new jersey restaurant association

[glenn]

Rosie's post about the NJRA's dinner and "spectacular cocktail reception," reminded me - I've tried calling them three times in the past 4 or 5 months. All I get is an answering machine (during regular business hours) and no one has returned any of my 3 messages.

Is there any reason to become a member? I'm familiar with the NYRA - they were good for getting quick answers to technical and legal questions as well as discounted workers comp. However, I know nothing atout the NJRA. Are any restaurateurs here members?

[Rosie]

Info is here: http://www.njra.org/

[glenn]

Well, their site has left me more confused. It seems that they're more of a resource for the public than the industry.

[Lreda]

The only good they are for is collecting dues. I didn't know about this event....and I pay dues. The only reason there is smoking in restaurants now is they lobby the state on behalf of the casinos.

[Betsy Alger]

The only good they are for is collecting dues. I didn't know about this event....and I pay dues. The only reason there is smoking in restaurants now is they lobby the state on behalf of the casinos.

←

Oh my Lou and Glenn, my experience of the NJRA is very different from yours!

They lobby for issues of relevance to those of us in the industry. They lobby on behalf of restaurants with a concern for our bottom line and our positive image. Their stand on a smoking ban in restaurants initially was that it should be the decision of the restaurateur to decide if his or her establishment allows smoking or not; not a government mandate. As the issue unfolded in the legislature and it became apparent that there would inevitably be a government mandate about smoking in restaurants the NJRA position evolved to one of that if there is smoking ban it should be uniform with no exclusions or exceptions. (By the way, my restaurant and bar are smoke free and have been since 1993. Personally, I can’t stand cigarette smoke! Still, I don’t like government telling me what to do….. I guess that’s why I have and am a strong advocate of independent restaurants!) Currently the position of the some legislators is to prohibit smoking in restaurants but allow it in casinos. The NJRA opposes the exemption for casinos saying that this is unfair to restaurants. The NJRA does not lobby on behalf of the casino industry!

Another issue that the NJRA has recently been involved in in Trenton includes persuading the Assembly to think through an emotionally initiated peanut signage bill rather than rush through a mandate that is flawed. They have supported a bill which allows dissolving businesses to take advantage of the suspended loss carry forward tax deduction. This change in corporate business tax law will benefit restaurants that close due to economic circumstances.

In Washington DC, in September, the NJRA worked with the National Restaurant Association to lobby for Association Health Insurance, a measure that would permit small businesses to combine to purchase affordable health insurance.

These are all good things!

Outside of the political arena the NJRA has programs available to member restaurants that can provide a savings on services including but not limited to Temporary Disability Insurance, credit card processing and natural gas.

On an educational level they offer programs in Sanitation Education and Alcohol Awareness training for employees in our industry as well as seminars and discussion groups for owners and managers on topics including but not limited to Labor Law Compliance, Succession Planning and Marketing.

They sponsor trade shows. They are a resource for answers to technical, operational and legal quetions. They collaborate with groups such as the Department of Travel and Tourism, Slow Foods and NJ Fresh to promote the industry. They promote professionalism and they offer camaraderie within the industry. For me personally they have been a resource and they have provided me with colleagues which is why I participate as a Director on the board of the NJRA and encourage all in the industry to become active members, taking advantage of programs and using the association as a resource.

And Glenn, about 3 calls and no response…..there is no excuse for that and I couldn’t begin to try to offer an explanation. The NJRA office is staffed by 5 people and unless there is a trade show or a conference such as the annual Restaurant Operators Conference, several are in the building. Please, if you had an unresolved concern call again! I think that what happened to you must have been a fluke!

Respectfully,

Betsy Alger

Proprietor/Director of Operations

The Frog and The Peach

[Rosie]

Betsy--Thank you so much for your informative response. For the record I have always found the NJRA association to be helpful in an extremely timely manner. They have always immediately responded to my questions or requests for information.

[Phil Ward]

Dear Betsy,

Beautifully written.

American BD has been proud to support the NJRA over the years and I am proud that we have now become Allied members.

Personally, I think, the NJRA does many good things for the restaurants in NJ.

Phil Ward

[glenn]

I spoke with some of the employees yesterday at their booth at the IH/M&RS in NY and they seemed bewildered by what happened to me. I'll consider it an aberration from the norm and give it another shot.

benevolent glenn