Volume 28 September/October 2009 Issue 5. SPOOKS N SCOOTS - October 9 thru 11 NEXT STATE MEETING. Saturday, October 10, San Antonio, FL

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1 Volume 28 September/October 2009 Issue 5 SPOOKS N SCOOTS - October 9 thru 11 NEXT STATE MEETING Saturday, October 10, San Antonio, FL

2 Page ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT The Masterlink is the state publication of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Published bi-monthly (six times a year). ABATE offlorida, Inc. PO Box 2520 DeLand, Florida The submission deadline for all material intended for publication in the Masterlink is the bi-monthly State meetings. DISCLAIMER Masterlink is the official publication of ABATE of Florida, Inc. and accepts no responsibility for the comments or opinions contained in this publication. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES EDITORIAL GUIDELINES You are encouraged to submit letters about ABATE related events, stories, articles, photographs, poems, commentaries etc. All items become the property of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Please make items print ready. Leave at least 1/2 border on all sides. Please do not submit slanderous or accusing letters, profanity or nudity. ABATE of FLORIDA INC. will not accept any advertising that discriminates against any type of motorcyclist. ADVERTISING RATES (PER ISSUE) Full page $ Quarter Page $33.44 Half page $56.85 Business Card $16.05 All rates show sales tax. Those that advertise for one consecutive year in the Masterlink (6 issues) will receive one advertisement of equal value FREE. Full payment must accompany ad copy and form. All ads must be camera ready. Advertisers will receive one copy of each issue of Masterlink in which their advertisement appears. Non-ABATE event flyers are subject to Masterlink s advertising rates. As a courtesy there is no charge for benefit flyers. Non-ABATE flyers are subject to space availability. ABATE of Florida, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any advertiser at the discretion of the State Board of Directors. GOALS AND PURPOSES OF ABATE To print a newsletter to keep all bikers informed with regard to legislative actions and events around the state and throughout the country To become a powerful and viable political force in legislative matters concerning all motorcyclists rights To provide a lobbyist to represent ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. on the state and national level To promote voter registration and motivate members to write their legislators To promote safe riding habits without infringing on individual rights To educate the public about motorcycle awareness

3 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page STATE MEETINGS 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS October 10 December 12 Hillsborough Black Creek PRESIDENTS LETTER... 4 STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS... 5 MEMBERSHIP REPORT NEXT STATE MEETING Saturday, October 10, San Ant, FL STATE MEETING MINUTES CHAPTER INFORMATION OCTOBER STATE MEETING INFO MEMBERSHIP REPORT REMINDER! Flyers for chapter and benefit events taking place during the months of JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 must be to the Masterlink Editor by the October 2009 State Meeting. Be sure to provide a copy of all such flyers to each of the STATE BOD and the State Office Manager. SAFETY REPORT TRAFFIC LEGISLATION FREEDOM RIGHTS RALLY INFO STAR RUN BIKE WEEK INFO AD ORDER FORM/ADVERTISING RATES MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Thank you! WEB SITES of INTEREST http ://ajr.newslink.org/flnews.html statewatch/fl.html If you find a website that would be of interest to your fellow members please forward it to the Masterlink FULL THROTTLE MAGAZINE SUPPORTS ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

4 Page ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT The summer is drawing to a close and fall is almost upon us. It won t be long and the holidays will be here and it will be a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate. The reason I bring this up is I am personally worried that maybe there won t be these happy times in the future if the new health care package is passed by Congress. I urge everyone to read this bill and decide if it is good for you and your families. On the Florida front the motorcyclists in this state will be fighting a huge battle in the legislature this year. With the passing of the mandatory seat belt law that states; now law enforcement can stop you if they think your seat belt is not fastened, we are going to have our own problems caused by this law. There is a law that states you must wear your seat belt but now it is a primary offence. I have seen numerous news articles and people stating if they have to wear a seat belt then we should have to wear a helmet. If these same people would stand up and be counted, then this law would never have passed. There will other items that will concern motorcyclists including insurance and stiffer penalties for the people who hit and injure or kill motorcyclists. We must be vigilant in these matters and present the true facts in what really happens when we are hit and in cases killed. The state will be electing all new members of the state cabinet in All house seats are up for election and part of the state senate. On the Congressional front we will have all members of the House of Representatives up for election and one Senate seat. Throughout the next months we must learn as much as we can about the candidates and then decide who we will support in the primaries and general election. Senator Martinez has resigned his senate seat and the Governor will be picking someone to replace him for the final year of his term. The next state meeting will be held at Spooks and Scoots in October and I hope everyone will attend. The state party will be September 5-7 at the Sertoma Youth Ranch please try and attend, it is your event. Until then Ride Safe and Free!!!

5 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page BOARD OF DIRECTORS STATE OFFICE ABATE of Florida, Inc. PO Box 2520 DeLand, FL (386) (Fax Same) stateoffice@abateflorida.com PRESIDENT James Doc Reichenbach II PO Box 712 Silver Springs, FL (352) (Fax Same) (352) (Pager) abatefl@worldnet.att.net VICE PRESIDENT Danny Doc Fish PO Box 2225 Pace, FL (850) (850) (Fax) dfish30775@bellsouth.net SECRETARY Bob Alexander PO Box 848 Sebring, FL (863) (863) (Fax) freddymac@ct.net TREASURER Patti Nasrallah PO Box Temple Terrace, FL (813) (813) patti.winter@gte.net PR/COMMUNICATIONS BG Lyman PO Box 2809 Land O Lakes, FL (386) statepr-communications@abateflorida.com MEMBERSHIP Val Loper PO Box Hollywood, FL Phone (954) statemembership@abateflorida.com MASTERLINK EDITOR Bob von Bulow PO Box Allandale, FL (386) (Fax Same) masterlinkeditor@abateflorida.com LEGAL COUNSEL Larry Crow 1247 S. Pinellas Ave. Tarpon Springs, FL (727) (727) (Fax) crowlaw@tampabay.rr.com LEGISLATIVE Darrin Scribe Brooks PO BOX Naples, FL (239) (239) (Fax) statelegislative@abateflorida.com PRODUCTS Steve Caretaker Knee PO Box 2077 Pace, FL (850) (850) (Fax) stateproducts@abateflorida.com DIRECTOR 0F SAFETY EDUCATION Tom Nugent P.O. Box 1532 Orange Park, FL (904) safetydirector@abateflorida.com WEB SITE LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE FLABATE ( ) Toll Free Inside Florida Only WEBMASTER-ASST. PR/COMM. Dave Lockdown Rich statewebmaster@abateflorida.com SGT. AT ARMS Dennis Mudder Rudoi P O Box 4148 Winter Park, FL (407) Fax: (407) statesgtatarms@abateflorida.com NEXT STATE MEETING Saturday, October 10, San Antonio, FL SEE FLYER INSIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION

6 Page ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 CHAPTER UPDATE REPORT May 2009 New Chapter Members New Renewal Deleted Deliquent Voters Life Members Transfer % Growth Late % Voters Member AT LARGE % 69% -6 ALACHUA % 73% -5 BIG BEND % 84% -4 BLACK CREEK % 84% 0 BREVARD % 81% 1 CALOOSAHATCHEE % 82% -25 DAYTONA BEACH % 73% -4 DUVAL % 63% 10 ESTERO RIVER % 80% 1 FIRST COAST % 75% 0 FOREST % 85% -6 FREEDOM % 78% -7 GATOR ALLEY % 77% -8 GULF COAST % 84% 3 HILLSBOROUGH % 81% -12 INDEPENDENCE % 78% -4 INDIAN RIVER % 88% -22 INERSTATE % 74% -6 LAKE % 73% -13 NATURE COAST % 100% 0 PALM BEACH % 63% 19 PEACE RIVER % 83% -6 POLK COUNTY % 77% -4 PUTNAM % 81% -1 SEMINOLE % 74% -1 SOUTHEAST % 73% -43 SOUTHERNMOST % 79% 0 SOUTHWEST % 80% 0 SUMTER COUNTY % 59% -29 TREASURE COAST % 73% 4 VINTAGE % 88% 2 WEST COAST % 79% -6 TOTALS % 77% -172

7 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page CHAPTER UPDATE REPORT June 2009 New Chapter Members New Renewal Deleted Deliquent Voters Life Members Transfer % Growth Late % Voters Member AT LARGE % 69% 2 ALACHUA % 73% -3 BIG BEND % 85% 1 BLACK CREEK % 84% 3 BREVARD % 82% -3 CALOOSAHATCHEE % 83% -6 DAYTONA BEACH % 74% 6 DUVAL % 59% 10 ESTERO RIVER % 80% -11 FIRST COAST % 76% -3 FOREST % 84% -6 FREEDOM % 78% 3 GATOR ALLEY % 76% 3 GULF COAST % 83% -6 HILLSBOROUGH % 80% -11 INDEPENDENCE % 80% -42 INDIAN RIVER % 92% 0 INERSTATE % 74% 13 LAKE % 73% 3 NATURE COAST % 100% -2 PALM BEACH % 65% 13 PEACE RIVER % 82% 1 POLK COUNTY % 77% 1 PUTNAM % 81% 1 SEMINOLE % 75% 2 SOUTHEAST % 73% -25 SOUTHERNMOST % 79% -8 SOUTHWEST % 80% 6 SUMTER COUNTY % 59% -8 TREASURE COAST % 74% 8 VINTAGE % 89% 1 WEST COAST % 79% 0 TOTALS % 77% -57

8 Page ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DELEGATES MEETING August 8, 2009, Caloosahatchee Chapter hosting at Cape Coral Meeting called to order at 2:01pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence to remember our service personnel who are currently in harms way, by President James Doc Reichenbach. Board members present were: President James Doc Reichenbach, Danny Doc Fish Vice President, Secretary Bob Alexander, Treasurer Patti Nasrallah, Sgt. at Arms Dennis Mudder Rudoi, Membership Trustee Val Loper,, Masterlink Editor Bob von Bulow,, and Products Trustee Steve Caretaker Knee, Legislative Trustee Darrin Scribe Brooks, and State Office Boots. Also present were Assistant Sgt at Arms TJ Painter, and safety director Tom Nugent. Absent excused were, Legal Council Larry Crow, Public Relations Officer BG Lyman, Assistant Sgt at Arms Dan Daniel, and Assistant Legislative Sgt at Arms Mike Johnson. The following Delegates represented their chapters: Alachua - Jim Burrow, Eric Litt Big Bend - Terry Mosier, Chris Allen Black Creek - Darrell Meadows, Carol Meadows Brevard - Theresa Clifton, Michael Bowden Caloosahatchee - Trudi Steel, Roy Steel Daytona Beach - John Banta, James Hoffman Duval - Paul H Casper (sic), Lee Johnson Estero River - Kinsey Winstead, Larry Peterson First Coast - Wanda Garrison Forest - Paul Antonio, Judyann Antonio Freedom - Rose Ann Nutt Gator Alley - Bill Ratcliff, John Stevens Gulf Coast - Satch VerCrouse, Tom Wallen Hillsborough - Milton Gonzales, James Sewell Independence - Carol Green, Larry Green Indian River - Lisa Cutts Inerstate - Bobby Beasley, Dale Moore Lake - Griz Deaver, Casey Staley Nature Coast - Frank Moore, Anita Kline Palm Beach - Ed Lattari Budd Aubry Peace River - Bill Bird, Bill Neal Polk County - Christian Brandfass, Patty Brandfass Putnam County - Pauline Sasser, Herlon Sasser Seminole County - Janet Angel, Terry Angel Southeast - Chris Sharp, Paul A. Meleer Southernmost - William Rizzo, Kyle Cholmandeley (sic) Southwest - Robert Litterello, Frankie Kennedy Sumter County - Richard Swisher, Michael Hall Treasure Coast - Gary Ortner, Janice Roy Vintage - Katrina Nager, Jeff Jinx Nager West Coast - Mark Willett, Jim Moser President James Doc Reichenbach: Regarding products sold at state meetings, if you are not the chapter hosting, your chapter products are not to be sold. Thanks to everyone who came to seminars, they will be done again next year. Vice President Danny Doc Fish: Make sure your chapter is getting their minutes to the state office, as well as each chapter president. If you your newsletters, make sure each state board member gets one. Secretary Bob Alexander: No corrections or additions. Moved by Lake, second by Forest to accept minutes as written, passes. Treasurer Patti Nasrallah: treasurer report in packets. Moved by Putman second by Vintage to accept treasurer report. MOTION PASSED. SGA Mudder: State party coming up, he needs help with security. State Office Manager: Boots Flyers and insurance requests are now coming back to state office. Remember not to place periods in ABATE, also Florida is spelled out not abbreviated. Some chapters still have not turned in updates

9 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 9 Membership Val Loper: Membership is 7,524 down 114, Voters are 5,802 up 67. May Most New members is Palm Beach, May Highest Percentage of Growth is Vintage. June Most New Members tie between Palm Beach and Inerstate, June Highest Percentage of Growth is Inerstate Masterlink Editor Bob von Bulow: we are going to include the Masterlink on the website, but we will continue to mail as before. We will not be totally on-line for awhile if ever. Boots: regarding chapter updates, please do not send them to Bob v directly, they MUST go to the state office first. Independence re: monthly newsletter, bylaw states everyone will receive one, does satisfy this? Bob v says yes, but if member cannot receive one electronically, a hardcopy must be provided. PR/Communications Lockdown (BG absent excused): RE: Website, online advertising is happening, keep watching. We have decided to try to get all chapters to have ABATE of Florida Inc. addresses. This will not cost the chapters anything. We are contacting chapters a couple at a time. The benefits are, if chapter officers change, addresses will remain the same. We need access codes and passwords for all chapter sites. New SOP S for websites are available. Statistics on website, reads scope of hits, we are getting contacts from all over the world. What search criteria do they use to get to us? Helmet laws top the list. RE: PR - please ask all chapter officers to write something for their newsletters. Promote events, help build your funds. Carry membership applications with you at all times. Brainstorm among yourselves; find new ways to promote bike ticket sales. Lockdown s contact information is: lockdowninc@comcast.net or cell Safety Director Tom Nugent: Thanks to Forest Chapter for getting the safety supplies here today. Regarding allowing local TV stations access to our safety videos, Larry has approved a letter that we can send, basically says they will not change it, will play it in its entirety, and will give us credit. Safety materials are not to decorate houses of your members, they are to be distributed to the public. Distribute at classrooms, bike nights, target OUTSIDERS, not necessarily members. Chris Sharp mentions magnets for cars and trucks. Says he has three or four at all times on his truck, when he is asked, he gives one away. Tom must get reports from chapters, or materials will not be given out. He has a supply of flash drives, they are in your packets. Please give them to your safety director, secretary and president. On Saturday Sept 26, am-2pm at Middleburg, we have scheduled a room, will go through an MSAP presentation. We will be doing more of them in other regions. RE: Motorcycle Safety Commission, Doc has a seat for the November meeting, but he will not be able to go as he must be in Washington DC. He will decide who is going in his place. Products Trustee Steve Caretaker Knee: Shows official Boots List patch. Suppliers are having trouble getting some sizes on life shirts, this should be resolved shortly. Legislative Trustee Darren Brooks: be cognizant of how your legislator s minds work, note how your actions affect ABATE and the cause as a whole. Watch your image. This time of year is the slow time in legislature, this should be the busiest time for your trustees. They should be meeting them in their offices and meeting their staff. Staff members are the gatekeepers to the legislators. Good relationships now will help you immensely when session begins. Presidents should go with the trustees to meet the legislators. August newsletter legislative voice should be coming out soon. We need clarification on our policy for endorsing a candidate. It is unclear if we are allowed to specifically support one

10 Page 10 ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 candidate over another, so at this point we are not publically endorsing any single candidate. But you can support someone as an individual. Chris Sharp says they publish a guide that states who supports certain issues to help members make up their mind Make sure any information you give out is factual. Lobbyist Doc: RE: bill 2282 (first responders bill), Doc received a thank you from David A Sampson (property casualty insurers) for the support we gave them on this bill. We also got a letter from their lobbyist thanking us. Second, Doc received an that made the statement the lobbyist is a paid employee. This is not true, the lobbyist is an independent contractor NOT an employee. Also, the said we support term limits. We have never supported term limits. Bills will draft our bills in September. This is the year all legislators will be coming to us, they will need money. We have votes. Make sure they know we have votes. Senator Martinez has resigned; governor will have to appoint somebody. Stiffer penalties will be done again. Expect a helmet law bill this year. Doc will be talking to Bill McCollum, see where he stands. Doc has invited him to speak at one of our meetings. At the end of session for the stiffer penalties bill, Satch asks if he would mind if some members came up to speak, Doc says fine, but he wants to know what will be said. The support we get in Tallahassee is important. Legislators ask Doc in the hall when the event is coming up. We need you to show up for this, if any single event needs to be supported, this is the one. Paul from Forest Chapter Asks if since helmets are not standard equipment on motorcycles by manufacturers like seat belts are in cars, is it possible we cannot be required to wear one? Doc thinks this is probably not productive line of thinking at this time. Also, there will probably be a bill to require insurance for motorcycles. All chapters should have received state fact sheet by now. Strongbow notes sport bike riders object to ABATES stand on helmets. Notes, it has always been our position that helmets are freedom of choice for a responsible adult, in NO WAY are we anti-helmet. We are pro FREEDOM OF CHOICE. Gator Alley presents an award for Doc for service. Heartfelt thanks from Southwest Chapters. Vice president back to president. Legal Council Larry Crow: Nothing new on legal front. Doc West Coast toy run lawsuit is settled. NCOM: planning is coming along; Doc wants us to present our safety program there. Five Star chapters will to do a hospitality suite. Hotel Marriott will donate a room, we don t know if we are allowed give away beer, the hotel needs to consult their corporate policy. Estero Tammy this is an opportunity to show rest of the country what good work we have done. Five stars will organize it, but it is for the benefit of all of us. Wants all the conventioneers to see what we have done. She would like chapters to donate of they could, send donations to Southwest. Banners from individual chapters can be shown. BG will be in charge of Women in Motorcycling at the convention. More seminars will be developed. MRF / AMA: MRF is concentrating on health care, you really need to read the bill. If it passes in the form its written, some of your insurance will go by the wayside. It hasn t been said how it will affect the VA insurance. Chris Sharp reiterates the seriousness of this bill, how important it is to read and understand this. AMA nothing from them in awhile.

11 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 11 FLASHBACK 2009: Danny Contracts to two bands, will forward copies to Doc and Patti. Is ordering trophies. Main objective - have a good time. There will be a bike show and bike games. If you could donate a door prize or sponsor a game, your help will be appreciated. Gate opens Noon on Friday. BIKE WEEK 2010: contracts are signed, plans are on track. Hope for better economy and better attendance. Need people to come and help especially in the cook shack and security. TALLAHASSEE 2010: Had to take the week of 4/19/10, plans will be complete as soon as we obtain the insurance. We need to be there to show our support. Old Business: RE: Palm beach driver license bylaw, during discussion Palm Beach says they decided NOT to carry this forward. Jim Burrows says this is a procedural error. Peace River says a chapter should be able to pull their own bylaw. Estero River says if we don t vote on it now, it can come up again. Wants to call for the vote. Vote called by roll call, bylaw was defeated 46 to 5 with 2 abstain New Business: bylaw committee. We are appointing a standing bylaw committee assigned the task of updating old and considering new bylaws. Chris Sharp and Demetrious Kerkiles are co-chairmen. Kasey Staley, David Rich, Milton Gonzalez, Tom Gillenwater and Billy Bird are the other members. If you are a chapter you will submit to them. Chris framework for how to do the process, each chapter will have an opportunity to weigh in on this. A deadline has not yet been set. Jim Burrow notes they have four in process at this time, Chris says the process will be defined first, then those four along with any others will be considered. Brevard committee is NOT to prevent chapters from submitting changes. Chris says he cannot speak to the process at this time, but suggests committee might vet some issues, but says any important, valid point will be brought before the board. Brevard, concern that info will be held by the committee and not turned over to the delegation. Jim Burrows has the committee been informed of their duties, and/or charter? Thinks the delegates should be able to select some committee members too. Doc says the fairest thing is to turn this over to an impartial committee. Chris says he will be impartial, but this is a good time to change some things for the good of the chapters. This is also an opportunity to change for the good of the corporation. Polk County asks if one chapter submitted four bylaw changes, and if so, does this process violate current bylaws. Doc says this committee has been talked about for a year, and this is as good of a time as any to implement it. Duval has discussed how to save money, could chapters have their elections every two years instead of one, would save the leadership seminars every other year. Doc says this is an excellent idea to send to the bylaw committee. Good of the Order: various events read. Question asked what constitutes a stop on a motorcycle? Wheels stopped? Feet on the ground? What are the grounds for photo issued tickets? Chris will research case law and report. Mudder says forward motion must cease to be considered a stop. Drawings for prizes and silent auction. Congratulations to Lydia from Duval who won the 50/50 drawing, she donated half of it back to ABATE. Thank you to all for attending! Meeting adjourned by unanimous acclaim! 5:20 pm

12 Page 12 ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 CHAPTER INFORMATION ALACHUA COUNTY PO Box Gainesville, FL John Short, Pres. (352) Doug Mitchell, VP (352) Website: Meetings: 3rd Friday 7:00 PM Place: Alachua Sports Pub, NW 150th Av Alachua BIG BEND PO Box 386 Woodville, FL Teeah DiPietrantonio, Pres. (850) Chris Allen, VP (850) Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 2:00 PM Place: New location to be determined Contact president for information BLACK CREEK PO Box 2123 Middleburg, FL Darrell Meadows, Pres. (904) Kevin Eck, VP (904) Website: Meetings: Last Sunday 2:00 PM Place: VFW Post Aster Av., Middleburg BREVARD COUNTY PO Box Cocoa, FL Mike Pope, Pres. (321) Mike Bowden, VP (321) Fax: (321) Website: Meetings: 1st Tuesday 7:30 PM Place: American Legion Post Peachtree St., Cocoa CALOOSAHATCHEE PO Box Cape Coral, FL Roy Steel, Pres. (239) Larry Dobransky, VP (305) Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: VFW, 4709 SE 11th Pl., Cape Coral DAYTONA BEACH PO Box Daytona Beach, FL Ken Holland, Pres. (386) Steve Fritze, VP (386) Website: Meetings: 1st Thursday 7:30 PM Place: Iron Horse, 1068 N US 1, Ormond Beach DUVAL COUNTY PO Box Jacksonville, FL Victor Sawyers, Pres. (904) Mark Purvis, VP (904) Meetings: 3rd Sunday 1:00 PM Place: Greybeards Tavern, 3382 Commonwealth Jacksonville ESTERO RIVER PO Box Bonita Springs, FL Tammy Brickley, Pres. (239) Kinsey Winstead, VP (239) Fax: (239) esterolegislative@yahoo.com Website: Meetings: 4th Sunday 10:00 AM Place: San Carlos Country Club S. Tamiami Trail, Ft. Myers FIRST COAST PO Box 1401 Calahan, FL Wanda Garrison, Pres. (904) Sandie Clifford, VP (904) theoriginalwicked@yahoo.com Meetings: 3rd Sunday 1:00 PM Murray s Grill, SR 200, Yulee FOREST PO Box 2409 Silver Springs, FL Paul Antonio, Pres. (352) Bob Wilson, VP (352) forestpresident@wmconnect.com Website: Meetings: 1st Saturday 10:00 AM (except Dec.) Place: Lassie s Restaurant 5068 SE Abshier Blvd., Bellview FREEDOM CHAPTER PO Box Spring Hill, FL Dave Soles, Pres. (352) Dan Spell, VP (352) dwsoles@gmail.com Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: American Legion Post Cortez Blvd., Brooksville GATOR ALLEY PO Box Naples, FL John Stevens, Pres. (239) Rick Loy, VP (239) secretary@gatoralley.net Website: Meetings: 4th Sunday 11:00 AM (no meeting in Dec.) Place: VFW Post 7721, 800 Neff s Way, Naples GULF COAST PO Box Pensacola, FL Gary Satch VerCrouse, Pres. (850) Tom Hugs Wallen, VP (850) Fax: (850) gcabatepres@bellsouth.net Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: American Legion Post Ashland Av., Pensacola HILLSBOROUGH PO Box Tampa, FL Richard Nasrallah, Pres. (813) James Sewell, VP (813) Fax: (813) richard.nasrallah@verizon.net Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday, 12 NOON Place: Pole Barn, 6921 Senoj Dr., Tampa INDEPENDENCE PO Box Melbourne, FL Barry Bear Conoway, Pres. (321) Chris Chuck Turner, VP (321) bearofabate@bellsouth.net Website: Meetings: Last Tuesday 7:00 PM Place: American Legion Post S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne USE CHANGE OF INFORMATION FORM AND SEND ALL CHAPTER CHANGES DIRECTLY TO THE STATE OFFICE Change of information forms can be found at

13 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 13 INDIAN RIVER PO Box Vero Beach, FL Frankie DeLong, Pres. (772) Tony Whiting, VP (772) Fax: (772) Meetings 1st & 3rd Monday 7:00 PM Place: Mrs. B s Restaurant, th St., Vero Bch INERSTATE PO Box 754 Sebring, FL Tom Higgins, Pres. (863) Bobby Beasley, VP (863) Fax: (863) thogrider@yahoo.com Website: Meetings 4th Sunday; 11:00 AM Place: The Blue Crab, 825 Ridgewood Dr., Sebring LAKE COUNTY PO. Box 492 Astatula, FL Will Griz Deaver Pres. (352) Casey Staley, VP. (407) Fax: (352) HDGriz@aol.com Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday Noon Place: Lake County Eagles Aerie # Haywood Worm Farm Rd., Okahumpka NATURE COAST P.O. Box 27 Bronson, FL Josephus Gore, Pres. (352) Steve Mallady, VP (352) jbgore@earthlink.net Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 2:00 PM Place: Willards Restaurant & Lounge 3490 SE County Road 337, Morriston PALM BEACH PO Box Boca Raton, FL Budd Strongbow Aubry, Pres. (561) John Papa Bear Olsey, VP (561) Fax: (561) Website: president@abatepalmbeach.com Meetings: 3rd Saturday 11:30 AM Place: VFW Post Broadway, Riviera Beach CHAPTER INFORMATION PEACE RIVER PO Box Murdock, FL Greg Borden, Pres. (941) Darrell LaCourse, VP (941) cebglb98@aol.com Website: peaceriver.abateflorida.com Meetings: 4th Sunday; 11:00 AM Place: 4940 Pan American Blvd., North Port POLK COUNTY PO Box 2743 Lakeland, FL David L. Budia, Pres. (813) Christian W. Brandfass Jr., VP (863) abatepc@msn.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 1:00 PM Place: AmVets Post 32, 1325 E. Gary Rd. PUTNAM COUNTY PO Box 1334 East Palatka, FL Bill Stoltz, Pres. (386) Mike Richards, VP Meetings: 1st Sunday 12 NOON Place: Cheyenne Saloon, 377 S. Hwy 17, E. Palatka SEMINOLE PO Box Winter Springs, FL Tom Gillenwater, Pres. (407) Rande Zuclich, VP (321) gill7190@bellsouth.net Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: D.A.V., 3512 Orlando Drive, Sanford SOUTHEAST PO Box Ft. Lauderdale, FL James Sherrow, Pres. (954) Bob Levitt, VP (954) webmaster@abatese.org Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: American Legion SW 51st St., Davie SOUTHERNMOST P.O. Box Marathon, FL William Bill Kelly, Pres. (305) Sandy MacLaren, VP (305) Fax: (305) southernmost.abateflorida@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday 11:00 AM Place: Location Varies - Call Pres or VP SOUTHWEST PO Box Ft. Myers, FL Frank Kennedy, Pres. (239) Bob Litterello, VP (239) Fax: (239) swchief2000@yahoo.com Website: Meetings: 4th Sunday 10:00 AM Place: Victory Lane Cafe 4120 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., N. Fort Myers SUMTER COUNTY PO Box 1255 Lake Panasoffkee, FL Richard Swisher, Pres. (352) Micheal Hall, VP (352) Meetings: 3rd Saturday 12:30 PM Location: Moose Lodge 1179, 1317 CR 470 Lake Panasoffkee TREASURE COAST PO Box 1360 Roseland, FL Steve Kliemisch, Pres (772) Gary Ortner, VP (321) abatetreasurecoast@yahoo.com Website: Meetings: Last Wednesday 7:00pm Place: Marsh Landing, 41 N. Broadway St., Fellsmere VINTAGE PO Box St. Augustine, FL Mike Johnson, Pres. (904) Larry Alameda, VP (904) vintage2007@bellsouth.net Meetings: 3rd Sunday Noon Location: VFW, 6184 US1 South, St. Augustine WEST COAST PO Box Sarasota, FL Mark Willett, Pres. (941) James Moser, VP (941) Fax: (941) cynwillett@aol.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday, 11:00 AM Place: Fruitville Park, 5151 Richardson Road, Sarasota

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16 Page 16 ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 Where were you when the ship hit the sand? Tom Nugent State Safety Education Does that sound familiar to another phrase you have probably heard? For you chapter officers, both new and old, the ship hit the sand on July 25th. That was the date of the annual Leadership Seminars and you all should have been there. This is a one day a year event that is designed to provide you with the information necessary for you to be successful in fulfilling your position as a chapter officer. Don t try telling me that it was more important for you to try out that new rod and reel, or wash your bike, or cut your lawn than to attend the seminar. You know the seminars are held every year in July, generally towards the end of the month. The cost of attending should not have been a reason for you to not attend either. Even a small chapter can finance this trip. With very few exceptions most of you are only a couple of hours from Deland. So you don t hang out quite as late on Friday night, you get up a little early on Saturday and ride to the seminar. Maybe you would have needed to stay over night. Your chapter budget should have included a line item for Expenses for chapter officers to attend Leadership Seminars. What chapter budget? If you are running a chapter without an annual budget my question back at you is, How? You don t stumble through your personal life spending with no regard to your income. You plan your expenses, as best you can, with a budget. If your chapter hasn t been doing one maybe you should start. If nothing else, earmark all the money from you chapter 50/50 s or drawings for the year to cover expenses to attend the Leadership Seminars. Put on a run or two to raise money specifically for the seminars just like you do to raise money for people to go to Tallahassee in April, and if you are not doing that maybe you should put that in your budget also. The majority of you can ride to Deland attend the seminars and still be home for dinner. Total expenses would have been for Val Loper State Membership Well here it is time to write my article again for the Masterlink. I just want to let everyone know I do love my position on the State Board of Directors as Membership Trustee. I hope that I am doing good job for all of you and have helped or taken care of any problems you have had this past year. I think that this year will be even better and I should be able to get your report to you in a timelier manner now that we are mailing and ing the report directly to me. But remember, you must send me a copy of your check and the original checks must still go to Patti our State Treasurer. membership report gas, you would have eaten someplace anyway. Looking at the chapter officer s report many of you have husbands and wives serving on your chapter s board so you would have most likely ridden together. You larger chapters should have no excuses because your chapter income certainly should be able to cover travel for a once a year activity that is so important to your chapter begin successful. Now for those of you who did attend the seminars, thank you. I hope you found them, especially Safety, informative and educational. I know some of you have been instructors for a long time. You were already proficient in the craft of instructing others. I hope I and the Regional Directors were able to give you some hints to polishing your skills. Or, perhaps it was the discussion or question of others in the seminar that shed light on the job to help you improve. If you did not get what you needed then - contact me and let me know. I will do my very best to incorporate your ideas and suggestions into next year s seminar and I will try have answers to your input placed on the web. Speaking of the web, I am hoping to make all of the material related to Safety available via the web. Please realize that other officers will probably be doing likewise and our web-master is working very hard to satisfy everyone s wants and desires. Keep looking. Again, if you were there thank you very much. If you were not there you missed a wonderful experience. Please get the information from your chapter president. They have a copy of everything that was presented. Send me your inputs and start planning and budgeting to attend next year s seminars. Remember, you might learn something that will help you to do a better job or, you might share information from you own personal bag of tricks that will help someone else. We all benefit by helping each other. Ride like you life depends on it because it does This next point is coming from me as a Member of ABATE of Florida Inc. not as a Board Member, I wish that everyone of you would sit back and remember why you joined ABATE. Was it for the cause or was it to fight with each other? I have to tell you that the more we have to put out fires, the longer it will take for us to get things accomplished. Because we can not concentrate on the cause only, we are forced to put out the fires and get chapters to get a long with each other. We need to join together and fight together for the cause not each other. Hope to see you all at Flashback and I could use some help at the Membership booth if anyone would like to help, if not, see everyone at Spooks and Scoots.

17 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page Legislation Affecting Traffic & Motor Vehicle Laws The following is a summary of legislative changes related to traffic and motor vehicle laws that were enacted during the 2009 Legislative Session. Before any policy or operational decisions are made, the complete version of the law should be carefully reviewed. Complete copies of the bills may be obtained from the Department of State, the distribution offices of the Florida House and Senate, independent reporting agencies or the official website of the Florida Legislature at Ch. Law SB 1100 DHSMV - Effective 06/16/ The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is re-enacted and the obsolete Bureau of MV Inspections is deleted from statute. Section 2. Any person who held a driver license, identification card or motor vehicle registration between June 1, 2000 and September 30, 2004 is eligible to receive a $1 credit on a new or renewed motor vehicle registration between July 1, 2009 and June 30, (1) (b) 1. On a multi-lane road, the driver of a vehicle passing an emergency vehicle shall reduce their speed to 20 mph less than the posted limit, if they are unable to move over (3) A motorcyclist may not conceal or obscure their license plate. The requirement that a motorcycle license plate be affixed horizontally is deleted Mini-trucks are allowed to operate on the same roadways and in the same manner as a low-speed vehicle, which includes streets where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less (27) The definition of a motorcycle in Florida law will coincide with that of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when applicable (45) A definition for mini truck is created Mini-trucks are to be properly licensed and registered (2) Provisions are added that would allow an exemption from the requirement to have a driver license or identification card number on a disabled parking permit if the disabled person is physically unable to appear at a driver license office. This provision is effective November 1, Any driver who is the at-fault party in three crashes within three years will be required to take a behind-the-wheel driver education course. This provision is effective January 1, (1) The provision allowing the issuance of a Valid in Florida Only license is removed from statute effective November 1, (6) The department will no longer issue a driver license and identification card to the same person, effective November 1, (2) The department is authorized to waive the hearing requirement for a hardship license if the underlying suspension is the result of a non-egregious offense Minor changes are made to the commercial driver license disqualification process to comply with federal law. Ch. Law SB 344 Safety Belts Effective 06/30/ (6) The safety belt requirements of this section do not apply to vehicles that are not required to be equipped with safety belts by federal law. The requirement that the safety belt law be enforced only as a secondary violation is removed. Ch. Law HB 293 Titles and Registrations - Effective 07/01/ (2) The owner or coowner of a vehicle who has made a bona fide sale or transfer of the vehicle must notify the department within 30 days in a format prescribed by the department (17) Provisions are added to allow a lienor to notify the department that a registration renewal should be withheld (10) Jurisdiction over electronic filing systems used to by third parties to register a vehicle are expressly preempted to the State. By January 1, 2010 a report is to be filed with the Legislature on these systems This newly created section creates a method for lienors to file a notice with department when a vehicle is to be surrendered by the owner. The owner may dispute the notice of surrender by notifying the department in writing (8) (c) When a vehicle is impounded or immobilized for driving on a suspended license, the towing service must send the notice to the owner by certified mail, however the requirement for a return receipt is deleted (8) (f) A vehicle impounded under this section may be released to the lienholder Notices mailed to owners of vehicles which have been towed at the request of law enforcement will no longer require a return receipt. Other minor changes are made to this section (2) (c) Independent vehicle dealers are required to issue temporary license plates for all vehicle sales. This provision becomes effective October 1, (8) The transfer of a metal plate from one vehicle to another shall be electronically reported to the department by the dealer. This provision becomes effective July 1, The court is required to create a list of agencies approved to impound or immobilize a vehicle as part of sentencing. The affected defendant shall be provided a copy of the list by the court. Additionally, new qualifying requirements are created for those persons wishing to participate in the impoundment and immobilization industry. Ch. Law HB 333 Off-Highway Vehicles Effective 07/01/ , The weight limit for all-terrain vehicles is raised to 1,200 lbs. A new definition for motorized recreational offhighway vehicles is created. Ch. Law HB 405 Delivery Vehicles Effective 07/01/ The terms golf cart, residential area and seasonal delivery personnel are all defined. Between October 15th and December 31st seasonal delivery personnel may operate a golf cart, low-speed vehicle, or a utility vehicle in a residential area where the posted speed limit is within specified limits depending on the type of vehicle to deliver packages. Ch. Law SB 1030 Lights on Vehicles Effective 07/01/ (2) County Correctional agencies are permitted to show or display blue lights when responding to emergencies. Ch. Law HB 687 Voluntary Check-off Effective 07/01/ (15) A new voluntary check-off is created on the motor vehicle registration application for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Ch. Law SB 554 University Police/Traffic Law - Effective 07/01/ (1)(a)1.b. University police officers are authorized to continued next page

18 Page 18 ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 continued from page 1 7 enforce all traffic laws when violations occur on or within 1,000 feet of any property or facilities under the guidance or supervision of the university. Ch. Law HB 1021 Transportation - Effective 07/01/ (1) The term race is redefined (4) A motor vehicle used while racing on the highway may be impounded for 30 business days. Ch. Law SB 1718 Traffic Court - Effective 07/01/ Clarification is made to the practical effect of the elimination of the 18% reduction on the fine for electing traffic school during the special session of January (18) The administrative fee of $12.50 and the Article V assessment fee of $10 which are currently charged for all traffic violations of chapter 316 is expanded to include traffic violations of chapters 320 and 322. Ch. Law SB 2108 Traffic Court - Effective 07/01/ (13) The surcharge on traffic violations which is authorized to fund state court facilities is raised to $30. The board of county commissioners is authorized to impose by ordinance a surcharge on infractions for the exclusive purpose of securing payment on bonds issued after July 1, 2009 to fund state court facilities. (Note: The effective date of SB 2108 was modified by SB For the effective date of this bill, please refer to section 21 of SB 1718) Ch. Law HB 1423 FWCC - Effective 09/01/ (3) The title fee assessment for the Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund is increased to $ (4) The annual use fee for the Manatee license plate is changed from $20 to $25. The annual use fee for the Conserve Wildlife license plate is changed from $15 to $ Breath alcohol levels for boating under the influence are conformed to the current requirements for driving under the influence Throughout chapter 328, language is added to require all vessels that are used or stored on the waters of this state to be titled and registered unless used or stored on private lakes or ponds. This section is effective October 1, 2009 Ch. Law SB 1778 Motor Vehicle and Driver License Fees - Effective 09/01/09 This bill makes numerous fee changes throughout chapters 316, 321, 320 and 322. Driver License Fee Changes Original/Renewal Class E Driver License...$48 Original/Renewal Commercial License...$75 Original/Renewal School Board CDL...$48 Replacement DL...$25 ID Cards...$25 Delinquent Fee...$15 Knowledge Re-exam fee...$10 Skills Re-exam fee...$20 Disqualification/Revocation Reinstatement...$75 Suspension Reinstatement...$45 Administrative Alcohol Fee...$130 D-6/Child Support Reinstatement...$60 Filing Fee for hardship license...$12 Filing Fee for formal/informal review...$25 DUI Program Assessment Fee...$15 Interlock Program Assessment Fee...$12 Tax Collector Service Fee...$6.25 Motor Vehicle Fee Changes Base Tax on all vehicles...35% increase, fees vary by weight Commercial Vehicle Surcharge...$10 Transportation Surcharge...$4 Specialty/Personalized Processing...$5 FRVIS Fee...$1.25 General Revenue Surcharge...$5.50 Service Fee...$5 Decal Fee...$3 License Plate Fee...$28 Reflective materials fee...$1.50 Initial Registration fee...$225 Base Title Fee...$70 Fast Title Fee...$10 For-hire Title Fee...$49 Delinquent Title Fee...$20 Service fee for paper title...$2.50 Publication Fee for dealers...$75 Vehicle Re-inspection fee...$20 Record Fees Crash Report...$10 3-year driver history...$8 7-year driver history...$ The license plate replacement cycle is changed from six years to ten years The Autism license plate is created. An annual use fee of $25 is collected and distributed to the Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers Inc., to service programs supporting individuals with autism. The proceeds of the Golf License plate are redistributed to the Dade Amateur Golf Association Vehicle importers and distributors are authorized to use manufacturer license plates The tax collector service fee for driver licenses transactions is defined. Ch. Law SB 858 Voluntary Check-off - Effective 10/01/ (6) A new voluntary check-off is created on the driver license application for the Florida Heart Research Institute. Ch. Law HB 481 Enhanced Penalties - Effective 10/01/ (5) (c) An additional $65 penalty is added to passing a stopped school bus, racing on the highway and reckless driving. The additional revenue is to be distributed to the Department of Health for trauma centers (3) Drivers who are convicted of running a red light, passing a stopped school bus, racing on the highway or reckless driving are required to take a driver improvement course upon a first offense (6) The court is required to take into consideration the hardship placed upon a DUI defendant when ordering community service and may accept payment of $10 for each hour in lieu of the community service.

19 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 19 ABATE of Florida, Inc. 15th ANNUAL FREEDOM RIGHTS RALLY April 16 - April 19, 2010 State Meeting Sunday April 18th at 2:00 pm State Board Meeting Sunday April 18th at Noon Monticello, Florida American Legion Hall 1065 S. Water St. Monticello, FL Ride to the Capitol Monday April 19 from Monticello KOA Campground at 9:00am ALL ARE WELCOME Free Tent Camping RV Hookups $45.00 per night Cabins $150 (3 night event price) KOA Campground 346 KOA Road Monticello, FL Located at exit 225 at I-10 in Monticello, call for directions only. 20 miles east of Tallahassee & 6 miles SW of Monticello. From I-10 at US19 proceed south 600 feet, then west on C158B for 2 miles, then north on S259 for 1/2 mile. Follow the signs. American Legion Hall Go 2 blocks west of the Opera House on US90, then turn west on Waters Street. Go 1/2 mile to Legion Hall. Reservations for RV Hookups (Pop-Up Campers, Vans and RV s) and Cabins need to be made through the ABATE of Florida State Office. Call for reservations. RV sites and cabins are limited. Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. ABATE of Florida, Inc. does not condone drinking and driving.

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22 Page 22 ABATE of Florida, Inc. September/October 2009 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Masterlink Ad Form Advertiser Name: Advertiser Address: City: State: Zip: Phone Number (with area code): All rates show sales tax. Advertise in six consecutive issues of Masterlink and receive one issue of equal value advertising FREE Circle One Only Full Page - One Issue... $ Full Page - Seven Issues...$ /2 Page - One Issue... $ /2 Page - Seven Issues...$ /4 Page - One Issue... $ /4 Page - Seven Issues...$ Bus. Card - One Issue... $16.05 Bus. Card - Seven Issues...$96.30 Start Issue Date: Last Issue Date: No. Issues: Payment Type: YOU MUST SUPPLY CAMERA READY COPY. ATTACH CAMERA READY COPY BELOW Completed Ad Forms should be forwarded with full payment to: ABATE of Florida, Inc C/O Masterlink Editor PO Box Allandale, FL

23 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 23 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Individual Membership Application Chapter Desired Legal Name (Print) Address City State Zip Address Phone ( ) Registered Voter Yes No Do You Belong To Another Chapter? No Yes Name(s) Voter Districts: State Senate U.S. Congressional District Membership Status NEW $20 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP PER PERSON RENEWAL $150 LIFE MEMBERSHIP Signature Date Fill out this form and attach it to your check or money order (for $20.00 or $150.00) made payable to ABATE of Florida, Inc. and send it to the address below. All members receive with their paid membership, the Masterlink newsletter, membership card, event discounts and updates, voting privileges, free Masterlink classified ads and Chapter newsletter. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO BE A MEMBER OF ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL. C SIGN, DATE AND SEND TO: ABATE of Florida, Inc. C/O Membership PO Box 2520 DeLand, FL Change of Information Form B LEGAL NAME (Print) CHAPTER LIST ANY OTHER CHAPTERS YOU BELONG TO: OLD ADDRESS EXP. DATE CITY STATE ZIP NEW ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP ADDRESS PHONE ( ) REGISTERED VOTER YES NO VOTER DISTRICTS: STATE SENATE STATE HOUSE U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REQUEST TRANSFER FROM TO Signature Date

24 ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. PO BOX 2520 DELAND, FL NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT NO Is it Time To Renew? Check Your Label For Expiration Date. FREEDOM OF CHOICE DEFEND IT PROTECT IT PRESERVE IT