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Road Warrior Newsletter
 

August 23, 2013

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:
•Changes at NJGCA: Website Revamp, Renewal Procedures, Automatic Dues Payment for AMT Participants, and Direct Bank Draft Payment Option; Cigarette Smuggling Bill Signed into Law; New York City Council Proposes Plastic and Paper Bag Fee.
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
•Visa, MasterCard Carry on with Fee Settlement
Tesla Model S Gets Best NHTSA Safety Rating Ever
Massachusetts Next to Limit E-Cigarette Sales?
The Five Greenest, Most Energy-Efficient Cars of 2013

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE
NEW Training Class Available!  See Below!

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! 

CHANGES AT NJGCA: WEBSITE REVAMP, RENEWAL PROCEDURES, AUTOMATIC DUES PAYMENT FOR AMT PARTICIPANTS AND DIRECT BANK DRAFT PAYMENT OPTION;
CIGARETTE SMUGGLING BILL SIGNED INTO LAW;
NEW YORK PROPOSES $0.10 PLASTIC BAG FEE

There has been a lot going on at NJGCA Headquarters in the past few months, and I'd like to take this opportunity to fill you in on some very important and exciting changes that we are implementing!

• The NJGCA Website: Over a year ago we set out to make the NJGCA web site a more useful tool for our members.  In the past 10 weeks significant progress has been made. The NJGCA staff has been working to make the website simpler and more functional. We are fixing what was broken, we have vowed to keep it updated, and we are committed to reviewing content regularly for ways to improve it.   Soon you will be able to update your member information, renew your dues, join online or download an application for a friend.  Also, our calendar is current, and you will have access to helpful forms and much more useful info!! You should expect to receive a letter with your membership ID card and member number on it within the next month.  Your member number will serve as your login ID for all areas that are reserved for Members Only.

• Renewal Notices: We are in the process of re-vamping the renewal procedure. Each membership is for 12 months. All members pay the first year up-front, and then after the first year, you may choose how to divide up your dues with payments (monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually). My goal is to have a new procedure in place by Jan. 2014 whereby you will have the same renewal date each year, and you will receive an updated statement with your balance due after each payment is received. You will receive more information on that as the time approaches.

• Association Master Trust Health Benefits Program:  All AMT members should be prepared - we are moving towards automatic payment of membership dues for anyone participating in the Association Master Trust Health Benefits Program. This is a priority for us at NJGCA, as it will become effective as soon as the last few issues are addressed.  Be on the lookout for more info!

• Dues Payment Options: NJGCA members have asked us to institute Direct Bank Draft as a payment option. It's available now! Please email greg@njgca.org or call 973-376-0066 if this is your preferred method of payment!

In legislative news, we have two quick updates for you: 

This week Governor Christie signed a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Bucco to increase fines and jail sentences for individuals who illegally smuggle cigarettes and avoid the payment of appropriate tobacco taxes in NJ.  This bill stiffens the penalties for offenses such as selling cigarettes without a license, purchasing or selling unstamped cigarettes, or refusing to produce business records pertaining to the purchase, sale or transportation of cigarettes. This bill was discussed in Trenton on a number of occasions, and we always supported the legislation, since our members and their businesses are consistently impacted by cigarette smuggling and black market sales of tobacco.  We are happy to see these efforts being made to protect our members and their businesses.  I don’t want those that traffic in illegal cigarette to steal these sales from you!

Secondly, the New York Post reported earlier this week that the New York City Council plans to introduce legislation which would charge shoppers a $0.10 fee for every paper or plastic bag used to carry their purchases out of grocery or retail stores.  You should be familiar with a similar proposal being entertained in the NJ Legislature, which NJGCA has opposed. These regulations would place an additional burden on our shop owners and are simply not good for business.  Our members do not need ANOTHER tax on their plate to distract them from the already challenging task of running a successful and profitable business in today's economy.   I’m sorry to have to continue referencing New York City regarding their attempts to pass stupid laws, but unfortunately stupidity tends to breed there and then migrates across the Hudson River to infect legislators here in NJ.  This phenomenon looks like it will only get worse before it gets better, so expect me to continue telling you about stupid things being hatched in NYC.

Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                                                                 

CLASSIFIEDS: FOR SALE & HELP WANTED!

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 is also able to assists member 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

08/21/2013:
Visa, MasterCard Carry on with Fee Settlement

Visa and MasterCard have chosen to continue to pursue a multibillion-dollar antitrust settlement with U.S. merchants over credit-card fees, even though opposition to the deal reached a level that would have allowed the card firms to walk away, according to a Bloomberg report. US retailers accounting for more than 25% of the total volume of credit-card purchases have decided to opt out of the settlement, meeting a threshold that permitted the card firms to back out, MasterCard president and CEO Ajay Banga told investors. The settlement, subject to a judge’s final approval Sept. 12 in federal court in Brooklyn, would end a lawsuit brought on behalf of millions of U.S. businesses that accept credit-card payments. As you know, we have been following this issue for years, and we encouraged retailers to opt-out of the settlement in order to preserve their ability to file suit in the future.  Please read the above article and continue to stay current on this issue over the next few weeks. 

08/20/2013:
Tesla Model S Gets Best NHTSA Safety Rating Ever

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Tesla Model S received an overall five-star rating, as well as five stars in every individual test category. It is something that only 1% of the vehicles that the NHTSA has tested have received.  The battery sedan also set a new record for the lowest likelihood for passenger injury ever achieved in the government tests.  While the NHTSA doesn’t publish results greater than the coveted five stars, Tesla claims that the battery-powered sedan actually should have received 5.4 stars, because it exceeded every benchmark in the government Vehicle Safety Score metrics.  As Tesla sales continue to surge, it is critical that our members remain ahead of the curve and keenly aware of the trends in the auto industry.

08/19/2013:
Massachusetts Next to Limit E-Cigarette Sales?
A new bill presented in Massachusetts would prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes and other "nicotine-delivery devices’’ to anyone under 18. Last week, we wrote about the proposal to ban sales of e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in retail stores in New York City. With all of these regulations being introduced in our neighboring states, NJGCA encourages you to remain informed and up-to-date on these issues, and we will certainly continue to vigilantly monitor and track the issues that matter most to our members. 

08/19/2013:
The Five Greenest, Most Energy-Efficient Cars of 2013

What cars today make the most efficient use of energy? The answer is four battery-electric vehicles and one plug-in hybrid. Gasoline and diesel cars don't even come close... internal combustion engines actually waste 66% to 75% of the energy in their fuel on heat and noise. The top 5 vehicles are: the 2013 Honda Fit EV at 118 MPGe; the 2013 Fiat 500e at 116 MPGe; the 2013 Nissan Leaf at 115 MPGe; the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid at 115 MPGe; and the 2102 Mitsubishi i-MiEV at 112 MPGe. As electric and hybrid vehicles become increasingly popular and affordable, we encourage our members to stay ahead of the curve and consider how to keep your businesses sustainable and competitive.

                                                                                                                                                                                 

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, September 25, 2013
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

PLEASE NOTE: 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!!

                                                                                                                                                                                 

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

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

 
 
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