June 06, 2015

Dear NJGCA Member:

Thank you for reading this week's NJGCA Road Warrior!

Here is what you will find in this edition:

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE

TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE

                                                                                                                                                            

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

NORTH PLAINFIELD RAISES TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE TO 21
PARAMUS NEXT MUNICIPALITY TO CONSIDER THIS PROPOSAL
THE FUTURE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY REFUELING STATIONS
MORE EXCITING PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT OVER SELF-SERVE

This week, NJGCA was again out on the front lines opposing a town council's plan to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21. And, again, we went into it knowing that we would get steamrolled, and we did. However, we were able to get two members of the council to vote against the proposal, by reminding them that this nation has 18-year-old men and women who can legally go overseas and die while wearing our country's uniform, but can't come back home and buy a pack of cigarettes. One councilman told me my testimony was shameful. I'm used to being publicly attacked on this issue... People view anything having to do with tobacco sales as evil. But people more powerful than this Councilman have already tried to skewer me, including Senator Codey last year (in a Senate hearing) when he had to declare how offended he was by my testimony in support of my members who sell tobacco. I wear it like a badge of honor!! This fight must be undertaken, and I'm happy to do it. Here is an article that I was quoted in about the Council meeting this week.
 
We learned this week that Paramus is considering a similar proposal. I want to put up a fight there! We have many members in Paramus who rely on tobacco sales, and I have every intention of waging a big battle over this. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW SELLS TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN PARAMUS, YOU MUST PARTICIPATE IN THIS EFFORT.  The anti-tobacco, anti-smoking crowd is plotting this type of action all throughout the state, and we have to start pulling out some victories! Here is a picture of me providing my testimony to the Town Council in North Plainfield.

I want to next discuss a legislative proposal that recently saw some action in Trenton. The bill would require the NJ Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to provide natural gas refueling, propane refueling and electric vehicle recharging stations at certain rest areas on the Turnpike, Parkway and AC Expressway. The bill still has to make a few more stops in Trenton before it becomes law, but once this happens, it will open the door for YOU and YOUR business, because more people will be looking for places to fuel up with natural gas, hydrogen and electricity. This will help open up a corridor on the East Coast and make more people consider alternate-fueled vehicles. With more renewable energy vehicles on the road, drivers will be looking for more fueling stations. And I will renew my efforts to encourage ALL of my members to be on the cutting edge of selling these fuels!!
 
We had another very successful breakfast meeting in Gloucester Township this week. A main topic of discussion was the recent turmoil and excitement caused by the news that the NJ Senate has introduced legislation to allow self-serve. You should all be aware of our efforts to support this transition, but know that the fight will take a few years before we come to terms and reach an agreement that all sides are satisfied with. The first step in this fight is to raise money, and on Wednesday night, with the help of some very important and generous members, we did just that. We hosted a fundraiser for our friends in the NJ Legislature who are joining us in this fight. The event was well-attended by over 80 people, and we have gained momentum in communicating our message to Legislators and the public. We continue meeting with legislators, asking them to keep an open mind. I have said it before, and I'll continue to say it until this is done. This is going to be a long fight, but I believe that we can get it accomplished. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Assembly Appropriations Chair and Deputy Speaker

 
Assemblywoman Marlene Caride (D-Bergen and Passaic counties)


Assemblyman Tony Bucco, Deputy Republican Leader


Over 90 guests attended the 3rd annual NJGCA PAC event

Finally, I would like you all to be aware of the last breakfast meeting (until August) that NJGCA is hosting.  We will be in Princeton, NJ at the Red Oak Diner on Route 206, on Wednesday, June 17. The meeting will start at 9:30 AM.  If you live or work in Somerset, Mercer or Middlesex County we would welcome you to join us for a FREE breakfast and a very informative meeting.  There will also be the opportunity to win a $50 AmEx gift card, and a case of Gulftec 5/20 Motor Oil from our generous sponsors.  For more information, or to RSVP, please call Jacy at 973-376-0066 or respond directly to this email!

That's all for now!  Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

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

Emissions Inspector Class being offered in Wall Township (Monmouth County) on Wednesday, August 19, 2015!!

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 NJ.  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:
Class Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Location: *NEW* NJGCA Office -- 4900 Route 33 West, Neptune, NJ 07753
                 **Entrance in Rear of Building, Class to be held on second floor**
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. 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.

Click HERE for Registration Form!

FUTURE CLASSES 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!!

CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS 

NJGCA Member with HUGE Auto Repair Building for Lease!!
     - Over 3,000 sq. ft., includes lifts and some equipment
    - Separate Offices and Customer Waiting Area
Location: Hackettstown, NJ (just one block off Route 46)
    - Located on busy roadway, plenty of parking & easy access!
Asking Price: $4,000/month (term of lease is flexible)
CONTACT SUSAN - 862-432-2179

NJGCA MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNERS LOOKING TO HIRE!

GILL ENERGY:

District Manager
Store Manager
Trucking Operations Manager

For more information about these positions, and to submit a resume for consideration, please contact: ravigill@gillenergy.com.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

News You Should Know:

6/10/2015:

FDA Retail Tobacco Inspections: 95% of retailers have passed inspection in past 5 years

http://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/refresher-fda-retail-tobacco-inspections
 
Over the past five years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted more than 400,000 retail compliance inspections in all fifty states, and retailers have passed the compliance inspections approximately 95% of the time. This requirement to conduct retail inspections is a part of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which Congress passed in 2009 that authorized the FDA to regulate tobacco products. According to the FDA’s website, the agency has funded contracts to conduct retail compliance checks with state agencies or private firms in all 50 states. The total dollar amount of these funded contracts is $137,196,388.  For a list of the state agencies and private companies that are currently conducting these compliance checks in each of these states, click here.  The information for New Jersey is as follows:

6/10/2015:
Nation's largest doctor group says states should raise e-cig age to 21
With the popularity of e-cigs soaring among teenagers, the nation's largest physician association Tuesday urged state lawmakers across the country to prohibit anyone under age 21 from buying the nicotine and water vapor devices. The AMA's newest policy, announced from its annual meeting in Chicago, expands on its efforts "to help keep all tobacco products, including e-cigs, out of the hands of young people, by urging laws to deter the sale of e-cigs to anyone under the age of 21," said the association's President Robert M. Wah. "Improving the health of the nation is the AMA's top priority and we will continue to advocate for policies that help reduce the burden of preventable diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, both of which can be linked to smoking." In NJ, people under the age of 19 are prohibited from buying tobacco products and e-cigs. A bill that would raise the age to 21 passed the Senate a year ago, but it has stalled in the Assembly. The nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services studied the financial impact of the bill and estimated the state would lose about $19 million in revenue the first year it took effect.

06/09/2015:
Report: U.S. oil production to remain steady despite sagging prices
Oil production in the US will continue its muscular output despite falling oil prices, according to federal estimates. The national oil boom that sent crude production soaring last year and contributed to plummeting oil prices will continue its steady flow of crude this year and next, a U.S. Energy Information Administration report released Tuesday predicted.  Total U.S. crude oil production is expected to average 9.4 million barrels a day this year and 9.3 million barrels a day for 2016, the EIA report said. Those are higher estimates than the EIA released last month. West Texas crude is forecast to average $55 a barrel this year and $62 a barrel in 2016, according to the report. Although this may be an ongoing challenge for producers, it's good news for motorists at the pump. The EIA expects monthly average gasoline prices to decline the rest of the year, averaging $2.43 a gallon during the second half of 2015, down from $2.72 a gallon in May. Though gas prices may spike this summer, as they typically do, overall pump prices will be down from last year, said Skip York, vice president of integrated energy at consultants Wood Mackenzie. "The consumer will still see a windfall from this price correction," he said.

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 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.