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September 6, 2013 Here is what you will find in this edition:
JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!
PREPARING FOR WAR AND HIGHER GAS PRICES If you’ve glanced at the news recently, you know that the United States is likely very close to launching missile attacks against the dictator of Syria as a response to his use of chemical weapons upon his own citizens. It doesn’t matter what you think about America’s moral responsibility to maintain our position of leadership in the world, or our responsibility to defend against human rights atrocities. You may think it’s better for us to ignore the problems in the Middle East when they don’t directly involve us; but the fact remains - a military strike on Syria will affect your gasoline business in a big way. Every time something bad happens in the Middle East, speculators drive the price of oil upwards. Recently it was Egypt, now it’s Syria. Syria, like Egypt, doesn’t produce much oil, which is why its civil war hasn’t caused too much havoc…until now. Speculators are watching events in Syria carefully. Iran is close allies with Syria’s dictator, as is the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. Some fear that they will retaliate on behalf of the Syrian government, and it is the fear of that retaliation that will cause speculators to drive up the price of oil. Instability in the region will cause prices to spike, even if for only a short while. Like every other time the price of oil has shot up as a result of speculation, the price will fall again in a couple weeks once the immediate crisis passes. The financial markets will evaluate the actual supply and demand ratio and ultimately correct the marketplace. They will see that overall demand is actually down for the year, and then lower the cost of oil accordingly. In short, look for prices to start increasing and continue to spike for about 2-4 weeks then, as I told you a few weeks ago during the Egypt crisis, prices will start to come down again as the financial markets recall that actual consumption is down. If the United States does not launch a missile attack on Syria, then you will likely continue to see gasoline prices drop. I don’t have a crystal ball so I can only tell you what prices will do if certain conditions exist. When markets set the price of petroleum products, it is always based on a recipe of ingredients. The market price will be determined by the ingredients that are being mixed at the time. Your customers will get a bit rattled if prices skyrocket, and the news media will be ringing my phone off the hook. I want you to be able to explain to your customers exactly why your pump prices have risen, with the same ability that I have explaining to reporters. I just hope the missiles don’t fly this week as I'm away on a short vacation in Disney and really would prefer to avoid the news media. You may remember when I visited Disney last December that an unscrupulous operator dumped cheap Aviation Fuel in the tanks at his 3 gas stations causing an uproar with customers and the Department of Consumer Affairs. I spent 3 days conducting interviews by cell phone then and I would prefer to avoid a similar experience. The media have a way of tracking me down. You all know that this past weekend was the celebration of Labor Day. A day designated to recognize the contributions that have been made by the American workers to our great nation. Without giving a detailed history of the American Labor Movement it is sufficient to say, “at the time of the great labor struggles in America, Labor Unions were necessary in order to keep the balance of a free economy in synch with the American Dream.” Yet over the past few years, you have all heard me railing against the absurd demands of Labor Unions that have taken our society to an extreme that stifles personal responsibility and achievement. Demands and expectations have been made of our government to pass laws that guarantee one’s economic reward without regard to one’s effort or risk. Last month, I began to outline the present effort being made to raise the minimum wage with a guaranteed annual increase by amending the NJ State Constitution. Last week, I outlined a renewed effort mandating that all employers provide paid sick time regardless of an employee’s full or part time status. These are two examples of the Labor movement’s influence on legislators, and their effect on your business. This past weekend, I had an opportunity to reflect on the American Laborer and those men and women that have made it possible for American workers to live and work in a free and prosperous country. Even when celebrating the American Worker, we must acknowledge the contribution and sacrifice of the American Soldier. Although I have a self professed expert knowledge of everything and anything having to do with the Jersey Shore, I learned from family visiting from out of state about a ceremony that takes place every single night at sunset between Memorial Day and Labor Day on a beach in Cape May. Although I had been on this beach many times, I never knew of this great patriotic event. Saturday evening, as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, I had the honor of witnessing a tradition of patriotism and loyalty that has been taking place on Sunset Beach, in Cape May, for over many years. After a beautiful rendition of God Bless America and our Star Spangled Banner, I watched the sun set over the Delaware Bay, while taps played on the bugle and the flag that had been draped over the casket of one of our nation's deceased veterans was lowered for the evening. It was then that I realized that last week's Road Warrior did not include a Labor Day message, as is my custom before any National Holiday. It slipped past me…I apologize for the oversight. Although I know that this holiday is not designated to honor our servicemen and women, watching this beautiful display of patriotism and love of country (which has been led by the same devoted ex-Marine every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day, for the past 40 years) had me reflecting on the sacrifices that our veterans made to allow Americans the freedoms and liberties necessary to make the American Labor Movement possible. I took a moment to consider the current issues that are being promoted by Labor Unions and knew then that I had to write about this moment in the Road Warrior. There were hundreds of citizens attending this ceremony, and I wanted to share it with you. Labor Unions use the political process to promote their agenda, and it is vitally important for you to participate in the process and take advantage of the same freedoms and liberties that our nation’s veterans have made possible. They sacrificed for you, as well as workers. You know that I am committed to fighting for those who work just as hard as laborers, but have also risked their capital and homes along with their sweat. The summer has ended, but I am going to ask that you keep in the back of your brains the details of this patriotic event that I just described. I am going to ask that maybe next summer if you are visiting Cape May, that you take the time at sunset to attend this Flag Ceremony and give thanks for the freedoms and liberties that have enabled you to take risks, fail or prosper, and participate in the political process.
Thanks for reading -- See you next week!
CLASSIFIEDS: FOR SALE & HELP WANTED! Do you have a business for sale? Are you looking for a new location or opportunity?
NJGCA is also able to assists member in selling equipment through the placement of advetisments in Road Warrior!
If you'd like to list your business for sale, publish a location you're selling, or are seeking a business partner for your establishment, please contact NJGCA at 973-376-0066! NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
09/05/2013:
09/04/2013:
09/04/2013:
09/03/2013:
TRAINING CLASSES!! NEW JERSEY EMISSION INSPECTOR TRAINING
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.
PLEASE NOTE: FUTURE DATES 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!!
MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE
TMP Energy Solutions 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.
POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
DEFENDING OUR MEMBERS.
Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members.
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: 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.
THE MEMBER TOOL BOX
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