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Road Warrior Newsletter
 


 

February 01, 2018

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:
• What's Behind the Gas Prices in New Jersey; Potential Menthol Cigarette Ban; Vape Licensing Bill; Lottery Sales; OSHA Inspections
 

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

• Secret Service Warns ATM Jackpotting Attacks Seen in Other Countries Are Hitting the United States
• Sweeny's New (Anti-Tax) Image

• N.J. Store Clerk Charged in Theft of $1 Million Lottery Ticket
• Skimming Device Found on ATM at WaWa in Medford
• With Murphy In Charge, N.J. is Looking to Uphold Paris Accord 
TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
• Emissions Inspector Training Class, THURSDAY, February 15th
• Section 8,9 & 10 Re-Certification Class, MONDAY, March 5th; TUESDAY, March 13th, THURSDAY, March 15th, & MONDAY, March 19th

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!

WHATS BEHIND THE GAS PRICES IN NEW JERSEY
POTENTIAL MENTHOL CIGARETTE BAN
VAPE LICENSING BILL
LOTTERY SALES
OSHA INSPECTIONS
Welcome to February! Throughout the past month, we closely monitored gas prices expecting to see a plateau and then a decrease, however, it seems everyone is paying attention right now because shockingly, they continue to tick upwards. An analysis as to the cause of this upward pressure reveals that crude oil stocks are 75 million barrels a day lower than they were this time last year. This is not a result of increased driving or demand, but rather greedy OPEC nations conspiring to limit the supply on the world wide market. The price of crude oil is hovering at $65 a barrel level. A $10 a barrel increase in price equates to approximately 50 cents a gallon at the gasoline pump. If nationwide inventories continue to decline with no decrease in demand, then the price will continue to move upward. This is especially true in the next few months as we get closer to some major refineries shutting down for maintenance and begin the switch to summer gasoline formulas. CBS asked me for my opinion, you can watch the interview from yesterday, or read about it here. You have heard me say before that the best remedy for high gas prices IS high gas prices. I part ways with other experts and think that if motorists reject a higher price and volume does not increase as we approach the heart of driving season, the price of gasoline will drop rapidly. We’ll know if I’m right by July!

The next serious issue for those of you with gasoline convenience stores is an attempt to completely outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes in New Jersey. The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Burlington), who is currently the chairman of the Assembly Health and Senior Services committee. We learned late last week that Assemblyman Conaway had scheduled a hearing in his committee for Monday morning on this legislation. Although we presented testimony opposing Conaway’s bill, we knew there was no chance of defeating it in his committee. However, this bill was also referred to the Assembly Appropriations committee where we will have a better chance to defeat this legislation and will put up a bigger fight. The Appropriations committee will have to reconcile the loss of approximately $250 million in cigarette tax revenues per year and about $50 million in sales tax if menthol cigarettes are outlawed. This is a serious amount of revenue to be lost, the Appropriations committee will need to have a plan to make it up if this legislation passes. Chairman Conaway, who is also a physician, has stated his priority to protect public health over the loss of this much revenue. If he were not the chairman of the Health committee, I don’t think another chairman would have posted this bill for a hearing. I could be wrong, but we will be vigilant to fight this in the Appropriations committee. For more information on the proposed menthol cigarette ban, see the following links:

New Jersey Considers Statewide Menthol Ban
 
Proposed bill would ban sale of menthol cigarettes
 
New Jersey Moves Toward Banning Sales of Menthol Cigarettes

Another bill posted in the Health committee on Monday would have required an additional license for those of you who offer e-cigarettes or vaping products. We were successful in our efforts to have this bill amended to include e-cigarettes within your current tobacco license.

We at NJGCA have also been closely monitoring lottery sales. Lottery revenues are down, meaning our new Governor and the legislature are going to try to figure out ways to increase lottery sales. I am fearful this may open the door for them to permit outright internet lottery sales. Nothing has been introduced as of yet, but our radar is fixed on anyone who begins this discussion.

By now, you should have all received your January issue of On the Road, our quarterly newsletter. Please pay particular attention to the article on OSHA inspections. Here at NJGCA we are serious about keeping you out of trouble and are trying to be proactive to work with both labor officials as well as our members to avoid costly fines and penalties. Most of you operate safe repair shops and gas pumps, however, there are always infractions found in an inspection and I don’t want you to needlessly fall victim to a surprise inspection.  Please read this article and contact Debbie Hill here at HQ if you would like us to help you avoid a costly OSHA inspection.

 

That’s all for this week!

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                     

TRAINING CLASSES!!

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

Emissions Inspector Training Class - One Day Only!
THURSDAY, February 15th -- 7am to 3pm

Want one of your technicians to become a NJ Emissions Inspector? We can help! Our one-day class will provide all the information for becoming a NJ Emissions Inspector, and the State will administer the written test the very same day at our offices!  We are offering the class: Thursday, February 15 from 7:00am to 3:00pm. Cost $275.
Click HERE for the registration form.


ETEP Re- Certification Class: Sections 8,9 & 10
Section 8: Monday, March 5th
Section 9: Tuesday March 13th & Thursday March 15th
Section 10: Monday, March 19th
2:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Do you have an emission repair technician that needs re-certification? We are offering sections 8-10 classes this march! This four day class meets NJ DEP's requirements for re-certification. Member rate: $675 & Non-Member rate: $795 Call our office if you need more information. 
Click HERE for the 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

1/30/18
Secret Service Warns ATM Jackpotting Attacks Seen in Other Countries Are Hitting the United States
Given the recent changes in the law in Oregon, this report digs deeper into the history of self-serve gas around the country. The practice goes back as far as 1905, when motorists could get gas at “filling stations.” 

1/28/18
Sweeney's New (Anti-Tax) Image
Senate President Steve Sweeney, who once touted a millionaire’s tax, is calling for a re-evaluation of how government functions in New Jersey and is hitting the pause button on any efforts to boost taxes at the state level. “I think it doesn’t work any more in New Jersey. I think that our property taxes are out of control. We’ve got to look at them from our schools and we’ve got to look at how we do government.”

1/26/18
N.J. Store Clerk Charged in Theft of $1 Million Lottery Ticket
A store clerk in Edison was charged with second-degree theft, conspiracy, and attempted money laundering after a customer with a winning ticket was offered two other tickets instead of a claim form, calling those her winnings. Police say an attempt to cash the winning ticket at the lottery commission in Lawrenceville prompted an investigation. Officials said the rightful owner has been paid her winnings.
 
1/26/18:
Skimming device found on ATM at Wawa in Medford
An electronic skimming device was removed from an ATM at a local WaWa after Medford police discovered an unauthorized device in the machine. Officials are unsure if anyone's accounts were compromised. It's unclear when the device was installed and whether any other skimming devices previously had been placed on machines at the store, police said.

1/25/18
With Murphy in Charge, N.J. is Looking to Uphold Paris Accord
After President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accord on June 1, a bipartisan collection of states  called the U.S. Climate Alliance was formed to cut emissions in order to meet the goal of the Paris Accord. Last year, Governor Christie failed to sign a bill that would have made New Jersey a member; now the bill is back. If this bill passes, New Jersey will be required to join the U.S. Climate Alliance. 
                                                                                                                                                                                          
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. 
                                                                                                                                     
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.