For locations that run into millions of dollars annual take how do you arrange comm-
2
issions? ARA Services,Inc., was awarded a 10 year contract with the Inter Ainerlcan Cen-
ter Authority to operate the food services at Miami, Florida's "Interama" tllat will open
in 1976. ARA will pay Interama 23% of gross revenue up to S10 million, 25% 11ehreen S10
million and $15 million and 26% above S15 million annually. ARA guarantees i.p to $2.4
million a year against total gross revenues in food services and a minimum of $800,000
if attendance falls away short of study projections. • • • High prices fer gaf oli.ne? Por-
tugese motorists now pay S2.13 per gallon for hi-teat gas and S1.84 per galI'Or.."""for reg-
ular. (It could happen here?) .•• Talk about '74 federal income tax. Averae'e family
man with 2 children earning salary of $13,000 per year pays $3,623 which leaves him with
S9,377, just $180.32 per week, to support his family. Biggest share of his 1ax, over 38%
of his salary, S1,382, goes for social security. Next $1,058 or over 2<;J%, of his income
goes for nat'l defense. Third biggest hunk, $392 or almost 1~, goes to help Uncle Sam
pay the interest on the national debt.
Hats off to John Bilotta, Pat Bilotta and Lindy Nardone of New York state for helping
John Czarnecki, staff writer, put together a most interesting page entitled, "All Those
Juke Box Quarters Add Up", in the Rochester (N . Y.) Democrat And Chronicle, cig Sunday
edition, Jan.27, ' 74. It's a very fine , educational feature story about the jukebox busi-
ness. (So educational, may even lure a few newcomers into the field.) It's grand public
relations for upper New York state area. Was mailed to us by Jack O'Brien of Putman &
O'Brien, Silver Creek,N.Y., who wrote about John, Pat and Lindy, "They are deserving of
credit and thanks from all the industry." And Jack includes his dad, Dan O':Erien and
brother, Bill O'Brien, in this tribute to the 3 mentioned in this big full page color
story of today's juke box biz.
What do you turn up when you question employees of a well known operating and distrib
organization? When you ask: What brought you into this business? What do you think of
its future? Here are some answers from Miller-Newmark Dist.Corp., Grand Rapids, Mich.
First, Don Miller, who heads entire organization here and in Ferndale,Mich., taking over
for his late dad, Bill Miller. Don started off 18 years ago sweeping floors, cleaning
and shopping machines. Graduated to routeman. Then up to sales mgr and, today, is gen'l
mgr, Regarding future of the industry, Don advises , "It's unlimited." He believes,
"Solid state is most exciting. Everybody wants automation and", he concludes, "automa-
tion and coin operation go hand in hand."
John Hill has been in the coinbiz since '64. He advises, "I see much more profession-
alism in all phases of the business . I feel the best is yet to come." ••• Clifford. Bitt-
ing started in the business 22 years ago helping his brother repair equip't "for free"
while he was attending Oklahmoa University. "I was hooked", he reports, ''when the local
AMI distrib gave me a full time job . " •• • Gerald Sage has been with the industry for 33
years. Tells about his grandmother's restaurant and how he used to repair the juke box.
"I'm still at it", Gerald remarks •••• Donald White put it this way, "I lµa my work
and plan to be in the industry the rest of my working life." • • • Warren White admits
his reason for entering the industry was, "Because I needed a job." Now says, "I hope
to stay in this business until I'm 65." He concludes, "It's a real pleasure to work for
a great industry." ••• Ken Biemers, who had a brief skirmish with vending while in the
Army, turned to the coinbiz right after he was discharged 6 years ago. Now ad.viaea,"I'm
still in it and enjoy every minute in this business."
WORLD'S 2 GREATEST GAMES
* L!:ADER*
* PLAYTIME~\
See them at your MIDWAY distributor