INDEPENDENT Second Quarter 2006 VOLUME 50 ISSUE 2 icial Publication of The Great Lakes Petroleum Retailers and Allied Trades Association Ohio tunnel car wash GLPRATA to merge with owners BEWARE Associated Food Dealers of Michigan (AFD) Sales tax interpretation New group boasts over 3,900 members could spell disaster By Jane Shallal, President AFD By Paul Harvey, Editor DEARBORN, Mich. kinds of businesses have in common. Jerry Billman, a Great Lakes Member — The boards of di­ and tunnel car wash owner, is me­ rectors of the Associ­ "The new strength in our numbers will ticulous when it comes to financial ated Food Dealers of bring better buying power and a more matters. So when a recent Ohio sales Michigan (AFD) and powerful voice in speaking to the tax auditor tersely informed him and the Great Lakes Pe­ Michigan and Ohio legislatures," said his son Mike that they owed a large troleum Retailers & Ed Weglarz, president of the Great sum in unpaid sales tax, they were Allied Trades Asso­ Lakes Petroleum Retailers. "Small re­ speechless. ciation have both tail businesses play an important role voted to merge the two trade groups in the economic health of our two When the shock wore off, he dialed into a single association representing Midwestern states, and they deserve up his veteran accountant, Jerry more than 3,900 small business loca­ recognition for it." Shriner of Marcoin/E.K. Williams, tions in Michigan and Ohio. and asked him to assist with the mat­ Governor Jennifer Granholm attended ter. The merger became effective April 1, the first meeting of the combined 2006. boards of the two associations in “I pretty much told Mr. Billman not Dearborn. She wished them well, say to worry and they could bring it on," "Today, the retail food and beverage ing, "I want to be the first person to said Shriner. "I had been calling the business is increasingly cutting congratulate all of you on the mar­ Ohio Sales Tax Commission almost across many categories. Service sta­ riage of two great organizations." every year since 1978 to check and re­ tions, liquor stores and independent check that statute. Nearly every' time, supermarkets are all a part of our in­ The Associated Food & Petroleum they stated that an unattended, tun­ dustry," said Jane Shallal, president Dealers, with Shallal acting as its nel style, coin-operated car wash was of the AFD. "Anyone who has run president, will have its primary offices definitely exempt. The few times that into a gas station food mart or a neigh­ in Farmington Hills, with additional the phone representative said they borhood grocery store for a gallon of offices in Lansing. Weglarz will serve Continued on page 7... milk can see just how much the two Continued on page 7... H ig h lig h ts From the President 3 Golf Event Information ........................................... 10 OSHA rules require a railing or similar protection ............................................................. 17 N ew association member provides It's a new day in training for services stations payphones, air machines and ATMs..............3 and convenience stores........................................... -- 13 Certified Oil continues growth plan ...............18 From the C h a i r m a n - - 5 Ohio's 2006 Political Preview..................................15 Michigan starts tapping tax on web tobacco ... 5 Michigan prepaid gasoline sales tax increased Handling materials in the safest to 12.7 cents per gallon........................................... 16 Group rating enrollment complete.................... 9 Michigan gets minimum wage increase..............17 Check out our web site... www.greatlakespetro.com Officers: Ohio Petroleum Retailers Chairm an Dennis Sidorski 611 South Capitol Avenue 611 South Capitol Avenue Maple & Miller Marathon Lansing, MI 48933 Lansing, MI 48933 1300 North Maple (800) 748-0060 (800) 748-0060 Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Phone: (517) 484-4096 Phone: (517) 484-4096 Phone: (734) 994-0373 Fax: (517) 484-5705 Fax: (517) 484-5705 Fax: (734) 994-0374 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: ssdamiavoyager.net Vice-Chairman Administrative Staff: Administrative Staff: Paul Hinshaw Karen Cutshaw Tony DeLuca Northside Marathon, Inc. Doug Jones Karen Cutshaw 2727 North Main Street Ron Milburn Findlay, OH 45840-4409 Michigan Advisory Committee: Ohio Advisory Committee: Phone: (419) 423-5931 Pete Doneth Fax: (419) 423-7871 Ralph Miller Auto City Service Center Detroit Lakewood Automotive 14165 North Fenton Road, #202 Secretary 12511 Detroit Avenue Fenton, MI 48430 Joe Zigman Lakewood, OH 44107 Phone: (810) 750-0300 Auto City Auto Repair Phone: (216) 521-0343 Fax: (810) 750-0431 4822 State Road, Unit B Fax: (216) 521-1867 [email protected] P.O. Box 188 John Price Darrell Marx Peninsula, OH 44264 3C Sunoco Marx Auto Care, Inc. Phone: (330) 926-1601 5870 Westerville Road 32725 Franklin Road Westerville, OH 43081 Franklin, MI 48025 Treasurer Phone: (614) 882-1960 Phone: (248) 477-9090 Dave Freitag Fax: (614) 436-8381 Fax: (248) 477-7813 Yorkshire Tire and Auto P.O. Box 298 Joe Nashar Bellevue, OH 44811 Grand River & Halstead Shell 37375 Grand River Phone: (419) 217-0870 Farmington, MI 48335 Fax: (419) 483-2515 Phone: (248) 477-8884 Past Chairman Fax: (248) 477-1956 Maurice Helou Cell: (248) 854-1856 Citgo of Lyndhurst Rich Tignanelli 5615 Mayfield Road Shadowood Auto Center Lyndhurst, OH 44124 31487 Gratiot Phone: (440) 449-4959 Ext. 11 Roseville, MI 48066 Fax: (440) 449-4961 Phone: (586) 294-4160 Fax: (586) 294-8932 Past Chairman www.greatlakespetro.com Rich Bratschi Lake Lansing Mobil 2704 Lake Lansing Road Directors: Lansing, Ml 48912 Gary Bettis Phone: (517) 484-2300 Pat LaVecchia Blissfield BP Pat's Citgo Fax: (517) 484-1462 505 W. Adrian 19415 Detroit Road At-Large Director Blissfield, MI 49228 Rockv River, OH 44116 Tim Mariner Phone: (517) 486-3829 Phone: (440) 333-0707 Mariner Petroleum Company/ Fax: (517) 486-3829 Fax: (440) 333-1198 Reniram Enterprises, L.L.C. Paul Elhindi Jim Little 4257 Clyde Park S.W. Citgo of Lyndhurst H & H Mobil Wyoming, MI 49509 5615 Mayfield Road 1500 Haslett Road Phone: (616) 538-7990 #4 Lyndhurst, OH 44124 East Lansing, MI 48823 Fax: (616) 538-9820 Phone: (440) 449-4959 Ext. 12 Phone: (517) 332-6335 Fax: (440) 449-4961 Fax: (517) 332-1615 At-Large Director Dave Kachelein John Quinn Steve Ali Triple S Automotive Green Meadows Marathon Lorain-Clague Sunoco 510 Palomino Trail 9151 Columbus Pike 23370 Lorain Road Aurora, OH 44202 Lewis Center, OH 43035 North Olmstead, OH 44070 Phone: (330) 562-0502 Phone: (614) 888-0266 Phone: (440) 779-8733 Fax: (330) 562-0502 Fax: (614) 888-0395 Fax: (440) 779-9003 Don Kuchta Cell: (614) 554-5770 City of Macedonia [email protected] President 9691 Valley View Road Edward Weglarz Andy Tilton Macedonia, OH 44056 Tilton's Automotive Service 611 S. Capitol Avenue Phone: (330) 468-8322 6188 Ambleside Drive Lansing, MI 48933 Fax: (330) 468-8392 Columbus, OH 43229 Phone: (517) 484-4096 [email protected] Phone: (614) 888-0504 Fax: (517) 484-5705 Fax: (614) 888-0230 ssdamigvoyager.net Cell: (614) 205-7274 a_tUtonShotmail.com 2 THE • INBEPENOENT• DEALER Free to Members Another growth spurt for our Association Classified Ads By Ed W eglarz, President Call 800/748-0060 Great Lakes Petroleum Retailers and Allied Trades Association or Fax: 517/484-5705 or E-mail to: [email protected] Just recently we ex­ accomplish the best future goals. FOR SALE OR LEASE perienced a solar Sunoco Gasoline Station and Food Mart eclipse, proving the We will have offices in Farmington Located in Westside area of Columbus. world keeps turning Hills and Lansing, Michigan. The Ohio. For more information, call Chuck at 614/272-7933. and our relationship merged associations will have pro­ with outside entities grams available to all member retail­ FOR SALE Oakland County Shell Gas Station, 3/4 affects our lives. ers and repair facilities across both acre of property, high traffic area, off Ohio and Michigan. The programs freeway exit. Convenience store, car In this issue of The Independent Dealer will help you maximize the profitabil­ wash, gasoline and diesel sales Seri­ you'll find an article notifying you and ity and value of your businesses. ous inquiries only Office: 248/225-4377 or cell: 810/333-0602. the world that the Great Lakes Petro­ leum Retailers and Allied Trades As­ We can learn from one another about GAS STATION/CONVENIENCE STORE WANTED sociation and the Associated Food the face-to-face retailing offerings of Gas station/convenience store wanted Dealers are merging into an entity to two similar classes of trade. Addition­ to purchase or lease in Greater Colum­ be recognized as the Associated Food ally, our political clout will be en­ bus and surrounding areas Call Tim and Petroleum Dealers. hanced. Our standing in both state at 614/554-5772. capitols and in Washington will grow NOW OFFERING FOR SALE Each association has roots dating to new levels that cannot be ignored A/C Recharger, White Industries R-12; A/C Recycler, ATC 1100 R-12: Ammco back over 75 years, and both asso­ by legislators. Brake Lathe; Drum & Rotor with attach­ ciations have strong points and ments. All in good working order, make weak points. The boards of directors If we don't manage the changes that offer Scott Bope, Bope Sunoco, (614) 794-2673. of each association, along with a swirl about our industry, the changes transition committee, have evaluated will manage us. I feel this opportunity ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS for 20% less than to expand our programs and member­ the pluses and minuses of the merger the lowest price you can find! and overwhelmingly decided that ship offerings to a wider range of re­ Call Flynn Environmental joining forces rather than remaining tailers will enable us to enjoy a long at 800/690-9409 singly distinct would more readily and stable future.