Pub. 19 2020-2021 Issue 1

N E W J E R S E Y C O A L I T I O N O F A U T O M O T I V E R E T A I L E R S S P E C I A L E D I T I O N , 2 0 2 0 14 new jersey auto retailer I’ve seen the reports that the recession bell rang in February, but I also think that the economic pause has created a desire for consumers to buy change: houses, new cars, RVs … I think we’re going to see an uptick. We’ll eventually see a COVID-19 vaccine, which will give people much more confidence. But before that, we’ll be work- ing through the process so businesses can fully open. So yes, I believe that COVID-19 has changed us, how could it not? But I don’t see gloom and doom as a result. How has NJ CAR mobilized to help dealers with COVID-19? The Coalition was viewed as essential to our members. We scaled back at the office as far as the staff went so that employ- ees would work from home. We focused on communication — lots of it! NJ CAR hosted webinars, we disseminated informa- tion, we pulled in legal opinions, and we advocated tirelessly on behalf of our dealer members. We recently asked the Coalition’s Board of Trustees how we did, and NJ CAR received very high marks in regards to its efforts. If you could give the dealers any good news, what would it be? Again, I would say that this is a change, albeit a big one, but it’s also a learning opportunity. I really believe the majority of dealerships will come back strong. I think any event that forces us to rethink and take stock is not necessarily a bad thing — if we view it as a learning experience. Do you have any parting thoughts? I am going to miss many of my colleagues at NJ CAR as well as the dealer principals and key members of their staff whom I have interacted with over the last four decades. Those relation- ships are what’s important as I look back on the many years with NJ CAR. What are your plans? Lest any NJ CAR members think that I’m going to lay around my farm and get “fat,” Swayze Inn Farm ( www.SwayzeInnFarm. com ) is a 60-acre working farm ( Hope Township, Warren County ) that dates back to 1743. The original owner was Israel Swayze, a distant relative to Patrick Swayze and John Cameron Swayze. The farm raises sheep, cattle and hay. Currently, we have 150 sheep in our flock and I’m currently serving as president of the Jacob Sheep Breeders Association; and vice president of the American Romeldale/CVM Association. I am also the vice president of the Hope Township Planning Board, chairman of Hope Township’s Agricultural Advisory Board and a member and past chairman of Hope Township’s Historic Preservation Commission. In 2010, I spearheaded an effort to incorporate “Friends of Swayze, Inc.” — a nonprofit 501( c )( 3 ) organization that was cre- ated to oversee the repair and restoration of Swayze Cemetery — which adjoins our farm ( www.friendsofswayze.org ) . I have been serving as the organization’s president since its creation. So, I plan to keep busy. BOB MAY  continued from page 13