November Rental Rag

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

It started out like any other day and what I remember most is how nice the weather was that day. The temperature was around 70 and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was a great day for taking a walk, fishing, or playing golf. Better yet, do all three. I wasn’t that lucky, I had work to do that day.

Around 9:15 my wife called me and asked if I had heard the news that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I thought she was kidding, how could a plane crash today, it’s so clear out? I turned on the radio and couldn’t believe what I heard. I went into a state of shock and couldn’t work as I listened to the events unfold. I heard that the Pentagon had been hit and became nervous. The United States of America was under attack! The unthinkable had occurred. Who was responsible for this? Then the 1^st tower collapsed and I became so upset that I was unable to work. I went home and turned on the TV in time to watch the 2^nd tower collapse. I could not believe what I was seeing so I took a ride to witness this for myself because I can see NYC from one of the local highways. As I came over the hill, there it was, NYC minus the Towers and covered in smoke. It was a very strange sight.

Who would do this and why? We now know this vicious act was caused because of our political actions in the Middle East. It’s deeper than that though. We are a privileged, wealthy, powerful nation and enjoy more freedom here than anywhere else in the world. And we are hated for that. But we shouldn’t feel guilty about how we choose to live because of how our enemies choose to live. The people who committed this crime don’t have to live in caves and besides the caves have finished walls.

The first two weeks after the 11^th business dropped off tremendously. Many New Jersey rental stores reported canceled orders and lost business during that time. It seems that business is getting back to normal now as some of the lost orders have been re-booked and the daily business has picked up. In some cases the lost business will not be recovered. This event may have hastened what many feel was already the beginning of an economic slow-down, so we’ll have to see how this unfolds.

From all of this we must try to keep things in perspective. The United States of America is still the greatest country in the world. Our worst day is better than most other countries best day. This tragic event happened because we enjoy our freedom and let our guard down. What makes us a great nation also made us vulnerable. We need to go on with our daily lives and continue to do what we do. Go to work, take the kids to school, go to a sporting event, the theater, shopping. It’s freedom we enjoy and we should continue to enjoy it.

And let’s never forget the tragic events of 9-11-2001

Brian Higgins

TIME TO VOTE

At the upcoming November meeting of your ARA of New Jersey we will be having our bi-annual vote for officers. As you know our officers serve a two year term. This year the nominating committee once again came up with a group of winners:

President: Howard Heller - M& R Sales

Vice President: Megan Jones - Celebration Party

Treasurer: Tom Lade - All County Rentals

Secretary: Judy Boelhouwer - Friendly Rentals

Any member has the right to nominate any other qualified member from the floor at the November meeting. It is important as many members as possible attend to show support for those elected.

The new members of the Board and committee chairman are selected by the incoming President. It is hoped that those who are asked will not hesitate to serve. But members do not have to wait to be asked - Volunteers are considered, too. If you can serve in a capacity that can help our association - please get in touch with the next President.

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