June 26, 2015

Dear NJGCA Member:

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

Here is what you will find in this edition:

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

VICTORIES IN FIGHT AGAINST RAISING TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE
PAID SICK LEAVE UP FOR A VOTE ON MONDAY
TAX INCREASES ON GOV'S DESK
NJGCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND NEW OFFICERS

It's been an exciting week for us here at NJGCA! I'll start with good news. As you know, we have put a lot of effort into defeating local, municipal proposals to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21 years old. This week, we scored our first TWO victories, in the towns of N. Plainfield and Paramus. Thankfully, we had a handful of members in Paramus and they did what they had to do... They called the Mayor and Council members and let them know how much this ordinance would harm their business. I also had a lengthy conversation with Paramus Mayor LaBarbiera and once he understood our side of the issue, and the relatively low-degree of expected success in keeping 19 and 20 years olds from smoking, he agreed to pull the ordinance from the council agenda on Tuesday night. The media knows how active I have been on this issue, and I provided my comments to a couple of reporters. To read the articles please click HERE and HERE. 
 
But, as we were winning in both North Plainfield and Paramus on Monday and Tuesday nights, similar ordinances were introduced in Rutherford and Demarest, with the media reporting that Bergenfield, Tenafly and Dumont will be next.  As you can see, Bergen County has become a hotspot for this issue and we ALL must pay attention.  If you're in a Bergen County town that has not yet been listed, you are in the crosshairs, and we would appreciate it if you keep this on your radar and look for these proposals. The only way that we can find out about these proposals is by YOU, or by the news media. Trust me, there is no Mayor calling me to alert me of this effort, so that we can come in there with members to oppose him. They will try to sneak this by us if they can, so it's up to you to make that impossible!!
 
In other news, we learned yesterday that mandatory paid sick leave is up for a vote in the Senate on Monday. We have been tracking this proposal closely. I have had personal, private meetings with the Leadership in both houses on this topic, and just last week we encouraged NJGCA members to proactively write to their Senators. Thank you to the 100+ members that responded to the Action Alert last week.  You all should have also received a second Action Alert in your inboxes yesterday, because the situation is more urgent now that the bill has been scheduled for a vote.  Please take the few minutes required to click-through the prompt that we have already written, and send your opposition to this bill to your Senator, urging him or her to vote NO!  In case you need it again, please click HERE for the link.
 
While paid sick leave has not yet gone through the Assembly, there are a number of bills about to be sent to the Governor's desk. Those are some of the revenue-raising initiatives championed by Democrats to fund this year's Budget. They include: a corporate tax; taxes on income over $1,000,000; and yearly increases in Workers Compensation insurance benefits/payouts in line with annual inflation increases. Governor Christie has already indicated that he will veto these proposals and will likely cut the State's pension contribution in order to fully fund the budget. 
 
Finally, last month we sent out notifications of the nominations to the Board of Directors, and the elections took place on Wednesday.  Elected to three year terms on the NJGCA Board were:

Tim Arata, Westview Service
Tony Crisalli, Holmdel Village Exxon
Dan Holsten, Milltown Liberty
Norm Lippmann, Kingtown Diesel
Joe Ocello, Pit Crew Lube
 
Congratulations also to the new slate of officers, elected for two year terms:
 
President - Kashmir Gill, Gill Energy
Vice President - Joe Ocello, Pit Crew Lube
Secretary - Lou Papale, Wheels in Motion
Treasurer - Tim Arata, Westview Service
 
Finally, a VERY BIG thank you to outgoing President Tony Crisalli and out- going Vice President Craig Copeland, who will continue to serve NJGCA on our Board of Directors.

That's all for now!  Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

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

Emissions Inspector Class being offered in Wall Township (Monmouth County) on Wednesday, August 19, 2015!!

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 NJ.  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:
Class Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Location: *NEW* NJGCA Office -- 4900 Route 33 West, Neptune, NJ 07753
                 **Entrance in Rear of Building, Class to be held on second floor**
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. 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.

Click HERE for Registration Form!

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!!

CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS 

NJGCA Member with HUGE Auto Repair Building for Lease!!
     - Over 3,000 sq. ft., includes lifts and some equipment
    - Separate Offices and Customer Waiting Area
Location: Hackettstown, NJ (just one block off Route 46)
    - Located on busy roadway, plenty of parking & easy access!
Asking Price: $4,000/month (term of lease is flexible)
CONTACT SUSAN - 862-432-2179

NJGCA MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER GILL ENERGY LOOKING TO HIRE FOR (3) DIFFERENT POSITIONS!

District Manager
Store Manager
Trucking Operations Manager

For more information about these positions, and to submit a resume for consideration, please contact: ravigill@gillenergy.com.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

06/25/2015:
Five things in the Democrats' state budget facing a Christie veto
The state budget passed by the legislature is sure to face Gov. Christie's veto pen. State Dems countered Christie's $33.8 billion budget with a $35.3 billion plan that adds $1.8 billion more for public employee pensions, raises taxes on the wealthy and corporations & increases aid to low-income workers. That budget sailed through the state Assembly and Senate budget committees Tuesday along party lines, while Republicans criticized the Dem. majority for relying on tax increases. Democratic leaders in both houses say the tax hikes are necessary to meet the state's obligation to gov't workers' pensions.  The plan duplicates their efforts last year to raise more money for pensions. Christie was quick to veto the taxes increases in that budget and is expected to do the same this year. Here are five things about the Democrats' proposal that could be on Christie's chopping block: 1. Millionaires' tax; 2. Corporation business tax surcharge; 3. Earned Income Tax Credit; 4. Pensions; and 5. Women's health clinics.  To read more, please click the link above.
 
06/24/2015:
Princeton can charge 10-cent bag fee depending on intent, purpose
Princeton can place a 10-cent fee on single-use plastic and paper bags if the purpose is to reduce litter on town streets and in storm drains, according to the municipality's attorney. Princeton's attorney Trishka Cecil was tasked with conducting legal research on whether the town could impose such a bag fee after a draft ordinance was submitted by Princeton residents and endorsed by the town's Environmental Commission.  If adopted, Princeton would be the only town in NJ with a fee on single-use bags. But the town's authority to adopt such a law depends on the intent and purpose of the regulation, the legal review found. If the purpose is to reduce the amount of waste in NJ's landfills, the ordinance would likely be preempted by the state's solid waste statutes, Cecil said. The proposed ordinance would generally require retail establishments to charge no less than a 10-cent fee for each carry-out bag provided to a customer. Retailers would retain the fees, which may be used to pay for bags and defray retailers' record-keeping costs.
 
06/22/2015:
Hawaii Becomes First State to Raise Legal Smoking Age to 21
It may have been the last to become a state, but Hawaii is the first to hike the legal tobacco purchasing age to 21. On June 19, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed the measure into law, making it the first state in the US to prohibit the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of cigarettes, other tobacco products and electronic smoking devices to anyone under 21. The law takes effect Jan. 1. Several municipalities and counties across the country have similar legislation in place, including NYC and Hawaii County. According to the governor's office, 86% of current adult smokers in the state began smoking before 21 years old; of these, 34% started smoking at 18-20 years old.  The first offense will result in a $10 fine. Later violations would lead to a $50 fine or mandatory community service, The Associated Press reported. Until Jan. 1, the state Department of Health will reach out to retailers and post signs to educate the public about the new law.

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD:

TMP Energy Solutions
Another Way to Save on Your Energy Bills

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.