May 2010
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
MICHAEL CORDIELLO
It's great to see the Society has been able to bring in so many new Members during these tough economic times! I have also noticed that our new Student Members have become regulars at our meetings and speaking for the Membership, we are very happy to have them in attendance!
The Nominating Committee has announced its slate at our April General Meeting without opposition and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them.
Hope to see you all at our May General Meeting, May 19th, 2010 which will be the last meeting held before summer break.
ARRANGEMENTS
FRANK ALMONA
We are at the Immaculate Conception Center for the May meeting. Please remember that the Cocktail Hour does not start until 6:00 PM. We need to keep the room clear until the wait staff has completed setting up the room for us. Once the sign in desk opens up, you may sign in and you can enter the dining room for the Cocktail Hour.
It’s good to see all the Students in attendance once again. I hope that they are able to leave with a little knowledge from our program and have any of their questions answered by our membership.
BYLAWS
TIM HARTE
These are the Bylaw change proposals submitted this year:
The following Bylaw changes for Article III must be voted upon as a single Bylaw change:
Article III Section 1A – re-word to read:
1A Member Grade: for the purpose of eligibility to run for President: Member, Associate Member, Editorial and Life Members. An Associate Member must have served at least five years on the Executive Board to be eligible to run for President.
Article III Add Section 1B
1B Member Grade: for the purpose of eligibility to vote, determine percentage of Associate/Member ratio, Member grade will include Member, Editorial and Life Members.
Article III Section 2A – re-word to read:
2A Associate: shall include those who offer and contribute either service, information, materials or parts through sales to the transportation industry and related services. It shall be noted that the company not the individual is the member. In the event that an individual representing an Associate Member is elected President and leaves their company while their term is active, that individual shall be permitted to continue serve to the end of their term.
Bylaws Change Proposal #2
Bylaw IV Duties of Standing Committees
Scholarship:
SOCIETY OF FLEET SUPERVISORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Add the following to the 2nd paragraph after the first sentence:
Scholarships to be awarded in the following order: Member, Member’s spouse, Member’s children, and Member’s grandchildren. Any remaining scholarships would then be awarded to Member’s nieces and nephews.
You should receive your ballot in the mail by May 1st. If you will be attending the May meeting, please bring your ballot to cast. If you are not attending the meeting, please sign, date and mail your ballot to the attention of Vanessa Mercado, Secretary, Society of Fleet Supervisors, Inc., P.O. Box 260018, Bellerose, NY 11426.
DATA SERVICES
RICHARD CHAN
We have opened the Newsletter for advertising by non-members. Ads in the Newsletter for non-members are $450.00 for a quarter page ad to run for 10 issues from September through June or $45.00 for single issue. We also have opened the Website for advertising by non-members. Page sponsor ads are $120.00 per year starting from September through June. Please see me if you are interested in placing an ad.
Our present Membership is comprised of:
Members 96
Life Members 19
Editorial Members 0
Associate Members 32
Honorary Members 3
Original Equipment Manufacturer 1
Apprentice Fleet Supervisors 0
Student Members 11
Total Membership 164
Attendance at the April meeting:
Members 51
Guests 25
Total 76
Current CONSECUTIVE attendance records are:
Member Robert Lagnese – 106, 1/97 –
Honorary Member Bill Misita – 99, 9/92 – 2/05
Member George Pastor – 70, 5/94 – 5/03
Member Carl Orza – 70, 3/97 – 2/06
Life Member Nuno Tardo – 63, 3/89 – 1/97
Member Leonard Huffmire – 59, 11/02 –
Member John Cigna – 50, 2/94 – 3/00
Life Member Nuno Tardo – 48, 1/02 –1/08
Member Robert Spiotto – 47, 11/01 –9/07
Member Pat De Martino – 44, 10/90 – 2/96
EDUCATIONAL
CLEMENT DRUMMOND
Toyota Recalls Lexus GX 460 SUV for Rollover Issue
?After duplicating a leading consumer magazine's tests that showed its 2010 Lexus GX 460 sports-utility vehicle may be susceptible to rolling over, Toyota Motor will recall the luxury SUV to fix the potential safety problem, it said Monday.
?The company will voluntarily recall about 9,400 of the vehicles to update their electronic stability control software. Known as VSC, the system helps control the SUV during a loss of traction that can occur as a result of front or rear wheel slippage during cornering.
?"Our engineers have conducted tests to confirm the VSC performance issue raised by Consumer Reports, and we are confident this VSC software update addresses the concern," said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America in the statement.
?Toyota said owners of affected models will begin receiving notices in early May. The company will provide loaners to vehicle owners who don't wish to drive them before the recall work has been completed.
?The recall follows a report last week by Consumer Reports magazine, which discovered in road tests that the GX 460 could roll over during certain maneuvers, such as decelerating onto a highway exit ramp. The nonprofit publication determined the problem was severe enough to warrant a "don't buy" warning, its first such rating on a vehicle in almost a decade.
?When subjected to a standard track test involving driving the vehicle through a turn as the driver lifts his foot off the accelerator, the rear of the GX 460 slid out until it was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control, Consumer Reports said last week. In a real world situation, such a control failure might cause the vehicle to hit a curb or the side of the road, leading it to flip over.
?After Consumer Reports published its findings on April 13, Toyota halted sales and production of the GX 460 and began its own tests. On Friday, Toyota said it had duplicated the problem that Consumer Reports encountered with the vehicle's electronic stability control system.
?Toyota has struggled with quality and safety issues in recent months. It recalled millions of vehicles last fall for uncontrolled acceleration problems believed to be associated with bulky rubber floor mats. Other recalls soon followed, including one for sticky gas pedals, which led to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fining Toyota a maximum $16.4 million for failing to act quickly enough in notifying the agency of the problem.
?On Monday, Toyota agreed to pay the fine, but denied any wrongdoing. Toyota said that while executives could have done a better job of sharing information, both within and outside the company, "We did not try to hide a defect to avoid dealing with a safety problem”
?GOLF OUTING
NICHOLAS MARKATOS
The 2010 Society of Fleet Supervisors Annual Golf Outing will take place Monday, June 21, 2010 at the North Shore Towers Golf Course in Floral Park, Queens. As usual, this event with take place on the Monday following Father's Day.
The deadline to reserve your Tee Time is May 30, 2010 which is drawing very near. We need your help and your show of support!
This Golf Outing is a major revenue source for our Society. Its success is critical to sustain the Society's existence!!! We are asking that our Membership solicit sponsorship for this event so that we don't repeat last year’s poor turnout!
Call and make your reservation and make a commitment NOW!
Call me at 718 886-4020 today!
I hope to see you on the Golf Course.
JOURNAL
SAL AZZARITI
The Journal Ad Committee would like to congratulate Leonard Huffmire on being named the 2010 Society of Fleet Supervisors Member of the Year. At the last meeting I asked all Members to join us in an attempt to pull in five ads from each Member. Although I know this may be tough to do I think we can achieve this goal. It’s never too soon to secure your page in the 2010 journal. Make your voice heard and place your ad today.
Leonard Huffmire, our most worthy honoree has given our Society his time and effort and it is our time to show him that the Society of Fleet Supervisors that we are grateful for his efforts. So please take the time to fill out a journal ad form that you can download on line by visiting the website at www.sfsny.org or pick up a journal ad at our next General Meeting and be sure to fill it out and mail it back today.
Thanking you once again in advance for your support.
LEGISLATIVE
MICHAEL CALISE
DOT, EPA Set Aggressive National Standards for Fuel Economy and First Ever Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels For Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
Responding to one of the first major directives of the Obama Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today jointly established historic new federal rules that set the first-ever national greenhouse gas emissions standards and will significantly increase the fuel economy of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States. The rules could potentially save the average buyer of a 2016 model year car $3,000 over the life of the vehicle and, nationally, will conserve about 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce nearly a billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the lives of the vehicles covered.
This action is one important step in fulfilling the Obama Administration’s commitment to moving towards a clean energy, climate friendly economy.
“These historic new standards set ambitious, but achievable, fuel economy requirements for the automotive industry that will also encourage new and emerging technologies,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We will be helping American motorists save money at the pump, while putting less pollution in the air.”
"This is a significant step towards cleaner air and energy efficiency, and an important example of how our economic and environmental priorities go hand-in-hand," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "By working together with industry and capitalizing on our capacity for innovation, we've developed a clean cars program that is a win for automakers and drivers, a win for innovators and entrepreneurs, and a win for our planet."
DOT and EPA received more than 130,000 public comments on the September 2009 proposed rules, with overwhelming support for the strong national policy. Manufacturers will be able to build a single, light-duty national fleet that satisfies all federal requirements as well as the standards of California and other states. The collaboration of federal agencies also allows for clearer rules for all automakers, instead of three standards (DOT, EPA, and a state standard).
Today’s final rules, issued by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and EPA, establish increasingly stringent fuel economy standards under NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy program and greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012 through 2016 model-year vehicles.
Starting with 2012 model year vehicles, the rules together require automakers to improve fleet-wide fuel economy and reduce fleet-wide greenhouse gas emissions by approximately five percent every year. NHTSA has established fuel economy standards that strengthen each year reaching an estimated 34.1 mpg for the combined industry-wide fleet for model year 2016.
Because credits for air-conditioning improvements can be used to meet the EPA standards, but not the NHTSA standards, the EPA standards require that by the 2016 model-year, manufacturers must achieve a combined average vehicle emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. The EPA standard would be equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon if all reductions came from fuel economy improvements.
Specifically, the new National Program:
Reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 960 million metric tons over the lifetime of the vehicles regulated, equivalent to taking 50 million cars and light trucks off the road in 2030.
Conserves about 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles regulated.
Enables the average car buyer of a 2016 model year vehicle to enjoy a net savings of $3,000 over the lifetime of the vehicle, as upfront technology costs are offset by lower fuel costs
“We are delivering on our mission and President Obama’s call for a strong and coordinated national policy for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles, and we will do so in a way that does not compromise safety,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.
“These are the first national standards ever to address climate change,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy. “Over the coming years, America will witness an amazing leap forward in vehicle technologies, delivering fuel efficiency that will save us money and protect the environment.”
The joint final regulation achieves the goal set by President Obama to develop a National Program to establish federal standards that meet the needs of the states and the nation as a whole to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama first announced the effort last May with a broad coalition of automakers, the United Auto Workers, States, and the environmental community.
NHTSA and EPA expect automobile manufacturers will meet these standards by more widespread adoption of conventional technologies that are already in commercial use, such as more efficient engines, transmissions, tires, aerodynamics, and materials, as well as improvements in air conditioning systems. Although the standards can be met with conventional technologies, EPA and NHTSA also expect that some manufacturers may choose to pursue more advanced fuel-saving technologies like hybrid vehicles clean diesel engines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and electric vehicles.
In conjunction with the United States, Canada is also announcing Light Duty Vehicle GHG-Emissions regulations today. U.S. EPA and NHTSA have worked closely with Environment Canada to ensure a common North American approach.
Climate change is the single greatest long-term global environmental challenge. Cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are responsible for almost 60 percent of all U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
VANESSA MERCADO
Thank you to Peter Plate of Rosco Mirror for a very interesting program on its continuous dual camera digital video recording systems. We also thank him for the three camera systems that were raffled off to the membership at the end of the program.
The winner of the Big Draw of $50.00 was Member Frank Carpenter who donated his proceeds to the Kiddy Picnic.
MEMBERSHIP
MICHAEL CAFIERO
Inducted at the April meeting:
Joseph Clermont, Student at Farmingdale State University as a Student Member.
Craig Harrington, Sales Representative, for AB Environmental of Bohemia, NY as an Associate Member. AB Environmental handles waste oil disposal, recycling, emergency spill response and cleanup since 1984.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
LEONARD HUFFMIRE
The following slate has been proposed for the 2010/2011 year:
President: Albert Buehler Jr.
1st Vice President: Michael Cafiero
2nd Vice President: Vanessa Mercado
Treasurer: Frank Carpenter
Secretary: Leonard Huffmire
There were not opposing slates nominated from the floor.
PROGRAMS
SUSAN DENARO
The Society wishes to thank Associate Member Peter Plate and the entire team at Rosco Mirror for their presentation at last month’s meeting.
Please plan to join us for our next meeting on May 19th when we welcome John Mefford of Dimension Inverters.
John is the regional sales manager for Dimension, business unit of Unit of Sensata Technologies. John hails from Matthews, N.C. and has been affiliated with Sensata technologies for the last ten years. His responsibilities are to work with fleet managers to ensure proper inverter specifications and installation, and he has a wealth of good information to share with us.
John will be discussing the Dimensions’ DC to AC power inverters that will fulfill your mobile AC requirements and replace portable gas generators that are costly to maintain and reduce air pollution. Dimensions Inverters are the leader in the industry for quiet, clean and rugged mobile AC power.
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us at 6pm on May 21st for the last general meeting before the summer break. We hope to see you there!
SCHOLARSHIP
CARL ORZA
We are accepting Society of Fleet Supervisors, Inc. Scholarship applications for 2010. Please remember that there is a meeting attendance obligation that you must meet in order to be eligible for one of the six scholarships available this year. Applications are available to download from our website or you may get them by contacting me at 516.643.2530.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
TOM MUNNO
The Kiddy Picnic is set for Sunday, June 6, 2010 at Parking Lot 5, Cherry Section in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. I want to thank every one that donated for the toys for the children.
WELFARE & EMPLOYMENT
JOHN GUARRIELLO
No news is good news on the welfare of our Members.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes for our following Members and their spouses:
06/01 Ann Marie Iannizzi (Michael)
06/01 Nicholas Rao
06/02 Harold Cain
06/02 Patricia Schneider (William)
06/05 Rosalie Sciortino (Richard)
06/06 Michael Cordiello
06/07 Kathy Hart (Floyd)
06/08 Steven Milack
06/09 Robert Gartman
06/10 Julie Domante (Peter)
06/13 Judi Blane (Mitchell)
06/13 Showky Kaldawy
06/20 Susan Pastor (George)
06/23 Jack Lawson
06/23 William Mirabella
06/24 Richard Chan
06/24 Blanca Nunez (Juan)
06/24 Keith Skinner
06/25 Marie Milack (Steven)
06/26 George Hallahan Jr.
06/28 John Iannotta
06/29 Barbara Clark (Mitchell)
06/29 Leonard Huffmire
Meetings
Wednesday, May 16 2012
Koenig’s Restaurant
86 South Tyson Ave.
Floral Park, NY 11001
For directions, click here.
Cocktail Hour at 6 PM - 7 PM
Dinner and Meeting at 7 PM
Members - $35 Guests - $45
Program of the Month
Spotlight Supplier
Interested in becoming a Spotlight Supplier? Click here.