The Masterlink - February 2015

A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and legislation

February 2015

VOLUME XXIII, ISSUE X

Motorcycle Day at the Dome

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit #1662 Phoenix, AZ

make YOUR voice heard

Monday, February 23rd, 10am-3pm AZ State Capitol A.B.A.T.E. of Arizona would like to thank State Representative Karen Fann for working with us to Sponsor House Bill 2345 to remove the motorcycle handlebar height restriction language from ARS 28-964 and support the language below. State Rep. Noel Campbell was Co-Sponsor. Both are District 1 representatives from Prescott and deserve our recognition and show of appreciation.

PLEASE take the time to call or email Rep.s Karen Fann and Noel Campbell, to thank them for their support of this bill.

Karen Fann (602) 926-5874 kfann@azleg.gov

abateofaz.org

ABATE of AZ. 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020

Noel Campbell (602) 926-3124 ncampbell@azleg.gov Watch for email Action Alerts to call your legislators when it comes time for them to vote.

Be sure you get those e-alerts by self-subscribing to our discussion list at www.abateofaz.org, click on “Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the

ABATE Mailing List SIGN UP” on the lower left home page.

Don’t know who your AZ State Reps are? Go to http://azredistricting.org/districtlocator/ and enter your address. It’ll tell you your Congressional (Federal) and Legislative (State) district numbers. Then go to http://azleg.gov to find your reps contact information in the HOUSE member roster, based on your Legislative District number.

Deborah Butitta A.B.A.T.E. of AZ, Inc. Board of Directors Member Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Inc. B.O.D. Member ===============================

28-964. Motorcycles; all-terrain vehicles; motor driven cycles; equipment; exception; prohibition A. An operator or passenger of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle who is under eighteen years of age shall wear at all times a protective helmet on the operator's or passenger's head in an appropriate manner. The protective helmet shall be safely secured while

the operator or passenger is operating or riding on the motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle. An operator of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle shall wear at all times protective glasses, goggles or a transparent face shield of a type approved by the director unless the motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle is equipped with a protective windshield. This subsection does not apply to electrically powered three wheeled vehicles or three wheeled vehicles on which the operator and passenger ride within an enclosed cab.

B. A motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and motor driven cycle shall be equipped with a rearview mirror, seat and footrests for the operator. A motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle operated with a passenger shall be equipped with a seat and, footrests and handrails for the passenger.

C. A person shall not operate a motorcycle, allterrain vehicle or motor driven cycle equipped with handlebars that are positioned so that the hands of the operator are above the operator's shoulder height when the operator is sitting ast ride the seat and the operator's hands are on the handlebar grips.

Visit us on FaceBook facebook.com/AbateofAZ and facebook.com/pages/Too-Broke-For-Sturgis-Rally

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MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

ABATE OF ARIZONA LOCAL CHAPTERS

A.B.A.T.E. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS FOR 2015 - 2016

Chairman..............................Sean Pinder

East Valley………………….Jack Batty High Country........................Forrest “Woody” Phillips Phx / Shadow Mountain…...Clyde Brooks Southern AZ.........................Sean Pinder Yavapai……………………..Deborah Butitta Yuma....……………………..Rick Breadwell Quarterly Board meetings are held on the first Sunday in January, April, July and October at 1:00pm @ the AZ American-Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th St, Phoenix. Please make sure your Chapter has representation.

A.B.A.T.E. State Officers For 2014

President………..............……Mary K Donnay Vice President.....……………Mike Schneider Secretary……………………Jean Cooper Treasurer…………………….Matt Brown Membership…………………Larry Keim Run/Events………………….Vacant Safety Coordinator………….Jim Silk Sergeant-at-Arms……………Vic Grady P.A.C………………………...Lynda ‘Handi’ Barnett Communications…………….Charity Stuart Designated Lobbyist...............Vic Grady ABATE Products……………Vacant MasterLink Editor................ Eric Hampton TheMasterlink@abateofaz.org Office phone: 480-256-9237

www.abateofaz.org and www.toobrokeforsturgis.com

Mailing address 7509 N. 12th St, #200, Phoenix, AZ 85020. State Officers meetings are held the 1st Sunday of every month, 10:30 am at the AZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street Phoenix, AZ.- OR in conjunction with the quarterly BOD meeting.

East Valley Chapter

c/o Jim Silk, 5722 E. Garnet Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206 Coordinator............................Joe Ferrucci Vice Coordinator...................Jack Batty Secretary................................Dawn Steed Treasurer................................Deb Brunko Membership...........................Mike Shearhart Run Coordinator....................Vacant Safety Coordinator.................Jim Silk Sgt. At Arms..........................Richard Dalton P.A.C......................................Dawn Steed Communications....................Dawn Steed Merchandise........................... Donna Batty

EAST VALLEY CHAPTER meetings are held the 4th Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m. at Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) 1712 W. Broadway Road, Mesa AZ 85202 FMI contact Joe Ferrucci at 480-295-9488

High Country Chapter

209A E. Juniper St. Payson AZ 85541 Coordinator............................Wayne Slocum Vice Coordinator...................Billy Hensler Secretary................................Dee Schultz Treasurer...............................Debra Beda Membership...........................Debra Beda Run Coordinator....................Debbie Smith Safety Coordinator.................Steve Leonard Sgt. At Arms.........................Ray Martinez P.A.C.....................................Mark “Griz” Matthews Communications...................Mark “Griz” Matthews Merchandise..........................Jillian Hawkins

High Country Chapter meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday at 10 a.m. at The Moose Lodge in Star Valley. Contact: azoutlaw66@hotmail.com

Phoenix-Shadow Mountain Chapter

P.O. Box 54041 Phoenix, AZ 85078-4041 Coordinator...........................Mike Schneider Vice Coordinator....................Jim Page Secretary................................Tara Rudometkin Treasurer................................OPEN Membership...........................Dee Grady Run Coordinator....................Joel “JR” Rosen Safety Coordinator.................Trauma Mama Sgt. At Arms..........................Jerry Davis P.A.C......................................John ‘Johnny D’ Dreyfus Communications....................Steve Palmer Merchandise...........................Sandy Hassinger

Phoenix/Shadow Mountain meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10:30am at the AZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. FMI contact Vic Grady at 602-300-4115 or email hellfireguitarphx@hotmail.com

Southern Arizona Chapter

6888 N De Chelly Loop Tucson, AZ 85741 Coordinator............................Jim Butsback Vice Coordinator....................Don Boule Secretary................................Deborah Strong Treasurer................................Dawn Detelj Membership...........................Art Burke Run Coordinator....................Vacant Safety Coordinator.................Jim DeYoung Sgt. At Arms.........................Robert Guenther P.A.C......................................Sean Pinder Communications....................Vacant Merchandise...........................Vacant

Yavapai Chapter

P.O. Box 11319 Prescott, AZ 86304 Coordinator............................ Paul Pendergast Vice Coordinator....................Steve Beschner Secretary................................ Leslie Butitta Treasurer................................ Jalene Gathman Membership........................... Suni Sommers Run Coordinator......................Don Johnson Safety Coordinator..................Dan “44Dan” Lemond Sgt. At Arms...........................Mike Ruddell P.A.C...................................... OPEN Communications.................... OPEN Merchandise........................... OPEN

Yavapai Chapter Meets 2nd Sunday, 11:00 AM; VFW, 202 N Arizona Street, Prescott AZ 86301.

928-776-1125 FMI, contact Paul Pendergast at wizbangpaul@yahoo.com

Yuma Chapter

11316 S. Glenwood Ave. Yuma, AZ 85367 Coordinator............................ Frank White Vice Coordinator....................Daniel Medina Secretary................................ Mikkie Melanson Treasurer................................ Virginia Nielsen Membership........................... Daniel Aldridge Run Coordinator.....................Jerry Allison Safety Coordinator..................Ray “PeeWee” Grier Sgt. At Arms...........................Terry “Gunner” Langworty P.A.C...................................... Gilbert Hernandez Communications.................... Vacant Merchandise........................... Lisala White

Yuma Chapter meets the second Tuesday evening monthly at 6:30 PM at the pm. The next meeting will be held at the Kountry Kitchen Café located at 11242 S Foothills Blvd, Yuma, AZ. 85365. For additional information contact Frank White (Hound) at 209-327-0814.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The Southern Arizona Chapter will meet the third Saturday. We will gather at the Kettle Restaurant, 748 W. 22nd St, Tucson. Breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. FMI contact Jim Butsback by phone at 520247-3051 or email abateofazsac@yahoo.com

If any of the Officers are listed here incorrectly, please send corrections to: TheMasterlink@abateofaz.org I will be sure everything is accurate for the next Issue and on the web site.

Accepting Applications for Designated Lobbyist

We are currently accepting applications for Designated Lobbyist of A.B.A.T.E. of Arizona, Inc. This position is appointed by the Board of Directors. The Designated Lobbyist interacts with the state legislature and motorcycle safety

and awareness organizations, develops A.B.A.T.E.’s legislative plans, formulates plans to circumvent negative motorcycle legislation, drafts positive motorcycle legislation, keeps officers informed, and writes an informative article each month

for publication in The Masterlink. This person needs to be personable and have a full understanding of the workings of both state and federal government, be an articulate speaker and writer, familiar with local, state and federal laws, and be

proficient in legal research methods.

Interested applicants may submit their application with background information to president@abateofaz.org

How to Reach Us

Would you like to receive The Masterlink digitally?

It is posted monthly on the ABATE website www.abateofaz.org. Opt out of the receiving the The Masterlink? Please contact the ABATE Office if you would like to no longer receive a hard copy of The Masterlink.

480-256-9237 or keim.larry@gmail.com

Mission Statement

We will lobby and educate the government and the general public to promote

motorcycling in a safe and positive image.

We will endeavor to enlist the cooperation and participation of all organizations and individuals who share

a similar interest in preserving our American tradition of

FREEDOM.

We will involve ourselves in fund raising to achieve our goal.

480-256-9237 For Advertising Rates Email Eric at themasterlink@abateofaz.org Or Mail Your Ads to: MasterLink, ABATE of Arizona 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ, 85020 MasterLink Advertising Rates:

Size Monthly Quarterly Yearly Business Card Size (3-1/2”w x 2”h): $20.00 $60.00 $200.00 1/8 Page (5-1/8”w x 4”h)

$50.00 $150.00 $500.00 1/4 Page (5-1/2”w x 8”h) $70.00 $210.00 $700.00 1/2 Page (10-1/4”w x 8”h) $100.00 $300.00 $1,000.00 Full Page (10-1/4”w x 16”h) $200.00 $600.00 $2,000.00 Full Color Back Page (10-1/4”w x 16”h) $400.00 $950.00 $3,300.00

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

President’s Report

posed bill entitled “Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act”. We need you to contact U.S. Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake and tell them you want their support in favor of this bill. (See AMA Action Alert in this edition.)

Greetings fellow freedom fighters, I always enjoy the year-end holidays because of the quality time spent with friends and family. The above picture was recently taken and includes past A.B.A.T.E. of Arizona State Presidents; Tim O’Reilly, Jim Page and Joel Jackson, along with myself.

Did you know that there are currently 183,000+ registered motorcycles in this state, and only 650 A.B.A.T.E. of Arizona members? That means LESS THAN 0.5% of the riders in this state care enough about their motorcycle freedoms to belong to an SMRO (State Motorcycle Rights Organization). The motorcycle riding community is a very small fraction, and we motorcycle freedom fighters are even fewer, making us a close-knit bunch of folks. All of my closest friends ride and vote. We are not afraid to let our voices be heard. In fact, we couldn’t live with ourselves if we didn’t stand up loud and proud for what we feel is right and just. I want to thank the gentlemen in the above picture for mentoring me and always being there when I need advice. Together, we have made a difference by leading this organization and being your motorcycle legislative watch dogs in the fight to maintain our riding freedoms, while also working to improve public motorcycle awareness and operator safety.

That being said, don’t forget that we need lots of members to show up at Motorcycle Day at the Dome at our State Capital on Monday, February 23rd, 11am-3pm. It’s hard to convince our state legislators that we need legislative changes if there aren’t enough of us making a presence. Call or email your one State Senator and two State

There was no State Officer meeting because New and Returning Officer Training was held instead.

January 03, 2015

Attendance: East Valley, Jack Batty, Present High Country, Forrest “Woody” Phillips, Present Phoenix/ Shadow Mountain, Clyde Brooks, Joel Rosen - Proxy, Present Southern Arizona, Sean Pinder, Present Yavapai, Deborah Butitta, Absent Yuma, Rick Breadwell, Virginia NielsenProxy, Present Secretary, Jean Cooper, Present President, Mary K Donnay, Present Lobbyist/Sgt at Arms, Vic Grady, Present Treasurer, Mathew Brown, Absent Guests: Mike Meyers, East Valley Chapter member

Representatives 2-weeks in advance to come out to the Senate lawn for FREE LUNCH with us. Even if you can’t stick around for the entire time, please come out during your lunch break in your work clothes. The legislators need to see that we are ordinary working people with valid concerns. Bring your kids or grandkids for a civics lesson.

“Better representation through citizen participation.” The free lunches are for the legislators, but left overs are made available to attending SMRO members later in the day. Bottled water will be available but may run out, so bring something to hydrate yourself. When interacting with legislators, please remember to be approachable, respectful, and professional.

A.B.A.T.E. of AZ is looking for a Designated Lobbyist. The right volunteer needs to be knowledgeable about the AZ legislative process, be proficient in writing and presenting skills, and have a professional appearance. You need not ride a motorcycle to represent us at the Capitol. (Jeff Hennie didn’t ride a motorcycle before the MRF hired him as their Lobbyist, but he does now!) Please see ad in this edition. If you feel you possess the skills and have the time and desire, please contact myself at president@abateofaz.org .

At this time on the State level, we are working to eliminate handlebar height restrictions by striking verbiage in A.R.S. 28-964 section C. As of this writing, there is no House bill yet issued. We will have talking points for you, and help you find out who your legislators are, if needed.

On the Federal level, S. 127 is a pro-

Also on the Federal level is H.R. 21, this bill would repeal the U.S. EPA waiver decision related to E15 fuel and the authority of the agency to grant further decisions in the matter, until the EPA seeks an independent scientific analysis of the effects of gasoline containing up to 15 percent of ethanol. We need you to contact your U.S. Representative on this one. (See AMA Action Alert in this edition.)

We held officer training on Saturday, January 3rd. THANK YOU to all of the officers who took time out of their personal lives to make it. As I stated at the meeting, re-occurring officers are there to mentor the new officers. Pass on your knowledge and remain a point of contact for future needs. We are in this together, as the A.B.A.T.E. TEAM. Our Board of Directors met after officer training. We are very happy that the financial future of A.B.A.T.E. of Arizona is secure. A new chapter and state budgeting process has been implemented and is working to ensure we don’t spend more than we have. Contrary to our Federal Government, we have no debt and no need to borrow.

A.B.A.T.E. of AZ’s East Valley Chapter will be hosting their Valentine Party on Saturday, February 7th at What the Hell Bar & Grill in Mesa. See flyer in this edition. It’s always a good time with friends, come on out and support the chapter.

Jim Silk, A.B.A.T.E of AZ State Safety Officer, will be presenting our Motorcycle Awareness Program (MAP) to 3 high schools driver’s education classes in the east Valley in February.

Jim presents the 4 most common carmotorcycle accidents, and why motorcycles act differently on the road than other motor vehicles. He is usually assisted

by Richard Dalton, East Valley Chapter Sergeant at Arms, but can always use more assistance. If you want to do something really rewarding, assist with MAP by contacting Jim at jpsilk2264@gmail.com. THANK YOU JIM & RICH – the life they save may be

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Topic: I. Call to Order: 1:28 PM by Sean Pinder, Chairman.

II. Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence led by: Vic Grady III. Prior Meeting Minutes: Minutes of last BOD meeting: A.A. Motion made to waive the reading of last meeting minutes made by Joel; 2nd by Deborah; A.B. Discussion: none A.C. Action: Vote - All in favor.

Reading of the minutes waived.

IV. Report/ Updates: A.A. President – Mary K Donnay: A.A.1. We are now sending out anniversary patches in lieu of pins. Remaining pins were distributed to chapter membership officers.

A.A.2. TBFS Planning – awaiting quote from Webmaster to offer on-line pre-registration with option to purchase apparel

in advance; Committee is meeting monthly; Volunteerism is lacking, need more help coordinating and setting up event; Tim & Carole O’Reilly are moving back to Chicago – their help at TBFS will be felt; need an assistant to Matt Brown at TBFS. A.A.3. Webmaster will be moving TBFS website to same server as ABATE, saving approximately $75/year.

A.A.4. Mike Schneider is working with Scottsdale and Chester’s H-D on sponsoring the white bandana program with their logos on the bandanas. Those shops are also possible rally points for group rides to TBFS Thursday & Friday, cross advertising on radio could pay for those spots.

A.A.5. Membership on the iCloud rolled out to the Chapters today during Officer Training.

A.A.6. Our new State Membership Officer, Larry Keim, is doing an outstanding job.

PAGE 3

yours!

By the time you read this, Tim & Carol O’Reilly will have moved back to Chicago to be close to their family and a part of their grandkids lives. Tim & Carol will be sorely missed as they’ve contributed so much of their time and energy to our cause. Tim is a past A.B.A.T.E. of AZ State President, State Vice President, State P.A.C., as well as Phoenix-Shadow Mountain Chapter

Tim & Carole O’Reilly

Coordinator, Safety Officer, and Run Coordinator. Both were members on the Too Broke For Sturgis committee for many years. Carol was our former Authorized Lobbyist, then our Designated Lobbyist and PhoenixShadow Mountain Chapter Treasurer.

THANK YOU TIM & CAROL for all your past support and dedication. We wish them well, and hope they come back to visit from time to time.

In closing, WE NEED MORE MEMBERS = A LOUDER VOICE! Please make an effort to get one new member this year, or get an expired member to renew. Membership applications are available at chapter meetings or by contacting our State Membership Officer Larry Keim, whom I do say is doing a smashing good job.

Keim.larry@gmail.com

If you want to get all of this information as it happens, self-subscribe to the A.B.A.T.E. discussion list through the feature on our website www.abateofaz.org, left column.

My very best regards, I hope to see you at Motorcycle Day at the Dome.

“MK” Mary K. Donnay

A.A.7. Jim Silk will be presenting MAP at 4 Mesa/Tempe high schools in February. So far, no response to ARA sponsored rider training incentive program.

A.A.8. ABATE Booths at upcoming events: A.A.8.a. 1/17/15 American Legion Post 2 – Skin & Steel Show, Tempe A.A.8.b. 3/21/15 Stand Up for Standdown – Chopper John’s, Phoenix (bike games) A.A.8.c. 3/25-29/15 AZ Bike Week – West World, Scottsdale (with AIM) A.A.8.d. 3/27-29/15 Phoenix Bike Fest – Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler A.A.8.e. 1st Friday each month, Motorcycles on Main, Mesa A.B. Treasurer Report – Matt Brown provided reports prior to the meeting.

continued page 18

Chapter Reports

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East Valley Chapter

East Valley members gathered together on Sunday December 28th 2014 at the Tri City Eagles Lodge in Mesa for our monthly meeting and annual potluck. The meeting was conducted by Joe. The potluck was a lot of fun being able to hang out and socialize together. So many delicious dishes to choose from I heard many people talk about being stuffed along with myself. We all got the opportunity to enjoy music by the band Uphoria.

East Valley’s Valentine’s Party is on February 7th at The What The Hell Bar in Mesa. The flyer that was on the back page of the January Masterlink was shown.

Alright here is all the official stuff:

Officer’s present for the meeting are as follows: Joe F., Jack B., Larry K., Mike S., and Richard D. Richard D. called the meeting to order at 11:10.

. A motion to wave the reading of the minutes for October and November was made by Mike S, then seconded by Dawn S. and passed.

Mike S reported that the renewal campaign has been doing very well and has resulted in 30 renewals. E.V. has 164 members and 3 business members.

Jim S. was not available to give the treasurer or safety report due to work. Richard D works with Jim on the M.A.P. program at the schools said that they will have a class in February.

Larry talked about the New Officer Training which was on January 3rd 2015 followed by the first Board of Directors meeting of the year. I must say thank you for the New Officer training. I know for me it helped to answer and clarify most of my questions along with putting faces to some names.

We went over Old Business, New Business, and Open Discussion.

Dollar Jar was drawn but was not claimed, remember you must be present to win, so it will roll over to the next meeting on January 25th 2015. It pays to go to the meeting. Congrats to Tony for winning the 50/50.

Larry K. made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Mike S. at 12:15.

Be safe out there enjoying the ride and as always keep it rubber side down.

Here’s to wind knots in my hair, Dawn Steed COMMS, PAC, and SEC

High Country Chapter

Hello Brothers and Sisters.

I hope every one had a safe and great New Year. Up here in the high country we've had a lot going on. After Barbies toy run we attended the party at the Moose Lodge. We saw the smiling faces of the children and their families, that were invited to to receive gifts and visit with Santa. Everyone was having a Merry Christmas, and were very grateful for the hard work H.C.C. and the Moose Lodge had put into making it all happen. As we were getting ready to leave, another group of bikers arrived. The Wolves MC of Payson had been out delivering hams to needy families and had a few left over.

They brought these extra dinners to the Moose and handed them out to the families at

the party. Their generosity helped make those smiles become even bigger.

At our meeting which followed, the spirit of Christmas was still in the air with our members. We discussed Barbie's toy run, the Moose's party, and the Wolves MC donations. We moved on to our upcoming Wild In The Weeds event, and the planning of it. Then during open floor I turned the floor over to our newly elected Safety officer John Lacey. He had come across a motorcycle that needed some work, and with the help of our newly elected BOD Woody, got the ball rolling.

Debra Beda, our Treasurer had completed the motorcycle training and got the endorsement on her license. She had been looking to buy a bike but missed an opportunity. She had talked to John about buying this bike he had acquired, but had to save up enough money. John decided to present Debra with the bike as a gift for Christmas. While John presented her with the key and title, the bike was wheeled in the back door and placed behind her. She was so touched by the Generosity, she didn't even notice. Then John gave her a hug said Merry Christmas and turn her to reveal the bike.

Debra was so surprised and didn't know what to say. Speechless and in tears, she sat on the bike, then said it was a perfect fit.

Debra stated she loves her H.C.C. family so much, and we love her too. What a great way to end the year! I have to say I love my H.C.C. family as well, we are a great fit, and we work well together. It's this kind of closeness and love that makes it all happen. I look forward to working with all of you in 2015.

Next we had officer training. H.C.C. had a good attendance. It was a good opportunity to get to meet some of the other chapter officers and to exchange a few ideas. I'm hoping that everyone found it helpful in learning how we operate. I'd like to thank all the H.C.C. officers for stepping up and making an effort.

Once again all are invited to attend our meetings Which are held at the Moose Lodge in Star Valley, on the 3rd Sun of the month, at 10:00am. Breakfast is available at the Spur bar, also in Star valley, prior to the meeting beginning at 8:30am. Hope to see everyone there.

Keep wind in your face, sun on your back,

fuel in the tank, and rubber on the road.

Wayne Slocum Coordinator, H.C.C. ABATE

Phoenix/Shadow Mountain Chapter

With new Phoenix/Shadow Mountain officers and more members in attendance than usual, the meeting was packed with discussion, ideas and even a new member. The Coordinator introduced the new officers, acknowledged the outgoing officers, and gave an updated on TBFS. The chapter finally received a Treasury update via proxy. Safety reminded everyone of the Crash Course for Motorcyclist that will be held at PV Hospital on February 7th and discussed her vision for the position. PAC updated the members on the opening day of the legislature, made the chapter aware of the motorcycle related bills and advised of his intentions to be more involved with ABATE. Our Run Coordinator discussed several upcoming events, the need for volunteers for TBFS and Bike Week and his intentions to bring back the Moon Mullins run; look for all events on the ABATE of AZ Facebook page. Merchandise obtained a budget to create chapter apparel and tchotchkes to

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

promote the chapter and motorcycle safety. The BOD Representative (proxy) updated the chapter on the State activities such as the TBFS budget, the need for volunteers for state events, acknowledged the increased membership and ABATE of AZs intention to obtain technology for use during officer meetings. Overall High Energy, good turnout and GREAT progress!

Next Meeting: Feb. 8th at 10:30

Tara Rudometkin ABATE of AZ - Phoenix/Shadow Mountain Secretary

Southern Arizona Chapter

The December meeting was held at the Kettle Restaurant on December 20th. The meeting started at 9:05 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer for fallen Brothers and Sisters.

Officers Present were Coordinator Jim Butsback, Treasurer Dawn Detelj, Safety Officer Jim De Young, Sgt at Arms Robert Guenther and our BOD/PAC Officer Sean Pinder.

The minutes of last month’s meeting were approved.

The Treasurer’s report was read and approved.

Jim Butsback let everyone know that Don Boule’ had open heart surgery on Dec 8th and is home and recovering. Mike Lore had knee replacement and Deb Strong has pneumonia. We wish them all a speedy recovery.

Safety Officer Jim passed out a couple of info sheets and led a brief discussion on riding in adverse conditions and braking distances at various speeds and conditions.

Membership reported two new members bring us to 74 members and 6 business members w/ 2 each for a total of 86.

Sean Pinder is our B.O.D. rep and our P.A.C. rep. Sean reported on Motorcycle Day at the Dome. The new member survey that will be coming out and on the issues regarding distracted driving legislation.

Motorcycle Day at the Dome is set for February 23rd, 2015. This is a Monday so mark your calendars. This event is put on

by A.C.M.C, A.B.A.T.E., and M.M.A. It has usually been held on a Wednesday in the past but was changed to try and accommodate the Reps & Sens. Bring you families to let the politicians know we are families that ride together.

Ron Kool stated that there is an activity room at his RV Park that is available to use for an event such as a spaghetti dinner. It would be at no cost to the Chapter.

He will look into availability of dates.

The State training for officers for the upcoming year will be held on Jan 5th, 2015 at the American Italian club where the State offices are located.

We held our Chapter elections and the results are- Coordinator Jim Butsback, Vice –Coordinator Don Boule’, Secretary Debbie Strong, Treasurer Dawn Detelj, Membership Kristopher Rangle, Run/Event Steve Spear, Sgt-at-Arms Robert Guenther, Merchandise Open, Safety Jim De Young, Communications OPEN, PAC/BOD Sean Pinder.

Thank you to all who stepped up to fill these positions.

Anyone who is not getting emails from the Chapter to please send your email address to abateofazsac@yahoo.com.

There is also a group page at Yahoo Groups. All Chapter members can sign up there and receive all emails from the Chapter through the group.

It is abateofazsac@yahoogroups.com.

We are trying to save the Chapter some money by cutting down on postage.

Please make sure the State Membership Officer has all your current information as well, this includes phone numbers, email addresses, address changes etc. You can email him at membershipofficer@abateofaz.org.

Ride Free, Ride Safe

Yavapai Chapter

Happy 2015 and Cheers to getting things done this year!

Jumping right into business, our budget was reviewed. After doing so, we all agreed on a few key events to accomplish for the year. Great ideas are happening up here in the mountain air. I can smell it...

March Membership drive, Proclamation, Motorcycle Awareness and Education event, Fall Run, just to name a few local happenings! Glad we have our own Don Johnson for Run Coordinator! Kudos to our motivated Coordinator, Paul Pendergast. Volunteer participation was encouraged for Bike Week and TBFS to support our State Abate. Meeting of the Minds, Oklahoma Smiles, and Sturgis were suggested for National events to attend. Off and running!

Our chapter is also working on getting a few motorcycle awareness signs posted around the city. Deborah Butitta is making great progress on this one...Thank you. Look forward to "seeing" motorcycle signs soon!

Also, we have dated merchandise on clearance available at our meetings. Tshirts and tank tops for $5. We need to make room for new inventory! The next meeting is a Chili Potluck, bring a can, goes into a pot, enjoy! We welcome all members and any visitors! Same time, same place... 2nd Sunday 11am Meetings @VFW Post #541 202 N Arizona Prescott

Yuma Chapter

The Yuma chapter met on January 13th at 6:00 pm at the Kountry Kitchen Café in the foothills to conduct our monthly business meeting. The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and normal reports were addressed.

The Yuma chapter is currently is planning a fundraiser for ABATE on Saturday March 28th, 2015. Members voted to spend some chapter funds to purchase items for the ABATE fundraiser and members were advised that each member needs to buy one door prize to donate to the fundraiser. Desert Oasis Ministry will be cooking breakfast for the ABATE fundraiser. The final stop on the run is also still being coordinated. The ABATE officers’ training was discussed as well as the last board of directors meeting. Too Broke For Sturgis 2015 was discussed.

The Yuma ABATE chapter meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm.

The next meeting will be held on February 10th, 2015 at the Kountry Kitchen Café located at 11242 S Foothills Blvd, Yuma, AZ. We would love to see you there.

For the love of freedom,

Pastor D Communications Officer Yuma ABATE Chapter

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

WASHINGTON TARGETS DISTRACTED DRIVING IN MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS VIDEO The Washington State Motorcycle Safety Program recently released a new motorcycle awareness video targeting inattentive drivers. Created with teen driver education students in mind, the eightminute-long film starts by showing a teen driver cruising the streets in a car while eating and listening to loud music.

When he turns left into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist, time stops, giving both the driver and rider a chance to exit their vehicles and talk to each another.

After some initial frustration, Randy the motorcyclist gets in the car with Ian, the teen driver, and teaches him the dos and don’ts of how to drive when sharing the road with motorcyclists. Randy’s lessons include looking twice before turning and giving motorcycles more space.

The two eventually return to their vehicles and the inevitable crash takes place.

ABATE IS:

· A Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) · For Bikes & Riders, regardless of Race, Creed, color, sex, age, machine or gear · For all Motorcycles regardless of Fraternal or club affiliation, as well as Independents · For people interested in motorcycle safety · For People interested in rider education · For people interested in motorcycle awareness PSAs directed to non-Riders · For people interested in protecting and promoting motorcycling · A volunteer, not-for-profit grass-roots organization · For Motorcyclist who enjoy the ride $50 $8-20 $3,500 $3,000 $10 $3 $1,000 Priceless Priceless Priceless

$7,583 Value

Masterlink, Patch, Memb card TBFS Disc Entry, RV, Cabins AD&D Benefit 60% Discount Health Child Safe Kits White Bandana Leadership Training Motorcycle Awareness Rights Rider Education

ABATE of Arizona Serves to:

· Collaborate with other organizations to

Coast to Coast

“The video is meant to be a relevant and easily accessible tool for Driver Training providers to use as they fulfill the motorcycle awareness requirement of their curriculum,” states the Washington State Department of Licensing, adding that the WMSP is supported by motorcycle endorsement fees and is tasked with providing Public Awareness of motorcycle safety, Motorcycle Safety education programs including classroom and on-cycle training, and Improved operator testing.

The YouTube video “Motorcycle Awareness - A Second Look” has already been viewed over 100,000 times in the first three weeks (www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b3T7u4ZJ 1Y#t=19).

TENNESSEE BANS BIG RIGS FROM DRAGON A mountainous stretch of U.S. Route 129 (SR 115) from Tennessee to North Carolina famously known as “The Dragon” boasts 318 curves in 11.19 miles and is a beacon for drivers and riders alike, but semis are no longer welcome!

Due to a “critical number of traffic accidents involving large trucks,” the state of Tennessee is following the lead of neigh-

boring North Carolina in banning big rigs from US 129, on sections of highway known as Deals Gap or The Tail of the Dragon.

For years, navigation systems have pointed truckers to the Dragon as a shortcut across Blount County. That ends with the new year, and signs will be posted midJanuary prohibiting commercial vehicles (longer than 30 feet).

After conducting a safety review, according to the Tennessee DOT there were a total of 204 crashes from 2010 to 2012 in Blount County -- six of those resulted in fatalities. Only one of those fatal accidents involved a tractor trailer, but many of the other incidents with semis have blocked the narrow highway for hours and prevented travel for all motorists.

NEW MEXICO HELMET STICKER PROPOSAL OPPOSED In response to a Senate bill draft creating a sticker riders would have to pay for in order to exercise their freedom of choice in helmet use, the New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization (NMMRO) has authored a letter of opposition supported by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and the

Join A.B.A.T.E.

monitor and support funding for practices that do not discriminate against motorcycling. · Encourage political involvement of its membership. · Promote and present motorcyclists and motorcycling in a positive and safe manner. · Help prevent motorcycle crashes and promote crash survival through rider education, and · · · · · Public awareness campaigns. · Encourage ongoing federal research programs such as use of E15 fuel in motorcycles, inclusion of motorcycles in ongoing transportation emerging technologies, and improvements in safer roadway design strategies. · Promote rider skills training through ABATE’s · Rider Advantage (ARA) scholarship program and tax-deductible entity ABATE accomplishments:

· Motorcycle Lobbyist at the State Legislature · 2013 Eliminated yearly motorcycle emissions testing in Maricopa County · 2007 Remove Motorcycle Safety Fund cap · 2007 Eliminated yearly motorcycle emissions testing in Pima County · 2004 Veteran’s plates for motorcycles · 2002 Arizona Motorcycle Safety Council established · 2001 Motorcycle Safety Fund established · 1997 Handlebar height raised to shoulder · 1993 Helped prevent mandatory helmet legislation in Arizona · 1992 Opened HOV lanes to motorcycles

PAGE 5 NCOM Legislative Task Force (NCOMLTF), among others, it states: Dr. Kurt B. Nolte, M.D., Office of the Medical Investigator;

“It has recently come to the attention of the New Mexico Motorcyclists Rights Organization (NMMRO) that a bill was drafted on your behalf by Clifford Rees at the New Mexico Legislature. If passed this bill would impose a $692 fee on motorcyclists who chose to ride without a helmet. As an organization we are interested in hearing your justification for placing this burden on the public and if you think that placing helmets on motorcyclists would decrease the number of motorcycle crashes.

Our organization would be pleased to share government statistics with you which show that 58% of all motorcyclist deaths are experienced by riders wearing helmets. We would also like to point out that it has been proven that accident prevention has a much bigger impact on preventing motorcycle injuries and fatalities.

continued page 6

Motorcycle Awareness Program (MAP)

ABATE of Arizona has developed a program with the mission to provide motorcycle awareness training to all drivers and soonto-be drivers on the road in Arizona.

Instructors provide a one hour program to students in driver education classes throughout the state.

MAP is available to be presented to civic organizations as well as most businesses that hold safety meetings. FMI: map@abateoJOIN ABATE NOW! faz.org ABATE Of Arizona provides a unified voice for all motorcyclists in Arizona.

Please Tell us What Your Top Five Add your voice to ours. Join ABATE Motorcycle Issues, Matter to You: now, for the preservation of your abili· Distracted Driving – Motorcycle, Bicycle, Pedestrian ty to ride a motorcycle with the freeare Vulnerable Roadway Users dom that's your right!! · Right of Way Violations resulting in Injury/Fatality · Insurance Discrimination and claim denial · SAFETEA-LU Safety/Highway Funds ~2010 MSF · Discriminatory Profiling by Law Enforcement · Anti-tampering Regulations – Right to Modify · State/National Mandatory Helmet/Equipment · Transportation Exclusion of Intelligent Technology (IT), New Vehicle, Highway, Taxes and Fuel regarding Motorcycle Safety and Use · Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints · Accurate Stats & Research Study regarding Motorcycle Safety & Accidents · Off Road Trail Closing and Access · Tar Snakes & Median Cable wire · Intersection Engineering – Lights to Speed Limit, Leading Left Only, Increase Yellow & All Clear Red

© 2015 ABATE Of Arizona

7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ. 85020

Website: www.abateofaz.org To join our discussion group, send email to Abate-request@abateofaz.org

PAGE 6

Helmets have not been shown to prevent motorcycle accidents and in some cases can increase the chances of an accident occurring. We have also worked with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to try to improve the awareness of drivers on New Mexico’s roads in respect to motorcycles as another method of accident prevention.

If in fact you do intend to proceed with your present actions we would like to spend some time with you looking into what affect this would have on the motorcycle riders of New Mexico and not just assume that it would be beneficial to their safety. The NMMRO and NM State Representative Rick Miera (a long-serving member of the NCOM-LTF) are available to meet with you to discuss this issue further.”

Thank you for listening to our concerns on this subject, Annette Torrez, Chairperson NMMRO (and member of the NCOM Board of Directors)

LANE-SPLITTING LEGISLATION PROPOSED IN CALIFORNIA From across Europe to throughout Asia, motorcyclists around the world routinely “filter” their way between lanes of slowmoving cars, but here in the U.S. only riders in California are allowed to “lanesplit” through congested traffic -- not-somuch because it’s legal, but because there are no specific laws addressing the issue.

That may soon change, as Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) has introduced

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

Coast to Coast (continued)

Assembly Bill No.51 to specifically regulate the practice.

According to ABATE of California, their lobbyist Jim Lombardo has contacted the author's legislative staff who said the measure was introduced by their office because of the widespread newspaper and television coverage regarding lane splitting and the general public's ignorance of the legality of the issue. The staff members are willing to accept amendments to improve the bill language but are seeking to "codify", or write into California law, lane splitting legislation to ensure it is not completely outlawed after the CHP (California Highway Patrol) was forced to remove their "lane splitting guidelines" last summer.

AB 51 seeks to amend Section 21658 of the California Vehicle Code to “authorize a motorcycle to be driven between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane if the speed of traffic is 35 miles per hour or less and the motorcycle is driven no more than 10 miles per hour faster than the speed of traffic.” A violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime, so the bill would create a new criminal penalty.

In addition to general opposition to overregulating an accepted practice, “Obviously this bill is not something ABATE can endorse, especially when it limits lane splitting to traffic speeds of 35 MPH or less,” said Dave Hastings, ABATE Executive Director. “We will implement a plan of action to kill this bill or at least amend it into something that

the riders of California can live with.”

WHEN GAS PRICES GO UP, SO DO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS A new study suggests that as gas prices rose in recent years, so did motorcyclist injuries and fatalities, because more people start using motorcycles and many of those riders are inexperienced, the researchers explained.

The analysis, published in the journal for Injury Prevention, revealed a strong association between rising gas prices and an increasing number of motorcycle registrations, along with motorcyclist injuries and deaths. But it did not prove a causeand-effect link.

Analysts examined data gathered between 2002 and 2011 in California, which has the highest number of motorcycle registrations in the United States and the third highest number of motorcyclist deaths, and extrapolated that higher gas prices resulted in an additional 800 deaths and 10,290 injuries among motorcyclists in California over the ten year period.

According to the report, crashes were more likely to occur in urban areas and during the afternoon. Of the motorcyclists involved in crashes, nearly 93% were men, 46% were middle-aged, 68% were caucasion, and 20% were uninsured.

Riders ages 16 to 24 and those on the latest models of motorcycles were most likely to be involved in at-fault crashes.

JAKARTA POLICE DEPLOY OFFI-

CERS TO ENFORCE BIKE BAN Hundreds of police officers and transportation officials were deployed throughout the Indonesian capital of Jakarta for the trial run of a controversial new traffic regulation that bars motorcycles from entering two of the capital’s major thoroughfares.

During the month-long initiation period, motorcycles are barred from entering parts of the country’s largest city from Dec 17-Jan17, after which officers will begin enforcing the new ban. “The restriction will be introduced for a month and we expect people who frequent the restricted areas to be familiar with the new regulation,” a police spokesman said. “Once the trial period is over and we still find infractions, then we will take action by issuing tickets,” he said, adding that these penalties will also be applied on weekends and major holidays.

Motorcyclists will be provided with designated parking spaces where they will have to abandon their motorcycles and board double-decker buses that are free of charge.

Introduced by Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the city government says the ban is aimed at cutting down the number of accidents and reducing traffic in the notoriously congested capital.

There are 9 million motorcycles regis-

continued page 10

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 AZ Differential Specialists Phoenix 602-462-5367

Barefoot Bob’s Billiards Prescott Valley 928-759-9590

Bill Alexander Flight-Line Mazda Yuma, AZ (928) 314-3400 Bob’s House of Hair Marana 520-797-6566

Brown & Little, P.L.C., Attorneys at Law 480-299-2093 Buchanan Construction 928-978-3291 Buffalo Bar & Grill Payson 928-474-3900 Butcher Hook Tonto Basin

CCA Scottsdale 480-985-6764 Cleopatra Hill Jerome 928-634-6701

PAGE 7

ABATE of Arizona Business Members Coyote Auto Payson 928-472-1100 Desert Thunder MC

Distant Peaks Inc. Anthem 623-551-9467

Dr. Gear Phoenix 602-263-8484 Payson 928978-4027 Eclectic Café Tucson 520-885-2842 El Rancho Restaurant Payson 928-474-3111

Evil Twin Custom Cycles Mesa 480-784-0040

Greater Payson Moose Lodge #852 Payson 928-474-6212

Herman’s Automatic Transmissions Tucson 520-294-8717 Jakes Corner Bar Payson 928-474-0679

Joeta’s Leather Mesa 480-827-1868

Sacred Bones Society M/C http://www.sacredbones.org/

La Gitana Cantina Arivaca 520-398-0810

Sons of Hell MC Yuma

Kitty For Tax Camp Verde 928-567-0224

Law Tigers 888-529-8443

Monkey Butt Radio Scottsdale 602-399-7787

Mormon Lake Lodge Mormon Lake 928-354-2227

Outpost Saloon Prescott Valley 928-759-0377

Phoenix Vulcan Riders www.phoenixvulcanriders.com Punkin Center Bar Tonto Basin 928-479-2627 Renegade Classics Tucson 520-400-8463

Sidewinders Tavern and Grill Pine 928-476-6434

Spur Bar Star Valley 928-472-7787 Square Peg Promotions Phoenix 602-549-1044

Steel Horse Motorsports Rio Rico 520-281-1962

The Historical Journigan House Payson 928-474-2900 The Maverick Saloon Phoenix 602-943-5680

Tonto Silkscreen & Embroidery Payson 928-474-4207

ABATE of Arizona Chapter Meeting Times and Locations

East Valley Chapter EAST VALLEY CHAPTER meetings are held the 4th Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m. at Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) 1712 W. Broadway Road, Mesa AZ 85202 FMI contact Joe Ferrucci at 480-295-9488

High Country Chapter High Country Chapter meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday at 10 a.m. at The Moose Lodge in Star Valley. Contact: chicknbone@live .com or 928-970-1134

Phoenix / Shadow Mountain Chapter Phoenix/Shadow Mountain meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10:30am at the AZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020.

FMI contact Vic Grady at 602-300-4115 or email hellfireguitarphx@hotmail.com

Southern Arizona Chapter The Southern Arizona Chapter will meet the third Saturday. We will gather at the Kettle Restaurant, 748 W. 22nd St, Tucson.

Breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. FMI contact Jim Butsback by phone at 520-2473051 or email abateofazsac@yahoo.com Yavapai Chapter Yavapai Chapter Meets 2nd Sunday, 11:00 AM; VFW, 202 N Arizona Street, Prescott AZ 86301. 928-776-1125 FMI, contact Paul Pendergast at wizbangpaul@yahoo.com

Yuma Chapter Yuma Chapter meets the second Tuesday evening monthly at 6:30 PM at the pm. The next meeting will be held at the Kountry Kitchen Café located at 11242 S Foothills Blvd, Yuma, AZ. 85365. For additional information contact Frank White (Hound) at 209-327-0814.

ABATE of Arizona

PAGE 8

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

By Handi, S.R.M.C. & A.B.A.T.E. State PAC

I am welcoming the 2015 legislative session with new ideas and strong support from the many newly elected chapter officers. I was encouraged and excited to see new faces at the “officer training” on January 3rd. Welcome aboard.

As I continue to keep an eye on the lower 48, the biggie right now seems to be sub-zero temperatures in many states.

I can easily understand why we are indeed, THE PLACE TO BE. Many “snow-birds” have migrated here in search of a warmer climate (can’t blame ‘em for that). They’ve made themselves a home in many of our favorite locations here in Arizona and our economy welcomes the influx. Some of them may be a part of your family or friends of the family. For the most part, a two or three wheeled motorcycle is not what they have on their mind when driving. We need to be thinking way ahead of where we are, as we go about our merry way on our favorite form of transportation.

Enough said, improve your visibility and help everyone “look out for motorcyclists”.

Moving on, by the time you read this we will have enjoyed meeting the elected officials at the capitol on January 12, and are adjusting our schedules for the February 23rd, event, MDATD. (Motorcycle Day At The Dome).

I am reaching out to all that read this monthly article for ideas that will help me address the entire motorcycle community. What I need help with is inspiring all club patch-holders and independent riders to get involved. Arizona has literally thousands of registered motorcycles and I have not determined the best way to market the importance of taking a stand for the freedoms we all enjoy. Personally I entertain the idea that all riders want to support our lobbyists and legislators without the fear of being profiled.

PAC Report

As one voice we can support the ones working for change in the front lines.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Join the freedom fighters in A.B.A.T.E. Then join the MRF and AMA and get informed about the next moves being discussed in legislation and upcoming bills. To join all three organizations is about $100.00 per person per year and there are discounts for couples and it includes roadside service. Really!!!

When we understand that we are ALL affected, back patch or no patch at all, we will become a single entity, united in the organizations that are progressive in the law making process. These are people who ride and they are dedicated to keeping the freedoms we all seem to enjoy. “FREEDOM ISN’T FREE” is not a cliché. You do have a voice. You can be an important influence on national and state legislation.

Legislative bills may be introduced as a new or perhaps an amended bill containing new language. Occasionally with new sponsors, and little effort they will be voted upon and suddenly when no one is looking it passed through the house, and it keeps moving. Result: (example only) A House Bill that originally contained language approving lane splitting (filtering) passed, but to get that issue approved, there was additional language added requiring the mandatory use of helmets for everyone, regardless of age or experience. (This is what could happen).

We have to unite and stand together as one voice. (I will continue to say this till I’m dead and gone.)

Here’s a note from Jay Jackson, MRF Vice President, (with) “the midterm elections over and the Republicans now control both houses” this could be a good or bad thing.

“There has been considerable gridlock” for the past few years and “some will want to make up for lost time”. This attitude could present problems for motorcyclists. We cannot afford to sit back and “hope” that specific language doesn’t get added to, or taken from a potential bill that would affect everyone who rides.

The issues are still there, profiling, helmet use, filtering (lane splitting), distracted driving, VMT TAX (new in California)(test state), handlebar height, exhaust regulations (sound testing), roadside checkpoints, toll roads, CDC’s statistics and more issues are coming, count on it.

In New Mexico:

NEW MEXICO HELMET STICKER PROPOSAL OPPOSED In response to a Senate bill draft creating a sticker riders would have to pay for in order to exercise their freedom of choice in helmet use, the New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization (NMMRO) has authored a letter of opposition supported by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and the NCOM Legislative Task Force (NCOM-LTF), among others, it states:

PAGE 9 Dr. Kurt B. Nolte, M.D., Office of the Medical Investigator;

“It has recently come to the attention of the New Mexico Motorcyclists Rights Organization (NMMRO) that a bill was drafted on your behalf by Clifford Rees at the New Mexico Legislature. If passed this bill would impose a $692 fee on motorcyclists who chose to ride without a helmet. As an organization we are interested in hearing your justification for placing this burden on the public and if you think that placing helmets on motorcyclists would decrease the number of motorcycle crashes.

Our organization would be pleased to share government statistics with you which show that 58% of all motorcyclist deaths are experienced by riders wearing helmets. We would also like to point out that it has been proven that accident prevention has a much bigger impact on preventing motorcycle injuries and fatalities. Helmets have not been shown to prevent motorcycle accidents and in some cases can increase the chances of an accident occurring. We have also worked with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to try to improve the awareness of drivers on New Mexico’s roads in respect to motorcycles as another method of accident prevention.

If in fact you do intend to proceed with your present actions we would like to spend some time with you looking into what affect this would have on the motorcycle riders of New Mexico and not just assume that it would be beneficial to their safety. The NMMRO and NM State Representative Rick Miera (a long-serving member of the NCOMLTF) are available to meet with you to discuss this issue further.”

Annette Torrez, Chairperson NMMRO (and member of the NCOM Board of Directors) And my favorite Congressman:

“Congressman James Sensenbrenner has once again introduced a bill that would call for the study of mid-level ethanol blends and their effect on internal combustion engines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a waiver to the Clean Air Act that allowed for the sale of ethanol blends of up to 15 percent. The EPA never studied the effects of the high blend on the power train of any vehicle. They only studied tailpipe emissions.

H.R. 21 calls for the study of the new, untested, higher blends, which is sorely needed. Some motorcycle manufacturers are voiding warranties if the 15 percent blend is used in the vehicle. Beyond voiding a warranty, should you use the E15 blend in your motorcycle, you are violating federal law. According to final ruling, motorcycles are not included in the waiver, and therefore making it illegal to use the blend.” (MRF Jan 8 2015) I invite you to join the MRF on Facebook. Get all the latest news coming out of Washington, D.C. Specifically: www.facebook.com/bikers.rights Till Next Time, Take a Stand for Something, or Fall for Anything!

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Awareness & Education (MRFA&E) was established to promote motorcycle awareness and education due to an everincreasing rider population.

No one is more concerned with rider safety than riders themselves, and obviously those best suited to educate newer riders are veteran riders.

Promote awareness and education in the motorcycle community to improve rider’s safety.

Please donate, we are a 501C3 Corporation. Your donation is tax deductible. To donate go to our web site listed at the bottom.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Awareness & Education (MRFA&E) 1325 G Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 546-0983

PAGE 10 tered in Jakarta, a city of 10-million people.

The governor is also in discussions with the Jakarta Police about whether the ban on motorcycles should be extended to more roads around the capital.

Civil Unrest after order banning motorcycles in SUDAN In the Republic of the Sudan, an Arab republic in the Nile Valley of North Africa, local youths have protested an order by the West Kordofan governor banning the use of motorcycles inside the town of Meiram.

Local authorities have taken steps to better regulate and license the use of motorcycles, saying they were being used to smuggle goods into rebel-controlled areas.

The order prompted unrest in the market including some shooting in the air after armed local youth refused to implement the order. Eyewitnesses told Radio Tamazuj that about five youths had been arrested over instigating chaos in the area.

A source said that some shops have

An interesting DUI checkpoint video has been circulating lately. In it, the driver gets through without even rolling down his window, passing by with ease thanks to a plastic bag attached to his car with a string. The bag contained his license, registration, insurance information, and a note saying “I remain silent,” “No searches,” and “I want my lawyer.” As clever as it may be, it's also dangerous to think it will always be that easy.

The most important thing any driver or rider can keep in mind when dealing with police is that the law does not exist in a vacuum. It only matters as applied to the facts, and except in the most unusual circumstances, courts are going to adopt whatever “facts” the officer provides. It is going to be your word versus his. The cop, a government employee and professional witness who most people believe has no reason to lie about anything, will tell a government-employee and probably-former-prosecutor-orcop judge in a government-owned courtroom what happened. It will almost invariably be a version of events that fits within the law as he or she understands it, and if it isn’t, the cop may well change his or her story after consulting with a prosecutor, or the courts may ultimately change decades or centuries of legal precedent to allow whatever it was the cop did. You probably have to have some pretty amazing evidence to overcome that.

Honestly, I'd only recommend doing what the guy in the video did to people who are not breaking any laws, have upstanding-citizen eyewitnesses in the backseat, HD cameras recording the action from every angle and being backed up to the cloud in real time, and are going through a checkpoint where every cop is a good cop. With any one of those things lacking, it could go very badly.

If you try the stunt in the video and it turns out you have a high blood alcohol concentration, drugs in the car, or are doing something else illegal, it will probably never work. In one article

Coast to Coast (continued)

remained closed or on standby until life has relatively returned to normal.

WEIRD NEWS: NEW ZEALAND COUPLE FINED $40K FOR RIDING WITHOUT HELMET A couple in New Zealand have been fined $20,000 each following multiple instances of riding a quad bike without a helmet. According to the New Zealand Herald, Phillip Andrew Jones and Maria Anna Carlson, share-milkers from Marlborough, had been seen riding their All-Terrain Vehicle without helmets multiple times dating back to 2012.

The pair were both fined under the Health and Safety in Employment Act; Jones was charged with failing to take all practicable steps to ensure no other person was harmed at work while riding a quad bike, and Carlson with failing to take all practicable steps to ensure her own safety by wearing a helmet, and the safety of others by not carrying her children on a quad bike.

“Quad bikes pose a serious risk on farms, and on average five people were killed and 850 were injured every year,” said

WorkSafe spokesman Francois Barton, adding that Carlson was twice witnessed riding her quad bike without a helmet after a prohibition notice had been issued and the second time she had two young children with her on the bike.

Carlson admitted that despite owning helmets she didn't wear one because "it becomes just a little bit of a hassle."

EPA GRANTS ETHANOL TEMPORARY REPRIEVE The ethanol industry dodged a bullet recently after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deferred action on permanently lowering the amount of renewable fuels that must be blended into the U.S. gasoline supply. Rather than deciding to change the methodology of the mandate included in the Renewable Fuel Standard law, currently based on steadily increasing levels of ethanolblended fuels, as it first proposed last year to lower the required annual levels, the EPA opted to wait until 2015 to decide.

While the delay gives the renewable fuels industry time to regroup and lobby for

DUI Checkpoints

(http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/01/03/see-this-guy-get-througha-dui-checkpoint-without-saying-a-wordthanks-to-what-he-hung-out-his-car-window/), the driver explains his setup was "meant to keep a driver from having to roll down their window at a DUI checkpoint and . . . put themselves in danger of having police 'lie' and say their speech is slurred or that the smell of alcohol or drugs is wafting from the vehicle."

That's little consolation considering the officer will just say he could see from your body language through the window that you were wasted. Or he saw you cross a marked line or do something else indicative of impairment. Or maybe there was such a strong odor of marijuana that he could smell it through the window. If he eventually "catches" you with whatever he later claims he detected using his magical cop powers, you're probably screwed. If you didn't do anything wrong and nothing ever comes of it, you have no real damages, and no one in the government will ever be held accountable. At best, you can put up your video on the internet and impress people.

Similarly, all of the eyewitnesses in the world won't help you if they're all charged with crimes based on the same incident. That's ready-made motive to lie to most judges and jurors. Even if they’re as pure as the driven snow, most people will just wonder the following:

Why would a cop lie? They're just doing their job, right? Why should the jury ignore a professional observer in favor of some friends of a criminal? Even if they aren't criminals themselves, they liked one enough to get in the car with him.

Wouldn't they lie for him? At the very least, can you really trust their judgment getting in the car with an accused criminal?

Anything short of video is all too easily discredited, and incomplete or unclear video gives the police the ability to fabricate a damning version of events that matches it. The worst cops might even destroy what you have if you do not have a backup. Then, what they say might as

well be what happened for all practical purposes. I've met more people than I can count who've said they recorded the officer violating their rights and that the cop stole the equipment from them, but without a shred of proof. The same dirty cop who destroyed it would probably have to fill out a log saying he took if they're ever going to prove anything.

How likely do you think that is? I’ve believed a number of people who’ve told such horror stories, and they’ve almost never won.

Finally, if the cop you encounter at the checkpoint is as bad as the worst cops I've seen, nothing may be able to help you. If there aren't a lot of you and plenty of cameras, he may shoot you and every other witness to death just for disrespecting his authority. Then who's going to dispute what happened? Who knows that there's video stored someplace? Who knows that what the cops did was as bad as it really was? Is death-by-cop really worth the infinitesimal odds of your kids or grandkids getting a few dollars at some point years in the future?

If you're using the technique in the video to audit local law enforcement on video and you follow all of my suggestions, then go ahead. I'm still not terribly supportive, as you may not be as lucky as others have been.

If you aren't doing everything I suggest, expect the worst-case scenario. The

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 higher levels, the final quota will likely be less than the original mandate required, but avoids an outcome that could have been much worse for the $30billion-a-year industry.

Meanwhile, many motorcycle and automobile organizations, among others, continue to lobby against ethanol, not just because its unapproved use can damage some internal combustion engines, reduce power and mileage, and void manufacturer warranties, but opponents also argue that ethanol pollutes more than the oil it’s meant to replace, takes more energy to produce than it delivers, drives up cost and scarcity of food resources, doesn’t reduce our oil-dependency, and the government subsidies being paid for ethanol production steals funds that could improve our highways, bridges and infrastructure.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “You don’t always win your battles, but it’s good to know you fought.” ~ Lauren Bacall (1924-2014), iconic American actress

State of Arizona allows checkpoints, and officers will almost certainly order you out of the car claiming they wanted to make sure the documents in your little baggy actually belong to you and not someone else. What if you or someone you loved was just killed and the murderer got away by stealing their car and hanging the victim's information out of the victim's driver's side window on a string to avoid getting caught? With that in the back of their minds, the cops will get the driver out of the car some way or another. If anything, your little plan will only irritate them and strengthen their resolve to mess with you more than they otherwise might have.

Like with anything else on the internet, beware of things like this that seem too good to be true. For every story I hear about someone doing something creative to successfully exercise their rights, I see fifty criminal defendants in my office facing criminal charges for little more than trying to exercise their rights. It feels good each and every time I vindicate a client's rights, but they've almost all suffered arrest, detention, and the stress and expense of a pending criminal case before they win. Is it worth inviting that by trying out some new legal theory at a DUI checkpoint?

By Matt Brown

Brown & Little, P.L.C. - Criminal Defense Attorneys ABATE of AZ State Treasurer

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 Author: Mike Infanzon, co-host on Monkey Butt Radio February 1, 2014

In 1956 Bo Diddley sang, “I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, use a cobra snake for a neck tie Got a brand new house on the roadside, made from rattlesnake hide I got a brand new chimney made on top, made from a human skull Now come on baby let's take a little walk, and tell me "who do you love?..."

So who do YOU love?

What was your first love? Was it baseball? Or maybe football? I can remember back to growing up in Miami Florida and close my eyes and almost feel the cool wind on my face and the sound of my Honda CB while riding late at night to see the girl I was dating at the time. No, she wasn’t my first love. The ride was. I love the feel of the wind. I love the rumble of the pipes. I love the freedom I feel when I am one with my bike. That’s my first love. What is yours?

What sets your first love apart from everything else? If your first love is riding, then what makes it so? Is it because you’ve made your bike your own?

Customizing your ride will form a bond with your bike like no other. You put a little of your soul into the bike and in turn gives back to you. There are so many options available to customize a bike these days. A few of our recent guests

Please, use the survey to engage your chapter members and could even be used as topics to be used a talking points with legislators for MDatD.

Who Do You Love?

have made their bikes a part of themselves. Our resident professional tourist friend, Kevin Bean’re is known as the mayor of fun. If you see his bike, you KNOW that it is unmistakably Kevin’s bike. Long and purple with the custom twisted frame makes it his. Or even Valerie Thompson’s BMW race bike! While she and Indi200 were over at the shop getting the bracket fabricated for their world record run, I noticed that she has a little bling on the rear spools. I asked her about it and she said she got it done by Diva’s Bling, one of her sponsors. Very subtle and fits a land speed racer. You could be as bold as Bean’re or as subtle as Valerie.

Just make it yours.

Loyalty is important. You need to be loyal to your love. Stay true to the purity of the ride. It’s not about getting from point A to point B. It’s about the place in between. It’s about life and enjoying the moment you are in with your love. My wife calls me “loves”. She does this because she looks at me as her past, present and future love. Plural. When you break it all down to the core of the ride, it is you and the bike travelling along a road going somewhere nowhere. The purity of it all Past, present and future. Loves.

When you share your love with that one

person in your life that is important to you, the love of the ride is expanded.

You’ve heard the phrase, “Share the love”. Well? Share your love of riding!

That sharing of the love of riding brings me to my last point of this article.

ride.

A new study shows that women who ride their own motorcycles are noticeably happier – in life, in relationships, and even in the bedroom – than women who don’t

The study, conducted by Kelton and commissioned by Harley-Davidson, interviewed 1,013 adult female riders and 1,016 adult female non-riders, and the findings make it clear that riding a motorcycle greatly improves a woman’s feelings of overall self-worth. Key insights surrounding women who ride motorcycles in comparison to those who don’t include the following: • More than twice as many always feel happy (37 percent of riders vs. 16 percent of non-riders) • Nearly four times as many always feel sexy (27 percent of riders vs. 7 percent of non-riders) • Nearly twice as many always feel confident (35 percent of riders vs. 18 percent of non-riders)

Legislative Survey

PAGE 11 I’ll be honest. I was not surprised at all by this study. The women I know who ride are some of the most sexiest, selfconfident happy women I know. It’s not only men who have that first love. It’s not only men who name their bikes. Women are becoming more and more involved in the industry. Just look at Jody Perewitz and Valerie Thompson. Two of the fastest people on the planet on two wheels. It’s just a coincidence that they are women.

Both of these women are confident and self-assured. Both are seem to be happy in the industry they are in. Both women are sexy. I don’t know about you but a woman who can ride a bike is just about the sexiest thing in my book.

So when you start that bike of yours, listen for Bo and that blues beat. Or as George Thorogood and the Destroyers sing, “Snakeskin shoes baby put 'em on your feet, got the good time music with a Bo Diddley beat".

Twist the throttle!

Mike

Check out the article about the study: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/st udy-women-who-ride-motorcycles-feelhappier-sexier-more-confident-thanwomen-who-do-not-ride-motorcycles/ Also check out the movie Why We Ride. http://whyweridemovie.com/

I did deliberately leave off most the Federal issues that the MRF and AMA handle, except for Checkpoints and Trail Closings. Checkpoints have had some success at the State level and Trail Closing are impacted in part by State public lands and appeal to the Off Road community that is severely under-represented within ABATE along with Sport-Bikes.

Sean Pinder Southern AZ Chapter | PAC & Board (Chair) ABATE, MMA, MMAA Member | MRF & AMA Member

Would you like to receive The Masterlink digitally? It is posted monthly on the ABATE website - www.abateofaz.org. Opt out of the receiving the The Masterlink? Please contact the ABATE Office if you would like to no longer receive a hard copy of The Masterlink.

480-256-9237 or keim.larry@gmail.com

PAGE 12 February 2015

Feb 7th, Chili Lovers Cook off, 11am 5pm. $10 per person at Tin Top Bar & Grill at 37900 w Salome Road in Tonopah, AZ 85354. For chili entrants call Gary at 602 402-6940, Vendors - call Nomad at 623 694-2455 and Gen info call Ghostman at 623 986-9640. Live music by "NEUTRAL" Feb 7th, Gatekeepers Firehouse Cook-off Showdown, 6:00pm, Allstate Appliance Showroom, Firehouse cooks and restaurant chefs throughout the Valley are set to battle fires in the kitchens of the Allstate Appliance Scottsdale Showroom, February 7th, in an effort to raise funds for the 100 Club of Arizona. Located at 15250 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, the 6 Alarm Cookoff will showcase a sizzling spectacle as seasoned chefs’ paired up with firehouse cooks, whose on-the-job culinary skills are but a side-item to their work saving lives each and every day Sponsored in part by Chuck Franklin Law, Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale, Advanced Capital Mortgage, Two Gals Events and Hosted by the Gatekeepers Firemen.

Award winning Restaurants participating in this exciting event include; Executive Chef, Chris Wolven of The Henry, Vermont Sandwich Company, Dr. BBQ of Dewd Ranch, Tryst Café, Chef Fred Flores of Culinary Dropout at Scottsdale Waterfront, and Chef Cesar Vasquez of Distrito. “In an effort to serve those fire, law enforcement, public safety personnel who serve our community so valiantly when tragedy strikes, it’s events such as this that enable us to serve, support and provide financial assistance to their families in their time of need,” says Sharon Knutson-Felix, Executive Director of The 100 Club of Arizona. “Building awareness of the need, our services and our community impact, is something that this event will allow us to do in a fun, light-hearted and impactful way.” Attendees will enjoy a host of delightful dishes from local

Events Calendar

restaurants that will tempt the taste buds with fare ranging from light appetizers to signature dishes, all of which include a variety of accompanying spirits sponsored

by Dirty Tequila, Agave Underground, Angels Envy Bourbon Whiskey and Copa Wines. Soda, water and other non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. A silent auction will also be held, this one created especially for those looking to burn through a bit of cash for a good cause. Bidders can battle on experiential items like dinner at a local firehouse, tastings, bucket list items and more. Get ready to heat up the night this winter with what is sure to be the hottest ticket around.

Tickets are only $45 per person.

Complimentary valet included. To purchase your tickets now, log on to www.twogalsevents.com or call 602-5685313.

Feb 15th, Bikes soar for wildlife. 922 South Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ. The Bikers Soar for Wildlife will start at Chester's Harley Davidson in Mesa, Arizona on February 15th, 2015.

Location:-Starts at Chester's Harley Davidson in Mesa, Arizona (922 South Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ) -Ends at Salty Senorita in Peoria, Arizona (8011 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, AZ) Registration: -Pre-registration is $25.00 for rider and $30.00 for rider & passenger. The first 300 to pre-register will receive a free ride shirt and pin. After 2/7/15 registration prices are $30.00 for rider, $35.00 for rider & passenger.

Come ride with us on Sunday, February 15, 2012 on our 10th Annual "Bikers Soar for Wildlife" ride to benefit the animals at the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center. As always you will enjoy a great lunch, a raffle, auction, and more. A large display of hawks, falcons, owls and other animals from the Center will also be on hand for

the participants' enjoyment. Event Hours: -Registration is from 8:30am-9:30am

Feb 21st 2015 - 23rd Annual Freedom Beach Party and People's Choice, Noon to 5pm, Road Runner Steak House, 23rd Annual Freedom Beach Party and People's Choice Bike Show at Roadrunner Steak House, 47801 N Black Canyon Hwy, New River, AZ. $10 per person includes entry into the bike show and all games/contests.

Live music by The Recalls, Bike Show, Biker Games, Hawaiian Shirt Contest, Vendors, Raffles, 50/50 and more! Enjoy a day with friends and help support the MMA in their fight for your motorcycle rights! FMI or vendors call Cindy @ 623695-5659.

Feb 25th 2015 - ALR Chapter 58 2nd Annual Blessing of the Bikes, 11:00 AM, Post 58 16837 E. Parkview Ave. Fountain Hills;AZ, AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS CHAPTER 58 SECOND ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE BIKES American Legion Riders Chapter 58 of Fountain Hills Arizona are Pleased to Announce our “Second Annual Blessing of The Bikes Event that will be held on Saturday February 28th 2015 at 12:00 Noon in our Fountain Hills American Legion back parking lot. The address is 16837 E. Parkview Ave. Fountain Hills; AZ 85268.

We want to personally invite ALL who are Motorcycle Riders, Bicyclists including All Wheeled Vehicles along with Wheelchairs, Walkers; Strollers….to come and participate in this Special Fellowship Event to Receive a Blessing for a Safe Riding Season. The Event will start at 11:00 AM with Live Music and Socializing. Guest Speakers along with a member of Clergy will perform this most important Blessing at 12 Noon. Live Music, Food and Drink Specials will be Available. Donations will be accepted for ALR Charities. Come to our Beautiful Fountain Hills and Support our Veterans!

ALL ARE WELCOME! COME EARLY and STAY LATE! For Further Information

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 and Event Flyer Please go to ALR58.org

Feb 28th 2015 - American Legion Riders Chapter 58 2nd annual Blessing ofthe bikes at American Legion Post #58 in Fountain Hills. American Legion Riders Chapter 58 of Fountain Hills Arizona are pleased to announce our 2nd Annual Blessing of the Bikes event that will be held at the American Legion Post 58 16837 E. Parkview Ave. Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. We want to personally invite ALL who are Motorcycle Riders, Bicyclists including All Wheeled Vehicles along with Wheelchairs, Walkers; Strollers….to come and participate in this Special Fellowship Event to Receive a Blessing for a Safe Riding Season. Event will start at 11:00 A.M. with Live Music and Socializing. Guest Speakers along with a member of Clergy will perform this most important Blessing at 12 Noon. Live Music, Food and Drink Specials will be Available. Donations will be accepted for ALR Charities. Come to our Beautiful Fountain Hills and Support our Veterans!

ALL ARE WELCOME! COME EARLY and STAY LATE! For more information call Pauline "Brass" at 480-299-0299 or visit http://www.alr58.org

Feb 28th 2015 - The Chaparral Bar, Friends of Doug Cannon & The Verde Valley MMA Presents: Doug had a serious motorcycle accident, after surgical complications he has had his leg amputated. Run Starts: Nate’s Cowboy Café 1481 Arizona 89A, Clarkdale AZ Enjoy Breakfast, Registration & Kickstands up 10:00 AM. $15.00 PER POKER Run Sheet Purchase as many as you like. RUN ENDS AT THE CHAPARRAL BAR 325 S. MAIN STREET COTTONWOOD AZ. EVERONE WELCOME Party Starts at the Chaparral at HIGH NOON! MUSIC 1pm to 6pm. For Donation Information, Run Information call Beth @ 928-2743443. Locations: The Chaparral 928-6342131 Nate’s Cowboy Café 928-639-3838

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 Welcome to the new legislative year. We started off well in DC with Jim Sensenbrenner dropping a bill that would direct the EPA to study the effects of E-15 on engines, HR 21. Jean Shaheen sponsored S 127 which would forbid states from using federal grant money for motorcycle only checkpoints. We all need to urge our congressional representatives and senators to support these bills. In the Arizona House, Representative Karen Fann is sponsoring a bill that would eliminate the handlebar height restriction as well as the requirement for “grab bars” for passengers. This innocuous legislation is not controversial although the DPS will oppose it as they have in the past. Their main problem is that they have no scientific or statistical basis for preserving the law. Anyone who can should call her office and thank her for supporting the motorcycle community. Her email address iskfann@azleg.gov, her office phone number- 602-926-5874.

We have a new addition to ABATE in Arizona, Mike Meyers came from Illinois and is a member of the East Valley ABATE chapter. He is very experienced in dealing with government and ABATE of Illinois is a very powerful entity in their state and in D.C. He is now the MRF representative for Arizona. I spent a couple of hours on the phone with him and believe that we have acquired a valuable resource in his knowledge and abilities. I look forward to working with him to affect change for the betterment of the motorcycle community in our state. One thing he told me was that in his home state ABATE, MMA, and their Confederation of Clubs all work together as a unified front. They don’t dis-

Thoughts from JohnnyD

tinguish between Gold Wing riders, MCs, sport bike riders, or independent bikers. I would like to engender that unity here. Our interests involve a life on two wheels and we should never distinguish between any of our groups. Our common fight is against law enforcement and government infringement on our lifestyle.

Another exciting development is the return of Deb Buttita, a member of the board of ABATE, to the legislative lobbying efforts.

She is another highly skilled and experienced advocate for motorcycle rights. Our organization is gaining some great representation. We need to work on increasing membership now. In the 113th congress, Illinois had 7 congressional co-sponsors for H.R. 1861 ( mc checkpoint ban), this was due to efforts of all the SMROs. Arizona had 3.

This time around I really hope to get more but this must be a team effort. We all have to reach out to our state and federal representatives to have an impact.

On opening day at the legislature I spoke with Alberto Gutier, the director of GOHS, and he told me that the NHTSA had reduced the amount available for state motorcycle safety grants to $75 K per year and that the safety course scholarship program would need to take some money from the state funds. I think this is a better

use of the money than pencils and key rings but I would appreciate your input.

During the next AMSAC meeting I will try to nail down a lot of numbers and where the money is that we provide for their services. In the meantime, please go to the AMSAF website www.amsaf.org to learn more about this program. I have been told that Arizona has more than 183,000 registered motorcycles. I use this number to try to influence legislators but it would also help if they got emails and phone calls as well.

As you all may know, Vic Grady has resigned as the ABATE Designated Lobbyist. The position needs to be filled but since ABATE has no pending legislation there is no real rush. I had expressed my intention to submit my resume but did not really want to be the lobbyist for two organizations. After speaking with Deb Buttita I have decided that it was not a good idea. She and I agree that representing two organizations was a conflict of interests. We need someone who is genuinely concerned with freedom and rights. I would say that the proper candidate should be outgoing, friendly, and confident. Someone who can walk into a room full of elected officials and see a group of employees. We need to remember that politicians consider themselves to be

PAGE 13 important and our crowd generally prefer them to be at arms length. We have to always keep in mind that they load their guns the same way we do, one bullet at a time.

Opening day at the capitol was interesting, although many said they would come, few did. The lobbyists showed up, as did Cherie Dubrow. Two of my ALMA brothers came down and we were asked to watch the shenanigans in Rep. Jonathan Larkin’s office. Two DPS officers were guarding the hallway on the third floor and were grinning that three bikers wearing patches were almost turned away but when I called the Rep’s cell phone the guy at the desk called an aide to escort us back. The troopers didn’t like that and their grins suddenly flipped. The governor made his speech but we found a half bottle of champagne and drank it while we talked civics.

There is a Veteran’ caucus again this year, Sonny Borelli, Mark Cardenas, and Jonathan Larkin are members. If you need help with state agencies they will work with you.

This year looks like it will be good for us and I look forward to making an impact.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friend, once more.”

John P Dreyfus Johnny D ALMA MC Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs Designated Lobbyist American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education / Phoenix-Shadow Mountain PAC Officer

Would you like to receive The Masterlink digitally? It is posted monthly on the ABATE website - www.abateofaz.org. Opt out of the receiving the The Masterlink? Please contact the ABATE Office if you would like to no longer receive a hard copy of The Masterlink.

480-256-9237 or keim.larry@gmail.com

PAGE 14 Washington Weekly Updates December 16, 2014

Jeff Hennie, Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs Motorcycle Riders Foundation

It is the last week of Congress, so there is a lot of action and at the same time none at all. You may recall the "cromnibus" that the Congress was working on: it passed. The Senate held a “rare as hens teeth” Saturday session to avoid shutting down the government. The House had passed the measure a few days earlier. The mammoth piece of legislation wrapped up 11 spending bills into one big package; this means that only two of the 13 spending bills received actual debate and a real live amendment process.

Shame on you Congress. Spending $1.1 trillion dollars with a single stroke of the pen must be exhilarating for Mr. Obama, but it’s bankrupting our country. Personally, I don't think a government shutdown is all that bad - send the eurocrats home and save some money!

The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on the EPA's handling of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The committee findings are that the RFS needs to be changed to reflect the current fuel landscape. They determined that it’s far too difficult to find traditional, ethanol-free fuel. It was noted that some municipalities have no other option other than ethanol blends. The purpose of the RFS was to allow for the sale of ethanol, but at the same time, traditional fuels should be available as well. The Congress is likely to act on ethanol bills in the next Congress. The assumptions of the RFS have not come to fruition, and are likely to be addressed. In fact, during the hearing the committee specifically mentioned how the higher ethanol blends are damaging to motorcycles.

I expect the Senate Democrats to draw out adjournment as far as possible, as this is their last kick at the can and they have realized it. Senate Leader Harry Reid has already stated that he will not adjourn until all the pending nominations in the Senate have been confirmed. Senator Reid is using his waning power as Senate Leader to do President Obama’s bidding while he still has the nuclear option, meaning he can confirm nominations with a simple majority of 51 votes, rather then traditional 60. Senator Reid changed this rule earlier this year, since he simply did not have the needed 60 votes. Republicans, who will assume leadership of the Senate, have already signaled that they will change the rule back to the 60 votes needed, even though they do not have 60 Republican Senators.

=========================

NHTSA Chief confirmed by U.S. Senate

December 19, 2014

For Immediate Release

The United States Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In a late night Senate session, the confirmation was part of a large package of other non-controversial nominees. Mark Rosekind was nominated nearly a year after former NHTSA boss, David Strickland, stepped down. Rosekind was a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) board member.

Rosekind, sleep scientist by training, has been on the NTSB's board since 2010.

Before that, he spent 13 years as the president of Alertness Solutions and also worked for NASA for several years. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx called Rosekind a

News from the MRF

"leader ready-made for this critical responsibility," adding it would be his job not only to hold automakers accountable, but "raise the bar on safety.” According to the NTSB website, Rosekind is a leading expert in human fatigue.

Rosekind has his work cut out for him; NHTSA has suffered amid harsh criticism that the agency has sat on the sidelines concerning recent auto part failure recall, such as the GM ignition switch and the Takata Corp airbag recall. A troubled website and a botched attempt to alert the public about the potentially fatal airbags have left NHTSA reeling. To put things in perspective, Joan Claybrok, a former NHTSA administrator, and hater of all things motorcycle, called the current state of affairs at the safety administration “a total meltdown, a royal embarrassment and calls into question the trustworthiness of the agency.” These are harsh words from a longtime and very loyal supporter of NHTSA.

Still pending is the Senate confirmation of Presidents Obama’s pick to head the National Transportation Safety Board, Christopher Hart.

===========================

NHTSA Announces Drop in Motorcycle Fatalities

December 30, 2014

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that motorcycle fatalities have dropped for the second year in a row, reports the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF).

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, or FARS data, collected by the federal government, motorcycle fatalities for 2013 dropped from 4,986 to 4,668 a difference of 318. The motorcycle fatality drop was the largest percentage of all vehicle groups at 6.4 percent. This is the second year on year drop in motorcycle fatalities since 2009.

This is an encouraging trend, but it is likely just that. It is a promising direction, since more motorcycles continue to be registered year after year.

Another aspect motorcyclists can be proud of is the decrease in the number of alcohol related deaths. Fatal crashes where alcohol was a factor dropped by 117 deaths, or 8.3 percent, also the largest decrease in the category.

Also reported was the drop in the number of injured motorcyclists from 93,000 to 88,000, a 5.4 percent drop. Eighty-eight thousand still seems like an awfully large number but consider that the number of passenger vehicle injuries is 2,046,000 for 2013. The drop in injured motorcyclists is again the largest decrease in the category.

One unfortunate aspect of the report is that motorcyclist fatalities now take up 14 percent of the total fatalities. This is likely a direct result of more motorcycle licenses being issued and more motorcycle registrations being reported. Highway motorcycles saw a two percent increase in sales in 2013, and manufacturers are reporting record setting sales for 2013, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. As with any increase in a vehicle population, it is predictable that fatalities would also rise.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation believes that through strong rider education programs and prolific motorcycle awareness campaigns this drop in motorcycle fatalities can continue. Feel free to contact the MRF for any information on motorcycle fatality avoidance campaigns.

Read the full NHTSA reports here:

http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812101.pdf

===========================

Past Farmers Award winner passes away

December 30, 2014

ABATE of Illinois, and the entire motorcycle rights community, lost a true champion on December 24, 2014. Please, forward the information included in this email to the other SSMRO's throughout the country.

Dr. Rickey Lee "Rick" Jones (61) of Effingham…

http://www.hallfuneralchapel.com/displayobit1.aspx…

Dr. Rickey Lee “Rick” Jones, age 61, of Effingham, IL, formerly of Robinson, IL, died Wednesday December 24, 2014 in Beaufort, South Carolina after many months of battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Born March 15, 1953 in Robinson, IL, he was the son of Maxie G and Barbara Jo (Peak) Jones. On March 7, 2012 he married Patsy (West) Harrington and she survives.

Dr. Jones was a Federal Inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry Division from 1986 thru 2012.

Rick graduated Lincoln Trail College in 1980, then received his Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois and Graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine from the University of Illinois in 1985.

Dr. Jones served in the United States Navy, 1971 - 1978; was a member of the Robinwood Assembly of God, Robinson, IL; member National Association of Federal Veterinarians; National Charter Member of the Motorcycle Rider’s Foundation; Member of the executive board of the A.B.A.T.E. educational organization from 1992 thru 2012; Member of the Illinois Farm Bureau; National Rifle Association and a life member of the U.S. Navy Noncommissioned Officers Association.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy Lee Harrington-Jones, Effingham, IL; father, Maxie G. Jones, Robinson, IL; daughters and sons-in-law, Angel and Tony Sanders, Marshall, IL; April and Jarrod Hale, Mt. Vernon, MO; son, Mr. Cody Jones, Auburn, IL; brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Wanda Jones, Robinson, IL; sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Robert Fields, Lewisburg, PA; three step-children, Jedediah and Ida Harrington, Effingham, IL; Tory and Rusty Kelly, Beaufort, S.C.; Montana Harrington, Los Angeles, CA along with several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his mother, Barbara Jo Jones, December 29, 2010.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:30 am Wednesday December 31, 2014 at the Hall Funeral Chapel, 1110 North Fourth Street, Effingham, Illinois, with Chaplin Jay Bridges officiating. Interment will follow in the Kirk Chapel Cemetery, rural Robinson, IL. Friends may call on Tuesday December 30, 2014 between the hours of 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm at Hall Funeral Chapel in Effingham. Memorial donations to charity may be made to the A. L. S. Foundation (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) or A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois or to the Paralyzed Veterans of America with envelopes available at the funeral chapel. Condolences may be left online at www.hallfuneralchapel.com.

J. Ryan Hubbard A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. State Coordinator

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 ===========================

U.S. House of Representatives Ethanol Study Bill Introduced

January 8, 2015

Congressman James Sensenbrenner has once again introduced a bill that would call for the study of mid-level ethanol blends and their effect on internal combustion engines.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a waiver to the Clean Air Act that allowed for the sale of ethanol blends of up to 15 percent. The EPA never studied the effects of the high blend on the power train of any vehicle. They only studied tailpipe emissions.

H.R. 21 calls for the study of the new, untested, higher blends, which is sorely needed. Some motorcycle manufacturers are voiding warranties if the 15 percent blend is used in the vehicle.

Beyond voiding a warranty, should you use the E15 blend in your motorcycle, you are violating federal law. According to final ruling, motorcycles are not included in the waiver, and therefore making it illegal to use the blend. The waiver for using the E15 blend is limited to light trucks and passenger cars. Specifically the rule states that the E15 blend can only be used in 2001 and newer light-duty passenger cars.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation urges you to call your Members of the House of Representatives and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 21.

For more information on the EPA final rule click here: http://www.epa.gov/oms/regs/fuels/additive/e15/420f11023.pdf

============================

Bipartisan Senate Bill would Ban Federal Funding for Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints

January 8, 2015

MRF media contact: Jeff Hennie Phone: 202-725-5471 E-mail: Jeff@MRF.org

AMA media contact: James Holter Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280 E-mail: jholter@amacycle.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan bill introduced today by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) would prohibit the use of federal funds in establishing motorcycle-only checkpoints.

Specifically, the “Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act” would restrict the Secretary of Transportation from granting funds to any government entity for a program to check helmet use or to create checkpoints for an operator of a motorcycle or a passenger on a motorcycle. The American Motorcyclist Association and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation fully support the bill.

“Motorcycle-only checkpoints are discriminatory, forcing riders and their passengers to do something not asked of other citizens, simply because we choose to travel on two wheels, or three, instead of four,” said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “The AMA believes the money used for these operations could be better spent supporting programs that

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015 conduct rider education, reduce distracted driving and encourage motorist awareness of motorcycles.”

“We are excited to work on this most important issue,” said Jeff Hennie, vice president of government relations and public affairs for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. “It is imperative that we end the discriminatory act of motorcycle only checkpoints.”

Motorcycle riders already are subject to state registration, inspection, licensing and helmet laws and must stop at sobriety check points like all other motorists.

The MRF and AMA have fought motorcycle-only checkpoints since the state of New York announced plans to set up 15 of them in 2008 to stop riders on their way summer motorcycling events.

“Evidence suggests that motorcycle-only checkpoints do not effectively reduce motorcycle injuries or fatalities and do not address the factors that are the main contributors to motorcycle accidents,” the senators wrote in a press release about the bill.

“Accordingly, NHTSA does not list the practice in its own 2013 Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide for State Highway Offices, which details policies and activities that the agency considers effective at reducing crash injuries and fatalities.”

States use funding from the National

News from the MRF (continued)

Highway Traffic Safety Administration to pay for the checkpoints, so federal legislation can halt the practice.

If passed, this federal bill will cut off NHTSA funding and ensure that riders across the country are safeguarded from these ineffective and discriminatory stops.

“Using motorcyclists tax dollars to discriminate and harass them with mandatory roadside checkpoints in the name of safety is offensive and just plain wrong. No one is more aware of the condition of the motorcycle than the person riding it,” Hennie said.

“If the NHTSA truly is interested in motorcyclists’ safety, it would fund proven programs that help prevent crashes, rather than these checkpoints,” Allard said.

California, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Illinois, New Hampshire and Virginia have passed legislation curbing motorcycle-only checkpoints.

=============================

Washington Weekly Updates January 12, 2015

This is the first week back for the 114th Congress. Lots of changes with the new Republican majority in the Senate. Senator John Thune from South Dakota is the new chair of the Commerce, Science,

Transportation Committee which has jurisdiction over our issues in highway legislation. He has already told me that we should not have a problem including the checkpoint language in the bill. That being said, we first have to see if the Senate has the political will to craft legislation that President Obama would actually sign.

Representative Boehner was reelected speaker by the Republicans and Representative McConnell was put in as majority leader in the Senate. One notable, and welcome, bit of retirement news: Senator Barbara Boxer from California is retiring at the end of this term. I wouldn’t be surprised if she left office earlier. Its a long way down to the minority and with the way she treated the Republicans when they were in the minority (lets just say she did not play nice).

This week we saw a flurry of congressional activity first with H.R. 21, the ethanol study bill introduced by Congressman James Sensenbrenner. The language remains identical to that of the previous Congress.

The Senate reintroduced the stop motorcycle only mandatory checkpoints bill with the same original team of sponsors. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), both of whom spoke at last years BITB, continue to serve as the political leads of S. 127. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Susan Collins (RME) all joining as cosponsors. A joint release with the AMA on S. 127 was sent

PAGE 15 out this week. It's good to be united with them on this issue. We simply do not have the resources to promote press releases as they do. They pay the AP, Facebook and several other news delivery services to push their releases to the top of google and FB searches.

I attended the swearing in ceremony for the new NHTSA administrator. Get this, they actually invited me! The new guys name is Rosekind, Mark Rosekind. He came from the NTSB where he served on the board as a sleep expert. His degree is in human fatigue. This guy literally studies people at rest. He then uses this info to find ways to eliminate distracted driving. I'm still not quite sure what being drowsy has to do with texting and driving. His main focus will be on improving the system for detecting when a recall is needed and to improve upon the swiftness of recall delivery. NHTSA has gotten some major hits for not recalling things fast enough, or simply not conducting a recall at all leaving hundreds of thousands of America at risk. I get the feeling that he will have enough on his plate and won’t come straight after motorcycles.

Factor in the huge drops in fatalities in 2013, drop in alcohol related fatalities and drop in injuries and it becomes clear that he doesn’t need to really do anything extra.

Also impressive is the fact that all of those drops were the highest in every category.

Lets work to continue this trend of lower fatalities and injuries in the coming year.

Happy Birthday to Your Tires... Wait, You’re How Old??? new one. It’s just that from a tire aging standpoint, the tire begins to age as soon as it is born, which is when it comes out of the vulcanization press at the tire plant.

Basically, exposure to oxygen, ultra violet light (sun light), heat, and use all work to break down, wear out and harden the rubber compound used in the tires, whether the tire is on a bike or not.

By Jim Silk State Safety Officer

Tire aging on cars has received attention recently, but I haven’t seen much of this information directed to motorcycle riders.

One reason may be that m-motorcycle tires wear out much quicker than car tires – while a drive may rack up as much as 50,000 miles or more on car tires, we motorcyclists typically get 7,000 - 10,000 miles on our motorcycle tire. So for some, the motorcycle tire may not last long enough – from a chronological age standpoint – to worry about.

But … many of us may not put that much mileage on our motorcycle tires if the motorcycle is not our primary vehicle (you know, it’s just hard to take the kids to Grandma’s on a motorcycle), so it may take several years. Additionally, we generally don’t know the age of the tire when it’s put on our bike. This isn’t to say your dealer sold you a used tire instead of a

Your old,your bikes old,but hey don't ride on old tires!!

So how old is too old? Well, it seems that there’s some debate about it. Some say ten years, some say six years. Some car tire companies and most safety advocates go with six years.

Unfortunately, tire aging information from the tire companies is hard to come by. I’ve looked on both the Dunlop and Metzler motorcycle tire websites and I don’t find any information about tire aging.

For me, I’m going to stick with the 6-year guideline as a hard line, and if I’m somebody who likes to ride on the highways at highway speeds (and I am), I’m going to start getting uncomfortable at about three

or four years.

Now that you’ve decided on your age limit, how do you determine how old your tire is? And the answer ain’t the date you bought it. You’ve gotta know the date your tire was born.

Did you know your tire has a birthday,its true!

Here the U.S. Department of Transportation comes to the rescue with its Tire Identification Code, stamped into every tire as it’s manufactured. The code is a combination of numbers that identifies the manufacturing location, tire size, manufacturer's code, and week and year the tire was manufactured. You can find the code on the sidewall of the tire, like the one pictured below.

If the tire was manufactured since 2000 or later, the last four numbers represent the week and the year the tire was made. In the case of the tire pictured, the numbers are 3505.The first two numbers are the week the tire was manufactured (the 35th week) or the last week of August. The last two digits are 05, which is 2005.

(To figure which week, divide by 4.3.

Nailing it to the exact week isn’t necessary – if you get the correct month, or even within a month of the correct month, a tire is probably going to be OK as far as age goes. In other words, running it 6 years or running it 6 years and 1 month isn’t that much difference.)

You too can amaze your friends with this savvy information Hopefully, nobody’s riding around on tires more than six years old, so information about tires older than 2000 isn’t necessary. But, just to be complete: tires manufactured during the 1980s had a three-digit code for the date, with the first two digits indicating the week, and the last digit indicating the year (355 would mean the 35th week of 1985) and tires manufactured in the 1990s had a threedigit date code but with a little triangle (Δ) after the code. So don’t ride on a tire from the 1980s or 1990s, but now you can amaze your friends by telling them exactly how old the tire is in the old tire swing in the back yard.

Check out our ABATES Rider advantage program. Do you know someone who could use a class and could take it for free just for signing up members and helping out with your chapter. Now is the time, sign up 10 and get involved in a basic or advance class for yourself or gift it to a family member or friend. I made it easy to do,just gotta twist the throttle and get going.

PAGE 16

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

PAGE 17

House Roster

Senate Roster

PAGE 18

Rider Ed Courses in AZ

Locations Zip County Email Phone Site Website City Motorcycle Rider PHOENIX 85012 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 979-1839 View Training RIDE SMART M/C PHOENIX 85023 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 877-5425 View TRAINING T.E.A.M. Arizona GILBERT 85233 MARICOPA Click Here (480) 998-9888 View Chandler/Gilbert GILBERT PUBLIC View GILBERT 85234 MARICOPA (480) 894-0404 SCHOOLS (PARKING LOT) T.E.A.M. Arizona View SCOTTSDALE 85260 MARICOPA Click Here (480) 998-9888 Scottsdale CHANDLER View TEMPE 85283 MARICOPA (480) 496-6800 HARLEYDAVIDSON T.E.A.M. Arizona View GLENDALE 85302 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 939-9888 Glendale DEER VALLEY View GLENDALE 85308 MARICOPA (623) 247-5542 HIGH SCHOOL LUKE AIR FORCE LUKE AFB 85309 MARICOPA (623) 975-6264 BASE Motorcycle Rider PEORIA 85345 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 979-1839 View Training VEHICLE SAFETY View YUMA 85367 YUMA Click Here (928) 376-7489 INSTITUE T.E.A.M. Arizona FT 85613 COCHISE Click Here (520) 733-9888 View HUACHUCA Sierra Vista Pima Community View TUCSON 85707 PIMA (520) 206-3981 College T.E.A.M. Arizona View TUCSON 85714 PIMA Click Here (520) 733-9888 Tucson RIDE NAZ -View BELLEMONT 86015 COCONINO (928) 443-0111 FLAGSTAFF Ride Northern PRESCOTT 86301 YAVAPAI Click Here (928) 443-0111 View Arizona - Prescott T.E.A.M. Arizona View PRESCOTT 86301 YAVAPAI Click Here (928) 771-2500 Prescott MOHAVE View KINGMAN 86401 MOHAVE (928) 757-0825 COMMUNITY COLLEGE MOHAVE LAKE View (928) 505-3321 COMMUNITY HAVASU 86403 MOHAVE COLLEGE CITY MOHAVE JB'S 86440 MOHAVE Click Here (866) 668-6462 View VALLEY RESTAURANT

ATTENTION - ALL RIDERS: =======================

It has come to our attention that business establishments in Arizona may still be discriminating against motorcyclists. Please carry copies of this form with you at all times. Discrimination can range from a sign stating "No Colors" or "No Motorcycle Parking" or "No Motorcycle Attire" etc., to simply being asked to leave a place of business, just because you are on a motorcycle or because of your riding apparel. If anything like this happens to you, PLEASE fill out this form in its entirety and send it to the address noted. Your lobbyists cannot get sponsorship for "equal access" legislation, without evidence of this type of discrimination.

Documentation of Discrimination DATE: ______________

Business Phone _______________

NAME OF ESTABLISHMENT: __________________________________ BUSINESS PHONE (with area code): __________________________________ BUSINESS - FULL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ NAME / POSITION OF PERSON ENFORCING POLICY: ________________ ________________________________________________________ WRITTEN STATEMENT OF DISCRIMINATION (use back if needed): _____ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ YOUR NAME (please print): ______________________________________ YOUR PHONE (with area code): __________________________________ YOUR SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________ *** INCLUDE ANY PICTURES OF DISCRIMINATING SIGNS POSTED *** Mail To: Ray Fitzgerald 1634 West Pine Cone Way Prescott, Arizona 86303

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

Important Phone Numbers

Aid to Injured Motorcyclists - A.I.M. - (800) 521-2425 24-Hr. Legal Assistance for all accidents

Aid to Incarcerated Motorcyclists A.I.M. - (800) 235-2424 24-Hr. Legal Criminal Defense

National Legislative Hot Line - (800) 300-NCOM 24-Hr. Motorcycle Legislative Alerts

National Coalition of Motorcyclists NCOM- (800) 525-5355 Fighting for Bikers Rights

Confederation of Clubs. - (800) 531-2424 Motorcycle Clubs Fighting Against Discrimination

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Washington D.C. Office (202) 546-0983

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes (continued)

A.C. Lobbyist – Vic Grady – A.C.1. Vic presented his written resignation to the BOD effective immediately following Motorcycle Day at the Dome in March. He thanked ABATE for the opportunity to have served the organization in this roll. He will assist in finding a replacement.

A.C.2. Legislative issues the Lobbyist Team is working on are: A.C.2.a. ARS 28-964 regarding Handlebar Height – Discussion: the language in this rule refers to UTV’s as well as motorcycles and combines the need for protective gear and handlebar height.

These are two different issues. Further research is needed before ABATE can support it or not.

A.C.2.b. Crash avoidance systems in automobiles – National organizations, MRF and AMA, are working on this issue.

A.C.2.c. Traffic Signals not sensing motorcycles – Cities are in the process of upgrading sensing devices at intersections that will have greater sensitivity to such vehicles as motorcycles.

A.C.2.d. Insurance companies require a driver’s license to insure a car. It should be the same for motorcycles, which will decrease the number of non-licensed motorcycle operators.

A.C.2.e. Consideration for permanent plates for motorcycles in Arizona is on hold at this time.

A.C.2.f. Lane splitting continues to be explored.

V. Old Business: A. Legislative Surveys – The plan is to conduct surveys earlier in the year, February – May, so the Lobbyist Team has time to prepare for the next year.

Currently the surveys are presented to Chapters June – September, which does not allow the Team enough time to develop their agenda for the next legislative year. The survey will be posted at Motorcycle Day at the Dome for input from attendees.

B. Membership Forms – the new forms were reviewed and edited with consensus on content and are nearly ready to go to the printer.

C. Yavapai Chapter has put the officer panel in place so the chapter did not have to close. Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to keep the chapter alive!

D. Budget Review and approvals: D.A. Yavapai Chapter will be sending their budget in soon.

D.B. TBFS 2015 Budget was reviewed and was returned to the TBFS Committee with questions to be answered before acceptance.

VI. New Business: A. Topic – Selection of BOD Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson: Discussion: Members discussed qualifications and time commitments for those positions. Motion was made by Deborah that Sean Pinder continue as

MASTERLINK FEBRUARY 2015

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes (continued)

Chairperson, 2nd by Jack Batty. Motion was made by Deborah that Woody Phillips become Vice-Chairperson, 2nd

by Jack. Vote: all in favor, motion carried.

Action: Sean and Woody accepted the positions.

Responsible: none.

B. Topic – Designated Lobbyist Resignation: Discussion: Vic was thanked for his service as Lobbyist. The BOD was urged by Sean to seek an Authorized Lobbyist to assist the Designated Lobbyist. Going forward, a Lobbyist candidate should be willing to submit an essay regarding why he/she wants to be selected, which the BOD will review.

Action: An announcement should be placed in the Masterlink each month until a new Lobbyist is selected.

Responsible: Mary K C. Topic - Vacant MRF Representative for Arizona: Discussion: Mike Myers, who recently

relocated to Arizona, has been a longtime member of several MROs and held several officer positions in those organizations. He has expressed interest in becoming Arizona’s MRF Representative.

He is a guest at this BOD meeting and spoke of his qualifications and desire to serve. One of Mike’s skills is legislative research which would be very helpful to the Lobbyist Team. MMA and ACMC have endorsed Mike. ABATE must consider the financial burden imposed on the MRF Representative by travel to Chapter meetings and other meetings he would be expected to attend representing Arizona.

Mike was asked to develop a budget for his position to be submitted to the BOD within the next month.

Motion was made by Deborah, 2nd by Jack, to accept Mike Myers as Arizona MRF Representative. Vote: all in favor.

Motion carried.

Action: Mary K will write the endorsement letter from ABATE of Arizona to MRF. Mike will develop a budget.

The BOD thanked Mike for his interest and looks forward to working with him.

Mike reminded everyone that he is pre-

TBFS Special Motorhome for sale.

1981 Dodge Sportsman, C Class, 22', sleeps 6 440 cu. in. fresh top end, good gas mileage everything works, 86000 miles, $3500 call Jerry D. 602-459-4302

senting the Ride Smart Program on February 4, 2015 at the Eagles.

D. Topic: Conference Call Phone and Large Flat Screen TV/Monitor for State Office – Discussion: Improved access to meetings through technology is needed. Since there still is a phone line to the office, ABATE should look into purchasing a phone for conferencing during meeting. A Flat screen would enhance meetings by providing space for presentations as well as skype for those who are unable to attend meetings in person. Clyde was asked to look into sources for the Conference phone. All will gather pricing for the flat screen.

VII. Open Discussion: New revenue and membership growth opportunities through increased attendance at motorcycle related events throughout the state and distribution of membership applications were discussed. Everyone should carry a stack of applications with them at all times.

Discussion regarding merchandise for

Classifieds

PAGE 19

sale on the ABATE website followed.

That opportunity is being investigated.

VIII. Next Meeting: A. Conference Calls If Needed TU 03 FEB at 7:00 PM https://www.freescreensharing.com/meetings/792-874-119 Dial-In: (559)546-1200 Code: 792-874119# B. Quarterly Regularly Scheduled AAIC, SU 05 APR 2015 7509 N. 12th St, #200; Phoenix, AZ 85020 Officer Training 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Board Meeting 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM IX. Adjourn First__Jack__________ Second_____Deborah_____ No Discussion, All were in favor.

Time___4:05 PM_________ Respectfully Submitted by:

Jean Cooper Secretary

2009 HD Sportster 1200 Low style.

like new with 5000 miles, kept in AC garage, Stage 1 kit with Vance and Hines shorties, forward foot controls, all service down by Chester's in Mesa. Limited HD factory root beer brown color. $8950 obo. call or text 480-338-1965 in Gilbert AZ. For pictures email to; steve@arcasmachine.com 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic

Super nice 800cc V-twin cruiser. brand new black cherry paint. 43K miles, Lowered 1-1/2 inches in the rear, K&N air intake kit, Vance & Hines Straightshot exhaust, very loud, jetted for such performance upgrades, 60 HP and 50LBS torque, lots of tread left on Metzler tires, lots of chrome, custom headlight, drag bars and custom forward controls, no leaks, Also includes bike cover, windshield and mounting hardware, service manual, extra saddlebag, lots of extra parts, one half-helmet, Has won first place in six bike shows and trophies are included.. $3000. 602.367.9524

Your Classified Ad

could be here...

It’s Free to ABATE Members. submit your ad online at www.abateofaz.org 2004 Waltz Hardcore special constructed soft tail Custom Chopper, Vin # AZ262741, Vehicle is garage kept, and customized. Chopper has a 145 Horse Power TP polished Engine, a 3" Primary and 6 speed Transmission. The Vehicle is built on a Waltz Hardcore Soft Tail Frame. All sheet metal work, paint job is Custom.

Custom Chrome wheels and brand new Tires. All Mechanical components are in good working order. Engine runs awesome. Has less than 4000 miles.

This baby is worth way more than I'm asking! Just need money now!

Waltz Hardcore Frame $6,500, TP 124" Cubic Inch Polished Engine $7,500 3" Open Primary and 6 speed Transmission $3,000, Custom Sheet metal Work $3,000 Custom Paint $3,000, Wheels & Tires $2,500, Progressive Airtail Suspension, Brakes, Starter, Charging System, $4,000, Labor $4,500 Asking $18,999 obo, For more information call or text @ (480) 385-8947

ATTENTION ALL 30 YEAR OLDS!!

I have your year Softail-- 1984.1 owner, 1st yr. Softail, 1st yr. Evolution Kick and electric start PLUS all orginal parts. $9,500 Call 970-420-6675

One-Piece DayTripper motorcycle seat

New - never used - In box Retails for $359 model 76189 fits Honda VT 750 Spirit 2001-2006 & VT 750DC 2007-2009. The detailed stitch work in the highly durable, synthetic glove-leather makes the DayTripper a show winner. $150.00 Call Bob @ 602-463-0544

AzTech Flatbed Trailer (Car/ATV Hauler) $2200 obo 2008 STS Cadillac for sale, 23K miles $28,000 obo Call 928-718-6296 Cell 928-716-7289

FINALLY!! A motorcycle themed paperback book for the young reader. The Adventures of Olive Pearl and Hammy Davidson features Olive Pearl; a green and black motorcycle and Hamrietta (Hammy) Davidson her stuffed piggy passenger. They experience the joy of motorcycling on a 1700-mile road trip to meet new people, see new things, and learn life lessons along the way. Their adventures are wrapped inside the love story of husband and wife characters, “The Man” and “The Lady”. Sprinkled throughout with pictures, social observations, and humor, adults will also enjoy reading this story to younger children and are sure to get a laugh or two themselves. Get more info and place an order at: www.OliveandHammy.com Let’s Ride!!

2000 HD Custom (623) 374-5510 $15K OBO Motorcycle Hearse

COPD diagnosis forces SALE! $50,000.00 www.eagleswingscarriages.com visit this website to view complete set of equipment.

Equipment included: 1999 Harley Davidson Road King Trike (6045 miles) modified with reverse gear & fifth wheel hitch, detachable 18th Century styled Hearse Carriage, full size casket with full cover flag, cherry wood Urn Ark with panoramic glass & folding stand, Encased Memorial Flag, 2007 22ft. flatbed transportation trailer with winds/bug shield, Honor Flags, pre-printed magnetic Carriage name plates & misc office supplies. Call Bill or Phyllis 623-386-8281

2006 H-D Dyna Street Bob 11,000 miles, $22,000 invested, selling for $16,000.

Contact Pete @ (602) 315-6950 FOR SALE:

2008 Harley Davidson Road Glide- 6,240 miles-lowering kit-travel packageAM/FM/WB/CD- 6 speed-Dark Blue Pearl-Corbin Solo and Stock Seat- asking $17,000. e-mail serious inquiries to: momac99@yahoo.com.