October 10, 2014

Dear NJGCA Member:

Thank you for reading this week's NJGCA Road Warrior!

Here is what you will find in this edition:

NJ LOTTERY: C-STORE OWNERS MUST PLAY BY THE RULES
PAID SICK LEAVE HEARD IN TRENTON
THE MARKETPLACE
TOBACCO ISSUES IN MUNICIPALITIES

Over the past several years, as the number of convenience store operators in this organization has grown, so has the number of c-store related issues that NJGCA must address. Recently, we have been dealing with MANY tobacco issues (...more on that to follow), but it has been a while since we seriously touched on any lottery issues. However, something has popped up this week that is very irritating to me, and I want to take this opportunity to give you all a stern warning about a practice that I just learned is more pervasive than I would have thought otherwise.

This week, I learned that a good member made some very bad decisions regarding the NJ Lottery -- and he is now under investigation by the Lottery Commission. Apparently (and allegedly), he was cashing winning tickets valued over $500 for his customers, rather than have the customer turn the ticket in to the NJ Lottery for reimbursement. This is STRICTLY forbidden and violates lottery procedures.

Here are the rules: If a customer has a winning ticket valued at more than $500 you can't cash it. It must be redeemed through the Lottery Commission directly. If the ticket is valued at more than $600 not only must it be redeemed through the lottery, but they will take out the appropriate taxes. Further, if you (as a lottery winner) are delinquent in any taxes, penalties or child support, owed to the State of NJ, they will put that money towards what you owe. Because customers do not want their identities revealed, they are willing to pay a "fee" to the c-store owner in exchange for the ticket being cashed. The ticket holder gets cash from the store owner, and the store owner redeems the ticket personally, claiming that they were themselves the original ticket holder/winner.

I'm not free to discuss the details of the case right now, however I'm learning that this is a serious problem, and the Lottery Commission will respond to this activity harshly (and rightfully so). I am sure that this will not be the last time I communicate this warning to my members. However, to be clear, if you have engaged in this practice in the past, or you do engage in this practice now, YOU MUST STOP! The Lottery is aware of the NJGCA Zero Tolerance policy regarding members engaged in wrongdoing. There is little NJGCA will be able to do to help you if you are caught engaged in this practice! Further, as with other enforcement agencies, NJGCA will turn in to authorities those discovered of wrongdoing regardless of their membership in NJGCA. The integrity of NJGCA, and that of our members is first and foremost when wrongdoing is discovered.

Moving on ... we've mentioned a number of times how critical the paid sick leave issue is and the efforts that are being made in various municipalities to circumvent the state legislature. The state-wide proposal was heard for the first time in Trenton today, but it did not receive a vote by the Committee. There is no word on when the next hearing will be, but the advocates continue to push and gather support, so this issue remains a threat. NJGCA is part of a broad coalition of many other like-minded small business associations, who have joined together to oppose this legislation. However, it isn't likely, even all together, that we will be able to stop this train from rolling through your front door! We still are unsure if Governor Christie will sign this measure if it makes it to his desk, but there will be enormous pressure thrust on him from many unions and employee organizations.

It has been almost impossible for the motoring public, the media, and especially you to ignore how dramatically the price of gasoline has dropped in recent weeks. Even I am surprised at how far it has dropped, and I see evidence that it might drop further still. So, here is my caution to you: DO NOT INVOLVE YOURSELVES IN A RACE TO THE BOTTOM!! You all suffer with painfully small profit margins, 99% of the time. When the rare opportunity presents itself and the marketplace allows you to make a few extra cents, you should. There is no sense pumping huge volumes of gas if you're not going to make a profit when you sell it!! You should ride this wave downward very slowly. and when your wholesale price decreases, maintain your retail price and earn some badly-needed profits. Keep in mind that prices will rise again, and your margins will be squeezed even further. You must prepare for those periods when margins are razor-thin by storing up the extra margins that can be made today! Enough Said.

Finally, I mentioned earlier about being involved in many tobacco issues in recent months. Recently we have been making a big deal about what is going on in municipalities, and the importance of having a system of members to keep us alert of what local ordinances are being considered in individual towns. Once again, we learned that the town of Teaneck has introduced an ordinance to ban tobacco sales to persons under 21 years old. You may remember last year when we successfully blocked a proposal in Teaneck to require all gas stations to install permanent back up generators. The mayor and council figured then that they would impose the mandate if Trenton wouldn't. We will be fighting against this proposal too, but it is just another example of how municipalities are trying to pass controversial legislation that is unpopular in Trenton (and with most voters/consumers). Municipal efforts to circumvent Trenton are becoming a big problem!! Your vigilance is required.

If you are a tobacco retailer in Teaneck, or you know someone who is, and will be affected by this, please reach out to us. We need local businesses to come out and voice their concern about this proposal. We cannot convince the Town Council on our own!

CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS

Do you have a business for sale? Are you looking for a new location or opportunity?

10/09/2014:
First Round of Stations Approved for Generator Grants
The NJ Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced the first round of approvals under the Retail Fuel Station (RFS) Program, which was designed by the Christie Administration to address emergency fuel supply challenges highlighted during Superstorm Sandy. The $7 million grant program will allow targeted retail fuel stations faster and more reliable access to back-up power during an energy emergency. To date, 33 stations have completed required environmental and design reviews and are now approved to move forward with their plans to install back-up power solutions using grants provided through the RFS Program. Of the 33 approvals, 28 will install permanent generators, while five will rely on “quick connect” devices, which provide connection points for mobile generators. Grants for the approved stations total $1.8 million. The RFS Program, which is voluntary, is funded through the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The 33 stations approved thus far under the RFS Program, and those that follow, are in addition to the 22 gas stations located on the Garden State Parkway, the NJ Turnpike, and the Atlantic City Expressway already equipped with back-up power for outages.

10/07/2014:
Battle Brewing Over Smoking in the Military
Congress and the Defense Department are mulling over a potential ban on selling tobacco products -- cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco -- on military bases and ships in an effort to curb high smoking rates. Critics argue that the move would be unfair to service members who already are making significant sacrifices. The fight over smoking and the military, which will most likely unfold during the lame-duck congressional session, follows a similar debate playing out in the civilian world, after CVS announced it would stop selling tobacco products in its 7,600 U.S. stores. The proposal to ban the sale of tobacco products on military bases and ships was first floated by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus in March. Shortly after, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered a Defense Department-wide review of the issue. The issue is facing opposition from Congress. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), a Marine reservist who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has inserted an amendment in the House-passed defense authorization bill that would block the department from banning tobacco sales at exchange stores.

10/01/2014:
FDA Increases Maximum Tobacco Retail Violation Fine
The FDA has revised its schedule of fines imposed on retailers that violate the agency’s federal tobacco regulations, including the sale of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, or smokeless tobacco to a minor. Under the Tobacco Control Act, there are six levels of violations and respective FDA fines. Recently, the FDA increased the fine for a sixth violation as allowed by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act, a federal law that allows a federal agency to increase fines based on the inflation rate with a maximum 10% increase in a fine. For the Sixth Violation within a 48-month period, the penalty is a $11,000 fine (originally $10,000, but raised $1,000). On a first inspection, regardless of the number of violations, the FDA issues a warning letter to the retailer detailing the violations, but does not assess a fine. There can be more than one violation per inspection. For example, if a retailer sells a tobacco product to an undercover minor and does not request and check proper photo identification, this equals two violations.

TRAINING CLASSES!!
-ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT NJGCA HEADQUARTERS-
66 Morris Avenue - Springfield, NJ 07081 (Union County)

NJGCA is pleased to offer the NJ Emission Technician Education Program, starting Nov. 3rd. This is the ETEP Certification Course, the entire program, sections 1-7. This is everything you need to become a licensed Emission Repair Technician. Tests are given throughout the course and technicians that pass will receive a certificate stating that they successfully completed the New Jersey Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP). NJGCA has provided this program to the NJ Department of Transportation, UPS and NJGCA Members throughout New Jersey. Our pass rate in this class is 100%.

NJGCA is also offering the Emission Repair Technician RE-CERTIFICATION class in December. For more information about the two classes, please see the flyer below.

FOR MORE INFO & TO REGISTER FOR THE 8 WEEK ENTIRE EMISSION TECHNICIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM (ETEP) CLASS -- SECTIONS 1 TO 7 -- OFFERED ON MONDAYS DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, PLEASE CLICK HERE .

FOR REGISTRATION INFO FOR THE EMISSION REPAIR TECHNICIAN RE-CERTIFICATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE

FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 973-376-0066 or DEBBIE@NJGCA.ORG TO LET HER KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING A SPECIFIC CLASS. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GAUGE YOUR NEEDS AND KEEP TRACK OF THOSE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE!!

We have had a number of NJGCA members successfully reduce their rate per kWh signing up through our energy saving program. We know it's difficult to collect 12 months worth of previous electric bills to get an "accurate" analysis when comparing a variable rate to a fixed rate, but we now have another option available.

This new solution is a power purchase option; the other program is still in full force and has saved members thousands of dollars. If you sign up for the power purchase option, you will be grouped with other NJGCA members until the minimum KW demand is acquired. By pooling the member's usage together, you will be able to take advantage, as large energy users do, and receive a lower kWh rate.

Each member will receive their own contract. Each member is responsible to sign and return the agreement the day it is received in order to secure the price for their group.

Please do your due diligence, so when you receive the proposal and the agreement you will be able to make an intelligent decision.

If by chance, you still want us to assess you bills, to give you a price to compare, we will require12 months of your most recent utility bills.

There are no bills required, but we would still like to have one bill per meter on file to check account #'s, meter #'s service addresses and other pertinent information incase there is a problem.

The term of the agreement is for 12 months. During this term period, you will have price protection against any energy price increases along with a low fixed kWh rate.

If you are interested in becoming part of this power purchase option, please contact Greg Cannon at the NJGCA.

Remember when you sign up your energy through the NJGCA Energy Program, TMP makes a considerable donation to the NJGCA Scholarship Fund through their proceeds. This has no affect on your rate, and costs you nothing out of pocket.

We hope to help hundreds of NJGCA members reduce their utility costs by participating in this and our other cost reduction programs. Our purpose, in the endeavor, is to help NJGCA members lower their energy costs while supporting the NJGCA Scholarship Fund.

Contact GREG CANNON at 973-376-0066 or email Greg at greg@njgca.org. Mention that you are interested in saving money on your energy bills. NJGCA & TMP Energy Solutions will handle all the rest.

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC

DEFENDING OUR MEMBERS.
PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS.
ANSWER THE CALL & CONTRIBUTE TODAY!!

Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members.

However, in order to truly affect the debate, we must ensure our friends in the Legislature are re-elected. 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 a few. This is not only unfair to those few members who have shouldered this burden, but means we are not utilizing our full strength to affect the debate in Trenton.

To truly understand the importance of supporting our allies, consider our successes in Trenton:

We defeated BELOW COST SELLING
We made history in getting FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL signed into law!
We have built large support for RIGHT TO REPAIR and got it passed out of the Assembly
We defended your small business against the false accusations of Attorney General Anne Milgram
We gained wide support to move New Jersey to an all PIF Inspection System and close the CIF lanes
...and MUCH MORE!!

In each instance, we achieved these goals with the help of our friends in the Legislature!

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.

THE MEMBER TOOL BOX

MEMBER SAVINGS PAGE
Check out all of our MBPs and Programs designed to SAVE YOU MONEY!