December 23, 2010

Dear NJGCA Member:

Here's what you'll find in this edition of the NJGCA Road Warrior, and thank you for reading:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!
•MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKAH & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•New study critiques, criticizes teacher seniority-based layoffs
•Christmas, New Year holiday to be heavily travelled
•Education Commissioner-designate goes on the record
•New Jersey will lose a Congressional seat as census results illustrate

A REGULATORY ADVISORY FROM ATS
•New air regulations will be enforced on January 10, 2011 -- will you be ready?

NJGCA WANT AD CLASSIFIEDS
•Do you have what this member is looking for?!

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE
•See our latest training class schedule below!!

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
•Participate in the NJGCA PAC today and help us keep our Agenda rolling in Trenton!

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM BELLOMO FUELS
•Serving New Jersey since 1910 -- 100 years of supplying gasoline retailers like YOU!

THE MEMBER TOOL BOX
•On the NJGCA Homepage
•Know your Territory Manager!


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

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKAH & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND ENJOY YOUR FAMILY!

The morning air is cold, the roads are full of traffic, the malls are packed with people, and (despite your personal musical tastes) every station seems to be belting out the same seasonal holiday tunes. 

It can only mean one thing: Christmas and New Years are finally here!

Yes 2010 is nearly over, and together, we’ve weathered a tough year.  Despite many obstacles and pitfalls you’ve made it through --- And you have to be very grateful for that.  I know that I am.  Just imagine: This marks another year in business, putting friends and neighbors to work, providing for your family, and giving back to your community. 

What an incredible blessing, and let me be the first to say Congratulations!

In surviving such adversity, it’s only appropriate to take a short breather to enjoy this special time of year with friends and family.  And I really mean that.  I’m taking my own advice to spend some quality time with my loved ones and you should do the same.  In fact this is the last Road Warrior you’ll receive from me until after the New Year.

Yes, we still have a lot of work to do in the year ahead.  There’s plenty left on our plate that has to yet be dealt with, but that’s a headache (and a struggle) that can wait until January. 

In the meantime, remember that Christmas and New Years are like no other events in the calendar year.  These holidays mean so much more than gift giving, holiday parties, and endless glasses of eggnog or champagne.  This is a special time, where your professional life comes to a standstill so you can enjoy both the fruits of your labor and the (much more) important things in your life. 

So this Christmas, I strongly encourage you to leave your work at your shop and concentrate on the Spirit of the Season.  Take pleasure in your family, your spouse, and those around you over Christmas dinner.  Then, give thanks for the accomplishments of 2010 and look in anticipation to new possibilities in 2011.

From all of us at NJGCA, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy (though belated) Hanukah, and a Prosperous New Year!

Thanks for listening - See you in January!

Regards,

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

12/23/2010:
New study critiques, criticizes teacher seniority-based layoffs
A study conducted by the Center for Education Data and Research at the University of Washington has found that layoffs based solely on which teachers have the least seniority severely impacts children education. The lack of seniority did not necessarily equate with doing poorly on performance evaluations and experts fear that it will hurt student achievement by firing good teachers only to retain those who have been there longer.  Click above to read more on this issue.

12/22/2010:
Christmas, New Year holiday to be heavily travelled
Officials from AAA of New Jersey expect state roadways to be full as an estimated 2.2 million resident motorists will travel over the Christmas and New Year holiday, a 2.6% increase from last year.  Most drivers will be commuting at least 50 miles or more from home. However, officials also anticipate wet and snowy weather for much of the state, which could hamper driving conditions.

12/21/2010:
Education Commissioner-designate goes on the record
Incoming Education Commissioner, Chris Cerf, recently spoke to the press on issues ranging from school reform and accountability to teachers unions and tenure reform.  Cerf still has to face confirmation from the State Senate.  Click above to read what the incoming Education chief has to say on these topics and more.

12/21/2010:
New Jersey will lose a Congressional seat as census results illustrate
The Garden State will lose one of its 13 members of Congress in the next redistricting as census numbers confirm that New Jersey’s population growth was far out-paced by other states.  In total, 10 states lost seats, with most of the gains going to states such as Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Utah and Washington.  This is the third time New Jersey has lost a Congressional seat, which once boasted a 15 member caucus.  America’s population has swelled to 308,745,538, according to the Census Bureau.

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

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Contact us and use our easy contact form to request the complete
federal law including all the new requirements for GDFs.  

1-800-440- 8265
www.atsenviro.com

NJGCA WANT AD CLASSIFIEDS

NJGCA Member Jerry Sweet needs to relocate his shop.

He is looking for a new location in the Mine Hill, NJ area and is asking fellow NJGCA Members for assistance.

If you have at least 2 bays available, please contact Jerry at 973-252-5151 or email him at Sweetmotors@optonline.net