TLA – Steve Canty

Association Business

TLA President’s Message

We are full swing into fall. The arrival of cooler weather brings activities that many people look forward to this time of year. Certainly there is the welcome of college football, changes in the colors of leaves and the approach of various holidays. From a Transportation Lawyers Association (“TLA”) perspective, however, fall means the anticipation of the Transportation Law Institute (“TLI”). In fact, for the last 52 years, the TLA has hosted its annual TLI event at outstanding venues all across North America. Most recently, however, the 2020 installment of the TLI was held “virtually.” Originally planned as a “Cajun” version of the TLI event set for New Orleans, Louisiana, TLA had to adapt quickly to make the TLI a remote event in order to accommodate the response to the health crisis. A quick note of thanks to Charles Riley and Clark Monroe for their efforts surrounding the 2020 TLI. Hopefully, TLA can make a return visit to New Orleans sometime soon in the future. As successful as the virtual seminars have been in the past year, as anyone who has ever been to a concert knows, there is nothing quite like a live event. Fortunately, it looks like the 2021 TLI will be live and in person. As such, saddle up for a “rock and roll” version of the TLI on November 12, 2021, at the Metropolitan at The 9 Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio.

TLI Committee Co-Chairs Stevan Baxter and Allen Jones are the promoters of the show this year and will ensure that “Cleveland Rocks.” In addition to an outstanding educational program, the Committee Co-Chairs have enlisted local talent to allow for the exploration of the sights, sounds and tastes of the “Forest City.” Indeed, be sure to check out the dining and entertainment activities planned to guarantee total emersion into what the town has to offer. “Simply put, this is not a one-note town, but a place rich in diversity and depth.”1

For a city that is the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, correlation between “forests” and the city of Cleveland is a little unclear. It is a little clearer, however, how Cleveland became associated with rock music. As history goes, a local disc jockey named Alan Freed on WJW (am) promoted jazzy and bluesy music in the early 1950s. He is credited during his tenure of spinning records with coining the phrase “rock and roll.” A full examination of the rock genre can be conducted at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with a complete accounting of the origins of the music, as well as the artists who made the music famous. A visit to the musical gallery will also provide some insight into the eclectic inductees now enshrined in the annals of history. Indeed, past honorees include

artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to Black Sabbath to Public Enemy to Whitney Houston.2 Accordingly, this notable site has something for everyone. For those of you who did not enjoy Headbangers Ball on MTV, the city of Cleveland has lots more to offer.3 The city is famous for its sports teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Browns. Beyond sports, it is culturally rich and historically significant. In fact, John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil in Cleveland long before the successor companies, Amoco Corporation and British Petroleum, were recognizable. Nonetheless, for others, Cleveland will always be associated with the sitcom The Drew Carey Show. The program, which aired from 1995–2004, was based on Cleveland native Drew Carey and his common man-themed interactions with work, friends and life in Cleveland.4 As a matter of fact, the musical intro to the show adopted the song “Cleveland Rocks,” which was originally performed by Ian Hunter and later covered by the band The Presidents of the United States. The song title now serves as a slogan for the town. Regardless, get your bandmates together and we will see you in Steve Canty Ohio. On a business note, a quick shout of praise to our Young/New Lawyers Committee for involving all of the latest inductees to our organization. Thanks also to all the Committee Co-Chairs for promoting the committee operations with the TLA. As a theme throughout 2021-2022, we are welcoming all members (new and aged) to become active in the TLA. Sitting on the proverbial sidelines is not encouraged. Rather, spectating is more appropriate for Professional Bull Riding.5 On the contrary, we encourage the membership to actively participate and seek a role in the association. On a personal note, I would like to express my continuing gratitude for the opportunity to serve as an officer of the TLA. I thank the Past Presidents who previously provided the encouragement to be active and involved in this organization. Moreover, my ongoing appreciation is extended for the work and efforts of TLA’s Representatives-at-Large Paul Mello, Melissa Thompson Richardson, Jeff Cox, Kim Stoll, Jason Orleans, Beth Lashuk, Peggy Bush, and Tom Martin, as well as current officers Chris Kelly, President-Elect; Eric Benton, First Vice President; Kathy Garber, Second Vice President; and Louis Amato-Gauci, Secretary/Treasurer. Their behind the scene work and commitment truly make them the “roadies” of TLA.

1 https://thefirsttenwords.wordpress.com/2017/07/03/cleveland-rocks/. 2 Based on an unscientific poll, no person has ever admitted to having been to a Black Sabbath concert and a Whitney Houston concert within the same lifetime. 3 This would include people who did not know, at one point in time, MTV actually played music. 4 Although Drew Carey was engaging in his own sitcom, by this author’s standards, he is not a substitute for the irreplaceable Bob Barker as host of The Price is Right. 5 If anyone thinks that TLA members should be actively riding bulls, please see video of Tuff Hedeman unsuccessfully ride the famous bull Bodacious.

TLA Mission Statement The Transportation Lawyers Association (“TLA”) is an independent bar association, comprised of in-house, government and private practice attorneys. Its members assist providers and commercial users of domestic and international logistics and transportation services, in all modes. TLA is dedicated to keeping its members ahead of the constant changes in the specialized legal environment governing all aspects of the supply chain and passenger travel. With commitment to excellence in continuing legal education, and a long tradition of collegiality and exchange of ideas, TLA is a collaborative resource for lawyers seeking to maximize the quality of the legal services they provide and enhance their professional lives.