October 19, 2007

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

Last week's Road Warrior brought you important news on "undercover" MVC vehicles and the need to stay current on Private Inspection Facility (PIF) regulations.

I'd like to share a common story among inspectors that is clearly dishonest and needs to be avoided.

Some of us know of PIFs that start an inspection with one vehicle then use a second vehicle to complete the inspection and print a sticker. In some instances, it is not PIF owners but employees who carry on this practice. These inspectors believe they are clever enough to fool the MVC.

However, the State has become skilled at recognizing a vehicle's electronic "fingerprint" and is levying heavy fines against PIF owners for such misconduct.

This is an example of a bad practice that needs to stop.

In 2004, a compilation of these fines assessed to inspectors and PIFs totaled $475,000. In 2006 that number was closer to $950,000. These fines, coupled with the subsequent loss of license, are costly and can easily be avoided.

Please pay attention to your employees' behavior. Follow proper inspection practices. DO NOT give the government any excuse to pick your pocket.

Please note that next week, we have our last two Fall Member Dinner Meetings back-to-back. Please see details below for times and locations.

Regards,
Sal Risalvato,
Executive Director

IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

• Money Watch: State could face $3.5 Billion deficit in 2008
• Population Flight: Residents fleeing for less expensive states
• Oil hits record high; just shy of $90 per barrel
• The Great Escape: Half of NJ residents want to leave the Garden State

IMPORTANT ERF RENEWAL INFORMATION

• Was your renewal paperwork confusing?

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK REMOVAL TIP

• Are you complying with your coverage?

UPCOMING EVENTS

NJGCA Fall Member Dinner Meetings:
10/23/2007: Monmouth & Ocean Counties
10/24/2007: Essex & Union Counties

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

10/10/2007:
Money Watch: State could face $3.5 Billion deficit in 2008
With predications of a $3.5 Billion deficit in next year?s budget, Corzine Administration officials face the bleak possibility of raising taxes on businesses.

10/10/2007:
Population Flight: Residents fleeing for less expensive states
A recent study reports a record number of residents have left New Jersey that in the last seven years, with other American uninterested in moving to the Garden State. Among the reasons cited are over-taxation, cost-of-living and high home prices.

10/16/2007:
Oil hits record high; just shy of $90 per barrel
A weak dollar, rising tensions between Turkey and Kurdish separatists, and a flood of new investments in the market have all been cited as contributing factors in oil prices hitting a record high this week.

10/17/2007:
The Great Escape: Half of NJ residents want to leave the Garden State
A new poll reports that half of state residents want to leave New Jersey for more affordable states. The new poll comes on the heels of a report citing roughly 1 out of 8 residents have left the Garden State since 2001.

IMPORTANT ERF RENEWAL INFORMATION

Recently, a mis-worded Emission Repair Facility (ERF) license renewal application has been creating some confusion among Members.

Item Number 5 on the application is incorrectly written, as it asks for a copy of the original "ERF congratulatory letter".

Instead, Item 5 should read, "Submit a copy of your Emissions Repair Technician's (ERT) Certificate and a copy of their congratulations letter."

Many ERTs no longer have their original "congratulatory letter" from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In these instances, please ask your ERT to contact DEP (1-888-286-0313; ask for Denise Yingling) to request a copy.

Remember, a licensed ERT is a mandatory condition in renewing your ERF license. Please file the proper paperwork to avoid an interruption in your license.

If you have any questions, please contact Director of Member Services, Debbie Hill, with questions (x203).

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK REMOVAL TIP

A number of Members are planning to replace Underground Storage Tanks (UST).

When replacing USTs, please be sure to observe proper procedure in notifying your POLLUTION LIABILITY insurance company of your plans. Many policies WILL NOT cover you in case of an accident if you do not notify them at least 48 hours before removal begins.

UST removal is very expensive. Avoid a disastrous and costly situation by following correct protocols.

If you have any questions, please contact your pollution liability insurance provider or Debbie Hill for details.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please attend our Fall Member Dinner Meetings:

Next 2 Fall Member Meeting dates and locations:

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