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November 25, 2009
GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!
Dear NJGCA Member:
WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Being a small business owner is not easy. The endless stress and responsibilities are often overwhelming and difficult to handle. Once you combine that with a shaky economy and uncertain financial forecast, it’s easy to get lost in negativity.
As bad as things may seem, don’t let that happen.
With the Thanksgiving holiday nearly upon us, we should pause for a moment to reflect on our many blessings.
Think about it. You live in the greatest country the world has ever known, in a society that respects liberty and personal freedom. Even in a bad economy, America is still the mightiest economic engine on Earth, creating endless opportunities to all her hardworking citizens. And earlier this month, we collectively exercised our God given right to vote, as the residents of this state elected a new Governor and Legislature to office.
But more importantly, you enjoy personal triumphs, professional successes, and a family to share them with. That’s something you cannot put a price tag on.
Now think about it a bit more. Compare this to other people around the world who don’t enjoy these things; where such freedoms and opportunities don’t exist. What’s more, consider the individuals who aren’t fortunate enough to have family or friends in which to celebrate this Thanksgiving – then say a quick prayer for them.
No, we have a lot to be thankful for. Whether you realize it or not, we are very blessed and often take much for granted.
So this Thanksgiving, please close up your shops, leave your troubles at the door, and enjoy every moment with your family and friends. Go to a parade, spend time with your children and grandchildren, watch a football game, and enjoy a festive meal with your loved ones. But above all, be thankful for all of God’s blessings and how truly fortunate you really are!
However, once the holiday is over, its time to get back to work!
For the last several weeks now I have been stressing the need to get in touch with Legislators on Right to Repair. Next week, we will be sending you instructions on the steps we need to take before the current Legislative session ends. Remember, if the clock runs out in Trenton with no further movement on Right to Repair, we have to start all over again when the new Legislature takes over. Don’t let that happen! We must get the bill passed in the Senate and onto Governor Corzine’s desk before the end of January!
Your participation in this and every effort to get our agenda heard in Trenton is just one more thing I am thankful for. Over the last year we have fought many battles together and I thank you for your continued support.
And so, on behalf of the entire staff at NJGCA, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgivings!
Thanks for listening - 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!
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
•Take your inspector Refresher Course with NJGCA! November and December classes added!
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
•Report: Expect high roadway volume for Thanksgiving weekend
•Could a National Gas Tax to help NJ/NY rail tunnel project?
•Right to Repair: New study finds families save billions if passed!
•NJGCA in the News: Risalvato on prices, motorists staying local for the holidays
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.
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.
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
Due to overwhelming demand, NJGCA has added additional classes in November and December. As you know, 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.
Current Licensed Emission Inspectors only need the “Re-Fresher Course” and the “Written Exam”. New Emission Inspectors will be given a “Hands On” test separately at your place of employment by the State of New Jersey.
NJGCA will be offering refresher courses at the following two locations. Classes will take place over five evenings and one afternoon:
NJGCA Headquarters
66 Morris Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07087
December: 1, 3, 8, 10 15 and 17th
NJGCA Members Cost - $349.00
Non-Members Cost - $489.00
Manuals are included in the prices above and payment is due upon registration. All classes are 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm; the “Written Exam” will be given on the last day at 12:00pm at NJGCA Headquarters in Springfield, NJ.
If you are interested, please contact our office to enroll in a class.
Please contact Debbie Hill at 973-376-0066 with any questions.
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
11/25/09:
Report: Expect high roadway volume for Thanksgiving weekend
Nearly 800,000 state residents are expected to travel more than 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving Day weekend. Though statistically a small dip compared to the same period last year, state officials still expect volume on major roadways to be consistent with 2008. Nationally, experts predict travel to be up significantly over last year.
11/25/09:
Could a National Gas Tax to help NJ/NY rail tunnel project?
Federal lawmakers are exploring raising the federal gasoline tax by 5¢ as way to secure stable funding for the nation’s transportation projects. Such projects would include mass transit expansion programs like the planned $8.7 billion NJ/NY commuter rail tunnel to Manhattan.
11/23/09:
Right to Repair: New study finds families save billions if passed!
A new national study provides evidence that motorists could save an astounding $26 billion annually if the Federal Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act is passed. This would save the average family roughly $360 a year in repair costs. To read more on the study, please visit www.guerrillaeconomics.biz/righttorepair
11/15/09:
NJGCA in the News: Risalvato on prices, motorists staying local for the holidays
Executive Director Sal Risalvato was recently quoted in a Star-Ledger article regarding gasoline prices and New Jersey residents’ holiday travel habits. Click on the link above to read what Sal had to say!
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES IN OUR “NEWS AROUND THE STATE” ARCHIVE
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