June 5, 2009

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

INSPECTION MAYHEM & STATE BUDGET BLUES

For the past two weeks, I have received many phone calls from members angry over how MVC and Parsons have handled the continuing inspection equipment saga.

Let me just say that I am pissed too and do not blame you for being angry.  Parsons is dead wrong to think that it is appropriate to ask for payment in full for equipment that won’t be delivered for 4 months.  Recent developments are as stunning; it seems that the equipment that you purchase will not be permitted to be used for other diagnostics if you drop out of the inspection program.

I have spoken with state officials regarding this problem and even with Sharon Harrington, Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission.  Discussions are ongoing and I will be meeting with officials on Monday.  I have politely continued to raise our objections and seek a viable solution.

Of course, I say “politely” only because this may change in the near-future.  I have become increasingly more angry with each new surprise unveiled in recent weeks.  I know you must feel the same.

For the time being, if you have NOT signed on for the new program, I ask you to please hold off at least for the next week or two.  I don’t want you to make an un-informed decision that may negatively impact your small business.  Please allow me to get more facts to you first, even as we work toward a (hopeful) resolution to this problem.

Anyone even passively paying attention to the news knows that the Garden State has a money problem. The problem has gotten so large that we now know Trenton is looking to raise taxes for next year’s budget.

Recently, State Treasurer Rousseau addressed the Legislature and outlined the Governor’s plan to fill next year’s $8.8 billion shortfall.  This, of course, doesn’t include state revenue falling for THIS year’s budget – which has forced the state to borrow an addition $2 billion to get through the year.

Solutions include increasing the income tax on those in the upper-income brackets, increasing taxes on healthcare, canceling property-tax rebates, and killing municipal aid.

How does that affect your establishment?  Well unfortunately many small businesses fall into the increases outlined above directly or indirectly.  For example, to anyone who legally set up their company as an LLC, S Corp, or even a limited partnership, all of this may amount to a back-end business tax!

Trenton is also seeking to increase the payroll tax to fund the Unemployment Insurance fund! For years, politicians have been slowly robbing this trust fund to pay for other projects.  They’ve become so good at it that, they’ve virtually bankrupted the system.

Today, those same politicians are now seeking to increase the tax to make up for their lack of foresight and YOU get to pay the bill!  Our best information says to expect an increase of about $87 per employee starting July 1st. That’s a 20% increase.  Of course, anyone who has had to lay-off a worker because of the current economic climate can expect a double tax increase – the increase stated above PLUS an additional hike due to their individual experience rating.

Is any of this getting your attention?  Do you now believe me when I say it’s important to get involved?  Do you see the importance of elections and holding public officials accountable?  I hope so – or 2010 will undoubtedly be a very hard year on us all!!

Lastly this week I’d like to bring to your attention a recent phenomenon by which the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is handing out new site remediation invoices.  Essentially they are sending out bills to members who have had site remediation over the past 10 years.  Already we are hearing from some members who have received invoices, many totaling in the tens-of-thousands of dollars.

If anyone has gotten an invoice, please send us a copy.  I would like to compile all of the evidence to present to the legislature and the news media.  This is clear proof that Trenton bureaucrats are dreaming of ways to squeeze you for the money they need to pay their bills.

Thanks for listening - See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:

THE NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
•BUSINESS FOR SALE: Are you interested in expanding your business?
•HELP WANTED: Could you fill this position?

PIF CLASSES UPDATE
•Take your inspector Refresher Course with NJGCA!

BUSINESS TOOLS: Firesigns 1075
•Does your street sign attract customers?  Get curbside appeal with Firesigns!

NJ GREEN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR COUNCIL
•Take advantage of this program and get recognized for your "green" credentials!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•Trenton to borrow billions from financial giant
•NJ debates cigarette tax hike
•Nuclear power plant license challenged by environmental group
•NJGCA in the News: Lessee dealers discuss First Right of Refusal

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!
THE NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE:

Emily Bielen, owner of John’s American Service Center, is selling her small business. 

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:  A corner service station; has been owned and operated by the same proprietor since 1956.  The owner is retiring and seeks interested parties.  The station has two bays with lifts and an office.  Currently the station performs full service automotive repairs and tire sales.  Gas pumps and tanks were completely upgraded to EPA guidelines in 1994, including double-wall fiberglass tanks and lines. 

Property also includes a 3-family, fully rented apartment building.  A two-car garage and a three-car garage are also included on the property; either can be used for additional storage or rental.

All buildings and garages will be included in the sale.

PROPERTY LOCATION: The station is a corner lot located at the intersection of 16th Street & Grove Street in Irvington, conveniently situated one block up from Garden State Parkway Exit 144.

For full location details and to view this classified ad, please click HERE

Interested parties are to contact Emily Bielen at 732-388-9291.

If you are interested in placing a classified ad, please contact Debbie Hill.

HELP WANTED:
 

Somerset based Shell Station seeks a proefessional and reliable Front Office Manager with excellent communications skills. Must be well organized and able to multi-task and delegate work as required.  We are a family owned auto repair and car rental business, operating since 1946.

Interested parties: Please contact Frank Resta at 732-887-7773 for further information and to arrange an interview.

PIF CLASSES UPDATE
 

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has recently sent out a VID message to all Private Inspection Stations in state. 

All currently licensed Inspectors must complete an Inspector refresher course and pass a general knowledge exam with a grade of 80% or better to remain in the program.  If any test-taker answers 11 questions wrong, they will automatically fail.  A hands-on test for licensed Inspectors will not be required.

Inspectors will have until December 31, 2009 to take and pass the test.

NJGCA will be offering a refresher course sometime in the near future at two locations:

NJGCA Headquarters
66 Morris Ave.
Springfield, NJ 07081

NJGCA at Precision Auto Repair
1264 Hwy 35 South
Middletown, NJ 07748

If any PIFs are interested, please call our office to be put on the list.  All dates, times, and details will be released shortly.
 
Please call Debbie Hill at 973-376-0066 with any questions or concerns.

BUSINESS TOOLS: Firesigns 1075

Does your street sign attract customers? Are you tired of climbing a ladder to change your prices? Would you like to display a modern look?  Firesigns 1075, a full service technology company with over 40 years of experience, provides Programmable LED Signs visible from a greater distance while simplifying the price changing process.

Firesigns 1075 has its own metal fabrication shop, and maintains a direct partnership with the manufacturer to provide exceptionally high quality signs at the lowest prices.  We maintain all the signs we create.

Firesigns 1075 also provides Indoor LED signs at a fraction of the cost of other competitors. You will be able to change the messages as frequent as you need to advertise your special of the day.  Discounts apply to all NJGCA members purchasing equipment from Firesigns 1075.

Visit our website to learn more about our offerings or call 302-378-1955. Ask for Bob or Geralyn to get you started on “Enlightening” your business and your bottom line.

Website: www.firesigns1075.com.

You can also contact Phil Apruzzi with any further questions at 973-376-0066 x209.

NJ GREEN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR COUNCIL

NJGCA is participating in the NJ Green Automotive Repair Council along with AAA-NJ, the NJ Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR), and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.  
 
The council's mission is to encourage NJ automotive repair facilities to adopt environmentally responsible business practices. 

Through a certification program for dealership and independent automotive repair facilities, the council will also establish “green” repair standards.  Those who are reviewed and qualify will receive certification.  Stickers will also be given to those facilities to illustrate their participation in the program.

If you would like to participate in the program and fill out an application, please contact Debbie Hill at 973-376-0066.  An application fee and annual review fee are applicable.  

More facts about the program are available www.njgreenautorepair.org

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

6/4/2009:
Trenton to borrow billions from financial giant
New Jersey obtain a $2 billion line of credit from banking powerhouse JPMorgan Chase & Co. to cover a budget shortfall for July and August.  JPMorgan finished first of eleven bids submitted to the Treasury Department.

6/3/2009:
NJ debates cigarette tax hike
State lawmakers are considering raising the tax on cigarettes by an additional 12.5¢ in an effort to raise revenue.  This proposal comes three years after New Jersey raised the cigarette tax to $2.58 per pack, making it the 3rd highest in the nation.  Critics contend that any rise in the cigarette tax would assuredly impact small businesses such as convenience store owners and other retailers.  Opponents also claim that revenues collected by the cigarette tax fell over 15% when the tax was last increased 3 years ago.

6/1/2009:
Nuclear power plant license challenged by environmental group
The re-licensing of Oyster Creek Generating Station has been appealed by a coalition of five environmental and citizen groups.  The group claims that federal officials did not have sufficient information available when they agreed to renew the license, even though the process took 4years – twice the required amount of time for a license renewal.

6/1/2009:
NJGCA in the News: Lessee dealers discuss First Right of Refusal
A number of NJGCA and Lessee Coalition Members were recently interviewed by NJBiz reporter Shankar P on their efforts to get a First Right of Refusal bill signed by the Governor.  Executive Director Sal Risalvato was also interviewed to discuss First Right of Refusal and a push to end Zone Pricing in New Jersey.  Click above to read the full article.