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September 20, 2007

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

I am pleased to send you the first edition of the NJGCA Road Warrior -- our new weekly e-newsletter.

As you know, NJGCA has been going through some very exciting changes in recent months. While we continue to advocate for our members and protect the interests of retailers, we are transforming the way we do business and how we communicate with you.

Put simply, we are evolving. Our goal is to better serve you. One way to serve you better is to keep you well informed with timely news updates, important information and events.

Although this first e-newsletter is to introduce our members to the NJGCA Road Warrior, I expect future editions will be the timely vehicle to update you on important news affecting your small business.

Please visit our newly designed website for additional news and information. I am pleased with the many improvements and I am anxiously awaiting the web host to make more additions. Check the site daily for new content and features.

Again, welcome to the first of many future editions of the NJGCA Road Warrior!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato,
Executive Director

IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

  • Helping Small Business: Low-cost finance program assists small companies in evaluating risk.
  • Pump prices rise for the first time in weeks on decline in refinery productivity.
  • Highway Robbery: Tolls could soar 150% under asset-sale plan
  • Rising cost of health insurance a problem for small-businesses

TRENTON TRAFFIC
State House Legislative Report:

  • Governor to sign Predatory Towing Legislation; will hurt honest small businesses
  • New Jersey Right to Repair act to benefit small auto-repair businesses.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ALERT

  • Sump compliance inspections

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • NJGCA Fall Member Dinner Meetings – Coming to your Area!!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

9/10/2007:
Helping Small Business: Low-cost finance program assists small companies in evaluating risk.
A Little Ferry-based financial information company has recently released a DVD-based financial tool that helps small businesses assess risk and the health of their companies.

8/31/2007:
Pump prices rise for the first time in weeks on decline in refinery productivity
Tight inventories and lower refinery activity drove pump prices up for the first time in weeks, with an expectation that prices will continue to rise in the coming weeks as fuel-supplies fall.


8/30/2007:
Highway Robbery: Tolls could soar 150% under asset-sale plan
Adding to the building opposition to the State’s proposed asset sale, a recent Wall Street study assesses any toll-road sale or lease will cost motorists an average of $2400 a year and raise tolls by 150%

8/29/2007:
Rising cost of health insurance a problem for small-businesses
Small businesses in New Jersey are finding it increasingly more difficult to offer health insurance for its employees. This phenomenon follows a national trend that is making it challenging for businesses to compete and retain employees.

TRENTON TRAFFIC
State House Legislative Report:

Governor to sign Predatory Towing Legislation; will hurt honest small businesses

  • Click HERE to see an urgent Wildfire Alert on this important issue and how it will affect your small business.
  • Click HERE to read the full text of A4053, the Predatory Towing Prevention Act.

New Jersey Right to Repair act to benefit small auto-repair businesses

  • Click HERE to read how it affects your auto repair business.
  • Click HERE to read the full text of A931, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ALERT

We are getting news from several members that DEP is beginning to take a serious look at sumps and they are issuing “Notices of Violation” accompanied by fines up to $15,000 for sumps that are not in compliance.

If you have doubts regarding the condition of your sumps or if you have indications of any water intrusion, you should seriously consider an integrity inspection to determine the cause and take immediate action to remedy the problem.

DEP has been extremely aggressive with all UST inspections and many locations have been fined over $50,000.

NJGCA has arranged for ATS Environmental Services to perform compliance inspections for FREE for all NJGCA members. Please call ATS and schedule an inspection now! Avoid problems. 800-440-8265. Ask for Mike Pepe or Ron Raleigh.

Please call us here if you have any questions. Ask to speak with Debbie Hill, x203.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please be sure to mark your calendars for our Fall Member Dinner Meetings:

Fall Member Meeting dates and locations:

Bergen & Hudson Counties
Tuesday, September 25 @ 7 PM

Café Tivoli
533 Shaler Boulevard
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
(201) 941-5561

Contact:
(Bergen) Bob Quirk bob@njgca.org (201) 214-8836
(Hudson) Eric Hayes eric@njgca.org (973) 986-7135

Morris, Passaic, Sussex & Warren Counties
Tuesday October 2 @ 7 PM

Giovanni’s Restaurant
80 E McFarland Ave (Rte 46)
Dover, NJ 07801
(973) 361-7272

Contact:
(Morris, Sussex, Warren) Frank Stewart frank@njgca.org (973) 459-0782
(Passaic) Eric Hayes eric@njgca.org (973) 986-7135

Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties
Tuesday October 9 @ 7 PM

Crab Trap Restaurant
6 Broadway on the Circle (Rte 52 South)
Somers Point, NJ 08244
(609) 927-7377

Contact:
Jack Leli jack@njgca.org (732) 995-1637

Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex & Somerset Counties
Tuesday October 16 @ 7 PM

Freddies
12 Railroad Ave
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 882-9845

Contact:
(Hunterdon) Frank Stewart frank@njgca.org (973) 459-0782
(Mercer, Somerset) Phil Apruzzi phil@njgca.org (732) 693-2656
(Middlesex) Henry Darden henry@njgca.org (908) 247-2992

Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Tuesday October 23 @ 7 PM

Kelly’s Corner Tavern
43 Laird Rd (Rte 35 south)
Neptune, NJ 07753
(732) 775-9517

Contact:
(Monmouth) Phil Apruzzi phil@njgca.org (732) 693-2656
(Ocean) Jack Leli jack@njgca.org (732) 995-1637

Essex & Union Counties
Wednesday October 24 @ 7 PM

Cryan’s Beef and Ale House
24 First Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 763-7114

Contact:
(Essex) Eric Hayes eric@njgca.org (973) 986-7135
(Union) Henry Darden henry@njgca.org (908) 247-2992