  1. Consumers that previously purchased their tobacco products from CVS are going to be looking for different outlets, and that could benefit YOU. 

  2. On a long term note, I believe that this is just one more indication that the day will come when there are no more tobacco customers. And that's an eventuality that NJGCA members, as business owners, must prepare for.

You can read more about what's going on in the tobacco industry below, in our "News You Should Know" section.

Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato,
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                                                                 

CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS 

Do you have a business for sale?  Are you looking for a new location or opportunity?

  • NJGCA was recently able to lend a hand to members looking to sell their business by getting the word out. Since everyone reading this message is involved in the small business gasoline retail, convenience store, and automotive repair trades, it is an ideal medium to connect with interested buyers and prospects!

NJGCA also assists members in selling equipment through the placement of advetisments in Road Warrior!

  • If you'd like to list equipment for sale, or have an open position you'd like to make other industry professionals aware of, please contact NJGCA at 973-376-0066 and let us help you get the word out!     

If you'd like to list your business for sale, publish a location you're selling, or are seeking a business partner for your establishment, please contact NJGCA at 973-376-0066!

                                                                                                                                                                                 

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

02/05/14:
CVS To Stop Selling Tobacco: Move could potentially benefit c-store retailers, e-cig manufacturers

CVS Caremark’s decision to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products by October 1, 2014 makes it the first drug chain to ban tobacco sales – and the first major retailer to do so since Target stopped selling cigarettes in 1996. “Although cigarette margins are low for retailers they do drive foot traffic, therefore we were surprised by CVS's move,” Wells Fargo tobacco analyst Bonnie Herzog said in a statement. With c-stores accounting for the vast majority of tobacco sales in the US, the convenience channel stands to benefit most from CVS’ exit from the tobacco category. What remains unclear is whether CVS’ ban will extend to electronic cigarettes. Of course, debate continues to rage whether e-cigs are a cessation device or certainly a far less harmful product. Will CVS keep the door open for e-cigarettes?  How are leading e-cig players reacting to the major news? 

02/05/14:

CVS Continues to Sell Nicotine Replacement Therapy -- Will CVS Exempt E-Cigs?

As of October, tobacco products will no longer be sold at the nation’s second largest pharmacy chain. However, CVS will continue to sell several nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products in an effort to support a new cessation program. The program is set to launch this spring, providing smoking cessation information and treatment options both at CVS and MinuteClinic locations. Additionally, CVS Caremark pharmacy benefit management plan members will receive comprehensive programs to help them quit smoking. With tobacco-free cessation options still available at CVS, there’s a question on how the chain will handle electronic cigarettes. Like NRT, they are smoke and tobacco-free; yet they are classified as tobacco products and all three Big Tobacco companies are now fully committed to the segment. CVS is likely waiting to see how the FDA classifies e-cigarettes before making its final decision. Meaning it could be a while before there’s any clarity.

02/05/2014:

NATO, NYACS and Manufacturers Sue New York City: Seek injunction on coupon and discount bans

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), the NY Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), the Bodega Association of the United States, along with six major tobacco companies, have filed a lawsuit in the US Federal District Court for the Southern District of NY seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions against the enforcement of several provisions of a tobacco-related ordinance adopted on October 30, 2013 by the NYC Council and which goes into effect on March 19, 2014. The ordinance provisions that are the subject of the litigation are those sections that restrict cigarette and tobacco product coupons and other promotional price discounts (such as buy one, get one free) on tobacco products. As set out in the lawsuit, the ban on cigarette and tobacco product coupons and promotional price discounts raise serious federal and state constitutional questions while also being pre-empted by federal and state laws.  To read more specifics about the lawsuit, please click on the above link.

                                                                                                                                                                                 

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

NEW JERSEY EMISSION INSPECTOR TRAINING

In order to be licensed as a Motor Vehicle Emission Inspector, you must complete this course and pass a “Written Exam” given by the State of New Jersey. NJGCA offers this training in a ONE DAY State approved training program that will provide an understanding of inspection related issues including EPA Regulations, Safety, Diesel, Customer Service and the New Jersey State Specific Curriculum. This specially tailored NJGCA course fulfills all requirements.

CLASS DETAILS:

  • Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2014

  • Location: NJGCA Headquarters, located at 66 Morris Avenue - Springfield, NJ 07081

  • Arrival Time: 7:00am

  • Lunch Break: 12:00pm (Pizza and soda will be served)

  • NJMVC Test: 1:00pm


CLASS FEES:

  • NJGCA Members: $250.00

  • Non-members: $300.00

Manuals are included and payment is due upon registration. All credit cards are accepted.

License Fee: Bring a $50.00 check made payable to NJMVC to satisfy the State’s licensing fee.

PLEASE NOTE: If you live out of state, you must bring 6 points of ID with you, such as a license, passport, healthcare card, utility bill, etc.


To review the registration form CLICK HERE

FUTURE CLASSES 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!!

                                                                                                                                                                                 

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 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 973-376-0066 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
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

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