September 12, 2008

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS, PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS

The old cliché says that “Perception is Reality” – this is true in business, in politics, and in the court of public opinion.  NJGCA has worked hard over the last year and a half to improve our own image and broaden our reach, as we continue to fight for what’s in the best interest of our members.

Yet, though we are fighting a battle on many fronts, we must equally recognize our allies and compliment their own successes.  No where is this truer than in dealing with the Department of Weights and Measures.

We’ve consistently stated to our members, the press, and public officials that despite our quarrel with the Attorney General, we believe Weights and Measures have held themselves to the highest professional standards.  I maintain this stance still.

Recently I was invited to speak at the annual Weights and Measures convention.  I took the opportunity to not only bring our message to the very enforcement agency that oversees the gas retail industry, but let them know that we will continue to be active partners in routing out dishonest behavior in the market.

As I have stated time and again, I will always protect honest members who make candid mistakes.  It is for this reason we have been so aggressively pursuing our arguments against the Attorney General.  But I will not defend any retailer that is intentionally scamming the public.  I do not care if they are member or not – I will turn them in.

This kind of impartial conduct is exactly the image that NJGCA must project to Trenton and the public.  Policing our own industry not only keeps your competitors honest, it also reduces the chance that an overly zealous Legislator or state official may take steps to further regulate the industry.

What can you do?  A large majority of W&M officials that spoke to me last week suggested that the number one method for avoiding citations is to simply cooperate with inspectors when they visit.  They understand that their arrival creates an inconvenience for you, however, they are there to do their job, and an uncooperative attitude doesn’t chase them away.

The next best thing to demonstrate cooperation is to HAVE THE PUMP KEYS AVAILABLE.  Cooperative dealers help to maintain our good relationship with Weights and Measures.

In early October I will be attending the Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association‘s (WMDA) 35th Annual Convention & Mega Show.  It is a three day event in Ocean City, Maryland and will feature vendors and marketers from the service station, convenience store and automotive industries.

There will be a special meeting of all Exxon dealers from all states to discuss how to proceed with Exxon’s announcement to divest from the retail market.

I strongly encourage all our members to attend. See our Calendar of Events for more details.

Also, Exxon dealers shouldn’t forget the meeting we have scheduled at 10 AM next Thursday at the Holiday Inn at Raritan Center in Edison.

Thanks for reading.  See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:

ACCESSING THE MEMBERS ONLY SECTION

•Are you having problems logging in?

UPCOMING EVENTS

•Exxon Lessee Dealer Meeting
•NJ Motor Vehicle Emission Inspector Class
•WMDA Annual Convention & Mega Show

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

•Eminent Domain fight brews in Harrison
•Despite critics, Toll Road Hike coming
•NJ tests traffic camera program
•Proposal seeks to limit sale of cold medicines

ACCESSING THE MEMBERS ONLY SECTION

Last week, the Road Warrior brought you a glimpse of our updated website and details on the new Members Only Section.

Since then, we have received phone calls from members asking how they can login to their accounts.

Please click HERE for step by step instructions on how to log into your Account. 

NOTE: Be sure to have your Member ID Number handy to log in.  The member ID is printed on your NJGCA Membership Card.

Also, remember that we need more volunteers for “DTW/Price Matrix” that we mentioned to you in the July 18th edition of the Road Warrior

This matrix will allow you to compare delivered prices of branded and unbranded gas in various geographic regions of the state.  We still need more volunteers to fill out the Matrix.  If you are interested in volunteering for this effort, please contact NJGCA!

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEE OUR UPDATED CALENDAR FOR ALL COMING NJGCA EVENTS. CLICK HERE

ATTENTION: EXXON LESSEES DEALER MEETING

Exxon announced that it was pulling out of the retail market and was planning to divest itself of all its retail locations.  This may have serious implications to you and your business. Exxon has not released details of their planned divestiture and it is unknown what course of action we will take to protect the interests of the dealers that are affected.

NJGCA has consulted with attorneys that are experienced with Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA) cases and we have determined that there are several options.

NJGCA is inviting ALL Exxon Dealers including those that are not NJGCA members to attend a special meeting to discuss all options.

When: Thursday September 18, 2008 @ 10 AM
Where: Holiday Inn @ Raritan Center - 3050 Woodbridge Ave - Edison, NJ 08837
Who: ALL NJ Exxon Lessee Dealers (NJGCA Members and Non-NJGCA Members)
What: To organize affected Exxon Dealers and formulate our strategy and action plan
RSVP: Debbie Hill - NJGCA Headquarters 973-376-0066. Please RSVP by 9/12/08

What we do know:
-Exxon has announced it will be bundling all locations for sale to distributors
-Exxon's current intention is NOT to sell properties individually to dealers
-The divestiture can take place at any time
-The value of the Exxon franchise has now decreased
-Dealers are NOT prepared to oppose Exxon's divestiture plan.
-Experience in other states has shown that dealing with a distributor is not profitable unless you own your property.

What needs to be done?
-Dealers need to organize and unify immediately.
-Dealers need to pool their resources.
-Dealer need to be prepared to protect their business and livelihood.
-Legal action MUST be considered.
-Legislative action MUST be initiated.

DON'T WAIT - THE BUSINESS YOU SAVE MAY BE YOURS.

NJ MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSION INSPECTOR CLASS

In order to be licensed as a Motor Vehicle Emission Inspector, an applicant must complete an approved training program that provides a detailed understanding of inspection related issues; the NJGCA inspector course fulfills all state requirements.

Course curriculum includes an overview of state rules and regulations as they pertain to inspection and various emission repair issues. Technicians will be required to pass both a Written and Hands-On exam. Technicians passing these exams will be certified and licensed as Motor Vehicle Emission Inspectors.

Emission Inspector: To be able to perform initial inspections

Six evening classes and one test night: Seven nights total.
Class time: 6:45pm - 10:00pm

CLASS SCHEDULE:
Thursday 9/18
Tuesday 9/23
Thursday 9/25
Tuesday 9/30
Thursday 10/02
Tuesday 10/07

FINAL EXAM on Thursday 10/09 at 4:30 pm written test at HQ, hands on at shop

NJGCA Members Cost: $195.00  
Non-Members Cost: $295.00

WMDA 35TH ANNUAL COVENTION & MEGA SHOW

The Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (WMDA) is hosting the 35th Annual Convention & Mega Show in Ocean City, Maryland.  The convention will take place over three days at the Ocean City Convention Center, staring on October 2nd thru October 4th.

The show is tailored for service stations, convenience stores, repair shops, car washes, tire dealers, jobbers, co-branded stations, and auto parts stores.

All owners, managers, technicians, and others are welcome.

The show will feature:
-Marketers from all over the automotive industry
-Informative seminars
-Live product demonstrations
-Opportunities to learn about the latest products and technologies

For more information visit: http://www.wmda.net/special.html

For schedules and registration visit: http://www.wmda.net/08MegaSched-Regis.pdf


NEWS AROUND THE STATE

9/9/2008:
Eminent Domain fight brews in Harrison
Businesses in Harrison are fighting a plan by town officials to seize their “blighted property” for redevelopment through eminent domain.  One victim, owner of a repair shop and car dealership, has seen his business drop by 95% since he was forced to move his small business last year.  Advocates believe they have an opportunity to thwart any further action under a new court ruling.

9/9/2008:
Despite critics, Toll Road Hike coming
Lawmakers criticized the Governor’s Office this week over a proposal which will see tolls hiked on New Jersey’s most traveled highways.  However, the proposals will skirt Legislative oversight, as the plans put forth by the Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority can only be stopped by the Governor.

9/8/2008:
NJ tests traffic camera program
A new but controversial pilot program to catch traffic violators using cameras is set to begin in New Jersey.  Twenty-one municipalities have applied to program, but opponents claim that any implementation may be used to violate civil rights.
 
9/3/2008:
Proposal seeks to limit sale of cold medicines
A bill will be introduced in the State Senate this fall which will seek to limit the sale of some over-the-counter medicines to children and teenagers.  The bill may affect convenience stores, supermarkets, and other retailers if passed.