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L to R: LANJ Director and CD Publisher Chris Weiss, LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, LANJ Second Vice President Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments, and Sami Elotmani of Destination MCO
Skillman, N.J. —The third annual installment of the Limousine Association of New Jersey’s (LANJ’s) golf outing once again inspired the nationwide industry to come out and support a good cause with good company at the Cherry Valley Country Club on September 16. CD Publisher Chris Weiss was on hand for the daylong event that included golf, dinner, a charity fundraiser, networking, and, for the first time ever, a September 15 pre-event outing at association favorite Strawberry’s Pub & Pizza, which is owned by the Gulino and Chirico families.
Jason Sharenow presents a $5,000 check to representatives of the Police Unity Tour
First place: Rich Calabro, Jake Casey, Scott Cowley, and Dave Purdy, who comprised one of the Cadillac Professional Vehicles/Brogan Cadillac foursomes
Second Place: Charles Brower, Ben Cook, Matt Mushorn, and Steve O’Shea, a foursome purchased by Transportation Insurance
Once the foursomes finished working their ways through the country club’s golf course, a sit-down dinner included the fundraising auction, as well as the presentation of the day’s trophies and charitable checks alike. Among the items auctioned off was a pass to next month’s CD/NLA Show in Boston, which was won by Todd Roberts of JACO Limousines & Transportation.
Attendees helped raise money for Covenant House New Jersey, which is a nonprofit organization that shelters homeless youth and a charity that the tournament supported for the first time last year, as well as the Police Unity Tour, which not only memorializes fallen officers but also raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum.
The tournament’s second-place team, the Transportation Insurance foursome
The Police Unity Tour has been a golf-outing beneficiary since the event’s inception in 2017, which LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide has described as “near and dear to my heart.” Sharenow has volunteered with the Livingston Police Department for more than two decades, while Covenant House was a suggestion that originally was proposed by LANJ Director David Seelinger of EmpireCLS, who is a longtime supporter of the charity. Of the more than $65,000 that the golf outing raised, both the Police Unity Tour and Covenant House New Jersey received $5,000 each.
With an increased attendance comes more opportunities to harness the potential for helping charitable organizations, and this year debuted an on-site plea from the Police Unity Tour. An attendee representing the non-profit asked LANJ members and supporters to assist Blue H.E.L.P., which not only supports police officers who are struggling with their emotional well-being and honors those who have died by suicide “because their emotional injuries became too much to bear.” Attendees gave close to an additional $2,000 to the cause, and several individuals pledged to match that donation.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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L to R: Richard Tessier and Karrine Tessier from Great Bay Limousine, CD Publisher Chris Weiss, and Tami Saccoccio and Dawson Rutter from Commonwealth Worldwide
Boston — The New England Livery Association (NELA) hosted its most recent meeting September 10, where it was joined by more than 60 members and supporters. CD Publisher Chris Weiss was among those who attended the fall quarterly meeting.
After members made use of the networking opportunities prior to the beginning of meeting and dinner, NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagi got down to business. With the annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament seeing another successful installment this past August, Szilagyi announced the total allocation of the event’s fundraising efforts. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation received $1,000, $1,000 went to the Pan-Mass Challenge bike ride (in which NELA member Tom Arrighi of A&A Metro participated), and $500 was donated to Chips House, a group home for those living with severe head injuries and where a son of event namesake Colarullo resides.
It was also noted that MassPort will begin moving Uber and Lyft to Central Parking at Logan International Airport for both drop-offs and pickups. MassPort, or the Massachusetts Port Authority, owns and operates three airports (Logan International, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional) and public terminals in the Port of Boston. This move will be phased in starting October 28th. Since MassPort serves the public, TNC drivers will continue to be allowed to perform drop-offs at the terminals between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.
L to R: Speakers Arthur Bernard and Bob Travaglini of Travaglini, Eisenberg, & Kiley with NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi
NELA President Jason Dornhoffer of United Private Car spoke about NELA’s the recent meeting with MassPort, as there was confusion regarding the PSID badges required for all chauffeured-car operators and DPU background checks that TNC drivers must pass. While TNC drivers do not need to wear a badge, they are required to have a background check done by the Massachusetts Department of Utilities; an average of 15 percent fail their background check, which doesn’t even involve Homeland Security like the background check to acquire a PSID badge does. Our industry’s operators can boast about the extra level of security we offer due to additional scrutiny chauffeurs are subject to.
Still, many operators are opposed to PSID badges, and at least one attendee suggested a drive to challenge MassPort’s authority to enforce the program; however, NELA prefers to take a less confrontational stance when dealing with MassPort. Over the years, the association has worked well with MassPort and hopes to keep cordial relations. This is especially important in facing new challenges, such as the series of construction projects aiming to move more passengers with fewer vehicles, an initiative referred to as Logan Forward.
NLA Secretary Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service
NLA Secretary Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service spoke on behalf of the NLA. He explained what was happening in California regarding Assembly Bill 5, as it was poised to be passed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The focus of the bill is the reclassification of many gig workers as employees, which NELA anticipates will influence its legislative effort for the rest of the year. Barenholtz noted that bills such as AB5 can succeed because statewide, regional, and national associations alike have put the effort into advocating for the issues that affect ground transportation operators; the bill has since been signed into law on September 18.
Speakers Bob Travaglini and Arthur Bernard of Travaglini, Eisenberg, & Kiley then gave a few brief introductory remarks before their Q&A session. One key takeaway is that legislators are swayed by what their constituents say—which means that attending and testifying at hearings, as well as introducing yourself to, calling, and emailing your legislator, all make a difference.
The evening’s giveaways capped off the evening. The CD/NLA Show Pass to the Boston Show went to Alexander Lisek of Boston 5 Star Limo. And Weiss, who had been on hand to speak about how the show will benefit attendees and highlighted a few especially noteworthy offerings to be found at this year’s show, won the 50/50 raffle prize, which he immediately donated back to NELA as a sponsorship toward the upcoming breakfast meeting that the association will be holding at the show on October 14.
After the meeting at the CD/NLA Show, NELA’s next event will be its December 10 holiday party.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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RMA-branded MCI J4500 motorcoach at the Washington Monument
Des Moines — Motor Coach Industries (MCI) has delivered two new MCI J4500 Livery Edition coaches to expand RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation’s busy fleet of 375-vehicles. These are the first MCI motorcoaches purchased by the comppany.
“We have clients who love different models, and the MCI J4500 has a lot of things we were looking for,” explains RMA Vice President of Operations Gigi Bridgers.
The two 2019 J4500s are fully featured for the luxury livery market. Starting with the roomy 56-seat J4500 configuration, RMA’s new MCIs include Amaya 220 seating with leather diamond stitching and cup holders on the back of each seat. Additionally, each coach features an enhanced sound system, and the RGB lighting package that allows for customize interior color lighting options, and exterior custom paint and decaling.
RMA’s motor coach fleet goes to work for large events, corporate charters, and university clients. The company recently provided transportation for the Horatio Alger awards and the Boy Scouts of America’s annual convention through RMA’s offices in Washington, D.C., and Rockville. RMA’s business expansion includes a new location in Richmond, VA and a new transit bus and coach maintenance facility in Baltimore, MD.
The company trains its drivers to handle versatile assignments. RMA also operates transit buses on Baltimore’s and Bethesda’s circulators, so driver training includes behind-the-wheel hours and instruction on all types of bus models.
“We’re lucky because some of our transit drivers also serve as coach drivers and we’ll let them drive within the DOT regulation of hours,” said Bridgers.
RMA also offers customers worldwide service through its affiliate network in 600 cities around the globe. Much-admired, RMA has won serval prestigious industry awards throughout its history and are members of ABA and UMA.
Visit rmalimo.com for more information.
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