If you cannot see the message, please click here

November 05, 2015

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:

GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!

• NJGCA Collecting Frozen Turkeys for the Needy; US DOL & OSHA Task Forces Target Your Businesses; Workers Comp Fraud: Mis-Classifying Employees and Under-Reporting Payroll; Octane Cheaters: Co-Mingling Product and Selling Unbranded Product

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS

- NJGCA MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER GILL ENERGY LOOKING TO HIRE FOR (3) DIFFERENT POSITIONS

District Manager
Store Manager
Trucking Operations Manager

For more information, and to submit a resume, please contact: ravigill@gillenergy.com.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

• Elizabeth joins municipal paid sick leave movement
• With elections over in New Jersey, it’s gas tax time
• Why are gas prices going up in N.J.? Blame the feds

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
• Emission Inspector Training Class on Tues, December 8, 2015

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD
•Gill Energy: Getting you There!
•Bellomo Fuel: Exceptional Service, Aggressive Petroleum Marketing
•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!

*NEW*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!

NJGCA COLLECTING FROZEN TURKEYS FOR THE NEEDY
US DOL & OSHA TASK FORCES TARGET YOUR BUSINESSES
WORKERS COMP. FRAUD: MISCLASSIFYING EMPLOYEES AND UNDER-REPORTING PAYROLL
OCTANE CHEATERS: CO-MINGLING PRODUCT & SELLING UNBRANDED FUEL

This isn't usual or customary in my message, however, I can't help but think that we're all very blessed to have plenty of food to eat and the ability to enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with our family and friends. However, one very painful fact that cannot be ignored is that there are many who are not as blessed as us. It has come to my attention over the past few days that there is a serious shortage of turkeys for the upcoming holidays. A severe bird flu disease has depleted the supply of turkeys which, according to the laws of supply and demand, has apparently increased the price of turkeys high enough that fewer people are making turkey contributions to food banks and shelters. Just the Central NJ region itself is expected to be about 2,000 turkeys short for needy families. Between turkeys being unavailable and high prices for turkeys that are available, many needy people will not have the abundance on their table that you and I are accustomed to. I think it behooves us to get involved to assist, and that is why I am making this appeal to you.

I would love to have NJGCA contribute at least 200 turkeys toward that deficit. Since we can't store frozen turkeys at our office, we will be making daily trips to local food banks. Please try to bring a turkey!! If you can bring more than one, please bring as many as you can. It's a good opportunity for you to visit us at our new offices!! I know the hardest part might be physically getting the turkeys here to us, but I am asking you to find it in your heart to do so. I would suggest that you attach your business card to each turkey. We will begin accepting your donated turkeys on Monday morning, and we'll accept them right up until the close of business on Thursday 11/19. If you would be kind enough to ask other families and friends to help you, then you can deliver all of their turkeys at the same time.

I know it will be a lot easier for you to simply make a financial contribution, and of course will gratefully accept a check in lieu of a turkey. However, I'm not very confident that given the shortage, the staff and I will be able to purchase 200 turkeys. Certainly we will make every effort to do so if we receive the funds. If this effort was not a last minute thought in response to the shortage, I'm sure we could have implemented a more convenient means of collecting turkeys for the needy. Perhaps I will organize such an effort in the future, but for now, NJGCA is reacting to the emergency needs of the less fortunate. If you are only able to send a contribution please mail checks here to HQ made out to “NJGCA Turkey Fund”.

I look forward to being able to make a difference in our community for families in need, and hope that you will, too!

Next, I want to remind you that US DOL still has a task force in New Jersey focused on gasoline stations and auto repair shops. They are conducting surveillance coupled with employee interviews and payroll audits to make certain that all of your employees are being paid properly according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They are looking for things like employees being paid proper overtime, and either partially or entirely cash under the table. I met recently with the NJ Director of US DOL in my office to ascertain the direction they are heading, and I'm thinking of asking US DOL and OSHA (since both departments are teaming up to look for workplace infractions) to conduct a seminar that will help keep you out of trouble. I will have more on this as the program develops.

Next, I want to touch on two topics that may be rather unpleasant. Over the years, we have run into many circumstances where members try to skirt workers compensation costs by mis-classifying employees. Another method of skirting workers comp costs is similar to what I mentioned above, regarding USDOL payroll investigations. That is, employees being paid cash under the table in an effort to obscure the true costs of payroll. I attended a workers compensation forum last week, as NJGCA is not the only small business organization whose members fall in this category. What I learned is that there is going to be a renewed effort on the part of insurance companies and state regulators from the department of banking and insurance (DOBI) to uncover the business owners who are falsely reporting their payroll and skirting workers compensation premiums.

The truth of the matter is, if everyone properly reported their payroll, the actual rate that is being paid would be much lower. The only difference is that honest business owners, who are correctly reporting their payroll now, get to save some premium dollars, and those who are underreporting their payrolls will actually begin paying what they should have been paying all along. This is a fairness issue, and honest business owners are being cheated by dishonest business owners. As with USDOL, insurance carriers that provide workers compensation insurance are well aware of the culture that surrounds this business. For instance, a gasoline retailer that is open 24/7 and has either a convenience store or an auto repair shop can't possibly have a payroll of $50,000 or even $100,000 a year. This type of underreporting causes other honest employers to pay twice as much premium because the dishonest guy is only paying half.

A perfect and infuriating example occurred the day before I attended the workers compensation forum. A dishonest shop owner has evaded workers compensation for the past three years and continues to reject securing a policy for his employees to this day, as he seeks to join NJGCA. Since workers compensation is required by law, it is only a matter of time before state regulators discover his fraud and are sure to come down hard on him. My guess is that once he is caught, the penalties that he will have to pay will surely cause him to close his doors, and he will be out of business. Even scarier is the thought that one of his employees could be seriously injured or disabled. How will they and their families be compensated? Solving this problem is of utmost concern to me.

Next, in the fraudulent department is my awareness that octane cheaters are more prevalent than they were previously. Honest members will draw my attention to their competitors who they can watch and then observe that regular grade gasoline is being delivered into premium grade tanks. With cars meeting higher mileage and efficiency standards set by the federal government, more and more cars will have engines with higher octane requirements, and the price spread between regular and premium will continue to grow. This creates a very tempting scenario for dishonest retailers to gain an extra 40 or 50 cents a gallon by delivering less expensive, subpar octane fuel into their higher octane underground storage tank. We also have hard evidence that locations are purchasing less expensive unbranded product and selling it in their branded locations.

In both of these instances, I've met with state enforcement officials and asked them to investigate. I want to remind you that NJGCA has a zero tolerance policy for fraudulent and unscrupulous practices. I already brag that my members are a cut above the rest, because they care enough to belong to a trade association that keeps them informed and on the cutting edge. I still expect that this standard will be maintained, and our zero tolerance policy remains in effect. It will remain my personal policy to turn in any fraudulent or unscrupulous member, as in all instances of cheating, it is not just the consumer or the employee that is being cheated, but my honest members who are at a disadvantage when attempting to compete against a cheater. I think very highly of all of you, and would be quite disappointed and uncomfortable if I was put in that position. I'll defend you like a junkyard dog for any honest mistakes that you make, but will stand with the authorities against fraud and deceit.

Not wanting to end my weekly message on such a negative note, I want to refer back to the first paragraph, and ask you to please count the blessings that you have and the bounty of your table and be generous and support our turkey drive. Please call Jacy here at headquarters if you need more information and let her know when you will be stopping by. We will make sure someone is here to receive your delivery. Send your employees if you can't come... send your spouse if you can't come... send neighbors and friends... but please come with your turkeys.

Oh yes….there was an election this week that may have turned Trenton upside down. I am still gathering my thoughts about the election results, but be sure that I will report them soon.

With sincere and heartfelt thanks for the anticipated turkey drive generosity,

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

TRAINING CLASSES!!

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 New Jersey. 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.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

CLASS DETAILS:
Class Date: Tuesday, December 08, 2015
Class Location: NJGCA Headquarters -- 4900 Route 33 West, Wall Twp, NJ 07753
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. All 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.

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

NJGCA MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER GILL ENERGY LOOKING TO HIRE FOR (3) DIFFERENT POSITIONS!

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

11/5/15:
Elizabeth joins municipal paid sick leave movement
Earlier this week, Elizabeth became New Jersey's 10th municipality to pass a paid sick leave initiative after voters approved a ballot-box question. The new ordinance will largely mirror those that have come before it in other New Jersey municipalities, allowing private-sector workers the ability to accrue up to an hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with a 40-hour-per-year cap for workers at businesses with 10 or more employees. A 24-hour-per-year cap would be in place for workers at businesses with nine or fewer employees. Those working "directly in contact with the public," such as in fields pertaining to food service or daycare, would be able to accrue up to 40 hours per year regardless of the size of their employer.

11/4/2015:
With elections over in New Jersey, it’s gas tax time
There were two things standing in the way of a no-holds-barred debate over the gas tax in New Jersey: Assembly elections and a sign that Gov. Chris Christie was ready to play ball. Those obstacles are coming down. Last night, Democrats retained their control of the Assembly and even picked up a few seats. The night before, Christie all but threw the first pitch in comments during his monthly "Ask the Governor" radio show on New Jersey 101.5 FM. A delay in a gas tax proposal was the fault of the Democrats, he said. “It didn’t suit their politics, because they were going into an election year," Christie said. “They made a political judgment not to [propose a gas tax]." Echoing many conservatives in the state, Christie said he wanted cuts to the estate and inheritance taxes in New Jersey, among the steepest in the country. And, for the first time, he laid out the sketches of a deal on the gas tax. With elections over -- and the state's tax-funded infrastructure in dire condition -- the debate is likely to play out fast, and at high intensity.

11/2/2015:
Why are gas prices going up in N.J.? Blame the feds
Anyone who's ever watched a movie about Wall Street knows the goal of trading stocks -- buy low and sell high. And then there is the federal government, which has decided to sell some of the oil in the strategic petroleum reserves to meet budget demands at a time when there are record amounts of crude oil in storage. "It definitely tilted the market and pushed crude higher the day this was announced," said Jeff Pelton, senior petroleum analyst for Gas Buddy.com. "Buying high and selling low is never a good strategy and the consensus of opinion was that some of those barrels were $120 barrels and not the $45 we currently see." What that means at the pump this week is a speed bump in the road to reach the $1.50/gallon price drop that Pelton has predicted we'll reach by Christmas. The average price in the state actually increased by a penny per gallon between Friday and Monday morning to an average of $1.93. The lowest of the low prices as reported by Gas Buddy.com came in between $1.69 and $1.75. Last week, the rock bottom price was $1.67.

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 (3) weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are for reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.