TheThe BailingBailing WireWire ABATE of CA. Newsletter for Motorcyclists Volume XXXVI ISSUE I&II A Union of Motorcyclists Jan-Feb 2017 Dedicated to Freedom of the Road Meeting with Assemblyman Matthew Harper American ABATE representatives Gill Mellen and Spike Assembly, Harper served as the 59th Mayor of of Local 20 recently met with Matthew Harper, Huntington Beach. California State Assemblyman representing the Motorcycle community issues were discussed, Brotherhood 74th District. including lane sharing, helmets, law enforcement The 74th Assembly District includes the coast- and the hot topic “Motorcycle Profiling”. Assem- al Orange County communities of Huntington blyman Harper listened to concerns and shared Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, La- some of his own views. Aimed guna Woods and Laguna Beach. It was a good meeting and we look forward to a Prior to being sworn into the California State continued political relationship and working with Assemblyman Harper. Towards Education Lobbyist’s Legislative Report Table of Contents 17th. One bill that was introduced is AB 63 by Assemblyman Frazier, which would amend Page 1 Lobbyist Report the Structured Driver License for Minors that Page 2 Executive Director regulates the hours of use for nighttime Driv- ing and Passenger Limits. Learn more at: Page 3 Membership Report http://www.sfchronicle.com/poli - Page 4-5 Local Reports & tics/article/Bill-backs-provisional-li- censes-for-drivers-up-to-10841655. Flyer php?t=4523938ce5&cmpid=twitter- premium&cmpid=email-premium Page 6 Flyers Motorcyclists under the age of 21 are affected Page 7-8 Biker News & Pics as well. I am watching this bill to ensure that Adult Riders are not included when the bill is Page 9 Events, Donations, amended and as it goes through the Legislative RIP, & Toy Run Pics process. The Motorcycle Industry Council has met with the CHP to discuss Roadside Noise Page 10 VIP’s, L#13 Pics, & by James Lombardo, Lobbyist Checks of Motorcycles. I will be keeping a Class close eye on bills that are introduced for this The Legislature is back in Action and Gov- one. Page 11 Tech Tips ernor Brown has proposed his 2017 State The subject of Orange and Yellow Riding Page 12 Sporty’s Rides Budget. Assembly and Senate Democrats Vests was brought up at the most recent Cali- are not pleased because it has more money fornia Motorcycle Advisory Program, and we, Page 13 Off Road App. designated for a “Rainy Day Bailout Fund” as Members of this Committee, are working to Page 15 Safety Report and no new money for their “PET Projects”. kill this proposal. The Governor’s budget calls for a $65 Ve- Finally, both Chairmen of the Transporta- Page 16 Thanks to our tion Committees introduced bills; AB 1 by As- hicle Registration Fee and other monies sembly Committee Chair Frazier, and SB 1 by Business Members ($4.6 billion) to fund California’s crumbling his counterpart in the Senate, Chairman Beall. road system. As we all have experienced, on Page 17 Merchandise These bills deal with funding the State Trans- our motorcycles, there are huge potholes to portation Program. More to come - stay tuned. Page 19 Business Members dodge. Critics say the need is closer to $16 Thanks again to all the Members and Locals billion to fully repair our roads. Page 20 ABATE Meetings who send money to the dedicated Lobbyist So far, few bills have been introduced. The Fund to keep me working for you in Sacra- deadline for bill introduction is February mento! Page 2 ABATE OF CALIFORNIA NEWSLETTER Jan-Feb 2017 What is ABATE? Executive Director’s Report ABATE is a motorcyclists’ rights organization (not a club) dedicated to preserving freedom of choice ABATE of California Inc. and freedom of the road, with emphasis on educa- CHANGE OF ADDRESS tion and safety. Our members are active in programs Effective February 1, 2017 for public awareness and motorcycle safety, and in New Address: supporting many types of charity events. ABATE of California Inc. Included with an ABATE membership are a sew- 20355 Murieta St. on patch, membership card, and our monthly news- Apple Valley, CA. 92307-9223 letter THE BAILING WIRE. There are no special ABATE’s phone # will stay the same: requirements for joining aside from an interest in 760.956.1669 promoting motorcyclists’ rights and safety with pay- Same Fax # 760.956.6519 ment of the appropriate fees. And the street name Murieta is spelled correctly, ver- sus the spelling for the city of Murrieta. ABATE Info or Message Line 1-760/956-1669 by Dave Hastings, Executive Your new State Office Administrator is: Fax 760/956-6519 Janet Wilhelm J email [email protected] http://www.abate.org Director E-mail: [email protected] Thank you for Your help in making this a smooth 2016 State Officers ABATE of California is opening 2017 with a brand transition. Executive Director new look and feel to our official ABATE website. Mark Carol Cromwell Dave Hastings 760/947-4700 Loudermilk and Carol Cromwell have worked very hard Retiring State office Admin. J Assistant Executive Director to revamp and improve our site by making it more infor- Ed Rogers 559/264-2891 mative and, hopefully, easier to navigate and use. Check it out for yourself and remember our site is always open 2017 Regional Representatives for you to peruse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Region 2: Craig Griswold 530/263-8071 Use our site to keep up with California State happen- Region 3: Vacant ings and Local current events. You can also find a copy of our latest Bailing Wire magazine or simply browse Region 6: Ed Rogers 559/264-2891 through any past issue you may have missed while surf- Region 7: Chuck Pedersen 805/496-0323 ing on our site. Take the time to check it out and don’t for- Region 8: Sporty Milligan 818/361-8800 get to say “Thanks” to Mark and Carol for the improve- Region 9: Mark Loudermilk 951/599-5234 ments to your website! Region 11: D-Man 714/833-9508 Along with a new look to our website comes a new look Region 12: for our State Office also. After many years of dedicated Region 13: Yermo Ed 760/953-7353 service to our organization (she may say too many!) Carol Cromwell is going to retire and we will have a new of- fice manager in her place. What can I, or anyone else for Chairman of Board that matter, say that hasn’t already been said about the Glenn Phillips 707/624-6310 dedication, hard work, and never give up attitude Carol Secretary Position open has blessed ABATE of California with during her tenure. Treasurer Over the years we have had some outstanding people Mark Castillero 760/809-9148 volunteer with our organization and many have left a last- Editor ing legacy behind when they traveled on down the road. John (Milky) Loudermilk 602/421-7516 Carol has worked quietly and tirelessly in the background [email protected] with every one of them, and in her own way, she too will Assistant Editor leave a legacy when she is gone. We will all miss her and Nick Benson Sr. 760/447-4004 remember her in our own ways. Legislative Director What more can I say but “Thank you Carol” for be- Chuck Pedersen 805/496-0323 ing the glue that has held so many of us together over the Membership years. You have “led by example”, even though you were Sporty Milligan 818/361-8800 hired to “just follow”. I can’t think of a better compliment Safety Officer Norm Newiger 805/368-6693 to bestow on someone who has tried so hard to just simply Merchandise Coordinator do “her job”. In doing so, you have made our jobs so much 760/956-1669 easier while keeping every one of us focused on the real Communications Officer issues we face every day. Gill Mellen 949/632-9787 From State Officers down to Local volunteers you have MRF Liaison been an indispensable asset to our organization. I, and ev- Keith Johnston 818/914-1952 ery other member of ABATE of California, wish you only M.M.A./ABATE Liaison the best in your retirement years and hope you enjoy every Ruby Weber -916/481-1549 day of your new life as much as we have enjoyed our time Insurance Adviser with you. Rusty Russell – 818/321-2714 ABATE of California will move on as it always does, but I, and your fellow ABATE members, will always 2017 Board of Directors be indebted to your gift of yourself to this organization. Mark “Dogman” Castillero 760.809.9148 Thank you again for being such a needed and necessary Dave Hastings 760.947.4700 part of ABATE of California. You will never be forgotten. Daniel “Boomer” Humber 323.514.6888 Sincerely, Dave Hastings, Executive Director, ABATE Mark “Bosco” Loudermilk 951.599.5234 of California Gill Mellen 949.632.9787 “Sporty” Milligan 818.361.8800 Mission Statement Robert Nadler 661/400-9425 ABATE of California is committed to protect and promote the interests of the Glenn Phillips 707.624.6310 Ed Rogers 559.264.2891 motorcycle community. ABATE exists to preserve and safeguard the individual rights Adam Sheldon 858.254.2164 and liberties of all riders thru political and legislative action. ABATE promotes mo- “Spike” 714.234.0730 torcycle safety through education, training and public awareness. ABATE of California now has their off road division up and running! Join on Page 13 Jan-Feb 2017 ABATE OF CALIFORNIA NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 ABATE OF CALIFORNIA, INC.