ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. SOUTHWEST CHAPTER Newsletter February 2020 Image Care of ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. The only Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization in the State of Florida Legislative News ▪ MSAP Instructors ▪ Community Service ABATE: American Bikers Aimed Towards Education We lobby and educate the Government and the general public to promote motorcycling in a safe and positive image. ABATE of Florida, Inc. © 2010 ABATE of Florida, Inc., Southwest Chapter. All rights reserved. ABATE of Florida, Inc. and the Southwest Chapter does not condone drinking while riding or driving. www.southwest.abateflorida.com 1 ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. SOUTHWEST CHAPTER MEETING: MISSION STATEMENT Wednesday, February 19, 2020 @ 6:00 p.m. We are a non-profit organization of motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life. We lobby and educate the government at Edison Restaurant & Bar and the general public to promote 3583 McGregor Blvd. motorcycling in a safe and positive image. Fort Myers, FL 33901 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 MEMBER MATERIAL DEADLINE, safety, training and political awareness. We NEW ADVERTISERS AND/OR AD ARE NOT A CLUB OR GANG. We fund CHANGE DEADLINE: our work through toy runs, poker runs, campouts and other motorcycle activities. th We are your neighbors and friends who 20 of the month for editorial and Board work, pay taxes and get involved with our approval 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. IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT OUR GOALS Southwest Chapter Newsletter To become a powerful and viable political Issue date: February 2020 force in legislative matters concerning the motorcyclist; PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY To promote safe riding habits without ABATE of Florida, Inc. infringing on individual freedoms; SOUTHWEST CHAPTER To motivate bikers to write letters to their PO Box 4479 legislators before, during and after the legislative session; and N. Fort Myers, FL 33918 To furnish our members with a newsletter www.southwest.abateflorida.com to keep all bikers informed in regard to upcoming legislation. DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ABATE of Florida, Inc. and/or the Southwest Chapter. The publication allows members to express their beliefs and opinions. ABATE of Florida, Inc., and the Southwest Chapter accepts no responsibility for the comments, opinions, or views contained in this newsletter. Please direct correspondence in reference to this publication to: Heidi Moser, Southwest Chapter, P.O. Box 4479, N. Fort Myers, FL 33918 or via email at [email protected]. Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for Federal Tax Purposes. 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Hello everyone, last week Sgt at Arms Moe arranged for our Chapter along with friends from a Veterans riding group, to take the additional donations to the veterans home in Pt. Charlotte. When we arrived we were given a ‘behind the scenes’ look, at the work that is necessary to provide our veterans with the best possible care they deserve. WOW…is all I can say. ‘Liz’ & the entire staff at Douglas T. Jacobson are dedicated to doing just that. After the tour, Liz presented Southwest Chapter with a Certificate of Appreciation for all the years of support, you’ll see it later on in this publication, she also presented our Chapter a book titled: “A Home for Heroes”, written by 2 former Resident Veterans, on Medal of Honor Recipient; Douglas T. Jacobson & history of the Veteran’s Home. The book will be available to membership to read if they wish. So let me say this; the donations that our brother Chapters, Veteran Riders Organizations & riding groups bring to this event, is so welcomed by the residents & staff alike…from all of them; Thank You for your support. Next, Secretary Heidi got all the plans for the April State Meeting lined up & secured, along with getting the required set-up arranged as well…thanks Heidi great work as always. The Freedom Ride is around the corner & this being the 20th Anniversary of the Helmet Law Modification, we hope to have a large turnout for the Parade to the Capitol & the Ceremony on the Capitol Steps, we’ll be sure to get pictures in our next newsletter along with our Delegates Report. Last week’s MSAP Certification went really well. We used the big room at the Library & certified two new Instructors & two former ones…now we just need to get back into the schools. Unfortunately we now share the time available in the High Schools with other organizations that present their programs. Maybe we should address putting our MSAP Presentations back in the Driver’s Ed classes through Legislation, as it has been suggested, we’ll see. State Safety Director Victor is also working on being able to use this room for future MSAP Certifications & presentations to other organizations & businesses alike, I’ll keep you informed. Moving on, this is an election year & things are heating up as our State Reps begin their work. Please pay close attention to ‘Calls to Actions’ & ‘things to watch’, there are some critical issues coming up in the next few weeks & some for the ballot in November that will affect us all in one way or another. Not to mention our Safety Money we so desperately need. Now, last year as in the start of this one, we’ve seen a rash of Crashes & Hit & Runs not only on motorcycles, but Cagers, bicyclist & pedestrians as well…if they don’t care about hitting another ‘Cager’ & leaving the scene of a crash with injuries…what makes us think they’ll care about running us over? We need to find a way to address this issue now. ABATE of Florida’s primary purposes are: Bikers Rights & Motorcycle Safety…that’s why we’re here! Every Member of Southwest Chapter should be able to discuss these issues with the facts, data & information available to us, including discussing our MSAP program. All the information we need, is posted on ABATE of Florida’s website & the FLHSMV website; it’s there for our use. No longer can we complain about something if we’re not willing to jump in & do something about it. We have all the tools we need, let’s put them to use… it could be your riding buddy’s life, you’ll be saving…better yet, yours. OK, that’s all I have for now. Watch our emails for other legislative information coming from ‘Scribe’ & ‘Teddy Bear’. Ride often, ride safe but more importantly... ride free. Robb FOR SALE: 2011 Gheenoe 25 LT (16’ length) with 4-stroke 2003 Glastron 249 cabin 25hp Yamaha w/power tilt -electric start, Rocket cruiser with trailer. Runs trailer w/folding tongue, and Scotties Bimini top. well, needs some minor With accessories and extras…Asking $4,900, work and a good nice/clean and ready-to-use condition... always buffing. $10,000. garaged. One-owner… Contact Tom at: Call Moe for details. 239-770-3564 or [email protected] for 412-999-3397. more pictures/info. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: A reminder to those Members who expire in February: Becky Gloss, Mike Gloss, Glenn Pannebakker, Rob Sample and Edward Weide. E-mails will be sent with renewal applications soon or complete the Applications for new members/renewing members on page 19. Thank you, Isa 3 ABATE of Florida, Inc./Southwest Chapter ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC./SOUTHWEST CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD & TRUSTEES GENERAL MEETING MINUTES PO Box 4479, N. Fort Myers, FL 33918 Edison Restaurant & Bar on January 15, 2020 www.southwest.abateflorida.com Called to Order: 6:00pm President: Robb Rabell Sgt-At-Arms: Moe Moser: [email protected] / 239-699-1073 Silence phones; Pledge of Allegiance President: Robb Rabell: Vice President: Bob Paczkowski Ride to the Capitol. If you are planning to go and have not done [email protected] / 239-549-2080 so, reserve your room as soon as possible. The State meeting is on Sunday, February 9th with the ride to the capitol in Monday, Secretary: Heidi Moser February 10th. [email protected] / 618-616-0870 Received a donation from Lisa Jumps. She has been donating to our Chapter since the tragic death of her nephew, Todd Michael Treasurer: Glen Pannenbakker Hudson on July 10, 2014. He was killed by a reckless driver [email protected] / 215-416-5885 immediately behind him while on his motorcycle, causing a 5- vehicle accident. Sergeant-At-Arms: Moe Moser Vice President: Bob Pazckowski: [email protected] / 412-999-3397 Nothing to report at this time. Membership Trustee: Isa Short Secretary: Heidi Moser: December meeting minutes were published in the January [email protected] / 954-540-6513 newsletter. Are there any edits/revisions/corrections? Can I get a motion to accept the December Chapter meeting minutes as Public Relations: Vacant published in the January newsletter? A Motion was made by Moe If interested, please contact President Robb Rabell Moser, seconded by Bob Pazckowski. Motion passed. Legislative Representative: Ken “Teddy Bear” Miller Treasurer: Glen Pannebakker: [email protected] / 239-771-8707 (Excused) He broke his hand while riding and had surgery today. He provided the treasury report as follows: For December, the Safety Director: Robb Rabell beginning and ending balances were noted. Also noted expenses and deposits for the month. Expenses were for gift cards for the [email protected] / 239-699-1073 Veterans, 20% fee to State, membership fees, printing fees and reimbursement in gas to our December delegates. Deposits were Newsletter: Heidi Moser from the admission fee from our Christmas Run and general [email protected] / 618-616-0870 donations to the Veterans at the Run.