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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS! 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES TASK FORCE, EXXON DEALER MEETING, AND MORE

Since I came onboard as Executive Director, I’ve made it a policy to cooperate with the Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) on a host of issues.  From getting the proper configuration on cash/credit pricing for your street signs, to defending innocent retailers on compliance lapses, to pointing out those who would intentionally defraud the public, NJGCA has created a solid, collaborative partnership with OWM.

Recently we’ve told you that OWM was heading out into the field to spot any octane cheats that attempted to pass off regular gasoline as premium fuel.  We wrote about this issue less than two weeks ago in the November 18th installment of the Road Warrior. You can review it by clicking HERE

Since then OWM has made more headlines.  Yesterday we got word that they were issuing a new round of citations based on the last few weeks of testing.  The result was that 14 of 325 gas stations were served complaints for selling octane below advertised levels. 

While this works out to be less than 5% of all the stations they’ve checked, I’m very proud to say that NONE of the cited stations were NJGCA Members -- Give yourselves a round of applause!

However, as happy as I am that our guys are in compliance, there is additional good news to be read in the OWM headlines.  While you’re working hard to service your customers and run an honest business, there are disreputable folks out there who do whatever is necessary to cheat not only their customers, but you!  When a retailer drops a load of regular fuel in his premium tanks, he’s unfairly competing against you even as he’s getting one over on his patrons.  That kind of behavior CANNOT be permitted.

Yes, there are certainly times when a dealer is unknowingly bleeding regular fuel into his premium tanks or other unforeseen mechanical malfunctions are tainting his octane level.  That isn’t right, but it’s certainly a more ‘forgivable’ offense to OWM and the court of public perception when a retailer doesn’t intend to harm the public, but is doing so accidently.  I’ll refer you back to a previous Road Warrior to read more about such a scenario (click HERE).

I have encouraged you to look out for these kinds of dishonest establishments in the past, and I continue to do so today.  We receive many complaints from members who suspect (or can prove) that a competitor down the road is playing this game.  Yet, in some of the instances, we’ve even heard about tanker drivers who had done this intentionally, while other drivers do it in collaboration with a corrupt retailer who is paying him to do so.  Hell, I’ve even heard of a few drivers who will gladly look the other way and drop a regular load into a premium tank for as little as $20!

The bottom line is that OWM provides an invaluable service to us all.  Not only are they protecting the public, but they are protecting YOU against any deceitful rectums out there who seek to drive you out of business by playing unfairly.  I congratulate them on making the headlines once again – and so should you!

It seems like nearly every other week I find myself warning you about yet another moronic bill being moved around the state Legislature in Trenton that would hurt your business.  This week though, I’ve actually got some good news to report (shocking I know).  Last week Assemblymen Reed Gusciora and Peter Barnes introduced A-4351, a bill which would require that all lamps and illuminating devices on a motor vehicle be kept in working order.  Currently, the law only requires that a minimum number of lights be maintained.  For example, the law requires that every car have two functioning brake lights, even if the car comes equipped with three or four lights.  This bill requires that every light on the car be operational. 

Since the elimination of safety inspections, we have all seen how motorists are much less willing to have their car repaired.  Now that there is no regular examination and they cannot be denied their necessary sticker, many motorists simply don’t care enough to keep their car maintained, and it’s costing to you business and making us all less safe.  I’ve reached out to the sponsors of this bill to let them know they have our support for it going forward. 

To try and help educate consumers that they are still legally required keep their car maintained, NJGCA has designed posters and pamphlets for you to display in your shop.   Every automotive repair shop in the state should have these located right in their customer’s faces.  You can view what they look like by clicking HERE and HERE. Call the office at 973- 376-0066 to request some if you don’t already have them. 

I’ve mentioned Assemblyman Gusciora (D-Mercer) before.  He has consistently been friendly to our organization and is always willing to listen to our concerns.  He also reintroduced this week the New Jersey “Right to Repair” Act.  Right to Repair is an issue NJGCA has been advocating for many years now.  Assemblyman Gusciora has been a sponsor of it every step of the way, and we look forward to working with him and others in the coming year to ensure that Right to Repair finally happens in New Jersey.  It can’t happen without your help, so stay tuned in the coming months as we push forward in our efforts. 

Earlier this week, we sent out a special Events & Announcements message for all Exxon Lessee Dealers who have the opportunity to purchase their location.  In the message we outlined the details on a Right of First Refusal Workshop that we’ll be hosting on Wednesday, December 7th at 6pm.  The meeting will take place at the Crown Plaza Hotel at 36 Valley Road in Clark, New Jersey.  We will have financial professionals, trusted distributors, and others at the meeting to discuss a variety of issues surrounding the acquisition of your station.

You may click HERE to read the full message and all the related details.  Please call NJGCA Headquarters at 973-376-0066 to RSVP for the meeting.

Owning your own location is a tremendous opportunity.  If you are on the fence about buying your station, then I ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGE YOU to attend the meeting.  No matter if it’s because you think the price you were quoted is too high, you don’t have financing in place, not sure what legalities are involved, or you are merely nervous about taking on such a huge financial responsibility, YOU SHOULD BE THERE to talk about your options. 

Lastly this week, those of you who have convenience stores will be interested in the status of A- 647.  This bill passed the Assembly a year ago.  It would have banned retailers from selling lottery tickets to customers after the top prize had been drawn.  The state Lottery Commission opposed this bill, and several months ago came to an agreement with the sponsors of the legislation to create a new program, the “Million Dollar Replay”.  Customers can send their losing scratch off tickets and be entered into a million dollar drawing.  As such, the sponsors of the bill have agreed to drop their legislation.  If anything more on this bill should be made public, we’ll be sure to fill you in.

Thanks for listening - See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

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NEWS AROUND THE STATE

12/1/2011:
Citizens rally in Trenton to support Opportunity Scholarship Act
On Thursday, 2,500 people gathered in front of the State House in support of the Opportunity Scholarship Act.  The proposal, which would give scholarships to tens of thousands of students in failing public schools to attend private and parochial schools, is currently at a standstill in the Legislature.  The proposal is strongly supported by NJGCA and would permit corporations to make tax-deductible to fund the program.  Click above to read more about the rally and the proposed legislation.

12/1/2011:
NJGCA in the News: Risalvato defends honest retailers as 14 stations face octane violations
Executive Director Sal Risalvato recently went on the record to support a recent task force’s octane findings.  In his comments, Risalvato commended the Office of Weights and Measures for fining octane cheats, while defending honest small business owners who comply with state regulations.  The comments come after a group of 14 gasoline stations were charged with selling gasoline below advertised octane level.  The task force was comprised of the state Office of Weights and Measures, as well as thirteen local county Weights and Measures offices.  A total of 325 gasoline stations were tested.  Owners of the 14 stations will now face charges under the Motor Fuels Act, including fines of up to $3,000 and a 5-to-30 day license suspension.

11/27/2011:
NJGCA in the News: Risalvato comments on Exxon divestiture
After nearly two years of struggle, a group of Exxon lessees will finally have the opportunity to purchase the land that their business sits on, thanks to the Right of First Refusal Act. Executive Director Sal Risalvato recently spoke with the Star-Ledger on how the measure, which was championed NJGCA and other small business advocates, became law in 2009 and will allow the current crop of Exxon franchisees the chance to buy their stations.  Click above to read the full story.

11/25/2011:
Proposal would ease the operation of unincorporated businesses
A bipartisan measure aimed at making the Garden State more attractive to businesses was recently introduced in the Legislature.  The bill, A-4359, would update and modernize the laws creating limited liability companies (LLCs) in New Jersey.  The bill sponsors – Assemblymen Burzichelli and Rumana – are both members of a panel tasked with reducing government regulations.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES IN OUR “NEWS AROUND THE STATE” ARCHIVE