p. 1

abate of florida inc gator c volume 25 © alley t e r issue 9 h a p may 2009 riding to protect all of our rights a merican b rotherhood ikers a gainst iming t otalitarian oward e nactments ducation 1 abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page dedicated to freedom of the road let those who ride decide www.gatoralley.net

[close]

p. 2

publication deadline the deadline for all submissions is at the chapter meeting or if submitting by e-mail no later than the 6:00 pm the tuesday following the meeting all members are asked to submit anything they have that would be of interest to their fellow members such as articles events comments photos especially etc gator alley chapter meeting may 24 2009 vfw golden gate 11 am meetings gator alley board of directors meeting may 14 2009 vfw 7:00 pm goals purpose to fight for the freedom of the road and the freedom of choice for the motorcycle riders of florida to become a powerful and viable political force in florida by encouraging riders to register to vote and to communicate with their legislators to promote safe riding habits and to promote driver awareness without infringing on the rights of the individual to work toward educating our legislators on motorcycle issues so they are able to make the right decisions regarding florida s motorcycle riders to publish a newsletter to keep members of abate of florida inc informed disclaimer the views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of abate of florida inc nor those of gator alley chapter this publication allows members the freedom of expression of their own beliefs and opinions abate of florida inc and gator alley chapter accepts no responsibility for the comments or opinions contained in this publication identification statement this publication is the monthly newsletter of abate of florida inc gator alley chapter p.o box 10395 naples fl 34101 abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 2

[close]

p. 3

executive board president vice president secretary treasurer russ ueeck john frizz stevens darrin brooks michele ueeck president@gatorally.net secretary@gatoralley.net treasurer@gatoralley.net elected board sgtatarms@gatoralley.net legislative@gatoralley.net statedelegate1@gatoralley.net statedelegate2@gatoralley.net altstatedelegate1@gatoralley.net altstatedelegate2@gatoralley.net membership@gatoralley.net quartermaster@gatoralley.net newsletter@gatoralley.net products@gatoralley.net publicrelations@gatoralley.net specialevents@gatoralley.net appointed officials safety director ad executive newsletter assistant chapter historians sunshine chairperson election chair webmaster chaplain asst sgt-at-arms russ ueeck ginny lady harley rich karen guerra lynn corr tina loy margo dugan dave lockdown rich rick holt tom fly pletcher historian1@gatoralley.net historian2@gatoralley.net sunshine@gatoralley.net webmaster@gatoralley.net chaplain@gatoralley.net tmjpletcher@embarqmail.com safety@gatoralley.net advertising@gatoralley.net sgt at arms legislative state delegate #1 state delegate #2 alt state delegate #1 alt state delegate #2 membership quartermaster newsletter editor products public relations special events scott hughes darrin brooks rick loy tina loy paul evans dave lockdown rich anne thomas roger janes lynn corr dennis parsons dave lockdown rich mark kirkum the mediocre teacher tells the good teacher explains the superior teacher demonstrates the great teacher inspires william arthur ward abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 3

[close]

p. 4

russ ueeck president of gator alley chapter of abate of florida hey y all this is most definitely the hardest letter i have ever had to write everyone has now heard about the passing of our brother curt nickerson the emptiness in each and every one of our hearts is immeasurable the pain that each of us is currently feeling is real and it hurts like hell what is amazing is the incredible outpouring of support not only to each other but more importantly to sue the family it feels at times selfish believe it or not to feel like this we have to think that our brother is no longer suffering and in pain as the saying goes he is in a better place now the ride to tallahassee for the freedom rights rally was out of this world incredible as rick loy has always said to us it s hard to describe you have to be there there was so much going on over the course of the weekend i wasn t sure what to think when rick said he was taking us to the worm gruntin festival in sopchopee many people were schooled around the campfire on the only thing that belongs in the fire pit is wood a special thanks to zeke for his serenading everyone singing his doo dah song when we came up the road that leads to the state capital and look up chills run down your spine all the bikes rolling on to the grounds of the capital left us in awe rick i were privileged to be able to carry the us flag on the steps of the capital in typical gator alley fashion we had our s t together the information that we were able to present to our state legislators thanks to darrin rick tina lockdown made us seem what we truly are professional the tour of the house chambers give to us by our own gator alley member representative matt hudson made me very proud to be a part of this family mash bash will have come gone before everybody gets their next newsletter good times will definitely have been had by all i would really appreciate if sometime in the very near future that you approach one of the board members or committee members say just 1 thing thank you without all of their support hard work we could never pull something like this off it really teaches you about the spirit of brotherhood/sisterhood volunteering is all about one more beer i m outta here russ abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 4

[close]

p. 5

due to leadersip seminar and 5-star event july s meeting will be on the 19th at 11 am please mark your calendars board of directors what lies behind us and what lies in front of us pales in comparison to what lies within us emerson during our time in tally example after example of what lies within us kept popping up from darrin being appointed state legislative trustee to russ s move to regional safety director to doc s recognition of lockdown s website prowess gator alley s efforts and successes were noticed and celebrated it really makes me proud to be a member of this board and of gator alley working together as a chapter has paid off handsomely and i hope we ll continue to just get better and better thanks everyone for all that you do this was my first trip to tally and it was everything and more that rick says it is the fellowship at the koa and around the campfire was amazing it was great to have the time to really get to know people better and their cooking skills plus the ride to the capitol was enough to give me goose bumps when we crested the final hill to see our state government buildings in front of us and a long line of bikes behind it was great to be a part of something bigger than myself darrin had us scheduled to meet and greet our senators representatives and staff we had great responses from everyone and most of all from matt hudson he went above and beyond the call of duty to bring us to the house floor for a personal guided tour definitely the highlight of the weekend i greatly encourage any and all of you to set aside time next year to make the trip having a large group of super-voters come to visit their office and discuss pending legislation seemed to make an impact that phone calls etc just never could tally is definitely an experience that you will not regret taking valuable vacation time for rick is already talking about the fundraiser for next year so time off will hopefully be all that would be required thank you to everyone to generously contributed to this year s freedom riders fund see you at mash bash michele abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 5

[close]

p. 6

hey ya ll april has been a very busy month thanks to all the people who helped and donated to the tally benefit we were able to have 20 gator alley members in tally this year it was so awesome to see so many new faces this year but we also missed the old faces too riding to the capitol in the front was a new experience being able to get off your bike and going to the front and watching tons of bikes still coming in was incredible darrin did an awesome job talking to the rep and their aids we would also like to thank one of our own rep matt hudson for the unforgettable personal tour of the house of reps chamber on a sad note curt slow1one you will be greatly missed but you will forever live in our hearts until next time i hope all is safe p.s always remember to ride your own ride because a true brother or sister won t leave you ride on ride baby ride rick loy tina loy state delegate #1 state delegate #2 chapter historian so much more than scribe after our accident mark called darren we wanted his medical professional experience as a physical therapist to tend to our injuries we re hoping for a speedy recovery on very short notice he agreed to meet us at everglades cycle at noon when my exam began he asked what are your injuries i answered nasty bruise on my butt minor bump on the head and my left knee doesn t work the exam continued rate your pain on a scale from 0 10 as i touch your knee here 1 here 3 and so on what day of the week is it i knew this was in reference to the bump on my head so with confidence i gave him an extended answer saturday april 18th he continued how bout when i press here yeeouch that s an 8 ok who s the president again with great confidence i answered russ when our exams were completed darren made his recommendations following his advice my recovery is indeed speedy my deepest gratitude goes to darren the physical therapist and to all of my gator alley family at the scene and after-the-fact for all that you have done to help mark and i over this bump sincerely abate of fla inc gator alley chapter ~susan page 6

[close]

p. 7

district legislative representatives 2008 regular session the govenor s office govenor charlie crist the capital 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-7146 850-487-0801 fax email email charlie.crist@myflorida.com lt govenor jeff kottkamp the capital 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-7146 850-487-0801 fax email jeff.kottkamp@myflorida.com the senate representative bill nelson democrat capitol office united states senate 716 hart senate office building washington dc 20510 202-224-5274 t 202-228-2183 f united states senate hart 317 senate office bldg washington dc 20510 202-224-3041 t 202-224-5171 f district office justice center annex building suite 801 2000 main street ft myers fl 33901 239-334-7760 t 239-334-7710 f 315 e robinson street landmark center 1 suite 475 orlando fl 32801 407-254-2573 t 407-423-0941 3653 cortez road west suite 90 bradenton fl 34210 941-727-6349 6415 lake worth rd suite 210 greenarces fl 33463 561-433-2627 3301 e tamiami trial administration bldg suite 203 naples fl 34112-492 239-417-6205 8603 s dixie highway suite 304 miami fl 33143 305-668-7344 website http billnelson.senate.gov mel martinez repuplican website http martinez.senate.gov mike bennett room 306 senate office building email bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov 404 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1100 850-487-5078 republican-district 21 dave aronberg room 405 senate office building email aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov 404 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1100 850-487-5356 democrat district 27 garrett richter room 310 senate office building republican district 37 email richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov 404 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1100 850-487-5124 larcenia j bullard democrat district 39 email bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov room 218 senate office building 404 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1100 850-487-5127 abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 7

[close]

p. 8

district legislative representatives 2008 regular session the house name connie mack republican-district 14 http www.house.gov/mack washington office 115 cannon house office building washington dc 20515 202-225-2536 t 202-226-0439 f district office naples office 3301 e tamiami trail 1st floor naples fl 34112-3969 mario diaz-balart 328 cannon house office building republican-district 25 http www.house.gov/mario-diazbalart washington dc 20515 202-225-2778 t 202-226-0346 f naples office 4715 golden gate parkway ste 1 naples fl 34116 239-348-1620 t 239-348-3569 f suite 208 2120 main street ft myers fl 33901-3010 239-355-2411 suite 305 3501 del prado boulevard cape coral fl 33904-7223 239-344-4900 12811 kenwood lane suite 212 ft myers fl 33907 239-433-6775 suite 304 administration building 3301 east tamiami trial naples fl 34112-4902 239-417-6200 hendry county courthouse 25 e hickpoochee avenue labelle fl 33935 ­5015 863-675-5267 suite 305 collier county admin bldg 3301 east tamiami trail naples fl 34112-3972 239-434-5094 suite 212 3301 east tamiami trail naples fl 34112-3972 239-417-6270 nicholas r thompson republican-district 73 417 house office building 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-1541 1301 the capitol 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-7433 303 house office building 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-2047 412 house office building 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-4487 400 house office building 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-3457 222 the capital 402 south monroe street tallahassee fl 32399-1300 850-488-7897 10303 house office building 402 south monroe street tallahasse fl 32399-1300 850-488-1028 gary aubuchon republican district 74 trudi k.williams republican district 75 tom grady republican district 76 denise grimsley republican district 77 david rivera republican district 112 email david.rivera@myfloridahouse.gov matt hudson republican party district 101 matt.hudson@myfloridahouse.gov abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 8

[close]

p. 9

abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 9

[close]

p. 10

hi everyone i just have a couple of things i want to say tally what a great time we had the camaraderie and brotherhood between the chapters at the campground was awesome everyone was welcome in all campsites with open arms turn out for gator alley was great 20 plus members i would love to see that doubled next year if you ve never been it is impossible to describe just be there the other thing is safety we as a group of riders may need to rethink about how we ride in a group with camera being set up at intersections to combat red light runners to avoid a ticket there could be panic stopping we need to leave a little more distance between bikes giving more reaction time to stop please don t let what happen to mark and i happen to you ride often and safe frizz happy may to everyone this has been a difficult month for me to complete the newsletter editors block lots of excitement with tallahassee and mash bash but my heart breaks with the lose of curt not really sure what to say or how my heart hurts it makes me want to hug more and let those close to me know how special they are so here s a big thank you to all of my biking buddies with a non-swine flu kiss this chapter is very near and dear to me the casino run went off with any issues glad to help make some change for the chapter congratulations to tina hope you won big at the casino mash bash was awesome there is a small group of gator alley members that are definitely the hands on kind of people we will call them the worker bees because if there is a need their hands are busy helping with anything god love these people they never cease to amaze me also do you have some mash bash pictures to share send them to me check out the newsletter for up coming events in the next few months we have a couple of chapter runs that needs chairpersons is it your time when was the last time you chaired a run if you haven t been part of a run volunteer to be a co-chair come on everyone it s your turn to step up speaking of stepping up elections are up want to be part of the board want to make changes instead of just gripping now is the time thanks to all that helped tina and myself with the history tent wait until the birthday party we have more up our sleeves god bless you all lynn corr -newsletter editor and historian abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 10

[close]

p. 11

fdot declares may motorcycle safety awareness month by naples daily news staff report naples the florida department of transportation has announced that they are joining with other federal state and local highway safety law enforcement and motorcycle organizations proclaiming may as motorcycle safety awareness month motorcyclist fatalities have steadily increased over the past decade in fact there was a seven percent increase in fatalities from 4,837 in 2006 to 5,154 in 2007 according to a prepared fdot statement research shows that per vehicle mile traveled motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than a passenger car occupant to die in a traffic crash in florida motorcyclists account for 5.9 percent of the motoring public yet motorcyclists and their passengers account for 17.1 percent of all traffic fatalities motorists are being reminded to safely share the road with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists in case other drivers are not looking out for motorcycle riders according to a prepared statement abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 11

[close]

p. 12

abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 12

[close]

p. 13

april legislative report hello everyone as promised the2009 legislative session is coming to a rapid finale the three bills we are watching very closely are hb 1161 sb 968 traffic offenses or stiffer penalties this bill has passed all it s committee s and is ready to be heard on the house floor the senate version is on the fast track to the senate floor but not there yet hb 1479 sb 1100 dept of highway safety motor vehicles this bill has an amendment added that will take away the non-vertical tag law the new wording will be that motorcycle and moped tags must be permanently affixed to the vehicle and not be adjusted or capable of being flipped up no device for or method of concealing or obscuring the legibility of the license tag of a motorcycle shall be installed or used if this passes and get signed by the governor it will eliminate the fine for the vertical tags starting as soon as it become law the senate version passed 39-0 and is now waiting on the house there should be no problems in this bill becoming law hb 1043 sb 2282 first responders prohibits county s and municipalities from imposing fees or seeking reimbursement for cost of certain first responder services except for hazardous waste clean-up both the senate and the house bills are out of committee s and will be heard on the floor barring some last minute problem all of our area legislators have heard the gator s voice and know that abate of florida inc supports these bills we have done our jobs and now must wait to see what happens but trust me the gator will be whispering in their ears all the way to the end i was so proud of gator alley up at tally not just for the turn out but for the educated and professional way that we that we interacted with our legislators and their staff i owe an enormous thank you to rick and tina loy for developing the idea to create an information packet to give to our legislators then laura jo smith and dave lockdown rich stepped in with their incredible talents to create the most amazing packet i was so proud of these people and our entire chapter each time we were able to hand our packet to our legislators or staff we had great one on one time with representatives trudi williams matt hudson and david rivera with the rest of our legislators we were able to speak with staff members and had a great exchange of information with them rep matt hudson gave us his personal guided tour of the house chamber we were only supposed to be there for 5 minutes but it turned out to be 45 minutes of his very valuable time now tell me what other chapter in abate of florida inc was extended that courtesy all i can say is that the gator dominated tallahassee that weekend the reason the gator had such a big impact in tally is because of you you give this gator life you give the gator a voice you get the gator recognized without your help and hard work we would just be another bunch of bikers drifting aimlessly between poker runs and parties we also need to thank russ and be extremely proud that he was selected by doc to be our regional safety director this speaks to the incredible job he has done as our safety director and he did this all while being our president thank you russ for your help and your sacrifice see ya darrin scribe brooks abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 13

[close]

p. 14

delegates meeting april 12 2009 state office hosting at tallahassee called to order at 2:23 p.m presidents report doc reichenbach 1 if by-laws fail it cannot be mentioned again for 2 years 2 asked about bike tickets 3 jesse michagall gave us a plate of u.s.s florida to go in state office 4 former president palm beach chapter perklin tom guest 5 doc s mom passed away 6 doc stressed about any flyers put out or posted before approval could result in that event being cancelled vice president s report doc fish 1 thanked everybody for coming 2 threaten to go naked to capitol 3 time to get serious about your beliefs secretary s report bob alexander 1 get flyers in early for publishing put on application how and where you want notification sent 2 no corrections submitted no corrections in minutes said treasurer s report patti nasrallah 1 treasurer s report in packet 2 had surgery but doing fine sargent-at-arms report mudder 1 thanked all volunteers for bike week state office 1 boots had relapse hope her the best 2 add webmaster to officer update chapter info and needs to turned in after elections membership report val loper 1 concentrate on bringing in younger members 2 don t let any children get in any adult events 3 7,689 members 5,868 registered voters 4 life cards passed out 5 jan treasure coast most of growth and most new members feb seminole county most of growth and first coast most new members abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 14

[close]

p. 15

masterlink report bob von bulow 1 please e-mail all pictures of tally ride 2 masterlinks available 3 appoligized about wrong date on cover of masterlink about tally pr communications bg 1 b.g will be gone until november but you will still be able to get ahold of her 2 an advertising guideline will be mailed out to the president 3 4 months before event flyer and check needs to be turned in last minute flyers can t be fully advertised 4 any event that we do call b.g and let her know 5 congradulated chapters who got proclamations 6 do paperwork on all safety events so we will have facts and proof 7 if we get safety money this year from the state how does each chapter want to spend it send an e-mail 8 if anyone is interested in working on marketing team please contact b.g 9 for any press releases updates please contact b.g safety director tom nugent 1 instructor patches were handed out 2 change to classroom presentations please type presentors name s now it is how many sessions you do 3 keep a decent inventory of safety products 4 presented russ ueeck as new southwest regional safety director 5 got $250,000 of safety money products steve knee 1 products available at campground 2 if anybody wants a shirt get with steve legislative report darrin brooks 1 presented darrin brooks as our new state legislative 2 have leg trustees send e-mail to darrin brooks 3 #1 mission to have each chapter have stronger bonds with leg trustee s 4 be nice to leg asst lobbyist doc 1 h.b 1161 and s.b 968 were heard in committees 2 the city is charging a surcharge or tax for police and or fire department services h.b 1043 s.b 2282 tax money should cover this first responder services abate of fla inc gator alley chapter page 15

[close]