August 30, 2013

Dear NJGCA Member:

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

HOLDUPS & IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY ON YOUR PREMISES,
GENERATORS & NJGCA IN THE NEWS,
NJGCA PAC FUNDRAISER,
VALUABLE NEW MBP ON THE WAY!

I'm sure that many of you have heard the disturbing news about a gas station attendant that was fatally shot in Woodbury earlier this week. The incident is being reported as an armed-robbery attempt gone wrong. I know security is a foremost concern for our members, and it is even more of an issue for retailers in New Jersey, since self-serve is not permitted. We have to deal with the reality that whenever a station is open after dark, its attendants become potential targets. I recognized that this was such a big concern for our members that we dedicated an entire issue of the OTR to "Securing your Business and Protecting your Profits" in July 2012. Here is a recap of some of the things that we discussed to remove any and all motivation and incentive for someone to come into your location with a gun:

• Have a very strictly adhered to policy that attendants do not carry cash after a certain hour. All cash purchases must be made with exact cash. Cash must then be immediately deposited into a safe that the attendant does not have access to.
• Have glaringly visible signs that scream “attendants do not carry cash.” Hopefully, any potential thieves can at least read at least at a 3rd grade level, and will understand that an armed robbery at your location is a waste of time, not worth the risk and will not be very rewarding.
• Lighting up your store like Yankee Stadium is also a deterrent -- and you won’t need signs to prove that you are well-lit... so it won't matter if the robber can't read. NJGCA has partnered with a reliable vendor KOPA Lighting to help ease the cost of installing superior lighting that uses less electricity than your outdoor lights use now, and TMP Energy can help save you big money on the electricity that you do use.
• Give strong consideration to installing a video surveillance system on your premises. Once again very visible and loud signs warning folks that cameras are in use and that everyone is being watched will be an added deterrent. NJGCA has partnered with Abletech Information Management Services. Abletech has helped many members with superior cameras and recording devices.

To repeat; NJGCA has put together these programs to help you get better lighting on your premises, and also to save money on your electric bill, since we know that this kind of lighting can get costly. Please take a moment to check out our Member Benefit Partners, Kopa Energy and TMP Energy Solutions to find out how you can install efficient lighting and save money on your energy bills and Abletech Information Management Services for video installations.

As I mentioned before, we devoted an entire issue of the OTR last year to security and I placed a heavy emphasis on security cameras. When I was in business (back in the Stone Age) not many gas stations had them. However, after noticing cash discrepancies consistently over the course of a six-month period, I decided to invest in security cameras. My investment paid itself off 10 TIMES OVER, as I caught the thief on the very first night that the cameras were installed. To read the article I wrote in the OTR and learn more about the variety of ways that my security cameras helped me and my shop save thousands of dollars over the years, CLICK HERE.

Today it is not uncommon for gas stations, convenience stores and merchants of all types to have cameras on their premises. It has become a way of life. If you don't have cameras, I strongly urge you to invest in them. The station owner whose attendant was just murdered did not have cameras, otherwise they might have caught the shooters, and these creeps would not be on the loose, potentially planning to victimize more gas stations in the future. Cameras will also help protect your business, and act as a deterrent – IF you have lots of screaming signs posted to let people know that you will be filming everything, then you are much more likely to keep these creeps from robbing your businesses, too.

My second order of business is to remind you all that the generator mandate issue is not yet dead. Although we were successful in getting legislation stalled in Trenton, all it takes is one more big storm to knock out power for a few days, and legislators will resurrect these bills faster than you can say "mandatory generators." A recent article on the subject was published in Greenwire last week, which examines both sides of the issue and discusses what action other mid-Atlantic states have taken in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Our new Communications Director, Jacy Lance, was quoted in the article, giving NJGCA's position on the issue. Please click here to read the article.

Thirdly, you all know the importance of our work in Trenton. Preventing a generator mandate was just one of the many things that we have done this year. Our work in Trenton is an example of why we need to support legislators that understand our issues. We can't show our support without making contributions to their political campaigns. That is why we are hosting a fundraiser for the NJGCA PAC on October 2, 2013. The event will include shotgun and clay target shooting at Thunder Mountain Skeet and Trap in Ringwood, NJ. The event is sure to be fun for all -- first timers are welcome, there is no experience needed!! However, if you are an experienced shooter and sportsman, we encourage you to bring your own gun and show us how it's done. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place! For all of the details, please check your inbox for the Events and Announcements we sent out on Wednesday, or find the information HERE on our website.

Finally, I have one more exciting announcement for members. WE HAVE A NEW MBP ON THE WAY. We just signed up Coastal Eyewear, and we are finalizing the details for the AWESOME program that they are going to offer. This is going to be a benefit to NJGCA members like no other. It will require you to sign in on the NJGCA “MEMBERS ONLY” section of the web site in order to access the Coastal Eyewear order site. That’s why last week I made mention of a new and improved web site that will be coming soon! I am excited about this benefit. In fact I just recently stopped my wife from ordering more contacts from 1-800-contacts because the NJGCA Coastal Eyewear program will blow away the competition and I love saving that kind of money.

Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

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

NJGCA is also able to assists member in selling equipment through the placement of advetisments in Road Warrior!

If you'd like to list your business for sale, publish a location you're selling, or are seeking a business partner for your establishment, please contact NJGCA at 973-376-0066!

08/28/2013:
How To Find Diesel Fuel Anywhere In The U.S.
Available at only half of all retail fuel sites in the US, diesel fuel can be difficult to find if a driver is not familiar with a particular area. Finding diesel will become increasingly important as more diesel vehicles continue to hit the market. What we need is some way of finding where all those diesel stations are. The solution? The Diesel Technology Forum. This site has brought together a collection of smart-phone applications, map software and websites to help diesel drivers find their nearest pump, in all 50 states. For more information, please read the article above.

08/28/2013:
Lorillard CEO Gives His Take on What's Ahead for Tobacco
As smoking bans take hold, and cigarette volume continues to decline, alternative tobacco products are steadily moving in and staking a claim in the future of the tobacco category. According to Lorillard Inc. Chairman, President and CEO Murray Kessler, the future of tobacco lies in electronic cigarettes, traditional smokeless tobacco products, dissolvable products and snus. For Kessler -- and Lorillard -- a sure bet seems to be with electronic cigarettes, which are on a similar growth path as the multibillion-dollar traditional smokeless tobacco segment. Appearing on the Wall Street Journal's "Boss Talk" program, Kessler explained that by entering the e-cigarette arena, Lorillard now has "a seat at the harm reduction table." Lorillard took that seat when it acquired blu eCigs in April 2011, becoming the first of the big three tobacco companies to have an electronic cigarette product. To learn more about the future of the tobacco industry, read the article above.

08/28/2013:
A Call for $1 Hike in N.J. Minimum Wage
Citing a need to support working women, NJ lawmakers, local officials, and labor and women's rights leaders, recently renewed their call for raising the state's minimum wage. On the anniversary of women getting the right to vote, female leaders and Democratic lawmakers - including gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono - supported a proposal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.25, with annual increases tied to inflation. Voters will decide on the increase Nov. 5. We have written about this issue extensively, and we will continue to do so. It is up to you to decide what is best for your business and to go out and fight for it. We will be beside you every step of the way.

08/26/2013:
Oliver's Future as Assembly Speaker in Doubt
Fresh off her last-place finish in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Sheila Oliver’s future as state Assembly Speaker is in doubt. Oliver has repeatedly said she isn’t sure she wants to keep the third most powerful post in state politics. And even if she does want it, there’s no guarantee she’ll have the votes from members of her own party to keep the speakership, top-ranking Democrats say. Already, a number of lawmakers are maneuvering to succeed her. The speaker’s term isn’t up until January, and before Assembly Democrats can start counting votes among their ranks, they’ll need to retain a majority when all their seats are up in November. Please watch carefully for NJGCA's voter guide and other information that we distribute to keep our members informed of how the policies and proposals in Trenton will affect you and your business.

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

In order to be licensed as a Motor Vehicle Emission Inspector, you must complete this course and pass a “Written Exam” given by the State of New Jersey. NJGCA offers this training in a ONE DAY State approved training program that will provide an understanding of inspection related issues including EPA Regulations, Safety, Diesel, Customer Service and the New Jersey State Specific Curriculum. This specially tailored NJGCA course fulfills all requirements.

CLASS DETAILS:

•Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2013
•Location: NJGCA Headquarters, located at 66 Morris Avenue - Springfield, NJ 07081
•Arrival Time: 7:00am
•Lunch Break: 12:00pm (Pizza and soda will be served)
•NJMVC Test: 1:00pm

CLASS FEES:

•NJGCA Members: $250.00
•Non-members: $300.00

•Manuals are included and payment is due upon registration. All credit cards are accepted.

License Fee: Bring a $50.00 check made payable to NJMVC to satisfy the State’s licensing fee.

PLEASE NOTE: If you live out of state, you must bring 6 points of ID with you, such as a license, passport, healthcare card, utility bill, etc.

To review the registration form CLICK HERE

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!