December 5, 2008

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

AS REPUTATIONS SUFFER & ACCUSATIONS FESTER, WE CALL FOR A.G. TO RESIGN

In business, you are only as good as your reputation.  But what is one to do when their character is undeservedly tarnished?

This past summer brought a pointed example of this scenario, as Attorney General Anne Milgram released a report citing 350 gasoline retailers for “scamming” the motoring public.  As you know, the public response was deafening.  Countless headlines implicated “deceitful” small business owners for cheating customers, even though no true dishonesty existed.

NJGCA retorted with our own press conference two weeks later to defend retailers and point out the inconsistencies in the Attorney General’s misleading report. 

Since that time, NJGCA has not stood idle.  Our Association has been quietly expanding our investigation to look deeper into the report.  We filed an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request to gain access to all documents used by the Attorney General to compile her list.  Our request was denied.  A lawsuit was then filed against the custodian of those records, the Department of Consumer Affairs, to release the data.  The lawsuit was settled several weeks ago and NJGCA now has possession of the files.

What we found confirmed our previous suspicions: there was not much that could be labeled “dishonest” or evidence of “cheating” customers.  In fact, the vast majority of the “violations” were minor, administrative infractions.  After NJGCA staffers studied these documents, we were able to find a handful of truly guilty retailers and a handful more that were questionable. 
There were fewer than 15 small businesses that truly deserved to be called out for “scamming” motorists.  That’s a far cry from the 350 retailers that were publicly disgraced by the Attorney General in June.

Yet, many small businesses have suffered permanent damage to their reputations by being irresponsibly named in the report.  And what’s worse, since the media frenzy in June, ALL retailers have been blighted as the entire industry is collectively seen being somewhat dishonest.

NJGCA contacted the Office of Attorney General to present our findings and ask for a full retraction of the ‘task force’ findings.  We were denied.  So on Thursday, we set the record straight ourselves.

NJGCA held a press conference, presented our new evidence – and asked Attorney General Milgram to resign!

We want to remind you that the Department of Weights and Measures is NOT to blame in this situation. They did their job fairly and professionally, as they have always done.  The full blame goes to the Attorney General and the manner in which she has conducted herself in this affair.

The documents we reviewed clearly illustrate that the Attorney General acted improperly.  She either knowingly included the names of innocent retailers to make her press conference seem more impressive or she wasn’t effective enough to know what was truly going on.  Either way, her behavior is beneath the office she holds and should resign so this disaster is never replicated again in New Jersey.

Tell the Governor what you think about this entire fiasco.  Residents and small business owners deserve better than to be manipulated by government officials for political gain. 

Call Governor Corzine and tell him to ask for Attorney General Anne Milgram’s resignation: 609-292-6000

To read a copy of our Press Release, click HERE

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to call.

Sadly, the long weekend brought some horrific news from the other side of the world.  A terrorist attack was carried out in India over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all families and friends who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:

BUSINESS TOOLS

•ATS Gold Plan Testing Program – SIGN UP TODAY!!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

•Corzine sets aside $2.8 Billion for infrastructure
•Governor Supports business stimulus plan
•Gasoline retailer accused of violation is cleared
•State of New Jersey - Bankrupt?

BUSINESS TOOLS

GAS RETAILERS: STAY IN COMPLIANCE, SAVE MONEY!

All business owners know running a small business is expensive and never easy.  When a great opportunity comes along and allows you to SAVE MONEY and simplify your responsibilities, you have to take notice.

That’s why NJGCA has negotiated an agreement with our partners at ATS Environmental Services to save money for all service station owners.

For 2009, ATS will offer a steeply discounted compliance testing program to all NJGCA members.

The ATS Gold Plan Testing Program package, can save you up to 50% on testing in 2009.  The program will begin shortly after the New Year and includes Stage II Vapor Recovery, Tank Testing, Line Testing, and more.

You can read more on the offer on page 21 of the September issue of our On The Road quarterly publication.

However, to qualify you HAVE TO SIGN UP BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST or you will NOT qualify for this special pricing!!

DON’T WAIT!!  I encourage all retailers to take advantage of this program we have arranged on your behalf.

If you have any questions, you can contact me or Director of Member Services, Debbie Hill.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

12/4/2008:
Corzine sets aside $2.8 Billion for infrastructure
In a bid to boost capital improvements and job growth throughout the state, Governor Corzine has announced $2.8 billion in funding for infrastructure renovation.  The funds will be allocated for school, bridge and road improvements and is slated to create 26,000 new jobs.

12/1/2008:
Governor Supports business stimulus plan
Admitting that New Jersey has a reputation as an “anti-business” state, Governor Corzine has publicly backed several proposals aimed at rewarding companies that choose to do business in the Garden State. 
 
12/1/2008:
Gasoline retailer accused of violation is cleared
A North Brunswick fuel company cited by the Attorney General’s “task force” in June has been cleared of all wrongdoing.  The company was cited for not posting a brand of gasoline, but the allegation was inaccurate.

11/25/2008:
State of New Jersey - Bankrupt?
An online columnist examines New Jersey’s books and proclaims that the Garden State is insolvent.  The author also scrutinizes current State fiscal policies in an attempt to analyze how long it will take for New Jersey to recover.