Volume 33 May/June 2014 Issue 3 NEXT STATE MEETING HOSTED BY VINTAGE. June 14, St Augustine, FL

Transcription

1 Volume 33 May/June 2014 Issue 3 southernmost chapter worked the most hours at bike week NEXT STATE MEETING HOSTED BY VINTAGE June 14, St Augustine, FL

2 Page 2 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 3 STATE MEETINGS 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS PRESIDENTS LETTER... 4 June 14 August 9 October 11 December 13 Vintage Peace River Hillsborough Treasure Coast STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS... 5 STATE MEETING MINUTES JUNE MEETING...9 NEXT STATE MEETING Sunday, June 14, St Augustine, FL Hosted by Vintage Chapter SUBMISSION DEADLINE MEMBERSHIP REPORT BIKE WEEK CHAPTER INFORMATION GATOR NATIONALS IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT The Masterlink is the state publication of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Published bi-monthly (six times a year). ABATE of Florida, Inc. 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. AMERICAN BIKERS AIMING TOWARD EDUCATION A BROTHERHOOD AGAINST TOTALITARIAN ENACTMENTS 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 Flyers for chapter and benefit events taking place during the months of July-August 2014 must be to the Masterlink Editor by the June 2014 State Meeting. Be sure to provide a copy of all such flyers to each of the STATE BOD and the State Office Manager. Thank you! WEB SITES of INTEREST statewatch/fl.html If you find a website that would be of interest to your fellow members please forward it to the Masterlink ABATE of Florida Accomplishments: ABATE was the driving force behind the changes in Florida s Helmet Law. Florida Motorcyclist, over the age of 21 and who carry at least $10,000 medical insurance coverage now enjoy the Freedom to Choose whether to wear a helmet or not. ABATE has developed & copyrighted The Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Program (MSAP). The program is presented to non-motorcyclists to educate them on how to safelyshare the road with motorcycles. It is taught in local schools & to civic organizations at no charge in the hope of reducing motorcycle accidents and deaths through education, not legislation. ABATE has gained a positive and respected position in Tallahassee. Because of our Lobbyist and Legislative efforts, State Representatives are aware of ABATE members and our vigilant quest. ABATE reminds travelers everyday to Look Twice Save a Life, Motorcycles are everywhere through our billboard campaign. PROCLAMATION LEGISLATIVE CHAPTER EVENTS ADVERTISERS AD ORDER FORM/ADVERTISING RATES MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FULL THROTTLE MAGAZINE SUPPORTS ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

3 Page 4 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 5 PRESIDENT'S REPORT I would like to open by saying how proud of the members that showed up at Tally for the Freedom Rights Rally; the numbers were small compared to years past knowing that our reps were taking the week off. As I said we had to put in for insurance and permit a year in advance so we were not able to change it at the last minute. However we still had the news coverage to reach the public. I hope that each one of you took the time to call or your reps since then. It has been an honor serving this organization for the past 8 years as your president and vice president; you are some of the best people in the world that I have had the pleasure to work with. Remember that together we can get anything we want done. But we have to work together to do this, one person can t do it alone. I want to thank my board for the job they have done to help as well, I could not have done what we done without your help. And a special thanks to Boots, this organization just don t know how much she does to keep things running smooth. I want each one of you to remember that it is not the chapters standing on this own that makes up ABATE of Florida, Inc. it is all of us together that makes this organization what it is. If you feel that it s not working, then you are doing all you can as a member to make it work better. We need members that get involved, we have a job to do for the motorcycle rider of this state. Ride safe and smart, Danny "Doc" Fish STATE OFFICE ABATE of Florida, Inc. (386) (Fax Same) flabate@bellsouth.net PRESIDENT Danny Doc Fish PO Box 3615 Milton, FL (850) (850) (Fax) DFish30775@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT Emory Griffis (386) (386) (Fax) flabatestatevpresident@gmail.com SECRETARY Karen Carawan (352) Fax: (386) flabatestatesecretary@gmail.com TREASURER Patti Nasrallah PO Box Temple Terrace, FL (813) Fax: (813) patti.nasrallah@gmail.com SGT. AT ARMS Dennis Mudder Rudoi (407) Fax: (407) stsgtatarms@hotmail.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS PR/COMMUNICATIONS Rhonda Griffis DeLand, (407) (386) (fax) flabatestatepr@gmail.com MEMBERSHIP Grace Lord (904) (386) (Fax) flabatestatemembership@gmail.com MASTERLINK EDITOR C/O State Office (386) Fax: (386) abateflink@yahoo.com LEGAL COUNSEL Larry Crow 1247 S. Pinellas Ave. Tarpon Springs, FL (727) Fax: (727) crowlaw@tampabay.rr.com LEGISLATIVE Darrin Scribe Brooks (239) (386) (Fax) statelegislative@abateflorida.com PRODUCTS Steve Caretaker Knee PO Box 4372 Milton, FL (850) (386) (Fax) flabatestateproducts@gmail.com DIRECTOR 0F SAFETY EDUCATION Charlie Wenger PO BOX 2520 (954) (561) (Fax) flabatemsap@gmail.com LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE FLABATE ( ) Toll Free Inside Florida Only WEB PROBLEMS Dan Slo Mo Henderson flabatewebmaster@gmail.com NEXT STATE MEETING Sunday June 14, St Augustine, FL SEE FLYER INSIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION

4 Page 6 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 7 ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. Delegate Meeting Sunday April13, 2014 Hosted by ABATE of Florida,Inc. Meeting called to order at 2:01 pm by President Danny Fish. Present were Vice President Emory Griffis, Secretary Karen Carawan, Treasurer Patti Nasrallah, Sgt. at Arms Dennis Mudder Rudoi, Assistant Sgt. at Arms TJ Painter and Ken Sasser, State Office Manager Elizabeth Boots Buchholz, Membership Grace Lord, Masterlink editor Patti Nasrallah, PR/Communications trustee Rhonda Griffis, Products trustee Steve Knee, Safety Director Charlie Wenger, Legislative Trustee Darrin Scribe Brooks, Lobbyist Doc Reichenbach, Legal Counsel Larry Crow, and Assistant Website Dan Slo Mo Henderson. Also guests present: Tammy Fish and Sharon Rudoi The following Delegates represented their chapters: Alachua-Jim Burrow Black Creek-Herb Hilderbrand, Kenneth Koester Brevard-Richard Thompson, Dave Carroll Daytona Beach-John Banta Duval- Lisa Sims, Mark Purvis Estero River-unexcused First Coast-Sara Beth Kohl Forest-Elaine Kline, Bifer Kline Freedom-RD Crow Carmichael Gator Alley-Roger Janes, Robert Crans Jr. Gulf Coast-Russ Dieterich, Jackie Rowe Hillsborough-William Nasrallah, David Reisman Independence- unexcused Inerstate-unexcused Lake-Will Deaver, Vera Deaver Lighthouse-Doug Tungate, Jacqueline Litsey Nature Coast-Steve Mallady Orange County- Joyce Trevelyan, Lana Lang Palm Beach- Ken Gerecke, Deborah Wenger Peace River- Bill Neal, Bill Bird Polk County-Robert Fletcher, Tim McDermott Putnam County- Pauline Sasser Seminole County- Sally Carroll, Don Kirkendall Southeast-Demetrios Kirkiles, Eftyhia Kirkiles Southernmost- Sandy MacLaren, James Dean Keith Southwest-Victor Piorkowski, Carl Nelson Treasure Coast-Steve Kliemisch Vintage-Shelly Ellsmore, Charles Johnston West Coast- unexcused President Danny Doc Fish: Little Mike from Putnam passed away last week and his services was yesterday.a $300 permit is required by the State of Florida law for any organization that solicits for donations. All of the State Board and Trustees as well must be able to pass a background check when paperwork is submitted. This pertains to the State Board and not at the Chapter level, so please keep this in mind if you are thinking of a state position. A Special thanks to everyone for showing up, we tried and Darrin sent out an that most of the legislators were taking Passover and Easter off. So as voters you have the right to contact and visit your legislators at their home offices. Vice President Emory Griffis: When you are contacting any of the board members, please remember that our numbers are public and available on the internet. So, many calls must be screened, so leave your name, your chapter, and a return phone number, so that we can then call you back. Secretary Karen Carawan: No corrections were submitted. No changes or corrections were submitted. Motion made and second to accept minutes as printed, approved. Treasurer Patti Nasrallah: Treasurer Report in the packets. Bike Week 2014 Lake County has volunteered to pay the large generator bill. Bruce Staley s Company paid the gas used for shopping and propane bill for the cook shack and Bruce donated a lot of to the Freedom Bar. The Bike Week ticket sales had a profit which was better than last year. The Boondocks Run went well and assisted with the profit. Update on 501c3 status is going well. We have a FIN number now. Pending due to heavy IRS tax, but is moving along. Patti acknowledges Sandy from Southernmost who has a donation check. Motion to accept the Treasurer Report as written made by Forest and second by Vintage -passed. Sgt. at Arms Dennis Mudder Rudoi: Incident and Accident report has two pages, front page will have who was involved and the back page provides injury-first aid- etc. information that is needed. This report must be turned in to me within 24 hours or the incident. State Office Boots: Flyers are not to be released until confirmation of insurance has been received. Please follow the Flyer SOP. Use the SOP as a checklist which should guarantee that the flyer will be correct. Send flyers by to be approved before sending the rest of the paperwork. Flyers cannot be released until it has been approved first. Chapter BOD updates and any change in meeting locations must be sent to the State Office first! Membership Grace Lord: Updates in packets. Highest Percentage of Growth for January 2014 West Coast Highest Percentage of Growth for February Lighthouse Most New Members for January 2014 West Coast Most new Members for February 2014 At Large Total Members Total Voters Life Cards handed out. Masterlink Editor Patti Nasrallah: Chapter updates will be worked on. PR/Communications Rhonda Griffis: Motorcycle Awareness Proclamation has been signed by the Governor. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Critters Pub in Deltona-welcomes any and all patch holders. Took their No Color Allowed sign down and it still is down. Website Dan Slo Mo Henderson: Working on Chapter websites, it your Chapter needs any help contact Slo Mo. Safety Director Charlie Wenger: Is now a certified Safety Director. Send reports to Safety directory and the State Office. Collection of Petition Signatures from the Chapters. Please forward any accident news articles from your area to Charlie Wenger. Products Trustee Steve Caretaker: Knee: Wind Feathers can be customized. When calling Steve (after 6pm your time) leave your name, chapter and area code and phone number, and a return call will be made. Lobbyist Doc Reichenbach: This is the first time ever that the legislators have taken the whole week off. When Doc asked about this he was told that the legislators will be working at their local offices. So, stop by and see if your legislator is actually at his/her office. Most of the aids will also be gone; however, there will be a few since they live locally. They have only heard two bills, but they have so many more, don t know how they will hear them all. As soon as I hear anything about the bills which will be next week, I ll be sure to forward the information to Darrin so that he can get it out to all of you. Safety money is not a bill but an amendment and is moving along. Legislative Trustee Darrin Brooks: Talk to your representative year round! The Governor has signed the Tag Registration Bill so the fee will be going down. If you do not have a concealed weapon permit, this bill which still has not been approved yet, states that in a declared state of emergency you can have a weapon as long as you are not a felon. Pop Tart Bill is moving along. Last day of Session is May 2nd which is the 60th day. This trip to Tallahassee has never been about the only time to talk to our legislators. You need to talk to your representative year round. And don t forget the aids, they are our best friends. Legal Counsel Larry Crow: The lawsuit against the no colors policy is headed for trial.

5 Page 8 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 9 NCOM: Will be held in Dallas during Mother s Day Weekend (May 9-11). Doc is trying to get it held in Florida again. There will be a training session about applying for grants. MRF / AMA: E-15 working toward the off road training. Bike Week 2014: Thanks to all that sold drawing tickets, and to all who stayed, and worked. This year ran smoothly and we had No incidents. Award for most tickets sold was a three way tie: Estero River, Lake County and Treasure Coast Award for most chapter hours worked went to: Southern Most Chapter Congratulations to our 2014 Drawing Winners $10, First Prize to Ray Kugler of Sarasota County, FL. $50.00 VISA Card from American Income Life to Marcus Hotelling of Brevard County, FL. $50.00 VISA Card from American Income Life to Retha Beeler of Seminole County, FL. The winning ticket was sold by Sherry Ward! Tallahassee 2014: Remember that most of the legislators and some of the aids will not be there tomorrow. But, for those who are there including the aids, please be sure to thank them after you ve talked to them. The aids can be our friends! Mudder gave instructions regarding line-up time, kick stands up and the procedure to enter and park at the Capitol and after the exit. Old Business: Lobbyist proposals-copies of those received are in your packets. A brief explanation about the facts was given for the delegates to take back to their Chapters to discuss and vote on. Nominations for State Board of DirectorsPresident Emory Griffis(declined); Doc Reichenbach; Frenchie Morland (declined); Patti Nasrallah (declined); Sandy MacLaren (declined); Griz Deaver (declined) Vice-President Emory Griffis (declined); Dennis Mudder Rudoi; Jim Burrow Secretary Karen Carawan (declined); Shelly Ellsmore Treasurer Patti Nasrallah Sgt-at-Arms T.J. Painter PR/Communications Rhonda Griffis (declined); Sara Beth Kohl Membership Trustee Grace Lord MasterLink Editor Dave Henderson (declined); Leanna Falls Legal Counsel Larry Crow; Jerry T. (declined) Legislative Trustee Darrin Brooks; James Rumslaugh(not in attendance) Product Trustee Steve Knee New Business: Please send to the state office- proposals to host the state meetings for 2015 and the possibility that April could also be available to host a meeting. Officer Seminars-the July dates will be announced. Good to the Order: Lake County announced the Leesburg Bike Fest coming up, come to our campground at the Eagles Aerie # Okahumpka, FL. Motorcycle Awareness (hosted by Duval, First Coast & Black Creek) at Jacksonville Landing May 10th 1pm to 5pm. Various other events read. Congratulations to Elaine Kline from Forest Chapter who won the 50/50 drawing. Thank you all for attending! Meeting adjourned at: 5:57pm

6 Page 10 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 11 JANUARY 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 BIKE WEEK 2014 CHAPTER MEMBERS VOTERS % VOTERS CHAPTER AT LARGE % AT LARGE % ALACHUA % ALACHUA % BLACK CREEK % BLACK CREEK % BREVARD % BREVARD % DAYTONA BEACH % DAYTONA BEACH % DUVAL % DUVAL % ESTERO RIVER % ESTERO RIVER % FIRST COAST % FIRST COAST % FOREST % FOREST % FREEDOM % FREEDOM % GATOR ALLEY % GATOR ALLEY % GULF COAST % GULF COAST % HILLSBOROUGH % HILLSBOROUGH % INDEPENDENCE % INDEPENDENCE % INERSTATE % INERSTATE % LAKE % LAKE % LIGHTHOUSE % LIGHTHOUSE % NATURE COAST % NATURE COAST % ORANGE COUNTY % ORANGE COUNTY % PALM BEACH % PALM BEACH % PEACE RIVER % PEACE RIVER % POLK COUNTY % POLK COUNTY % PUTNAM % PUTNAM % SEMINOLE % SEMINOLE % SOUTHEAST % SOUTHEAST % SOUTHERNMOST % SOUTHERNMOST % SOUTHWEST % SOUTHWEST % TREASURE COAST % TREASURE COAST % VINTAGE % VINTAGE % WEST COAST % WEST COAST % TOTALS % TOTALS % MEMEBERS VOTERS % VOTERS Many thanks to those that donated their time to come out and support our ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC., BIKE WEEK CAMPGROUND by working a few hours or many, many hours. Without you volunteers we could not have had a successful campground. From set up day to tear down day. You all did a terrific job of assisting. Thank you. CHAPTER HOURS CHAPTER HOURS SOUTHERNMOST SOUTHEAST 36 LAKE COUNTY 638 PALM BEACH SEMINOLE COUNTY 510 NATURE COAST 14.5 FIRST COAST DAYTONA BEACH 12 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PEACE RIVER 12 VINTAGE ALACHUA 3 FREEDOM FOREST 2 GATOR ALLEY AT LARGE MEMBERS 103 ORANGE COUNTY GEORGIA 42.5 INERSTATE 99.5 NON MEMBERS BREVARD COUNTY 80 PENSYLVANIA 19.5 PUTNAM COUNTY 67.5 Something unusual happened this year for the drawing tickets. Never before has there been a three way tie for what chapter sold the most tickets. We would like to thank every individual that purchased a ticket or helped to make this endeavor successful. Thank you. CHAPTER TICKETS SOLD CHAPTER TICKETS SOLD ESTERO RIVER 400 PEACE RIVER 90 LAKE COUNTY 400 GULF COAST 86 TREASURE COAST 400 PUTNAM COUNTY 80 DAYTONA BEACH 300 NATURE COAST 70 SOUTHWEST 300 HILLSBOROUGH 67 SOUTHERNMOST 280 INERSTATE 53 GATOR ALLEY 245 BREVARD 51 BLACK CREEK 200 SEMINOLE COUNTY 40 PALM BEACH 200 INDEPENDENCE 33 FREEDOM 160 WEST COAST 24 ALACHUA 150 LIGHTHOUSE 23 VINTAGE 120 ORANGE COUNTY 22 DUVAL COUNTY 116 SOUTHEAST 15 FOREST 105 POLK COUNTY 0 FIRST COAST 100 STATE BOD/CAMPGROUND 665

7 Page 12 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 13 ALACHUA COUNTY PO Box 633 Newberry, FL Glenn Fischer, Pres. (863) Jim Roberts, VP (386) Website: Alachua-Abate.com Meeting: 3rd Sunday, 1:30 pm The Diner, 615 Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs BLACK CREEK PO Box 2123 Middleburg, FL Jeff "Ziggy" Pickard, Pres. (904) Greg Marshall, VP (904) Website: Meetings: Last Sunday 2:00 PM Place: VFW Post Aster Ave., Middleburg BREVARD COUNTY PO Box Cocoa, FL Mike Pope, Pres. (321) Mary Korolovich, VP (321) Fax: (321) (call first) Website: Meetings: 1st Tuesday 7:00 PM Place: American Legion Post Peachtree St., Cocoa DAYTONA BEACH PO Box Daytona Beach, FL Frank Roush, Pres. (386) Steve Fritze, VP (386) Website: Meetings: 1st Thursday, 7:30 pm Place: Fraternal Order of Eagles # S. Nova Rd., Ormond Beach CHAPTER INFORMATION DUVAL COUNTY PO Box Jacksonville, FL Victor Sawyer, Pres. (904) Michael Wewer, VP (904) Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday, 1:00 pm Place: Greybeards Tavern 3382 Commonwealth Ave., Jacksonville ESTERO RIVER PO Box Bonita Springs, FL Larry Patterson, Pres. (904) Kirk Richards, VP (239) Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: San Carlos Country Club Tamiami Trail, Ft Myers FIRST COAST PO Box 1401 Callahan, FL SaraBeth Kohl, Pres (904) Wanda Garrison, VP (904) Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 1:00 PM Place: VFW Post Eastwood Rd, Hilliard FOREST PO Box 2409 Silver Springs, FL Meghan Pace, Pres. (352) Clayton King, VP (352) Website: Meetings: 1st Saturday, 9:30am Place: Charlie Horse Rest E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala FREEDOM CHAPTER PO Box Brooksville, FL Dave Soles, Pres. (352) Pete Champion, VP (352) Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: American Legion Post Cortez Blvd., Brooksville GATOR ALLEY PO Box Naples, FL Jon "Rambo" Rinebold, Pres. (239) Roger Janes, VP (239) Website: Meetings: 4th Sunday, 11:00 am Place: VFW Post 7721, 800 Neffs Way, Naples GULF COAST PO Box Pensacola, FL Russ Danger-Russ Dieterich Pres. (850) Larry "Cowboy" Alameda, VP (850) Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday, 10:00 am Place: American Legion Post Ashland Rd., Pensacola HILLSBOROUGH PO Box Tampa, FL Richard Nasrallah, Pres. (813) James Sewell, VP (813) Fax: (813) Website: Meetings: Last Sunday, 1:00 pm Place: Pole Barn, 6921 Senoj Dr., Tampa INDEPENDENCE PO Box Melbourne, Fl Darlene Anderson, Pres. (321) Bill Morrison, VP (321) 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 INERSTATE PO Box 754 Sebring, FL Ernest "G-Man" Gellnas, Pres. (863) Dale "D-Mo" Moore, VP (863) abateinerstate@gmail.net Website: Meetings Last Saturday; 11:00 AM Place: The Blue Crab 825 N. Ridgewood Dr., Sebring LAKE COUNTY PO. Box 492 Astatula, FL William Griz Deaver, Pres. (352) Forest (Tuna) Jones, VP. (352) president@lake.abateflorida.com Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday Noon Place: Lake County Eagles # Haywood Worm Farm Rd., Okahumpka LIGHTHOUSE PO Box 4471 Tequesta, FL Doug Tungate, Pres. (772) Ray Weeks, VP (561) snailmail009@aol.com Meetings: 3rd Sunday, Noon Place: Ralph s Standup Bar 113 Center St., Jupiter NATURE COAST P.O. Box 27 Bronson, FL Frank Moore, Pres. (352) Steve Mallady, VP (352) Motorcycletowing@embarqmail.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 2:00 PM Place: Lions Club 401 SE 6th St., Williston ORANGE COUNTY PO Box Orlando, FL Lana Lang, Pres. (407) Phil Hippie Orsini, VP ( 321) abateorangecounty@gmail.com Website: orange.abateflorida.com Meetings: 3rd Sunday, 10:30 am Place: FOA Eagles 1900 S Goldenrod Rd., Orlando PALM BEACH PO Box West Palm Beach, FL Ed Nighthawk Lattari, Pres. (561) Dan "Slo Motion" Henderson, VP (561) Website: president@abatepalmbeach.com Meetings: 3rd Sunday 11:30 AM Place: VFW Post Broadway, Riviera Beach CHAPTER INFORMATION PEACE RIVER PO Box Murdoch, FL Johnny Martin, Pres. (941) Darrell LaCourse, VP (941) abatepeaceriver@gmail.com Website: peaceriver.abateflorida.com Meetings: 4th Sunday; 11:00 AM Place: Community Education Center 4940 Pan American Blvd., North Port POLK COUNTY PO Box 2743 Lakeland, FL Alex Waldron, Pres. (863) Bob Fetcher, VP (863) president@polk.abateflorida.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 1:00 PM Place: Johnny G's 5153 N US 98, Lakeland PUTNAM COUNTY PO Box 1334 East Palatka, FL Bill Stoltz, Pres. (386) Mark Jolley, VP (386) Putnam_abate@yahoo.com Web: Putnam.abateflorida.com Meetings: 1st Sunday 12 NOON Place: Cheyenne Saloon, 377 S. Hwy 17, E. Palatka SEMINOLE PO Box Winter Springs, FL Rande Zuclich, Pres. (321) Mychelle Dillenbeck, VP (407) Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: Moose Lodge 2660 South Palmetto Ave., Sanford SOUTHEAST PO Box Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bob "BARS" Calabrese Pres. (954) Frank "Poppi" Cocci, VP (305) pres@abatese.org Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: American Legion Post SW 51st St., Cooper City SOUTHERNMOST P.O. Box Marathon Shores, FL Byron Agababian, Pres. (305) Marty Baird, VP (305) smabatesecretary@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday 11:00 AM Place: Location Varies - Call Pres or VP SOUTHWEST PO Box Ft. Myers, FL Wayne Cerra, Pres. (239) Biffle Davis, VP (239) abatesw@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday 10:00 AM Place: Harley Davidson of Ft Myers 2160 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers TREASURE COAST PO Box 1360 Roseland, FL Steve Kliemisch, Pres. (772) Susan Hulce, VP (772) abatetreasurecoast@yahoo.com Website: Meetings: Last Wednesday 7:00pm Place: American Legion Post Louisiana Ave., Sebastian VINTAGE PO Box St. Augustine, FL John Massoth, Pres. (904) Ernie Raynor, VP (386) abatevintagechapter@gmail.com Website: Meetings: Last Sunday 3:00pm Location: Salvation Army, 1425 Old Dixie Hwy, St. Augustine, WEST COAST PO Box Sarasota, FL Heath Tudor, Pres. (214) Sharon Sieradzki, VP (941) preswsabate@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday, 11:00 AM Place: American Legion 5201 Richardson Way, Sarasota

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9 Page 16 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 17 TALLY NEWS CAPSULE CRACKDOWN ON HIT AND RUN DRIVERS HEADS TO SCOTT With what one lawmaker called a "mass epidemic" of hit-and-run crashes, the Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would increase penalties for drivers who leave the scenes of serious accidents. The bill (SB 102), which now goes to Gov. Rick Scott, is named after Aaron Cohen, a 36-yearold bicyclist who was killed in a 2012 hit-and-run accident on the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami-Dade County. "This bill is definitely going to make Florida a better, safer place to live," said Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton. The bill, in part, creates a four-year minimum mandatory sentence for drivers who leave the scenes of accidents involving deaths. Under current law, which does not include such a minimummandatory requirement, drivers sometimes can have incentives to leave accident scenes, according to supporters of the bill. The House voted to pass the bill, which also received unanimous support in the Senate. LAWMAKERS TAKE AIM AT INSURERS OVER GUNS With supporters pointing to Second Amendment rights, the Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that seeks to prevent insurers from denying coverage or increasing rates based on customers owning guns or ammunition. But critics questioned the need for the bill, saying there is little evidence insurers take into account gun ownership. "I don't see any kind of quote-unquote discrimination going on in the marketplace,'' said Rep. Kevin Rader, a Delray Beach Democrat who also described the bill as a "waste of time." But bill sponsor Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said Floridians have a constitutional right to bear arms, and even one case of insurers taking action because of gun ownership is "too much." "How much discrimination based on the exercise of a constitutional right is tolerable?" Gaetz asked. House members voted 74-44, along party lines, to approve the bill (SB 424). The Senate also passed the National Rifle Association-backed bill last month, meaning the measure is ready to go to Gov. Rick Scott. The bill would apply to property and automobile insurers and add language to part of state law that deals with "unfair discrimination" As an example, the bill would seek to block insurers from refusing to issue policies because of customers' lawful ownership or possession of firearms. Similarly, it would bar them from charging "unfairly discriminatory" rates based on gun ownership or possession. BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN IN A JOVIAL MOOD Lawmakers began meeting as joint House and Senate negotiating committees late Monday, starting a weeklong sprint to craft a final spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. Because of a requirement that the final proposal be finished 72 hours before the House and Senate vote on it, budget writers face an April 29 deadline for completing a blueprint that will likely check in at around $75 billion. That would allow lawmakers to end the annual session on time May 2. Legislative leaders say most of the key decisions have already been made, from an agreement to spend $500 million on tax and fee cuts to a commitment to provide the largest total funding for public education in state history. But there are still details to be worked out, including which taxes and fees to reduce beyond an already-approved cut in vehicle registration charges and how to dole out millions of dollars for projects tucked into the budget for legislators' districts. Lawmakers paved the way for the meetings to begin by agreeing on "allocations" --- essentially, how to divvy up the almost $27.6 billion in general revenue that lawmakers will spend. Other state and federal moneys are added to bring the budget to its final size. "I hope everybody's rested up and had a good week off," House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said during a meeting to kick off the negotiating sessions. "We've got a lot to do in the next two weeks." Darrin "Scribe" Brooks, State Legislative Trustee, ABATE of Florida, Inc.

10 Page 18 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 19 ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. CONGRATULATES OUR 2014 DRAWING WINNERS $10, FIRST PRIZE TO RAY KUGLER OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FL $50.00 VISA CARD FROM AMERICAN INCOME LIFE TO MARCUS HOTELLING OF BREVARD COUNTY, FL $50.00 VISA CARD FROM AMERICAN INCOME LIFE TO RETHA BEELER OF SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL

11 Page 20 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 21 NEW PRODUCT!!! BUSINESS CARD HOLDER Card holder that you can put your credit cards, ID card, membership card and photos. The aluminum and leather card holder is also a good gift idea. This is a classic that never goes out of style. The nice card holder is made of high quality durable materials. Holds cards, depending on thickness of card. The cost to members is $12.70 with lettering free of card. Please see your chapter products person to order this great item. FAST SAME-DAY SERVICE NO OVERTIME FLAT RATES NO SECOND VISIT CHARGE NO TRAVEL CHARGE SERVICING ALL MAJOR APPLIANCES AND BRANDS Schedule Your Service Online at AllensApplianceService.com

12 Page 22 ABATE of Florida, Inc. March/April ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 23 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Masterlink Ad Form ABATE of Florida, Inc. Individual Membership Application Chapter Desired 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... $ 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 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 House 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 B Change of Information Form 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 HOUSE STATE SENATE U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REQUEST TRANSFER FROM TO Signature Date

13 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