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Road Warrior Newsletter
 

June 21, 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:
•NJGCA/AMT Dividend Announced; Covert Car Warning; MVC Biometrics Update; Take Action on Zone Pricing
BUSINESS FOR SALE!
NEW AD: A local business just contacted NJGCA to say his shop is for sale - see details below!

CLASSIFIEDS!
Do YOU have equipment for sale or are you looking for a new employee?!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•LA City Council Approves Plastic Bag Ban
•NJ Assemblywomen Attempt Smoking Ban
•CarMD: N.J. drivers pay most for 'check engine' repairs
•Tobacco tax won't fix the budget: Opinion
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM BELLOMO FUELS
•Serving New Jersey since 1910 -- Over 100 years of supplying gasoline to service station retailers like YOU!

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE
NEW Training Class Available!  See 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!

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!

NJGCA/AMT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE 4.5% DIVIDEND
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON COVERT CARS
BIOMETRICS UPDATE FROM MVC
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - TAKE ACTION ON ZONE PRICING!

I am excited to start this week's Road Warrior by sharing some great news for all of my incredibly intelligent members who participate in our Association Master Trust (AMT) Health Coverage program. I'm thrilled to announce that on July 1, 2013, all NJGCA members in good standing who purchased their health coverage from AMT during the calendar year 2012 will receive a dividend that equals 4.5% of their 2012 total premiums. The dividend will be issued as a credit on their July AMT invoice.

Let’s do a little math. The typical gas station provides health care coverage for the owner’s family and one or maybe two other employees and their families. That may equate to about $3,000 per month in health care premiums, or $36,000 per year. Under this scenario an NJGCA member who participates in our AMT Health Coverage Program will receive $1,620 as a reward for participating in 2012. You may remember that last July NJGCA members received a similar dividend for the premiums that they had paid in 2011.

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU JOIN AN ORGANIZATION FOR JUST $450/YR THAT WILL RETURN OVER $1,500 TO YOU? Do you think Aetna or Emblem Health, or Prudential return excess premiums to their insured?  NO….THEY DON'T! They return any extra dollars to their stockholders. NJGCA and AMT return extra dollars to YOU! NJGCA members who participate in AMT are the stockholders.

While I am happy that NJGCA provides this benefit for our members, it still boggles my mind that 100% of our members do not participate in this program. Especially in these difficult economic times, why would you pass up this golden opportunity? Stop wasting time! Take advantage of your NJGCA membership!  To get a quote from AMT please call NJGCA HQ and speak to Greg Cannon, or email him greg@njgca.org.

NOW, FOR TWO ANNOUCEMENTS ABOUT IMPORTANT INSPECTION ISSUES THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT IGNORE!!! At a recent Repair Excellence Council (REC) meeting, we discussed critical information about two issues: Catalytic Converters on Covert Cars and Biometric Usage at Private Inspection Facilities (PIFs).

Catalytic Converters on Covert Cars: I wrote about this issue previously in the May 3rd Road Warrior. Since that time, we have been trying to gather more information. It seems as if the MVC covert vehicle, otherwise known as the “sting car” has been altered in several ways to fool you in to thinking that the car has a functioning catalytic converter. Apparently the vehicle has been modified so that oxygen sensors and computers will not send dashboard lights flashing or allow your OBD hookup to detect a missing converter. So if you do not perform a physical visual inspection of the undercarriage of the car you will not know that a converter has been removed. Remember, you are required to make a visual inspection anyway, so if you are just relying on the OBD hookup and blowing thru the questions on the keyboard as if the converter is there, you will have made a serious error.

There is also an issue regarding what you will see when you do a visual inspection of the converter. In recent discussions, MVC has been adamant that all covert vehicles (sting cars) that are missing a catalytic converter have only a straight pipe welded in its place.

However, one NJGCA member recently reported that a suspected covert car did NOT have a straight pipe, but had something that very closely resembled a catalytic converter. After reading my warning in the Road Warrior, he became suspicious when he recognized a covert vehicle, and then called us immediately as it entered his shop. We instructed him during the inspection process, and we requested that he take his own pictures. After checking the part number that was stamped on the suspicious catalytic converter look-alike, and finding that it matched that of an aftermarket converter, our member passed the vehicle and applied a valid sticker.  However, a week later MVC returned, claiming that the inspector should have failed the car and showed pictures of a straight pipe in place of a catalytic converter.  The pictures that MVC used to support their claim differed from the ones that the PIF owner had taken during the inspection, as per our instructions. I now have the PIF's pictures in my possession and I intend to investigate this matter further.

Something doesn’t add up and I need to find out why. I haven't wrapped my arms around it yet so I need more information from you! I want you to protect yourselves. I AM ASKING, NO I AM DEMANDING, THAT YOU KEEP A CAMERA IN YOUR SHOP, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS WILL BE AN EXTRA STEP, PLEASE PHOTOGRAPH EVERY SINGLE VEHICLE'S LICENSE PLATE & CATALYTIC CONVERTER of the vehicles that you are inspecting.  You never know when a covert vehicle might come in, and you should always be prepared! Then you will be able to protect yourself should MVC come back later and claim that you missed something!  Overlooking a catalytic converter that has been tampered with is a serious offense.

Biometrics: MVC brought it to our attention that there are still a significant number of PIFs that bypass biometrics. We have learned that warning letters are being sent to PIFs even though they have as much as 94% biometrics compliance rate and only use the bypass 6% of the time.  Many times there is even a valid reason for bypassing the biometrics system. We all know how temperamental this technology can be!   However, you need to be aware that MVC is starting to crack down!

Here’s why. MVC often finds unlicensed inspectors in shops bypassing the biometrics by typing in a valid inspector's ID license.  An easy tip off to the MVC auditor occurs when he visits a shop and finds that an inspector license number is being used, and that particular technician no longer works there. This is the very practice that the biometrics system is supposed to prevent. You cannot allow your inspectors to engage in any of these activities. MVC issues tough penalties that may include revoking your PIF license!  My best advice is to play by the rules and earn a reputation as an honest business owner.

Keep in mind that these are the same examples that get thrown in my face when I am advocating for an all PIF inspection system.  Monitoring PIFs to prevent fraud is a concern that comes up whenever I discuss privatization with officials.   Some of the dumb things that PIFs engage in are hard to imagine, but their stupid actions reflect badly on all of you who operate properly.

Finally, there are a few legislative issues and updates this week.

Zone Pricing is up for a vote on Monday! Please make sure that you read the Wildfire Alert that I sent yesterday!  It is very important that the legislators know how critical this issue is to our members. I have been working on Zone Pricing since I got here six years ago and I am excited about the progress we have made. Please help us to make this legislation a reality by calling your legislators and urging them to vote YES on A2729 on Monday June 24.

In other news, both the cigarette smuggling legislation and the biofuel proposal that have been mentioned in recent Road Warriors were up for a vote on Thursday. Both initiatives were voted on in the Senate and Assembly, and both were passed in each house. They will now go to the Governor's desk to (hopefully) be signed into law!

Related to the tobacco issue is an effort to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 94 cents. This is an effort that is being undertaken in Washington and supported by President Obama. I penned an OpEd on the subject this week that resulted in several interviews. CLICK HERE to see the interview that was conducted yesterday on a local New Jersey TV station.

Thanks for reading – See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                                                                 

BUSINESS FOR SALE!

FOR SALE: Denson’s Auto in Somerville, NJ

Business Opportunity:
Successful High End Auto Repair Shop in business for 35 years.

•Location – 34 Rt. 206 South – Somerville, NJ
•Easy Access to all Major Highways. Rt. 287, 202, 78.
•All Equipment Stays (with the Exception of Tool Boxes), including
3 Rotary Lifts – Compressor – AC Machine – Press – Brake Lathe – All Office Furniture.
•Business Records Available For Review.
•Landlord in Process of Renovating the Facility.
•Tenant Lease Term to be Negotiated with Landlord – Monthly Cost: $3200.
•I am asking $60K for Turnkey Operation. Will Consider $42K down and $1500 per month For 1 Year to Qualified Buyer.

Serious Inquiries Please Contact Bill at 908-887-1385

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS:

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!

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!

                                                                                                                                                                                 

CLASSIFIEDS: FOR SALE & HELP WANTED!

After running an ad in the Road Warrior over the last month, NJGCA was able to assist a member in selling his equipment!

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! 

                                                                                                                                                                                 

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

06/18/2013:
LA City Council Approves Plastic Bag Ban
The Los Angeles City Council voted 11-1 on Tuesday to ban single-use plastic bags. Under the ban, stores that sell perishable foods will be prohibited from handing out plastic grocery bags. If the ban is violated, stores will be fined an unspecified amount. The law also calls for a 10-cent charge per paper bag. The ban would take effect Jan. 1, 2014 for large stores that make more than $2 million a year. It will go into effect in July 2014 for smaller stores that carry limited groceries. As you know, New Jersey has had to deal with similar proposed legislation in the past, but luckily it was never enacted. Should the issue come up again, we'll need your help to remind legislators of the burden and cost that it will impose on small businesses!

06/16/2013:
NJ Assemblywomen Attempt Smoking Ban
According to NJ101.5, two lawmakers in the state of New Jersey are doing all they can to do away with smoking on all campus grounds in the state. The new bill, co-sponsored by Assemblywomen Celeste Riley and Connie Wagner, will amend the NJ Smoke Free Air Act, which forces campuses to go 100-percent tobacco-free by prohibiting smoking in any area of any building of, or on the grounds of, or in any facility owned, leased, or controlled by, any public or private institution of higher education in this State, or a related entity thereof, regardless of whether the area or facility is an indoor public place or is outdoors. We intend to watch this legislation closely and, of course, will keep you informed of any new information!

06/13/2013:
CarMD: N.J. drivers pay most for 'check engine' repairs
When it comes to remediating the "check engine" alert, car owners in New Jersey tend to pay the most for diagnosis and repairs -- at an average cost of about $393 -- according to CarMD.com. The company analyzed more than 160,000 repairs made on vehicles with check engine light problems in 2012 and found a coastal shift from West to East for expensive repairs. New Jersey experienced a 20.7-percent jump in labor rates and an 8.2-percent climb in parts costs in 2012. CarMD attributed the spike to several factors, including more than double the number of trips to the repair shop spurred by Hurricane Sandy-related flood damage that either resulted in new repairs or uncovered unrepaired problems that had been put off for some time. For more information, click the link above to read the entire article.


06/11/2013:
Tobacco tax won't fix the budget: Opinion
Last week, Jerry Cantrell, president of the Common Sense Institute of New Jersey, penned an op-ed about his opposition to President Obama's proposed $0.94 federal excise tax on cigarettes. On Wednesday night, NJGCA Executive Director Sal Risalvato was interviewed by WMBC TV on the same subject.  Please read the above op-ed to read Jerry's comments, and follow this link to see Sal's interview which aired on the 5:00 PM News on Wednesday, June 19th.  Proposals to tax cigarettes and other initiatives to reduce smoking (or increase revenue), come along all too often, it seems. It's great to know that there are others out there who support our views, and should things start to heat up in this debate, we need you to be prepared to advocate as well!

                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                 

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


No classes currently scheduled -- Please check back again soon or call NJGCA to request a class!

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!

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!

 
 
Serving the small businesses that serve the motorist