Governor Debate & Age Checking

February 6, 2025

Age Checks

A recent news article should serve as an important reminder to everyone selling tobacco and nicotine products to make sure that all of your employees are aware of the importance of checking the ID of everyone who looks under the age of 30 to ensure that they are in fact at least 21 years old. Rutgers University recently conducted a study using 18, 19, and 20 year old adults to go to local businesses and try buying these products. Unfortunately, a large number were not asked for ID, and even some of that were asked were still sold the product because the clerk thought the minimum age was still 19. New Jersey IDs are printed vertically if the person is under 21 years, to make it easier to prevent this. 

You can read the article, in which we were quoted, HERE. Stories like this often fuel legislation, including potentially laws that would ban c-stores from selling these products entirely. Even without a bill, government agencies will also feel compelled to get out and do a round of enforcement, so make sure you don’t get fined. Please make sure everyone is up to speed so that when this study is conducted again we will see our industry’s scores improve!

Of note, those businesses which had a digital ID checker did substantially better. We encourage everyone selling any of these products to consider investing in digital ID scanners– they are worth their cost in avoided fines. We recommend our MBP Minor Decliner. As an NJGCA member, you can take advantage of an exclusive $40 discount on Minor Decliner’s countertop age verification device by using the code NJGCA40. This special offer makes it easier and more affordable to implement robust age verification measures at your establishment, safeguarding your business while providing a seamless customer experience. You can contact Ron Tobb at ron@minordecliner.com or 888-310-4001 for more details.

We also recommend you check out the resources from the WeCard program at https://www.wecard.org/resource-center

Governor’s Debates

As important as our recent presidential election was, the one that may have the most impact on your business is the election for our next Governor. There are ten candidates running for the two party’s nominations, and the field is wide open on both sides. Both parties had their first debate this week, and we recommend you give them a watch to get a sense of who the next Governor could be. The primary will be on June 10th, with the two winners facing off in a very competitive election this November. You can watch the debate between the four Republican candidates HERE and the debate between the six Democratic candidates HERE. 

The Republican debate was much more ‘lively’ in the sense that they were eager to attack each other over a wide variety of issues, many centered around past comments about Trump. Both primaries feature more ideological candidates (Bill Spadea and Ed Durr for the Republicans, Ras Baraka and Steve Fulop for the Democrats), centrist candidates who claim they can appeal to the other side in the general election (Jon Bramnick for the Republicans and Josh Gottheimer and Steve Sweeney for the Dems), and candidates that split the difference and are in the middle of their party’s spectrum (Jack Ciattarelli (R) and Mikie Sherrill (D)). It may not be a coincidence that those in the middle, Ciattarelli and Sherrill, seem to be the frontrunners, though their leads are very small and both parties have a huge amount of undecided voters. 

To vote in a primary you must be a registered member of that party, if you are interested in registering, or changing your affiliation, you have until April 16th to do so. You can find more info HERE.

Reminder: DEP Compliance Calendar Available

The 2025 New Jersey Fuel Dispensing Facilities Compliance Calendar is now available for members to download and use.

You can find the file hosted on our website by clicking HERE.  

This is an important tool for all station owners, and we encourage our members to use it daily. It’s full of useful reminders, procedures, and related details.  

Please print out a copy, record the required information, and keep it close on hand.  

Using the calendar isn’t only a good habit to have, it will also save you from possible headaches and costly penalties if DEP comes to your station inquiring after your environmental compliance.  

Rack Averages

News Worth Knowing:

Member Benefit Partner (MBP) Spotlight: C-3

C-3 Technologies provides a full line of services to support owners and operators of underground storage tanks in NJ. These services include: • Annual Compliance Testing – Tanks, Lines, Vapor Recovery and Cathodic Protection Testing • Monthly Compliance Program – The original and most comprehensive compliance program in the industry. • Maintenance Services – Equipment service including dispensers, monitoring systems submersible pumping systems and lighting. • Construction Services – Full line of construction services from tank installations to spill bucket replacements. • Calibration – Fuel Dispenser Calibration • License and Permitting Assistance – Assistance with UST Registrations, General Air Permits, and Community Right to Know Surveys • NOV Resolution – Guidance and assistance with the resolution of Notices of Violation issued by NJDEP • Vac Truck Service and Waste Disposal Member of NJGCA, Petroleum Contractors Equipment Association, Petroleum Equipment Institute, National Association of Corrosion Engineers and NFPA

                                 Contact: Manny Alvarez Phone: (732) 348-8570 ext. 100 

                                                    malvarez@c-3technologies. com

Available Real Estate

Cape Harbor Shell

**Price Reduction**

795 Route 109, Unit B, Lower Township, NJ, 08204

Contact: Jerry 609-425-8837 capeharborshell@comcast.net 

Station for Sale

Thriving High Profit Gas/Service Station close to Major Highway in Prime Location. 

This Exclusive Gas Station is the Sole Provider in the entire town, achieving a remarkable fuel profit of up to and sometimes over 1$ a gallon. Consistently selling 45,000 gallons monthly. Most fuel customers come from Highway so fuel prices do not have to be competitive. 

Also included with the Property is a Reputable High End Auto Repair Facility. Repair shop has all required Specialty and Diagnostic Tools for servicing mostly High End Vehicles. Advertising is no longer used do to an enormous Demand and large Customer Base. Repair Business has has potential for increased profitability and expansion, the business is open to experienced buyers for a possible partnership or profit sharing arrangement. Location is 1 out of 100. Fuel sales make 20-40K a month and repairs can do the same with the right operator. 

This one of a kind opportunity can include seller financing for those with High-Level Automotive or Gas Station Experience.

Contact Greg
908-291-7845

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