Do you remember the events of 1966?

• The Vietnam War was ongoing
• The Supreme Court ruled on Miranda v. Arizona, stating police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning them.
• The Beatles released “Revolver”
• Actor Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California
• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was shown on TV for the first time
• Dow Jones hit a high of 950
• A gallon of gas cost $0.32
• My sister Kate was born
• Air conditioning was installed in the Capitol Building in Sacramento
• The California legislature went full time

Air conditioning a notable event? Well for those of us who don’t have air conditioning right now, 101°F today, it would definitely be a big event. Even more importantly, is what followed in our state Capitol. The heat of Sacramento no longer limited the Legislatures desire to be there in the summer. Instead of having a limited session, our “leaders” were able to stay in Sacramento and create mischief and mayhem longer. While there are a few stars, Senator Mimi Walters to name one, who stand on principle and do the right thing, the vast majority of politicians have made a career out of politics. Decisions based not on what is a good for the state, but what will get them more financial support for their next election. (Or in some cases, the less nefarious but still troubling less financial opposition for their next election!)

I am intrigued by a new movement a foot to return our legislature to pre-1966 format. Citizens for California Reform (www.reformcal.com) led by Gabriella Holt is collecting signatures to put a measure on the ballot next year to return California back to a part time legislature. The website, especially the Learn More section with a history of CA government structure is worth a perusal. (One of my favorites, in 1911, each member of the legislature could only propose 2 bills a session!) Is this the right approach? I don’t know, but if I am on a diet, I try to stay out of the kitchen. Seems like it might work for the politicians too.

My Best,

Mary

Mary Fleet Manager Wall CA State Budget, Reform California

With the continuous talk about the state budget negotiations, I sent the following email off to Sacramento a few months ago . . . No Poof yet.

Are there any small business people working with politicians to redo this budget? Businesses are constantly faced with our own crisis’s caused by changes in the business environment, regulations, etc. . . Many many business people have the experience in cutting with kindness. (AKA- transitioning into cuts in pay, staff, and benefits.) Not tapping into these resources would be a shame and I for one would feel much better knowing that someone who is not paid by the state, who has business background, is actively engaged in the process.

How about the Small Business Advisory group that was started by the governor? I hear it is a nice lunch, at best. There are only a handful of business people and the rest are lobbyist or association executives. As well meaning as these types are, they are speaking with third hand knowledge. Their paycheck is determined by dues or fees and if there are budget shortfalls, then dues can be increased (sounds like government and taxes to me!) Why isn’t a group of business people being asked for insight on how to live within a budget?

According to the Governors own budget summary, we had a balanced budget 10 years ago and we let the dot com boom get to our heads and we spent and spent and spent.

“The surge in revenues resulted in massive – and unsustainable – new spending commitments. ” Source: Governor’s Full Budget Summary 2009-10

To that note, we allow each of the legislators to introduce 30-40 bills per session, every single one COSTS money. I am not talking about the money to run the bills through the process, or the money to create the regulation, nor the money to monitor – or in many cases – fail to monitor compliance. I am talking about the money it costs to change how we operate as individuals, businesses and yes even government.

I don’t have a good handle on, how the back room budget process work. Who is working to improve; reviewing line by line, comparing today to 1998-99 balanced budget and adjusting for inflation, population, etc? Who is working to improve our budget? What are their credentials?

We need to reduce the size of the entitled population and increase the size of the self sustaining members of society. My hope is that there is some office in Sacramento doing this, outside of political maneuvers, there is some office creating a business based budget for the state that can be published before the Politian’s start negotiating. I would love for you to be able to read this and poof, send me a link to monitor the process, so that when I wake up at 4:00 am to start my day, worrying about how my company is going to survive the rest of the year, at least I will be able to see that some really smart people in Sacramento are tackling the state budget and making the same hard decisions I am faced with.

I would love to know who is leading the charge. Is anyone?

Mary Fleet Manager Wall

Our Fleet

Every few weeks I meet individually with the managers at DeWitt. Topics vary from personnel to personal. On Friday, I met with Scott our Transportation manager. He is responsible for all things fleet, which right now happens to include planning our compliance with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) Statewide Truck and Bus Regulations. Like many of our customers, we have a fleet of vehicles that need to meet the first level of compliance by December 2010. As Scott and I reviewed the rule and the “age” of our fleet, my frustration level rose. (If you haven’t calculated the age of your fleet – here is the link – On-Road Trucks Average Calculator.)

Now in our business, we deal with pennies, so if we can suck one more day, week, month or year out of a paid for asset, we will. What these new rules mean is that we will have to “retire” some of our fleet before their useful life is up in order to be in compliance.

Last month at the California Petroleum Conference put on by CIOMA (www.cioma.com), James E. Enstrom, Ph.D, M.P.H. and Dr. John Dale Dunn, M.D.,J.D. spoke during lunch. The title: Junk Science: The Politicization of Science for Regulatory Overkill. It is the contention of these two gentlemen, that the public health research that is the foundation of this regulation has severe scientific deficiencies. While I climb onto the soap box I borrowed from my dad, I have a disclaimer. I like clean air. I have two kids, who love being outdoors. I want clean air. But I also want to feed them, clothe them and put a roof over their heads, none of which can happen without trucks getting products to market. The environmental community, in their zealous pursuit of clean air has resorted to suing states and regulatory agencies based on the Clean Air Act of 1990. This act has the noble idea of cleaning the air with no consideration of economic consequences. Bad science with no concern for the economic consequences is a very bad combination.

I had to cancel my attendance at the CIOMA meeting, but there is another opportunity to hear Drs. Enstrom and Dunn coming up in a few weeks. (California Dump Truck Owners Association – CDTOA Flyer). I know we are not likely to avoid this train wreck – the Diesel Fleet Rules, but if we all just spend a little energy, we may make this state better for our kids. A clean one yes, but a financially viable one as well.

My Best,

Mary

Mary Fleet Manager Wall CARB, CIOMA, clean air, fleet, Truck and Bus Regulations

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 — DeWitt Petroleum has been selected for the 2009 Best of South El Monte Award in the Gasoline & Oil Bulk Stations category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org

admin Fleet Manager Wall Bulk Stations, petroleum

What is the difference between gas sold at a branded gas station (Branded) and gas sold at a Mom and Pop or Costco (Unbranded)?

Branded gasoline is differentiated by the “additive” package that is added to basic gas. You will recognize the names because of the BIG marketing dollars spent telling us why one additive, such as Chevron with Techron, is better for your car than the competition think Shell V-Power.

Major refineries trade Gasoline and Diesel in order to supply their customers in many locations. An example, is when a company with a refinery in Northern Ca trades or sells product to a company who has a refinery in Southern California. In addition, product is shipped through pipelines and used by refiners, traders, and marketers alike. Once the product is at the loading facility (rack), the major brands add “special” additive packages that they hope will entice you to buy from their stations instead of the competition.

Is it bad for my car if I buy from an Unbranded station (Costco)?

No. Even without the additive packages, all fuel sold at gas stations must meet minimum federal and state specifications. The Branded stations quote added benefits of using their fuel, but essentially you are buying it because the movie “Cars” was cute.

Mary Fleet Manager Wall Branded Gasoline, diesel, fuel, Gas inversion, Gas Stations