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Road Warrior Newsletter


December 7, 2017

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:
• New OSHA Initiatives To Help Businesses Avoid Violations;  Bureau Of Boiler And Pressure Vessel Compliance

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
- Monmouth County: Gas Station and Repair Shop Business Since 2001
- Asbury Park: Commercial Building for Sale. Possible Sale of Business
- Bergen County: Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

 The Importance of Developing Relationships with Lawmakers 
7-Eleven, Sunoco Say Deal on Track
Majority of NJBIA members say $15 minimum wage could lead to job cuts,     higher prices
OPEC’s Easy Win Masks Tougher Oil-Market Choices Still to Come

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
• Entire Emission Repair Technician Course - Started Nov. 7th

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD
• The Amato Agency: Garage Insurance and Workers Compensation! 
• ATS Environmental: Confidence in your Tank & Compliance Testing

• Bellomo Fuel: Exceptional Service, Aggressive Petroleum Marketing
• CBIZ Insurance: Our Business is Growing Yours!

• Gill Energy: Getting you There!
• Lending Capital: "Commercial Loans Made Easy" Program
• Salomone Brothers: Tank Testing and Environmental Compliance
• 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!

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE
TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE

                                                                                                                                       

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

NEW OSHA INITIATIVES TO HELP BUSINESSES AVOID VIOLATIONS
BUREAU OF BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL COMPLIANCE
 
In recent months, various topics surrounding the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have been brought to my attention, from both positive and negative perspectives. Of course, on the negative side of things, we continue to receive phone calls from members dealing with OSHA violations… the most recent one brought on by a disgruntled employee who just wanted to cause trouble for his employer. I also had very productive and informative conversations about OSHA during my recent trip to Las Vegas to meet with my colleagues from other State associations.  I learned that they too were experiencing difficulties with OSHA, and my counterpart from Pennsylvania informed me that they participate in a self-inspection program that has been very successful in saving their members thousands of dollars in penalties.  Two days before I left for the meeting in Las Vegas, I attended a dinner meeting of our friends at AASP-NJ.  Many of you may be familiar with them, as they represent our brethren who operate auto body shops.  The AASP members also expressed concerns with OSHA, and the group decided to hire an OSHA consulting firm to help members navigate OSHA issues.
 
When I came back from Las Vegas, we started investigating programs in New Jersey for auto repair shops, gas retailers and convenience stores.  Debbie and I met with the Chief of Occupational Health, OSHA On-Site Consultation, from the NJ Department of Labor earlier this week.  We learned that the federal government contracts with this department to perform voluntary OSHA audits to help increase safety at your locations and reduce the number of accidents.  This also reduces your exposure, should OSHA stop in to do an unannounced inspection. When voluntary inspections are performed, they are strictly forbidden to report any violations to OSHA.  You are given a list of violations and how to address them, which will help protect and prepare you for when OSHA really does do an inspection.  I’m taking this very seriously because it seems as if the starting fines are $15,000 or more per violation… even for something as simple as using an electric extension cord to permanently plug in a piece of equipment
 
OSHA has also agreed to a “Q&A” section in the quarterly OTR, similar to NJGCA’s “Ask DOL” which deals with employee payroll issues.  It may be called “Ask OSHA” … I haven’t decided what to officially call it but look for more details in the OTR which will be in your mailboxes in January and expect to hear more from me on this!
 
Next, I also received a call this week from a member who was visited by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor, Bureau of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Compliance. Many people are surprised that such a Bureau even exists, and don’t believe when the inspector arrives… We even get calls asking if this a real thing, or just a scam to convince people that they need an unnecessary part or service or repair done… We don’t deal with this often, but I want you to be aware that if you have an air compressor someone could be stopping in to conduct an inspection. We first had members inquire about this last year.  You can read the OTR article that we printed about this topic last year by clicking HERE.


Finally, please see the following exclusive specials for NJGCA members from Autopart International which will run through the end of the year.

 


Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                     

TRAINING CLASSES!!

All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 4900 Route 33 West, Wall Township, NJ 07753

Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP) - Entire Repair Technician Curriculum - Started Nov. 7th
Stop turning away work!!  The New Jersey Inspection Program requires vehicles that fail emissions inspection to go to a Licensed Certified Emission Inspector for Repairs!
 When the new program begins, a list of Certified Emission Repair Shops will be given to vehicle owners! If you want your business name on the list – make sure you have a Certified Licensed Emission Repair Technician & an Emission Repair Facility License!

This class runs on Tuesdays and Thursday from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM for
FIVE consecutive weeks.
Class begins on Tuesday, November 7th and ends on Tuesday December 12th.
NO CLASS ON THANKSGIVING, THURSDAY, NOV 23.

Fees for members are $2,195 and non-members are $2,495.
$500 deposit is due at time of registration.
Click HERE for registration form.


FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 732-256-9646 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!!

                                                                                                                                          

 CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS

FOR SALE:

Business For Sale: Monmouth County gas station and repair shop in business since 2001 is for sale. Owner is relocating out of state and is interested in selling business and equipment. Owner is open to limited financing. Business has a strong 10 year lease. The building has two repair bays and the gas pumps are leased to a large independent tenant. Repair shop business currently employs a Manager and two full-time Technicians. For inquiries and more info, please call Mark at 908-670-7798.

FOR SALE:
Commercial Building in Asbury Park, Possible Sale of Business, Too!  For listing information, please click HERE.
FOR SALE:
Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale in Bergen County!

Business established in 1980. Fully equipped repair shop with 5 lifts including an alignment rack with a 2-year-old Hunter Hawkeye alignment machine. New Hunter tire machine & wheel balancer. AAA aproved and very busy.
Towing business also available which includes 3 Freightliner/JerrDan flatbeds (2015, 2016 & 2017), a 2012 Dodge crew cab wrecker with a Jerrdan Quick Pick & dual cable winch & 2 service trucks (a 2012 GMC 2500 utility truck with a plow & a 2014 Ford transit battery/service vehicle).

Pumping over 1,000,000 gallons per year. 100x300 lot with plenty of parking. Excellent location!!! Call Jim @ 201-851-3084.

         

                                                                                                                                         

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

12/6/2017:
The Importance of Developing Relationships with Lawmakers

Too often, retailers believe that they cannot have any influence on how local and state elected officials vote on a piece of legislation, be it a proposed tobacco-tax increase, a new restriction on tobacco sales or any other action that would negatively affect retail operations. This perception is not accurate, because lawmakers have a duty to listen to and take into account the concerns and opinions of all of their constituents, including local businesses. One of the most important steps a retailer can take to protect their business from higher proposed taxes or other potential restrictions is to develop a relationship with local city council or town board members and the state legislators that represent the district or ward in which their store is located. Establishing a relationship before a tobacco ordinance or tobacco legislation is introduced can be helpful in educating officials so they can make a reasonable and fair decision on how to vote on a particular piece of legislation. Click the link above to learn more about reaching out to your local and state lawmakers.

12/5/2017:
7-Eleven, Sunoco Say Deal on Track

Nine months after announcing plans to acquire most of Sunoco's retail sites, 7-Eleven and Sunoco renewed their commitment to the deal this week, even as Sunoco announced a deal for the operation of 207 c-stores that were not part of the transaction with 7-Eleven. “7-Eleven Inc. and Sunoco LP are jointly committed to closing the value-creating transaction,” the companies said in a press release. “The companies believe the transaction to be in the latter stages of the regulatory approval process with the Federal Trade Commission. Subject to completion of the regulatory process and customary closing conditions, 7-Eleven and Sunoco expect closing to occur in January 2018.” When it closes, 7-Eleven’s more than $3.3 billion acquisition of 1,100 company-operated c-stores in Texas, New York, Florida and other states from Sunoco LP will bring it across the threshold of 10,000 c-stores in the United States. The deal is the company’s largest acquisition ever, taking advantage of Sunoco’s shift in focus to wholesale fuel. Meanwhile, Sunoco said it has signed definitive agreements with a commission agent to operate 207 retail sites in certain West Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico markets that were not included in the transaction with 7-Eleven. Sunoco said it expects the conversion of these sites to the commission agent, an unnamed “proven operator,” to occur in first-quarter 2018.

  
12/4/2017:
Majority of NJBIA members say $15 minimum wage could lead to job cuts, higher prices

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association released new data this week that warns of job losses and rising prices if state lawmakers raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.  According to the association's annual survey, nearly 2/3 of NJBIA members say raising the minimum wage would hurt small businesses. Of those members who expressed concern, 30% said they would raise prices, 29% said they would cut staff, 27% said they would reduce hours, and 11% said they would increase automation. "This discussion shouldn't be about a $15 minimum wage," said Michele Siekerka, NJBIA president and CEO. "It should be a comprehensive discussion about lifting the wages of a low-wage earner." The new data comes as Democratic leaders in both chambers of the state Legislature and Gov.-elect Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, have committed to raising the wage, but acknowledge the details will need to be hammered out in negotiations.  Raising the wage will likely face some sticking points, such as the length of time it will take to reach $15 and if the state should provide any exemptions for farm workers and teenagers. The state's current minimum wage is $8.44 an hour, but is set to increase to $8.60 on Jan. 1. State Senate President Steve Sweeney supports exemptions for agricultural workers and minors, while the Murphy wants the increase for all workers, regardless of age or industry. At a press conference last month, the governor-elect said he would favor a three- or four-year-phase in to $15 an hour, while Sweeney said he would want a slightly longer time-frame.

 
12/1/2017:
OPEC’s Easy Win Masks Tougher Oil-Market Choices Still to Come

On the surface, last week’s OPEC meeting was a no-drama success. The group of oil-producing nations agreed to extend the year-old production cuts through the end of 2018 to help boost prices… no small achievement.  Yet, as smooth as the gathering seemed to go, the deal actually left all the big questions unanswered, meaning that the real drama will commence next year. If the cuts succeed in meeting their stated goal of bringing global inventories back down to their five-year average level, how will the deal be unwound? If they don’t, will the deal extend in perpetuity? Along with the growing global economy, the production cuts have helped push up oil prices. But that has left OPEC and its allies in a quandary: How to keep global oil prices high without stimulating further growth in U.S. shale oil production. By pushing oil prices to their highest level in more than two years, with benchmark Brent trading above $63 a barrel, the cuts have allowed shale producers to lock in margins and plan new investments. Brent traded 1% higher at $63.26 a barrel in London on Thursday.  In a sign of the challenges that OPEC faces, the U.S. government reported a large increase in domestic production in September, bringing the total to 9.48 million barrels a day, the fourth highest monthly level since the early 1970s.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                          

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD:


      







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 require 12 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 732-256-9646 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
4900 Route 33 West, Suite 100
Wall Township, NJ 07753
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. 

                                                                                                                                     

*NEW* Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior.  Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.