“The Party That Refuses to Die” T-SHIRTCONTEST BANDS V EN AMES DO IKER G R B S C A M P IN G PR I ZE S FMI PAGE 28 1 JUNE 1 2010ABATE OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER STATE OFFICE ADDRESSES Advertising Fees (Physical and Mailing Address) Business Card 2517 Veterans Memorial Hwy SW Austell, GA 30168-3541 Black & White Color Term in Months Phone: (770) 881-7438 $ 40.00 $ 115.00 1 Toll Free : (866) 867-5063 $ 110.00 $ 335.00 3 Fax: (770) 881-7465 $ 200.00 $ 650.00 6 ABATE OF GEORGIA STATE OFFICERS 2009-2010 Term 1/4 Page Director Black & White Color Term in Months JB Walker $ 70.00 $ 145.00 1 Cell (678)860-3495 E-mail [email protected] $ 200.00 $ 425.00 3 $ 360.00 $ 810.00 6 Legislative Director $ 660.00 $ 1,560.00 12 Linda Allen 770-726-7062 E-mail [email protected] 1/2 Page Treasurer Black & White Color Term in Months Gary Bonds (404)915-8778 $ 125.00 $ 200.00 1 [email protected] $ 360.00 $ 585.00 3 Membership Director $ 660.00 $ 1,110.00 6 David Rigney (678) 492-1383 $ 1,200.00 $ 2,100.00 12 Asst, Membership Director Ann Crenshaw (229) 924-7449 Full Page e-mail [email protected] Black & White Color Term in Months $ 225.00 $ 300.00 1 Sgt. At Arms $ 660.00 $ 885.00 3 Ralph JR Allen (678) 633-8643 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,650.00 6 e-mail [email protected] $ 2,200.00 $ 3,100.00 12 Asst Sgt At Arms Ads Must Be Received in digital format or ready to scan by the 10th of the Bob Contino (770) 433-9710 month, accompanied by full payment, to be printed in the next issue. Credit Carlos Bickers card payments are welcome. Ads must be paid in advance to receive the multiple ad discount rate. If you wish, we can lay out your ad for you for an Activities Director & State Chaplain additional $25 charge plus any reasonable costs. Additional charges and services offered at the discretion of the editor. Please allow additional lead Ralph Snyder (770) 845-8148 time for all ads that we must lay out. Asst Activities Directors Payment must be received in advance for ad renewals. If not you will lose Bobby Bass (478)994-3417 the discounted multiple ad rate and the account will revert back to monthly Gary Allen (404)597-8099 prices. Make your check or money order payable to ABATE of Georgia , Inc. Send to: State Secretary ABATE OF GEORGIA, INC. Heather Bickers (770)324-6206 2517 Veterans Memorial Hwy SW e-mail [email protected] Austell, GA 30168-3541 Office Manger, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster Call the State Office @ 770-881-7438 for more info. Heather Bickers (770) 881-7438 office (770) 324-6206 cell e-mail [email protected] ABATE of Georgia, Inc. All rights reserved. This newsletter is published monthly and distributed throughout the state of Georgia as well as to other ABATE Legal Advisor motorcycle organizations nationwide. ABATE of Georgia accepts no responsi- Jerry Abendroth (770) 914-8955 bility for the comments or opinions from reprinted materials contained within this publication. We welcome your news, opinions, comments, complaints, and Fax (770) 914-9340 suggestions on Motorcycle related issues. All articles must include your name Christian Motorcyclists Association and address. We do not accept slanderous, accusing letters; profanities GA State Coordinator (photographic or written); non-ABATE related letters. ABATE of Georgia reserves the right to refuse or edit any article, photo, letter, or advertisement Mike Cook (229) 268-4455 that is decided is not in the best interest of the organization or its members. 2 JUNE 2010 ABATE OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER Some of ABATE’s accomplishments over the years: WHAT IS • Successfully lobbied for legislation that created the Georgia Motor- cycle Safety Program (GMSP), our state’s rider education program that is available to all. ABATE OF GEORGIA, Inc.? • Lobbied to have legislation passed to modify the existing manda- tory helmet law to allow adults age 21 and older freedom of choice The letters “ ABATE ” stand for American Bikers Active as to the wearing of a helmet. Toward Education. ABATE is composed of motorcyclists • Successfully lobbied for legislation leading to the repeal of the from all areas of the state, from all walks of life, and Georgia law prohibiting use of speakers or headphones while riding who ride all makes of bikes. ABATE is not a club, it is a a motorcycle. non-partisan politically active organization working on • Fought and stopped legislation introduced in the 1992 Session of motorcyclist’s rights. We are affiliated with national the Georgia General Assembly that would have made it illegal for kids age 10 and under to ride as passengers on motorcycles. rights groups like the American Motorcyclist Asso- • Established May as “Motorcycle Awareness and You” month ciation (AMA), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation through a proclamation signed by the Governor and through (MRF) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists resolutions passed by the Senate and House each year. This is an (NCOM). annual effort that raises public awareness of motorcycles. • Successfully lobbied legislators to approve increased funding for Our main focus is to keep motorcycle legislation the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program, in the amount of $170,000 after the license tag rate was raised on all vehicles to in its proper perspective . Many restrictive laws are $20. enacted by uninformed legislators. ABATE’s goal is to • Successfully stopped proposed legislation that would have in- keep our lawmakers informed of our members collective creased the size of motorcycle tags. position on Motorcycle related legislation. Preventing • Successfully lobbied for handicapped tags for motorcycles without unfair legislation from becoming law is easier than fight- further enabling legislation, by bringing it to the attention of the ing to get the law repealed. Department of Revenue that the code section was written in such a way that it was already authorized. • Successfully lobbied for antique tags for motorcycles in the 1998 Rider education and public awareness of motor- legislative session. cyclists are goals of ABATE. We are not against the • Established a 15 District organization that has led to more partici- wearing of helmets, and we encourage all riders to ride pation locally, while raising our membership statewide. The more safely. An informed and educated rider is a safer rider. members we have, means the more clout we have at the State Helmet laws do nothing to prevent an accident, and a Capitol. helmet only provides the illusion of safety, while rider • Sponsor and promote the largest Swap Meet/Bike Show in Geor- education is proven to prevent accidents and save gia, 5 times a year. lives. • Successfully forced prosecution of a trucker who, while making an illegal turn, killed fellow motorcyclist Mark Bonner. Index Page # • Successfully lobbied to pass the “Frank-Lee” (ROW) bill to enhance penalties to those who cause death or serious injury to a motorcy- Office & Officer #’s—newsletter advertising fees 2 clists by failing to yield the right of way. What ABATE is about/benefits 3 • Successfully lobbied to pass the “Tag/Title” bill SB-437 that allows for registration of kit/assembled bikes. Signed by Governor Purdue District Meeting Schedule 7 May 14, 2008. District Boundaries & Phone Numbers 7 • Successfully lobbied to pass “Enhanced Penalties for Right of Way State Director’s Corner 4 Violations” SB-196. Signed into law in 2009. Your benefits as a member of ABATE of Georgia: NCOM/AIM—Jerry Abendroth 8 Organized lobbying of State and Federal legislators to make your MRF News/Application 11 views on motorcyclist rights known to your Representatives. JULY JAM INFO 28 Current information on all motorcycle related legislation and where your legislators stand on the issues that affect your motorcycling ABATE of Georgia Honor Roll 8 rights and freedoms. Assistance with voter registration Monthly newsletter with legislative updates, event dates and CMA Chaplain’s Corner/Contact Information 33 places, and information Membership card, patch, and one year pin for new members. Useful Websites 47 Yearly pin for renewals. Admission discounts at most ABATE events around the state, in- What’s Happening 26-31 cluding ALL State Swap Meets. District News 34-38 Discounts at many motorcycle shops and dealers around the state Personal satisfaction of joining your brothers and sisters in pro- Personal Ads 46 moting the great sport of motorcycling while supporting your right to Supporters 45-48 ride by participation at State and District meetings, toy runs, blood drives, camp-outs, bike shows, swap meets, etc. Steve Murrin 42-43 Spiritual consultation with the Christian Motorcycle Association Fun Stuff 44 (CMA) for ride prayers, weddings, and visitation. Classifieds 50 ABATE OF GEORGIA, Inc. IS A TEAM EFFORT WE WELCOME ALL RIDERS, ALL BRANDS 3 JUNE 2010 ABATE OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER Sorry for the short delay this month but as most of you know while putting the newsletter together this month, we lost one of ABATE’s largest supporters, benefactor, and most of all friend. Aside from being a friend to all biker’s Greg Estes was an amazing father and brother. He will be truly missed. As we go about our events and business he will be remembered in everything we do. The biker scene will be forever changed. Please see the pictures and articles in this months newsletter that honor him. Greg we miss you and we love you very much. Again, my apologies for the newsletter being late. Greg was a close friend and this month was very hard on everyone.