MARCH 2015 Volume XXXIV, Issue IX

THE ONLY MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN THE TRI-COUNTY AREA

LEGISLATIVE NEWS MSAP INSTRUCTORS COMMUNITY SERVICE
Lobby & Educate the Government & the General Public to Promote Motorcycling in a Safe & Positive Image

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

Southwest Chapter
PO BOX 60745 Fort Myers, FL 33906
southwest.abateflorida.com
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MEMBER MATERIAL DEADLINE :

20th of the Month for Editorial
and Board Approval
NEW ADVERTISERS OR AD DEADLINE:
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SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
MEETING SCHEDULE
OUR NEXT CHAPTER
MEETING WILL BE HELD
March 15
at Crossroads

IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT
SOUTHWEST CHAPTER NEWSLETTER;
ISSUE DATE: NOVEMBER 2014
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY
ABATE of Florida, Inc.
Southwest Chapter
PO Box 60745, Fort Myers, FL 33906
http://southwest.abateflorida.com

Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this newsletter are not
necessarily those of ABATE of Florida, Inc. and or
the Southwest Chapter.
This publication allows members to express their
beliefs and opinions. ABATE of Florida, Inc. and
Southwest Chapter accept no responsibility for
the comments, opinions or views contained in this
newsletter.
Please direct correspondence in reference to this
publication to:
Victor Piorkowski | (cell) 239-823-6159
Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not
deductible for Federal Tax Purposes.
ABATE of Florida, Inc.
2010 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Southwest Chapter
All Rights Reserved
ABATE of Florida, Inc. and the Southwest Chapter
do not condone drinking while riding or driving

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

MISSION STATEMENT
WHO WE ARE
We are a non-profit organization of motorcycle
enthusiasts from all walks of life. We lobby and
educate the government and the general public
to promote motorcycling in a safe and positive
image. We endeavor to enlist the cooperation and
participation of all organizations and individuals
that share a similar interest in preserving our
American tradition of FREEDOM. We promote
motorcycle safety, training, & political awareness.
We ARE NOT A CLUB OR A GANG. We
fund our work through toy runs, poker runs,
campouts, and other motorcycle activities. We
are your neighbors & friends who work, pay
taxes, and get involved with our community. We
serve and support our country and believe in
freedom. We use all legal means to protect our
rights without infringing on the rights of others.
OUR GOALS
To become a powerful and viable political force in
legislative matters concerning the motorcyclist.
To promote the safe riding habits without infringing
on individual freedoms.
To motivate the bikers to write letters to their
legislators before, during, and after the legislative
session.
To furnish our members with a newsletter to
keep all bikers informed in regards to upcoming
legislation.

ABATE of Florida, Inc. |Southwest Chapter

EXECUTIVE BOARD & TRUSTEES
PO Box 60745, Fort Myers, FL 33906-6748
Southwest.abateflorida.com

President -Victor Piorkowski

239.823.6159 | pior10@yahoo.com
Vice President - Richard Leon
239.728.7100 | Raleon87@hotmail.com
Secretary - Laurie Hanley
239-898-5168 | S_l_hanley@hotmail.com
Treasurer - Gwynne Hickman
239.246.2025 | gwynne.hickman@gmail.com
Sergeant At Arms - Shayne Hanley
S_l_hanley@hotmail.com | 239.560.2565
Membership Trustee | Lynne Davis
239- 645-7936 | davisdudes@gmail.com
Public Relations - Gwynne Hickman
239.246.2025 | gwynne.hickman@gmail.com
Legislative Representative- Ken Teddybear Miller
239.693.7035 | kennethrmiller@comcast.net
Safety Director - Frankie Kennedy
239.849.9065 | swchief2000@yahoo.com
State Delegate(s) - Victor Piorkowski , Richard Leon
Webmaster - Taylor Musburger
239.334.1620 | ABATE@Musburger.net
Chapter Chaplain - Tom Provenzano
239.267.8641 | tprovenz@comcast.net
Road Captains - Gerry Mangina

HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MRO*

Chapter Meetings held at Six Bends Harley-Davidson
of Fort Myers 1st Sunday of each month
*MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION
ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.
2012 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Southwest Chapter
All Rights Reserved

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(as of 6/12/14)
STATE OFFICE:

ABATE OF Florida, Inc.

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520

Phone: (386) 943-9610 Fax: same
Email:flabate@bellsouth.net

PRESIDENT:

JAMES"DOC" REICHENBACH

PO Box 712, Silver Springs, FL 34489-0712

Phone: (352) 625-6353 Fax: same
Email:flabatestatepresident@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT:

DENNIS "MUDDER" RUDOI

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520

Phone: (407) 925-4307 Fax: (407) 699-9748
Email:flabatestatevp@yahoo.com

SECRETARY:

SHELLY JOHNSTON

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520

Phone: (904) 405-4700 Fax:(386) 943-9610
Email:flabatestatesecretary@gmail.com

TREASURER:

PATTI NASRALLAH

PO Box 16309, Temple Terrace, FL 33687-6309

Phone: (813) 695-9203 Fax: (813) 626-2306
Email:patti.nasrallah@gmail.com

SGT-AT-ARMS:

TJ PAINTER

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520
Phone: (352) 303-8299 Fax: (386) 943-9610
Email:flabatestatesgtatarms@gmail.com

PR/COMMUNICATIONS:

SARABETH KOHL

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520
Phone: (904) 591-4100 Fax: (386) 943-9610
Email:flabatestatepr@gmail.com

MASTERLINK EDITOR:

C/O STATE OFFICE

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520
Phone: (386) 943-9610 Fax: (386) 943-9610
Email:flabate@bellsouth.net

MEMBERSHIP:

GRACE LORD

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520
Phone: (904) 504-6362 Fax:(386) 943-9610
Email:flabatestatemembership@gmail.com

SAFETY PROGRAM (MSAP) DIRECTOR:
CHARLIE WENGER

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520
Phone: (954) 650-1420 FAX: (561) 333-6773
Email:flabatemsap@gmail.com

LEGISLATIVE TRUSTEE:

DARRIN "SCRIBE" BROOKS

PO Box 2520, Deland, FL 32721-2520

Phone: (239) 398-7145

Email:statelegislative@abateflorida.com

PRODUCTS TRUSTEE:

STEVE "CARETAKER" KNEE

PO Box 4372, Milton, FL 32572-4372
Phone: (850)529-4446 Fax: (386) 943-9610
Email:flabatestateproducts@gmail.com

LEGAL COUNSEL:

LARRY CROW

1247 S. Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Phone: (727) 945-1112 Fax: (727) 945-9224
Email:crowlaw@tampabay.rr.com

WEBMASTER (appointed):

Email:flabate@bellsouth.net

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Presidents Message

Hello everyone,
I want to start off by thanking Moe, Heidi, Shayne,
Jim, Gwynne, Lynne, Liz, Todd, and Richard for helping
to make our State Meeting a success. I also want to
thank the people from the chapters who stopped by to
say hello at our Safety Booth after the State Meeting.
More great news is that we have an additional
corporation called, Abate of Florida Safety and
Education, Inc which is a 501-C3. Proceedures for the
new corporation are being written and will be presented
at our next State Meeting in April.
At our next general meeting in March we will be going
over the Interim Report of the Financial Committee
changes with our membership fees. Please make sure
you read the suggestions from the minutes of our last
meeting. In March I want to discuss it. Whatever our
chapter agrees on, I will take those recommendations to
the State Meeting in April.
Also I want to inform everyone that our April Chapter
Meeting will be on the 12th. This change is due to the
next State Meeting the 19th and the Freedom Run is on
the 20th, which starts at Super Motel 8 in Monticello
and goes to the State Capital. The following weekend the
24th, 25th, & 26th is the Leesburg Bike Fest. Therefore
we needed th change our meeting.
Ed Lufkin and I did MSAP (Motorcycle Safety
Awareness Program) classes to 106 new drivers in N. Ft.
Myers High School. That brings our total to 275 new
drivers with MSAP training this semester. We still have
one more class Saturday March 14th at Ft. Myers High
School from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, if anyone is interested.
One last thing is about our facebook page. The State
wanted us to change our site from a public group to a
community organization page. We will be closing the
public page at the end of March.
All for now,
Victor Piorkowski
SW Chapter President
Abate of Florida, Inc.

SOUTHWEST
CHAPTER
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To become a Life Member Contact Membership Trustee

See information on Page 4

SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRODUCTS

CHAPTER PATCH LARGE
(MEMBERS ONLY) $25.00
CHAPTER PATCH SMALL
$7.00
CHAPTER FLAG
$25.00
CHAPTER SHIRTS & MORE ARE AVAILABLE ~
SEE PRODUCTS TRUSTEE FOR INVENTORY
LOOKING FOR
A FEW GOOD MEN!!

The SWFL Chapter of LEATHERNECKS

Motorcycle Club Intl., Inc.
We Welcome
Marine Veterans, FMF Corpsmen
And Active Duty Men and Women Marines
If you love riding a motorcycle and want the
Brotherhood/Sisterhood. That you had in the Corps,
then we are what you want!
For further information contact
Rail Road at: 239-321-3298
Or visit our website at: www.leathernecks-swfl.com

March 2015
SUN
1

MON TUES
2

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

10

11

12

13

14

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

15

16

23

19

20

21

24

25

26

27

28

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

MUGS N JUGS
11am-3pm

29

18

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

General Meeting
10 am at
Crossroads 5

22

17

Ft. Myers
Bike Night

30

31
HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

VOLUNTEER
YOUR TIME
Support Your
Chapter @ Events

April 2015
SUN

MON TUES

WED

THU

10

11

FRI

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

12

14

13

State Meeting

26
Mugs N Jugs
11:00am-3:00pm

Cape Coral
Bike Night

15

16

17

18

22

23

24

25

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

General Meeting
@ Crossroads
10:00am

19

20

21

Ride to Capital

27

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

28

Leesburg
Bike Fest

29

30

HARBOR
FATHOMS
Cape Harbour
6-10 pm

R id e y o u r b ik e a n d ge t 1 5 % D is c o un t!

Ad Expires 8.14

SAT

Leesburg
Bike Fest

Legislative Report

Submitted by
Ken TEDDYBEAR Miller

March 2015
Good Morning Freedom Fighters:
From ABATE of Florida, Inc.
Darrin Scribe Brooks
Hey Everyone,
Here is the All-rider motorcycle helmet laws section of a larger report sent out by the Advocates for Highway and Auto
Safety or as they like to call themselves The Advocates. I have never heard of them and most of you probably never have
either, so here is how they describe themselves. This group was started in 1989 and is based in Washington DC. I will keep
my comments and interjections in red so it will not become confusing.
ABOUT ADVOCATES:
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, health and safety groups and insurance companies
and agents working together to make Americas roads safer. Advocates encourages the adoption of federal and state laws,
policies and
programs that save lives and reduce injuries. By joining its resources with others, Advocates helps build coalitions to
increase participation of a wide array of groups in public policy initiatives which advance highway and auto safety.
For more information, please visit www.saferoads.org. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, 750 First Street, NE, Suite
1130,
Washington, D.C. 20002. 202-408-1711. Follow us on Twitter: @SafeRoadsNow
ALL-RIDER MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAWS
According to NHTSA, motorcycles are the most hazardous form of motor vehicle transportation. 4,668 motorcyclists
were killed and 88,000 were injured on our nations roads in 2013. The number of motorcycle crash fatalities has more
than doubled since a low of 2,116 in 1997. (Notice that they do not mention that motorcycle registrations have greatly
increased in that same time. They want the reader to think that there was the same number of motorcycles in 1997 as
there was in 2013. When in fact 1997 had 3,826,373 registered motorcycles and in 2012 there were 8,454,935 registered
motorcycles. An increase of 4,628,562 So therefore the deaths per motorcycle percentage in 1997 were 0.0553%.... I
cannot find the 2013 US motorcycle registration figure, so I will error on the side of caution and ASSUME that motorcycle
registration in 2013 DID NOT increase in 2013 that would put the 2013 deaths per motorcycle registration for 2013 at
0.0552%... Mathematically very close to the same percentage They WANT the reader to think that motorcycle deaths
have grown out of control, when in reality the percentage is the same.. But then that does not scare anyone and it defeats
their agenda As they would say Dont bother me with the facts, my mind is made up)
In 2013, where use was known, 41% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing a helmet. (That means 59% were killed
wearing a helmet. Wouldnt that be a more shocking fact? 59% of motorcycle deaths occurred while wearing helmets!!!)
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,699 motorcyclists in 2012 and that 781 more lives in all states could
have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.* All-rider helmet laws increase motorcycle helmet use, decrease
deaths and injuries and save taxpayer dollars. ( Darrin Scribe Brooks estimates that even more lives of motorcyclist
could have been saved if there was better VEHICLE DRIVER education of ABATE of Florida, Incs Motorcycle Safety
Awareness Program. All-Driver education laws decrease motorcycle deaths and injuries and save taxpayer dollars.
Opps did I just copy their last sentence??)
*2013 data is not yet available. Once this data is released, an addendum to this report will be posted online at www.
saferoads.org
When crashes occur, motorcyclists need adequate head protection to prevent one of the leading causes of crash death
and disability in America - head injuries. Studies have determined that helmets reduce head injuries without increased
occurrence of spinal injuries in motorcycle trauma.
According to NHTSA, helmets reduce the chance of fatal injury by 37% for motorcycle operators and 41% for passengers.

(Ok, ok we have proven many times before that the 37% reduction number constantly used by NHTSA is wrong I will
attach our report about that, but basically the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) has published
the numbers of motorcycle accidents, injuries and fatalities in their annual Traffic Crash Facts. If that 37% was accurate,
why are the fatality per accident ratios between helmeted and non-helmeted riders within 1 percent and not 37 percent?
In the year 2004 there were 3827 accidents involving helmet motorcyclists resulting in 200 fatalities. The same year there
were 3745 accidents involving non-helmeted motorcyclists resulting in 188 fatalities? The 2004 fatality per accident ratios:
Helmeted motorcyclists 5.23; Non-helmeted motorcyclists 5.02)
According to a 2012 GAO report, laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets are the only strategy proved to be
effective in reducing motorcyclist fatalities. (They dont even consider educating the vehicle drivers to check twice for
motorcycles.. Much easier to force helmets on all of us.. But then what will they blame the deaths on when we still get
ran over?... In the States where they have no freedom of choice, HELMETED motorcyclist still get run over and still die..)
Today, only 19 states and DC require all motorcycle riders to use a helmet. Twenty-eight states have laws that cover only
some riders (i.e., up to age 18 or 21). These age-specific laws are nearly impossible for police officers to enforce and result
in much lower helmet use. (Really??? In Florida motorcycles registered to those under 21 have a different tag, easy to
differentiate.)
Three states (IL, IA and NH) have no motorcycle helmet use law. In 2014, there were attempts (all unsuccessful) in 10 states
to repeal existing all-rider helmet laws.
In 2011, more than half (59%) of the fatally injured motorcycle riders were not wearing a helmet in states without all-rider
helmet laws, compared to only 9% of fatally injured riders in states with an all-rider helmet law. (Where did they pull that
number from? Just up a few paragraphs they say that in total 49% of helmetless riders die.. I am having trouble getting the
two statements to work together.. maybe they are comparing apples to oranges and tell us that they are all just bananas)
In 2012, motorcyclists represented 14% of the total traffic fatalities, yet accounted for only 3% of all registered vehicles
in the United States. (That is a valid statement and one area that we as motorcyclists have important things we can do to
decrease our risk.)
According to NHTSA, in 2013, there were 11 times as many unhelmeted fatalities (1,704) in states without a universal
helmet law compared to states with a universal helmet law (150 deaths). (This is a no brainer.. Of course States with
universal helmet laws will have fewer deaths of helmetless riders because you have to wear a helmet This is the stupidest
comparison they put up. It is like saying people that live in Orlando are 11 times more likely to be stuck in traffic for over
an hour than those that live in Avon Park.) These states were nearly equivalent with respect to total resident populations.
In 2010, the economic cost of motorcycle crashes was $13.5 billion and the total amount of societal harm was $66 billion,
according to NHTSA. Additionally, helmets are currently saving $2.8 billion in economic costs and $17 billion in societal
harm annually. (Again we have addressed this issue the societal harm caused by drugs and alcohol greatly over
shadows the economic cost of motorcycle crashes but no one is screaming for Prohibition again.)
According to IIHS, in 2011 NHTSA reported states with all-rider helmet laws had 96% observed use of motorcycle
helmets, while states without such laws had a use rate of only 55%. (Again really??? See answer to two questions above)
Economic benefits of motorcycle helmet use laws are substantial. In states that have an all-rider helmet use law, cost
savings to society was $725 per registered motorcycle, compared to savings of just $198 per registered motorcycle in states
without a mandatory helmet use law, according to the CDC. (I would like to see that report According to the CDC more
people die in hospitals, should we outlaw hospitals?)
A poll conducted by Lou Harris showed that by an overwhelming majority (80%), Americans favor state laws requiring all
motorcyclists to wear helmets. (Again Really??? This is your argument?? One poll conducted by Lou? Give me a break.)
Motorcycle helmets are 69% effective in preventing brain injuries. (I wont argue that, I am not anti-helmet, just prochoice. I am all for people wearing whatever protective equipment that they wish)
If Michigan had not repealed its all-rider helmet law in 2012, there would have been 26 fewer motorcycle crash deaths,
a 21% reduction, that year if the helmet mandate was still in place, according to IIHS. (If vehicle drivers in Michigan had
checked twice for motorcycles there would be even fewer motorcyclists deaths helmet or not!)
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, in states with youth-specific helmet laws, helmet use has decreased
and youth mortality has increased. Serious traumatic brain injury among young riders was 38% higher in states with only
age-specific laws compared to states with all-rider helmet laws. (The American Academy of Pediatrics also stated in their
State advocacy paper http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/state-advocacy/Documents/Concussion.pdf... that
almost 500,000 emergency department visits for traumatic brain injury are made annually by children ages 0 to 14 years.
These are not motorcycle related; maybe we need to focus on the big issues that affect traumatic brain injury in kids)
There is no scientific evidence that motorcycle rider training reduces crash risk and is an adequate substitute for an all-

rider helmet law. In fact, motorcycle fatalities continued to increase even after a motorcycle education and training grant
program included in federal legislation took effect in 2006. (Now they want to talk about lack of scientific evidence?? When
none of their arguments for mandatory helmets include scientific evidence?
Reminds me of Matthew 7:3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the
plank in your own eye?)
This is just another example of the same old talking points the Anti-Freedom of Choice people use over and over again. As
I stated above ABATE of Florida, Inc. is not Anti-Helmet, we are for Freedom of Choice. We encourage all riders to wear
whatever protective equipment that they choose as individuals to wear. Motorcyclists themselves can greatly reduce their
own risk for injury or death by doing two simple things. One is to never drink and ride, dont let your friends drink and
ride. The other way to reduce the risk is to not ride faster than road conditions and your own ability allows. In other words,
slow down... curves and wet roads are not forgiving.

Table 1 - U.S. On-Highway and Dual-Purpose (Street) Motorcycle Registrations and New Unit Sales, 1997-2007
Year
Registered motorcycles
Motorcycles sold (new)
1997
3,826,373
260,000
1998
3,879,450
311,000
1999
4,152,433
394,000
2000
4,346,068
490,000
2001
4,903,056
577,000
2002
5,004,156
640,000
2003
5,370,035
683,000
2004
5,780,870
750,000
2005
6,227,146
831,000
2006
6,678,958
892,000
2007
7,138,476
885,000
SOURCE: Motorcycle Industry Council. 2003-2007 Statistical Annuals. Irvine, CA; and U.S. Department of
Transportation. State Motor-Vehicle Registrations. Washington, DC. as of Nov. 19, 2008 from http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
policy/ohpi/qvehicles.cfm.
2012 had 8,454,935 motorcycle registrations Sources:
Federal Highway Administration; US Department of Transportation Statistics 2015
I saw this story and thought it was very interesting since many of you are veterans, some are history buffs, and all of us
are Florida residents. It is an issue that made me go Hummm. Very thought provoking Let me know what you think??
BACKROOM BRIEFING: LEGAL GRAY AREA ON CONFEDERATE VETS
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, February 5, 2015..........Could the Civil War be coming to the 2015 legislative session?
The War Between the States --- or, for the real Southern hardliners, the War of Northern Aggression --- emerged as an
unlikely topic at a meeting of the Florida Cabinet on Thursday. The only potential fratricide that was supposed to take
center stage during the annual meeting at the Florida State Fair was the battle between Gov. Rick Scott and his fellow
Republicans on the Cabinet about agency leaders.
But then, near the end of the meeting, the seemingly mundane issue of approving the nominees for the Florida Veterans
Hall of Fame came up. Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Mike Prendergast gave a brief explanation of
how an advisory council submitted eight names for the class of 2014, and the department was recommending five of those.
Why the three were excluded became clear as David McCallister, with the Florida Division of the Sons of the Confederate
Veterans, walked to the microphone with H.K. Edgerton, an African-American wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with, among
other things, the Confederate battle flag.
It would be a sad day when the Florida Cabinet is complicit in breaking Florida law, McCallister said.
The three excluded veterans all fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. They include former Gov. Edward Perry; David
Lang, credited as the father of the Florida National Guard; and former U.S. Sen. Samuel Pasco, namesake of the Florida
county. Under the interpretation of the law by the Department of Veterans Affairs, only those discharged honorably from

the United States Armed Forces are eligible for the hall --- meaning no Confederates and, as Agriculture Commissioner
Adam Putnam pointed out, no inductees from the pre-statehood militia.
If you believe that its important that no veteran be left behind, and that no veteran is a second-class citizen, then remember
this about the message that you send with your vote today: How we treat the veterans of 150 years ago is how the veterans
of today will be treated 150 years from now, McCallister said.
Putnam was not pleased with the departments handling of the issue.
I think yall screwed this up, said Putnam --- who then had to shush audience members who applauded him.
We dont need to re-litigate the Civil War or the War Between the States, whichever camp you come down on. ... There
clearly have been people pre-statehood who made a difference in our state, there clearly were people who were part of the
states legal decision to secede who, at the conclusion of hostilities, rolled their sleeves up and helped make Florida what it
has become today --- good, bad and ugly. So if youre throwing these guys out on a technicality, thats just dumb.
When Putnam floated the idea of approving the three Confederate nominees provisionally, while waiting for the Legislature
to clarify whether the hall should include Johnny Rebs, a new problem emerged. Cabinet members had not been briefed on
the bios of the three men. I didnt review the other three, because they werent presented, Scott said.
Instead, the whole class (ironically including what would be the first African-American inductee to the relatively new hall)
was put on hold so that the three could be more closely reviewed and Attorney General Pam Bondis office can consult with
lawyers at the veterans agency on the meaning of the law.
In the meantime, it could fall to lawmakers to decide whether the soldiers who wore gray on the battlefield 150 years ago
should be recognized alongside those who fought for the United States instead of against it.
CAMPUS GUN BILL GETS APPROVAL IN SENATE COMMITTEE
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, February 16, 2015..........People with concealed-firearms licenses could carry guns at state
colleges and universities, under a proposal narrowly approved Monday by a Senate committee.
Meanwhile, people without concealed-firearms licenses could carry weapons during emergency evacuation orders, under
a separate measure backed by the committee.
The guns-on-campus bill (SB 176) was approved in a 3-2 party line vote by the Republican-controlled Senate Criminal
Justice Committee. It would lift a longstanding ban on carrying concealed weapons on campuses.
Committee Chairman Greg Evers, R-Baker, the sponsor of the proposal, displayed a map of sexual offenders living near the
Florida State University campus as he called the bill a safety issue.
The problem is that in gun-free zones, that we have on college campuses right now, those gun-free zones are just an
incubator for folks that wont follow the law, Evers said.
But Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, argued that the proposal would allow mini-militias to form on the states
campuses.
I believe it sends the wrong message to not only our students within the state of Florida, but people who may intend to
come to Florida for college, Gibson said. It certainly sends the wrong message to their parents. Proponents, however, said
the measure is needed.
Steven Landgraf, an economics student at Florida State University, said allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses
to keep their weapons wont create a wild west on campus.
National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer said people with the licenses shouldnt have their constitutional rights
violated by stepping onto a campus. And she warned committee members that campuses are already dangerous places.
The plain truth is that campuses are not safe, Hammer said. They are gun-free zones where murderers, rapists, terrorists,
crazies may commit crime without fear of being harmed by their victims.
The campus gun proposal advanced despite opposition announced last week by the university systems Board of Governors,
university police chiefs and the 12 public universities.
A number of college faculty members, mostly from Florida State University, spoke Monday in opposition to the measure.
Marjorie Sanfilippo, a professor of psychology at Eckerd College, called the bill dangerous.
It is mere speculation and ignorance of statistical probability to assert that armed students are the reason why shootings
dont happen on campuses, Sanfilippo told the committee. Proponents will tell you that allowing conceal carry will protect
female students from sexual assault. I will point out the obvious; youll be arming the assailants, too.
Evers contends that allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses to arm themselves would have reduced injuries in a
November shooting at Florida State University that left three people wounded.
The gunman in the incident, an FSU graduate, was killed by police. However, Evers said that wouldnt always be the case, as
it takes three to five minutes typically for law enforcement to respond to the first call of a shooting.

Theres a lot of death that could occur in three minutes and having someone that has a concealed carry, that has their gun
on them, could prevent that from happening, Evers said before Mondays meeting.
Evers also dismissed concerns that increasing the number of armed people would further add confusion for law
enforcement arriving on the scene.
By the time law enforcement gets there, the incident would be well under control, Evers said. When law enforcement
says, Put down your guns and get down on your knees, the law abiding citizens are going to do this.
The Senate guns-on-campus bill must clear three additional committees to reach the floor. The House version of the gunson-campus proposal (HB 4005) was supported last month by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on a party-line
vote, with Democrats opposed.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Monday also voted 4-1, with Gibson opposed, on a measure (SB 290) that
would allow gun owners without concealed-weapons licenses to legally carry their guns when an emergency evacuation
order is given.
Last year, a similar measure failed to pass after heavy floor debate on the second-to-last day of the legislative session.
However, this time the proposal has the support of the Florida Sheriffs Association, which opposed the 2014 version.
The change in the sheriffs associations position came as Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican who is sponsoring
the bill, added a timeline Monday to this years proposal. The timeline would set a 48-hour window for individuals to carry
weapons while they get away from an evacuation zone once the order is given.
The governor could extend the order by an additional 48 hours, under the proposal
SENATE PANEL TO CONSIDER KEY GUN BILLS
A Senate committee next week is slated to take up controversial bills that deal with guns on college campuses and people
carrying firearms during mandatory emergency evacuations.
The bills, SB 176 filed by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and SB 290, filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, are scheduled
to be heard Feb. 16 by the Criminal Justice Committee, according to a meeting notice published Monday. Evers is the
chairman of the committee. SB 176 would allow people with concealed-firearms licenses to carry guns at colleges and
universities.
The issue has received added attention after a shooting incident in November at Florida State University that left three
people wounded and the gunman killed by police. SB 290, meanwhile, would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons
without licenses during times of mandatory emergency evacuations. Brandes proposed a similar bill last year, but it failed
to pass after heavy debate.
ALL-AMERICAN FLAG ACT ADVANCES IN HOUSE
State and local governments would only be allowed to purchase American-made U.S. and Florida flags, under a proposal
that cleared its first House panel Monday.
The House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee unanimously supported the measure (HB 225) by Rep. Bob Cortes,
R-Altamonte Springs. It would require U.S. and Florida flags purchased by governments in Florida after Jan. 1, 2016, to be
made from materials grown, produced and manufactured in the United States. Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville, said the bill
is a reflection of what had been a decline in manufacturing in the United States.
The good news is a lot of our manufacturing is coming home, Ray said. The measure must still get through the Government
Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and the Local and Federal Affairs Committee before reaching the House floor.
The Senate version (SB 590) by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, is scheduled to make the first of its three scheduled
committee stops Feb. 17 before the Community Affairs Committee. Congress considered a similar measure in 2012 after
the Los Angeles Times reported that there were $3.6 million in U.S. flags imported into the United States, most from
China.
SENATE BACKS PLAN TO END SPEED TRAPS
Pointing to a long-running controversy about a speed trap in the small North Florida town of Waldo, a Senate panel
Wednesday approved a proposal to make clear that local police officers cannot have quotas for writing traffic tickets.
Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is sponsoring the bill (SB 264), said quotas have long been banned
for state law-enforcement officers. But he said questions remained about whether the ban applied to local police. Along
with clearing up that question, the bill would require cities or counties to publicly report if revenue from traffic tickets
exceeds 50 percent of the costs of operating their law-enforcement agencies. Such disclosure could indicate whether local
governments are relying on tickets to pay for police services.

I think the more information, the better, Bradley said before the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic
Development Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved the bill. Waldo, along U.S. 301 near Gainesville, was
accused for years of being a speed trap. The issue ultimately led to the towns police department being disbanded last year
after officers said they had been placed under a ticket quota.
The Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Police Benevolent Association signaled support for the bill during
Wednesdays meeting. Bradleys district includes Waldo, which now gets police services from the Alachua County Sheriff s Office.
COURT UPHOLDS BAN ON OPENLY CARRYING GUNS
In what judges described as a first-of-its-kind case, an appeals court Wednesday upheld a Florida law that prevents people
from openly carrying firearms, finding that the restriction does not violate constitutional rights to bear arms. The ruling
by a three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal stemmed from the 2012 arrest in Fort Pierce of Dale Norman,
who was openly carrying a gun in a holster.
A jury found Norman guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor charge, leading to the appeal on constitutional grounds.
The appeals court said the state law does not destroy the core right of self-defense enshrined in the Second Amendment
and in part of the Florida Constitution that guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. Also it pointed to the ability of
people to get concealed-weapons permits.
Floridas requirements to obtain a permit for concealed carry are not so burdensome, or so onerous, as to make the ability
to obtain a permit illusory, said the 27-page ruling, written by Judge Mark Klingensmith and joined by judges Melanie
May and Cory Ciklin. Nor can it be said that these requirements, unlike those found in other (state) jurisdictions, make
the right to carry a weapon in public a virtual nullity.
The ruling described the case as presenting a question of first impression about whether the Second Amendment forbids
the state from banning the open carrying of firearms while allowing people to carry concealed weapons under a permitting
system. In legal terms, a question of first impression indicates a first-of-its-kind decision.
From the MRF: Action Needed
United States House of Representatives Address Motorcycle Checkpoints
Today, February 12th, Congressman James F Sensenbrenner (R-WI) circulated a dear colleague letter to inform his
fellow members of the House of Representatives that he will be soon introducing legislation to end the federal funding of
motorcycle only roadside checkpoints.
Currently the federal government can and has supplied cash to states to conduct mandatory motorcycle only checkpoints.
This legislation, which will be known as H.R. 1861, would put an end to that. In the letter Sensenbrenner states, I will
be reintroducing H.R. 1861, the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act, to protect motorcyclists rights and promote
crash prevention as the most effective use of taxpayer money to save motorcyclists lives.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), along with ABATE of Wisconsin met with Sensenbrenner earlier this week
to discuss this important matter. The MRF obviously strongly opposes this sort of motorcyclist discrimination. Pulling
law abiding motorcyclists off the road does not make anyone safer is a waste of taxpayer money and is law enforcement
harassment at its worst, said Jeff Hennie, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs for the MRF.
The MRF urges you to contact your Representative in Congress and ask them to join in support of this important legislation
as an original cosponsor. You can reach the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and you can find the name of your
Representative here: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/. It is important to gather as many cosponsors as possible
to ensure passage of H.R. 1861.
The MRF will keep you informed on this matter so you can engage your member of congress on this important matter
impacting motorcyclists on a national level.
TEDDYBEARS NOTE:
Get the word out to all of our members to contact their US Representatives in Washington DC to urge them to support
and sign on as co-sponsor of HR 1861. The contact information is in your newsletter.

The MRF has made it very easy to email your Representative by just following these easy steps.
1.
clicking on the link http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
2.
enter your zip + 4
3.
click on the little envelope icon that should be next to the picture of your Rep. Go to websiteGo to contact form
4.
complete the simple form, giving your name, address, etc
5.
under the Subject section write Please support HR 1861
6.
In the text body section just say Please support and co-sponsor Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) HR 1861
7.
Put your name and that you are a member of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Chapter _____

8.
Hit send
We need everyone to take five minutes and help end the Motorcycle Only Checkpoints Spread this to everyone you can
Put it in your Chapter websites and Face book pages.
Washington Updates:
Your tax dollars are hard at work! NHTSA released a study titled Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2014-overall results. NOPUS,
or National Occupant Protection Use Survey conducted the study. The survey claims to be the only nationwide probability
based observed data on motorcycle helmet use in the Untied States.
The study observed certain stretches of road, at 1581 sites. They did the observing over 3.5 weeks last June. Over that time
they ended up observing 684 motorcycles carrying 806 motorcyclists. So the survey isnt really a survey, its a snapshot; a brief
capture of bikes and bikers on the road. Probability based means they take the snapshot and enlarge it. They account for
riding season length and so on before they extrapolate the numbers.
Our government needs to get on the same page when it comes to statistics. In NHTSAs last issue of their periodic Traffic
Safety Facts series they identified that motorcycle fatalities had dropped 6.4 percent and injuries dropped 8.3 percent the
report called the drops not statistically significant. Well this new report claims that use of non-compliant motorcycle
helmets decreased significantly from 7 percent to 5 percent. Just another example of how government is biased against the
most affordable and energy efficient modes of transportation Americans can use.
The survey goes into some detail about helmet use during different riding conditions, solo riders versus two up riders. You
can read more here: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812110.pdf
H.R. 21, the bill that would study the effects of ethanol on vehicles, is up to seven cosponsors. Keep the pressure on to
cosponsor this important legislation.
Net Neutrality was a big issue this week with the FCC chairman Tom Wheeler circulating his proposed rules to regulate the
internet like any other telecommunications utility such as cable, TV, telephones and other common carriers. The chairman
summed up his proposal with this statement: An open Internet allows consumers to access the legal content and applications
that they choose online, without interference from their broadband network provider. It fosters innovation and competition
by ensuring that new products and services developed by entrepreneurs arent blocked or throttled by internet service
providers putting their own profits above the public interest. An open internet allows free expression to blossom without fear
of an Internet provider acting as a gatekeeper. And it gives innovators predictable rules of the road to deliver new products
and services online.
Its a complicated issue but the simplest explanation is this. The government wants to be able to ensure the American public
that their providers of internet access do not block or throttle access to lawful content and services. It also prohibits internet
service providers (ISP) from allowing content providers to pay to get speedier delivery of their content, a practice known as
paid prioritization.
The ISPs claim that the heavy regulation will only drive up costs that will be passed on to you, the user. The commission
should vote on regulation on February 26th.
Subject: Bills watch list update Action Needed
Hey Everyone,
Our Bills are still in Bill Drafting and I will let you know as soon as they come out. I have attached the latest House and Senate
Bills Watch List.
There is one Bill, that I copied below, that is of great interest to us. It is by Reps. Passidomo and Fitzenhagen from Naples
and Ft. Myers. If you read the Bill it has much of the same wording, almost identical in some places as our Vulnerable Road
Users Bill form last year.
This Bill is geared more towards the Bicycles, thus is much more detailed in the bicycle portion of the Bill. But it does include
Motorcycles in the list of Vulnerable Road Users.
I spoke with Rep. Passidomo about the Bill, telling her that we are very happy to have more people interested in the safety of
all vulnerable road users. I told her that her Bill is similar to a Bill that Sen. Evers sponsored last year and that the Bill we are
supporting this year is in Bill Drafting.
I spoke with Rep. Passidomo about how ABATE of Florida, Inc. will gladly support and fight for ANY and ALL Bills that
protect
MOTORCYCLES.
So, with TWO expected Bills out in this session, we double our chances and are finally getting others to recognize the hard
work that Doc and each and every one of you have done for the past decades. I look at this a BIG VICTORY for ABATE of
Florida, Inc. and the welcome addition of more allies to help us this session.

See you soon,

Scribe
HB 231 - Transportation
General Bill by Passidomo and Fitzenhagen
Transportation: Revises provisions relating to the rights & safety of vulnerable users of public rights-of-way; prohibits
assault of bicycle riders; revises provisions for careless driving; provides penalties for specified infractions contributing to
bodily injury of vulnerable users; requires traffic law & substance abuse education courses to include certain instruction;
requires driver license examinations to include test of applicants knowledge of certain traffic laws; requires driver
education courses offered by school district to include certain information.
Effective Date: July 1, 2015
Last Event: Now in Highway & Waterway Safety Subcommittee on Thursday, January 22, 2015 11:01 AM
TEDDYBEARS NOTE: I urge all members to contact Rep. Heather Fitzenhagens office and thank her for sponsoring HB
231, especially if you live in District 78. If you live in her District, please make sure that you tell her staff. Even if you dont
live in her District I urge you to contact you state Rep. and state Sen. and ask them to support HB 231, and please dont
forget to mention that youre a member of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Southwest Chapter. Thanks. TEDDYBEAR

Safety Booth
at Mugs n Jugs

Dear Fellow Abate Members...

The Motorcycles Arent Perfect
The Church on Earth Isnt Perfect
However
A number of years ago, when we were thinking of buying a motorcycle, we stopped
by a house that was just a few blocks up the road. Outside was this beautiful Americabuilt full-dresser classic for sale that seemed just the right size for the two of us to have
endless miles on the road together. The woman of the house came out to greet us and
we told her about our dreams of doing some touring together. Somehow, during the
conversation, the words, trouble-free came out.
The woman said that her husband at one time had an older model of this American classic. The older model, like this
one was a beauty. However, there were many problems with the engine and it was continually being repaired. So, the
manufacturer finally came out with the newer model that was in front of us, with the new engine that was supposed
to have taken care of the past problems of the old engine. However, she admitted that this newer engine design didnt
work so well either and repairs had to be made from time-to-time. She said the engine was running good now but,
that is no guarantee of future performance.
Needless to say, that our love of motorcycling overcame us and helped us to buy another bike (not the one we looked
at that day). To us, motorcycling is a perfect way for us to enjoy some of our times together, even if the motorcycles we
ride are not so perfect.
Recent news and personal experiences have reminded us that the Church on this earth is not so perfect either. Like
the company that built the classic motorcycle, the Church is operated by mankind. And, there are no perfect men
or women. We could have used the excuse about imperfectly built motorcycles to get out of what we really knew we
had to do to get on the road. But, we knew that motorcycling was a part of us and we were not going to let imperfect
motorcycles get in our way.
Many in life, too often, use the excuses about problems in churches, its leaders, and members to put off and/or ignore a
relationship with God. Many dont like imperfect men and women reminding us that one day, we will all stand in front
of God giving an account of our lives.
Therefore, we challenge you not to look at man but, to look directly with your heart and mind towards God. Try to
figure out who He really is. His son, Jesus, is the only One who led a perfect life here on earth. When we both came
to the Lord, it was not between us and the preacher or us and a church; it was between us and God. When man lets us
down, we will always have the Lord. When our imperfect bodies let us down, we will have an eternity with the Perfect
One.
Revelation 3:20 says, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will
come in and eat with him, and he with me. Will you let Him come in? Please pray Dear God, the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, my heavenly Father, the God of Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and have been separated from You. I
am going to stop running from You. I ask forgiveness of my sins. I repent and accept this gift of repentance and I wish to
be free in You. I confess with my mouth that your son Jesus is my savior and died for me. I believe in my heart that You
raised Him from the dead. I receive Jesus into my heart and ask Him to become the center of my life. I ask, in the Name of
Jesus. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer for the first time, and you mean it, you really have accepted Him into your heart, please let us
know.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom (SW ABATE Chaplain and Life Member and Estero River ABATE Life Member) and Pastor Kathy (SW
ABATE Life Member)- www.messiahsmessengers.org - 239-267-8641 or email: tprovenz@comcast.net

Hey Everyone Get the word out to your members to contact their US Representatives in Washington DC to urge
them to support and sign on as co-sponsor of HR 1861. The MRF has made it very easy to email your Representative
by just following these easy steps.
1. clicking on the link http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
2. enter your zip + 4
3. click on the little envelope icon that should be next to the picture of your Rep.
4. complete the simple form, giving your name, address, etc
5. under the Subject section write Please support HR 18616.
In the text body section just say Please support and co-sponsor Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) HR 18617.
Put your name and that you are a member of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Chapter _____8.
Hit sendWe need everyone to take five minutes and help end the Motorcycle Only Checkpoints Spread this to
everyone youcan Put it in your Chapter websites and Face book pages.
Darrin "Scribe" Brooks,State Legislative Trustee,
ABATE of Florida, Inc. www.abateflorida.com
"Educate and inform the wholemass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

Ruff Ryders 2nd annual Slow Down Rally

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of Florida, Inc Lake County Chapters

Campground Open to the Public
for Leesburg BikeFest

Campground is located off of Hwy 27 & CR 48 --6 miles S from downtown LSBG. Coming from N on 27 pass CR 33 & Turn
Right at the gas station, by the light. Coming from the S on 27, turn left at the light onto CR48, look for the signs.

RVs Welcome $20 & Trailers $10 1 time fee

NO hook ups- NO Reservations- Cash Only

*24 Hr security
*Hot showers
*VENDORS
*Bike Blessing
*Blood Mobile
*50/50 & Prizes

DATES: April 23, 24, 25, 26, 2015

WHERE: 27150 Haywood Worm Farms Rd
Okahumpka 34762 Eagles Aerie # 4273
TIME: gates open Thurs 8 am NO Early arrivals
Gates close Sunday at noon.
COST: $13.per person, per nite -Includes Tax
Kids 10 & under FREE
"inquire about free night camping

We can NOT accept reservations CASH ONLY

ABATE of FL, Inc, Lake web: http://lake.abateflorida.com/

*Live band

Thurs, Fri & Sat

*FREE Hot Dogs
Fri @ 9 Tiki Hut
*Sat, Poker Run
Sign up 9:30-11
@ Campground

*Food available @
Eagles Aerie

ABATE OF FLORIDA, Inc. Lake County Chapter and its affiliates of the Leesburg BikeFest ABATE campground will not be held responsible (financially or
otherwise) for any adverse weather conditions that may affect, delay or cancel any scheduled performance-event described herein this promotional flier.

Join ABATE of Florida, Inc for $20 a year & receive $4,000 accidental death ins. Our rights as motorcyclists are constantly
being challenged at an alarming rate, every motorcycle enthusiast should, belong to a Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO)

Take-A-Break Poker Run

Sat sign up outside of the ABATE campground from 9:30-11. Last bike back to
campground by 4:30. Cost $10 pp. Trophies awarded*** About 100 mile ride.
A percentage to benefit the Special Olympics of Lake Counties

Chapter Pres: Griz 352-742-7754 President@LAKE.abateflorida.com

Chapter VP: Shorty 352-302-4783 TimmothyBroomLakeABATE@aol.com

NO individual site fires

NO Weapons

NO Pets

NO Attitudes

NO EXCEPTIONS

Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc are not deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. ABATE of Florida, Inc does
not condone drinking & riding. www.abateflorida.com -- Visit our Membership & Safety Booth
ABATE of Florida, Inc is a not for profit organization of motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life. We lobby & educate the government & the
general public to promote motorcycling in a safe & positive image. We endeavor to enlist the cooperation & participation of all organizations & individuals
that share a similar interest in preserving our American tradition of FREEDOM. We promote motorcycle safety, training, & political awareness.
We ARE NOT A CLUB OR A GANG. We fund our work through toy runs, poker runs, campouts, & other motorcycle activities. We are your neighbors
& friends who work, pay taxes, & get involved with our community. We serve & support our country & believe in freedom. We use all legal means
to protect our rights without infringing on the on the rights of others.

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
GENERAL MEETING
@ Crossroads, Cape Coral
2/15/2015
CALLED TO ORDER @ 10:10 am
Anyone besides secretary taking notes? No.
Please silence cell phones.
Salute flag/Pledge & Moment of silence for the fallen
Welcome guest and new members,
PRESIDENTS REPORT: VICTOR PIORKOWSKI
1. We hosted the State Meeting yesterday, the 14th and
everything went very well. Thank you to all of you who
helped to make it a great success.
2. Insurance was a big discussion. Because of a couple
incidents that occured in December it is very important
that we have the proper insurance for any event and or ride.
There was a seminar on how to fill out all insurance forms
correctly, which our president, Victor attended.
3. We now have a new corporation; Abate of Florida Safety
and Education Inc. This is a 501(C3). State is working on
all the details and will be presenting more information at
Aprils meeting.
4. Avon Park event is October 1st 5th. The 1st will be for
setting up and the 5th will be clean up day. Everything is a
go ahead. The insurance is all set and also the advertising is
planned. Lana Lang, president of Orange County and Victor
Piorkowski, president of Southwest will be teaming up to do
the safety booth. Need volunteers to help out.
5. INTERIM REPORT OF THE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
TO DELEGATE BODY AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.
A. The creation of a Business membership class in the yearly
amount of at least $300 and maybe $500. An issue that needs
to be resolved before going ahead is whether we allow access
to our membership list for business members to use for
targeted mailings as a part of the Business membership?
B. Raising regular membership rate from $20/yr to $30/yr.
We also discussed raising the rate to $50/yr but defer to the
leadership for guidance.
C. We also discussed raising Life membership to be
competitive with NRA or similar groups. NRA for a regular
life membership is $1000. For a disabled veteran with
documentation of military or VA disability rating is $300.
We also discussed just raising the Life rate to $300.
D. A suggestion was also passed to us concerning the
creation of a SUSTAINING MEMBER. What if, for
example, you could become a Sustaining Member for $10.00
per month, or $100.00 up front? Concidering all tht ABATE
has accomplished, and the pride we should have in what we
done, what kind of income could you project? And, would

that make a dent in our budget? $10.00 a month is less than

two packs of cigarettesa foolish expense at best. I realize
it would involve another level of record keeping. For all
donors there would be a Sustaining Member 2015 patch
at the end of the year, although $100.00 donors would get
theirs sooner to help for the advertising value.
The committee recommends the adoption of all of these
proposals once the details are settled.
6. For the last two months Palm Beach and Brevard County
chapters have had the largest membership growth.
7. Victor needs a list of names for the BELL RINGER at
Tallahassee. Anyone who knows of a fallen motorcylist let
him know.
8. Our facebook will be changing from public to an
organization page.
9. Ed Lufkin is doing better after his accident. Hopefully he
will be home by the end of February.
10. At this time we dont have a safety person at State Level.
Lana Lang, president of Orange County Chapter, is an
assistance and will remain as one working with the school
districts in Florida.
11. There is a bill in the works to stop motorcycle stop
points. We dont have them in Florida but many states do.
More information will be in the next newsletter.
12. The drawing of the tickets will be in the Deland office
this year. The State still has a few tickets left if anyone is
interested.
VICE PRESIDENT: RICHARD LEON
The Cape Coral bike night went very well.
SECRETARYS REPORT: LAURIE HANLEY
1. Motion to accept January minutes as written made by
Teddy Bear, and 2nd by Heidi. All in favor.
TREASURER REPORT: GWYNNE HICKMAN
absent
1. Vice President, Richard Leon gave report on current
balance. Motion to accept made by John Lupo and 2nd by
Heidi.
All in favor.

Continued
SARGENT AT ARMS: SHAYNE HANLEY
1. Avon Park Event will be needing volunteers to do security. This event can put us back in the black. I will be making a list of
volunteers so get ahold of me by phone or email.
2. Mugs n Jugs is going well. Come out and join us.
3. Ft. Myers Bike Night is March 14th, come join us and help out.
MEMBERSHIP: LYNNE DAVIS
2 renewals
6 new memberships
LEGISLATIVE TRUSTEE: KEN TEDDY BEAR MILLER
1. Report in the newsletter.
SAFETY: FRANKIE KENNEDY AND VICTOR PIORKOWSKI
1. Did only 2 schools. Many of the schools have new teachers so Victor will be going to the schools to personally speak with
teachers and hopefully will get more on board with safety training.
Motion to adjourn made by Fred, and 2nd by Jim.
Adjouned 11:20am

FLORIDAS LEE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION

The Honorable Matt Caldwell, Chair, District 79
T. Wayne Miller Jr. Building, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres Fl 33971.
(239) 694-0161. HYPERLINK mailto:Matt.Caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov Matt.Caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov.
Legislative Assistant: Charlotte Codie. District Assistant: Priscilla Bezerra.
Tallahassee Office: 402 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399. (850) 717-5079.
The Honorable Lizbeth Benacquisto, Vice Chair, District 30
1926 Victoria Avenue, 2nd Floor, Fort Myers, Fl 33901
(239) 338-2570. HYPERLINK mailto:Benacquisto.Lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov Benacquisto.Lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov.
Legislative Assistant: Matthew Hunter, Dane Bennett, Tamara Holliday.
Tallahassee Office: 330 Senate Office Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399. (850)487-5030.
The Honorable Garrett Richter, District 23
32999 East Tamaimi Trail, Suite 203, Naples, Fl 34112.
(239) 417-6205. HYPERLINK mailto:Richter.Garrett.web@flsenate.gov Richter.Garrett.web@flsenate.gov.
Legislative Assistant: Becky Kokkinos, Michael Nachef, Sandra Mummert.
Tallahassee Office: 404 Senate Office Building, 404 South Monroe Street. Tallahassee, Fl 32399. (850) 487-5023.
The Honorable Dane Eagle, District 77
1039 SE 9th Place, Room 310, Cape Coral, Fl 33990.
(239) 772-1291. HYPERLINK mailto:Dane.Eagle@myfloridahouse.gov Dane.Eagle@myfloridahouse.gov.
Legislative Assistant: Paige Biagi. District Assistant: Kelsey Gorry.
Tallahassee Office: 1302 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399. (850) 717-5077.
The Honorable Heather Fitzenhagen, District 78
2120 Main Street, Suite 208, Fort Myers, Fl 33901.
(239) 533-2440. HYPERLINK mailto:Heather.Fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov Heather.Fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov.
Legislative Assistant: Edward Metzger. District Assistant: Allison Hopkins.
Tallahassee Office: 1302 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399. (850) 717-5078.
The Honorable Ray Rodrigues, District 76
Alico Lake Commons, 17595 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 218, Fort Myers, Fl 33908.
(239) 433-6501. HYPERLINK mailto:Ray.Rodrigues@myfloridahouse.gov Ray.Rodrigues@myfloridahouse.gov.
Legislative Assistant: James Mullen. District Assistant: Jasmine Villanueva.
Tallahassee Office: 1302 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399. (850) 717-5076.
Lee County Delegation Office: (239) 694-0161.
T. Wayne Miller Building, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres, Fl 33971.
Lee County Manager: Roger Desjarlais
P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, Fl 33902. Ph: (239) 533-2221.
Email: HYPERLINK mailto:rdesjarlais@leegov.com rdesjarlais@leegov.com.
Lee County Board of County Commissioners
Dist. 4, Brian Hamman, Chairman.
Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Old St., Fort Myers, Fl 33901.
Cape Coral Office: Lee County Government Center, 1039 S.E. 9th Place, 3rd Floor, Room 309, Cape Coral, Fl 33990.
(Mail to: P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, Fl 33902-0398.) Ph: (239) 533-2226. Email: HYPERLINK mailto:dist4@leegov.com dist4@leegov.com.
Dist. 5, Frank Mann, Vice Chairman.
Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Old St., Fort Myers, Fl 33901.
(Mail to: P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, Fl 33902-0398.) Ph: (239) 533-2225.
Email: HYPERLINK mailto:dist4@leegov.com dist5@leegov.com. Executive Assistant: Chris Berry.
Dist. 1, John Manning.
Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Old St., Fort Myers, Fl 33901.
Cape Coral Office: Lee County Government Center, 1039 S.E. 9th Place, 3rd Floor, Room 309, Cape Coral, Fl 33990. (Mail to: P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, Fl 339020398.) Ph: (239) 533-2224. Email: HYPERLINK mailto:dist4@leegov.com dist1@leegov.com.
Executive Assistant: Stacey Rohland.
Dist. 2, Cecil Pendergrass.
Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Old St., Fort Myers, Fl 33901.
(Mail to: P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, Fl 33902-0398.) Ph: (239) 533-2227.
Email: HYPERLINK mailto:dist4@leegov.com dist2@leegov.com. Executive Assistant: Christine Deramo.
Dist. 3, Larry Kiker.
Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Old St., Fort Myers, Fl 33901.
(Mail to: P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, Fl 33902-0398.) Ph: (239) 533-2223.
Email: HYPERLINK mailto:dist4@leegov.com dist3@leegov.com. Executive Assistant: Antionette Johnson.
Office of Governor Rick Scott
State of Florida, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399-0001.
(850) 488-7146. HYPERLINK http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor
www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor.

Delegation Continued
Office of Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera
State of Florida, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399-0001.
(850) 488-4711. HYPERLINK http://www.flgov.com/email-the-lt-governor www.flgov.com/email-the-lt-governor.
Florida Senate web site: HYPERLINK http://www.flsenate.gov www.flsenate.gov.
Office of Senate President Andy Gardiner
404 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399-1100. (850) 487-5229.
HYPERLINK http://www.flsenate.gov/Offices/President www.flsenate.gov/Offices/President. Chief of Staff: Reynold Meyer.
Florida House of Representatives web site: HYPERLINK http://www.myfloridahouse.gov www.myfloridahouse.gov.
Office of Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli
402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Fl 32399-1300.
(850) 717-5051. HYPERLINK mailto:Will.Weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov.
Legislative Assistant: Ashley Guinn.
White House web site: HYPERLINK http://www.whitehouse.gov www.whitehouse.gov.
Office of the President of the United States of America Barack Obama
The White house, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20500.
Comments: (202) 456-1111. Switchboard: (202) 456-1414.
NOTE: You can write to President Obama or Vice President Joe Biden at the above address. Due to the volume of correspondence the Whitehouse does not
respond to every letter or email. However, your correspondence may be referred to another government agency for a response.
President: mailto:president@whitehouse.gov president@whitehouse.gov.
Vice President: HYPERLINK mailto:vice_president@whitehouse.gov vice_president@whitehouse.gov.
Comments: HYPERLINK mailto:comments@whitehouse.gov comments@whitehouse.gov.
Write a letter to the President
Here are a few simple things you can do to make sure your message gets to the White House as quickly as possible.
1. If possible, email us! This is the fastest way to get your message to President Obama or Vice President Biden.
2. If you write a letter, please consider typing it on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper. If you hand-write your letter, please consider using pen and writing as neatly
as possible.
3. Please include your return address on your letter as well as your envelope. If you have an email address, please consider including that as well.
4. And finally, be sure to include the full address of the White House to make sure your message gets to us as quickly and directly as possible:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
United States Senate web site: HYPERLINK http://www.senate.gov www.senate.gov.
United States Senate President: Vice President Joe Biden
United States Senate President Pro Tempore: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
437 Russell Senate Building, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510.
(202) 224-4242. HYPERLINK http://www.leahy.senate.gov/contact www.leahy.senate.gov/contact.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, D-FL
716 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5274 Contact: HYPERLINK http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact-bill www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact-bill.
Fort Myers Office: 2000 Main Street, Suite 801, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Phone: 239-334-7760. Fax: 239-334-7710.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, (R-FL)
284 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-3041.Contact: HYPERLINK http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact.
United States House of Representatives web site: HYPERLINK http://www.house.gov www.house.gov
U.S. House Speaker: Rep. John Boehner, R, Oh-8
Office of the Speaker, H-232, The Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20515.
Ph: (202) 225-0600, (202) 225-6205. HYPERLINK http://www.speaker.gov/contact www.speaker.gov/contact.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R, FL-17
Washington DC Office:221 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5792, Fax: (202) 225-3132
Punta Gorda Office: 226 Taylor Street, Suite 230, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 575-9101, Fax: (941) 575-9103
Contact Congressman Rooney: HYPERLINK https://rooney.house.gov/contact https://rooney.house.gov/contact.
U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R, Fl-19
Washington DC Office: 1123 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 2051
(202) 225-2536.
Cape Coral District Office:804 Nicholas Pkwy, East, Suite 1, Cape Coral, Fl. 33990
(239) 573-5837.
Contact Congressman Clawson:
HYPERLINK https://clawson.house.gov/contact https://clawson.house.gov/contact.

ABATE of Florida, Inc.

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D O W N T O W N E R

E X P R E S S

W e lc o m e s

C A R

W A S H

o t o r c y c le s

Downtowner Motorcycle Wash

One of the few-in-the-World dedicated

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Use the lift to raise your bike 2 high for
ease of cleaning
All cleaning solutions are strictly designed for motorcycling washing
Spot Free rinse for a spot free finish
High & Lowpressure rinse cycles
High pressure air blower for fast drying
$1 to start
Cash or major credit cards accepted
OPEN 24/ 7

PIN E I S L AN D R OA D
A c r o s s F r o m B o n e fis h G r ill
B e tw e e n S k y li n e & C h iq u ita

1203 Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991

2 3 9 -8 0 0 -2 0 3 9

www.DowntownerCarWash.com

D ow n tow n er C a r W a s h
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Two Dog Washing Stations

Cleaned & Sanitized between
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Call for appointment (239) 772-2277

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