|
January 15, 2010
GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!
Dear NJGCA Member:
UPDATES ON INSPECTION PROGRAM, REG FLEX & CLASSES
Last week I updated you on the inspection program and filled you in on all the information I had available.
This week, I met with the suits at MVC and Parsons and they promised us the following:
1). MVC and Parsons are beta testing CIFs as we speak. They expect them to be fully online and operational by Friday January 22nd
2) Beta testing will begin at 12 PIF locations on February 8th and run through February 24th
3) On March 1st MVC/Parsons will begin to change over 100 PIF locations per day, with an anticipated end-date of March 12th. That means on March 12th all PIFs should be operation under the new inspection program.
Obviously this may change due to snowstorms or any other unforeseen issues that may crop up to hinder normal travel and/or business, but the suits from MVC and Parsons were confident they’d keep to their schedule.
Regardless of what MVC and Parsons do, however, there is still much work to be done on our end!
The latest statistics I have say that 200 PIF locations have received their equipment, but have NOT initialized their equipment! Furthermore, there are still 1,400 technicians who have not completed their biometrics in anticipation of the program being fully online.
This is NOT acceptable. On one hand a number of our members have been complaining about certifications and equipment while others haven’t done their due diligence. To those of you who haven’t completed the process: What are you guys waiting for?
If you haven’t done so, please complete these procedures well before the system goes online since any delay will undoubtedly cause problems.
As for the current inspection program and equipment, I am well aware that many of you are keeping your gear together on nothing but duct-tape and glue until the new program starts. Keep gluing. I realize that it is not always possible to do, but MVC will be ok if you have to shut down one part of your equipment and limit the inspections that you will be capable of. In cases where printers are not printing as clearly as required, MVC will have a more lenient approach temporarily.
For those that can not get the equipment to operate without a major cash infusion, you will not be in jeopardy of forfeiting your license should you decide to suspend inspections until the new equipment is online. Your auditor may pick up your stickers, but they will be returned as soon as your new equipment is operational.
MVC has said that they will not deem it a violation should you bring your customers car to another PIF for an inspection, as long as you inform your customer that you are doing so because your equipment is down. Have your customer sign an acknowledgment that you will be bringing their car elsewhere for the inspection. This will protect you in the event that a covert car stops in while you are having equipment difficulties.
In all instances, please call us and we will help you make decisions if necessary.
On Monday, the Senate and Assembly passed an Expansion to the Regulatory Flexibility Act. NJGCA worked with advocates from many small business associations as well as the Small Business Administration of the Federal Government to pass this important legislation. Our victory will now give small businesses and our Association the right to challenge unfair regulations via Judicial Review. Prior to this expansion, small businesses were only offered Agency Review, which resulted in Agencies only defending their actions, instead of illustrating the cost-benefit analysis required for all regulations affecting Small Businesses. This legislation also prompted an expansion of the definition of small business, to increase the number of businesses protected by REG FLEX. This was a historic victory, and we will keep a watchful eye on the incoming administrations regulatory policies to ensure that they comply with REG FLEX Mandates.
Monday also brought about the passage of legislation that clarifies that when the DEP issues a No Further Action Letter for Site Remediation that it carries with it a Covenant Not to Sue. This important legislation will ensure that our Motor Fuel Dealers will not have to stay awake years after they received an NFA Letter wondering if the DEP will still come back and sue them. Last year we reformed the site remediation process by creating a privatized system that streamlines remediation using Licensed Site Professionals. We now have legislation that protects small businesses after their remediation has been completed by the LSPs and signed off on by the DEP. Another GREAT VICTORY for NJGCA members.
Finally this week, due to popular demand, we have scheduled more training classes for you to take advantage of. These classes are open to both members and non-members. Please call us to register and see below for full details.
Also, please alert us if you have suppliers or vendors that we should be asking to take space at our upcoming NORTHEAST 2010 tradeshow.
Thanks for reading. See you next week!
Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director
IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR
POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
•Participate in the NJGCA PAC today and help us keep our Agenda rolling in Trenton!
MBP BUSINESS SEMINARS BY AFFINITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
•Sign up for classes aimed at improving your small business today!
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
•See our new class schedule below!!
BUSINESS TOOLS: AMERICAN EQUIPMENT FINANCE (AEF), LLC
•We can provide you with financing from $15,000 to $500,000 - SAVE WITH AEF!
NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•No Child Left Behind: Over 800 NJ schools fail to meet standards
•NJGCA in the News: Risalvato, Meier comment on Cash-Credit pricing
•NJGCA in the News: Risalvato talks rise in gas prices
•Budget and spending cuts proposed by watch-dog group
ON THE NJGCA HOMEPAGE
MEMBER SAVINGS PAGE
Check out all of our MBPs and Programs designed to SAVE YOU MONEY!
HELPFUL LINKS
Looking for something? Take a look at our list of useful links!
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Find all our communications and search for old e-newsletters. Take a look!
NEWS AROUND THE STATE ARCHIVE
Need to catch up on events? Want to see what's going on? Find out here!
KNOW YOUR TERRITORY MANAGER!
Henry Darden: Territory Manager for Middlesex, Union, Part of Essex (Southern Half)
Cell: 908-247-2992
Email: henry@njgca.org
Jack Leli: Territory Manager for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem
Cell: 732-995-1637
Email: jack@njgca.org
Bob Quirk: Territory Manager for Bergen, Hudson, Part of Essex (Northern Half)
Cell: 201-214-8836
E-mail: bob@njgca.org
Frank Stewart: Territory Manager for Morris, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic
Cell: 973-234-7403
Email: frank@njgca.org
Don Stohrer: Territory Manager for Monmouth, Mercer, Somerset
Cell: 732-539-2955
Email: don@njgca.org
POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
Ensuring our friends in the legislature are re-elected and advocating for our agenda in Trenton are of utmost importance to the agenda of NJGCA.
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 the shoulders of a few. This is not fair to them, and it is not fair to many of you who are relying on the benefits of good legislation being passed in Trenton.
To truly understand the importance of fundraising for our allies, let’s look back upon the overwhelming successes of the last year:
NJGCA successfully lobbied against BELOW COST SELLING. If approved, BELOW COST SELLING would have cost each of you thousands of dollars and put many of you out of businesses. NJGCA leaned on some of our friends in the Assembly and literally had the bill pulled off the floor on the day it was scheduled to be voted on. Our friends in the Legislature helped us get this accomplished.
NJGCA made history and led the charge to pass the most comprehensive protection of franchisees in decades with FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL legislation. FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL passed only because NJGCA and dealers throughout the state were able to lean on several friends in the Assembly and the Senate.
NJGCA has been rallying support for RIGHT TO REPAIR over the last two years among key legislators. This would end the practice of car manufacturers denying you the codes necessary to complete the repairs you make on your customers cars. Every state has tried to pass RIGHT TO REPAIR and no state has even been able to get the legislation out of committee. Because of our friends in the Legislature, NJGCA has been successful in getting this bill passed by the Assembly and now awaits a vote in the Senate.
I am asking some of you as individuals to make a contribution and attend a fundraising event sponsored by one of our friends in the Assembly.
However, we will not be able to host events for all of our friends, so the NJGCA PAC will have to make contributions. You will be receiving letters soon from the NJGCA PAC asking you to make contributions.
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
66 Morris Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081
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.
MBP BUSINESS SEMINARS BY AFFINITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Affinity Federal Credit Union, an NJGCA Member Benefit Partner, is offering a number of classes designed specifically to help small business owners.
Some of these classes include:
•Managing Money Wisely
•Career Navigation in a Pink Slip Economy.
•Kean University Small Business Counseling Sessions
•Entrepreneur Certificate Program (ECP)
•Accounting and QuickBooks Certificate
•Small Business Seminars
•And much more!
Take advantage of this opportunity! Click HERE to visit the Calendar of Events on the Affinity homepage and sign up for a class!
Pleas contact Phil Apruzzi with any questions or comments at 973-376-0066.
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
Due to overwhelming demand, NJGCA has added additional classes in January, February and March!
ETEP TRAINING
Emission Repair Technician Re-Certification Class
NJGCA is offering the ETEP course that your ERT’s need in order to re-certify their license.
Our Course includes:
•New Jersey State Specific Information Course
•ETEP Section 6 “OBDII Monitoring Failures”
•Section 7 “Light-Duty Diesel Vehicle Technologies and Testing”.
•Five (5) nights class instruction
Everything your technician needs to Re-Certify his ERT license!!!
Class Cost (Including Manuals):
•NJGCA Member rates: $489.00
•NON-Member rates: $629.00
January Class - Union
January 12th, 14th, 19th 21st & 26th
Tuesdays and Thursdays
7:00pm to 10:00pm
February Class - Union
February 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th & 23rd
Tuesdays and Thursdays
7:00pm to 10:00pm
March Class - Rumson
March 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th & 23rd
Tuesdays and Thursdays
7:00pm to 10:00pm
Call Debbie Hill to enroll in the classes at debbie@njgca.org or call 973-376-0066.
AMERICAN EQUIPMENT FINANCE (AEF), LLC
AEF will work with you to finance used and new equipment for your Gas Station, C-Store & Car Wash.
We can provide you with financing from $15,000 to $500,000. AEF has flexible terms from 12-84 months. AEF can assist you in the following areas: Underground Tanks-Construction-Excavation-Installation, Dispensers/Pumps, Canopies, CardSystems, Vapor Recovery Systems, Coffee Machines, Showcases Refrigeration, Signage, POS Systems, Tunnels, Vacuums, Water Systems, Polishing–In-Bay, and Self Serve.
American Equipment Finance will save your business time, money and taxes.
Our finance associates can help you select the right lease or finance structure for your company’s needs. Credit decisions are usually provided in 24 hours.
NJGCA Members ONLY discounts applied.
Contact Len Baccaro at (908) 542-9330 or email him at www.aefllc.com
NEWS AROUND THE STATE
1/14/2010:
No Child Left Behind: Over 800 NJ schools fail to meet standards
Last year, more than 36 percent of public schools failed to meet federal goals for performance on standardized tests. In New Jersey, more than 800 schools did not meet their targets as established by the national No Child Left Behind Act, an increase of about 150 schools from 2008.
1/11/2010:
NJGCA in the News: Risalvato, Meier comment on Cash-Credit pricing
Association Executive Director Sal Risalvato and NJGCA Board Member Tom Meier were recently quoted in the Star Ledger regarding cash-credit pricing. Click above to read what they had to say.
1/11/2010:
NJGCA in the News: Risalvato talks rise in gas prices
Executive Director Sal Risalvato spoke with the Press of Atlantic City on the rise in gasoline prices and the effect the stock market and the weather have had on fuel costs. Click above to read the complete article.
1/7/2010:
Budget and spending cuts proposed by watch-dog group
A leading good-government advocacy group has presented a 10-point proposal focused on cutting local government spending. Among the ideas include, regional dispatch service, sharing computer administrators between municipal governments and school boards, and contracting out vehicle maintenance, among others. Learn more by clicking above or visit jointhecampaign.com
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES IN OUR “NEWS AROUND THE STATE” ARCHIVE
|
