DEDICATED TO FREEDOM OF THE ROAD - LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE

Transcription

1 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Polk County Chapter The Iron Press DEDICATED TO FREEDOM OF THE ROAD - LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE July 2017 Vol 34 issue 7 HOPE YOUR JULY 4 TH WAS A SAFE ONE ABATE of Florida, Inc. Polk County Chapter

2 Our Mission Statement: WHO WE ARE ABATE is a non-profit organization of motorcycle enthusiast from all walks of life. We lobby and educate the government and general public to promote motorcycling in a safe and positive image. We endeavor to enlist the cooperation and participation of all organizations and individuals that share a similar interest in preserving our American tradition of Freedom. We promote motorcycle safety, training & political awareness. We ARE NOT A CLUB OR A GANG. We fund our work through toy runs, poker runs, campouts, and other motorcycle activities. We are your neighbors and friends who work, pay taxes, and get involved with our community. We serve and support our country and believe in freedom. We use all legal means to protect our rights without infringing on the rights of others. ABATE of Florida, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of Florida as a motorcycle rights organization or a MRO. ABATE of Florida, Inc. currently is the only political MRO in Florida representing the interests of it s members and the motorcycling public at large. ABATE of Florida, Inc. is dedicated to securing and protecting the rights of all motorcyclists in the state ABATE S Objectives are to: Keep all bikers informed on legislative actions and events that affect their safety and rights. Be a powerful political force in legislation that affects Motorcycle safety and rights. Provide a lobbyist that will represent ABATE interests at State and National levels. Promote voter registration and to motivate members to speak up for their rights. Promote safety without infringing on individual rights and freedoms. Educate the public and Motorcycle Awareness and safety Issues. ABATE s 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 safely share 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 had 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 every day to Look Twice Save a Life, Motorcycles are everywhere through our billboard campaign. Disclaimer The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ABATE of Polk County Chapter or ABATE of Florida Inc. This newsletter encourages all members to submit ABATE related material, photos, events, and commentaries, etc. ABATE of Florida, Inc. and the Polk County Chapter of ABATE accepts no responsibility for the comments, views or opinions contained in the newsletter. Polk County Chapter reserves the right to edit or omit any article submitted for publication. All materials submitted to Polk County Chapter for use in this letter becomes property of the chapter. Guidelines for Submissions Members are asked to submit articles, photos and other materials that would be of interest to their fellow members by 11:00pm on Friday following the Meeting. All board members are encouraged to submit their articles as soon as possible following the monthly meeting. Please do not submit slanderous or accusing letters, profanity or nudity. Identification Statement ABATE of Florida, Inc. Polk County Chapter PO Box 2743 Lakeland, FL ABATE of Florida, Inc. Polk County Chapter 1

3 Position Name President James Doc Reichenbach Vice President Darrin Scribe Brooks Secretary Shelly Johnston Treasurer Patti Nasrallah Sgt. at Arms Marcus Hotelling PR/Communications Sally Carroll Webmaster Dan Slo Mo Henderson Masterlink Editor C/O State Office Membership Laurie Hanley Safety Program Victor Piorkowski Legislative Darrin Scribe Brooks Products Steve Caretaker Knee Legal Larry Crow Position Name Phone President Mark Zman Zinser Vice President Greg Vernon Secretary Laneata Lo McDermott Treasurer Rawson (Rusty) Goff Sgt. at Arms Tim Roadmap McDermott Membership Gerald Elliott Safety Rawson (Rusty) Goff Products Greg Vernon PR Aaron McCormick Legislative Mark ZMan Zinser Delegates Tim Roadmap McDermott Dewey Cain Newsletter Virginia (Jenni) Stapleton Webmaster Steve Ammerman ABATE of Florida, Inc. Polk County Chapter

4 2 Z man Hey y all, I hope all is well for our ABATE sisters & brothers of Polk County Chapter. Lotsa tourists in central Florida, so be extra careful around them cages out there! So let s start off with the June ABATE Polk Chapter Elections. We are a fortunate chapter, as we easily filled all offices needed to run a chapter. There are new faces holding office, as well as some retreads. LOL As one of those retreads, my decision to run for office again was because of our Polk County Chapters support and participation, and because of so many great members we have. We are like a second family, unified by our love of motorcycling and biker lifestyle. So again, thank all of you for giving me the honor of an office in this Chapter. One carry-over piece of business from last year to the new one is the Gun give a-way by ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. We ve already got well over a hundred donation tickets in members hands to support our goal of looking out for bikers interests regarding safety and legislation. Let me know if you can help out on this cause and we will get more tickets. The drawing is in December, with a Henry 30/30 lever action rifle for First Place, and a 12 gauge O/U Shotgun for 2 nd place. See y all July 16 at The Boondocks for our monthly meeting to start off a new year for ABATE. RIDE SAFE AND ENJOY.Zman

5 3 Greg Vernon Hey all, Well what a great meeting we had for our officer board elections. I do apologize for the meetings held on the Holliday's this past year, guarantee this will not happen this new chapter year. Now we need to start working hard on our up -coming events as well support the state board and their struggle to stay afloat. This year we need to strive in getting our work and word out to the public by setting up at and attending local events. Please bring your friends and fresh ideas to our chapter meetings, after all we have the very best ABATE chapter in the state and without you this all would not be possible. Thank ya'll so much for your confidence in me to be your Vice President...proud to serve. Ride Safe & Ride Free Greg Vernon; VP.

6 4 Lo Alexander June 18, 2017 ABATE of Florida, Inc., Polk Co. Chapter Meeting MINUTES The Boondocks, 8185 US 98 North, Lakeland, Florida THANK YOU to today s meeting attendees: Lo Alexander, Tony Antonio Gonzalez, Kevin Cullison, Dewey Cain, Rick Lewis, Kim Lewis, Aaron McCormick, Gary Saunders, Ralph Snearly, Rawson Goff, Greg Vernon, Linda Vernon, Z Man, Darlin Deb, Barbara Watkins, Kimberly Jones, Mike Gray, Veronica Febre, Rafael Febre, Gerald Elliot, Steve Ammerman, Rick Lock, Pete Drahorad, Bob Fletcher, Pat Ranney, Dian Ranney, Jenni Stapleton, John T. McDermott Roadmap 1:00 The Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence were led by President, Z Man who welcomed us, thanked Tony for the new US Flag, and wished all the fathers a Happy Day. With that in mind, he suggested we keep it short. VP, Greg Vernon also wished the fathers a Happy, but also wished the single mothers a Happy Day. Greg suggested a BOWLING event to celebrate the new fiscal year. A ride is problematical during the rainy season. Secretary, Lo Alexander thanked everyone for signing in and asked if there were any corrections to the May Minutes. MINUTES ACCEPTED UNANIMOUSLY Treasurer, Ralph Snearly gave his report and pointed out that the technology exists so that from now on, we can or fax our receipts PRIOR to the meeting. REPORT ACCEPTED UNANIMOUSLY. Arms, Tim McDermott thanked those who went on this morning s ride. He invited us all to Hammar s 79 th.birthday PARTY. June 30 on Rose. Membership, Deb Daggett announced the new numbers. We have several new members and the veteran members are renewing!!! Safety Officer, Rusty Goff thanked everyone for a great year. He will set up the ABATE safety booth at Bike Nights, at H-D when we cook burgers and at Mason s Live. Greg moved that we buy some safety products ourselves; Roadmap seconded. We all agreed. Newsletter and PR, Ida Holland was absent and excused. Products, Lo Alexander celebrated customer appreciation day. Thanks to Darlene L. for the magazines. This just in: Biker Lives Matter T s will be available [per our previous order] at the Seminars!

7 5 Legislation, Z Man related that the Ethanol crisis is still with us. Two US senators have started a motorcycle caucus. Encourage our FL senators: Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio to get involved. See Z Man s article in this newsletter Webmaster, Steve Ammerman has made reservations for next June in the mountains. There are spaces still available. Mike moved that Tony be given a year s membership gratis. MANY SECONDED and ALL AGREED. DELEGATES REPORT: Dewey Cain and Tim McDermott. Dewey told us the bad news first. Inerstate Chapter is closing. Larry Crowe won t be our lawyer anymore. We may lose our death/dismemberment insurance. And Dewey moved and Steve seconded that we sent State 10% of our savings. The good news is that Woody of Lake Co. is organizing a new chapter called North Orlando. It will be made up of YOUNG riders. Lake Co. will host its 30 th anniversary party Aug. 12. And the State will host its Biker Bash Nov $30. Old Business: ELECTION OF OFFICERS for THANK YOU to Barbara Watkins for overseeing our election. Congratulations to everyone who participated and to the new Board of Directors: President, Mark Zman Zinser Vice President, Greg Vernon Secretary, Lo Alexander Treasurer, Rawson Rusty Goff Arms, Tim McDermott Membership, Gerry Elliot Safety Officer, Rawson Rusty Goff Newsletter, Virginia Jenni Stapleton Public Relations, Aaron McCormick Products, Greg Vernon Legislation, Mark Zman Zinser Webmaster, Steve Ammerman Delegates, Dewey Cain and Tim [Roadmap] McDermott. New Business: SEATING OF NEW BOARD GOOD OF THE ORDER: Mason s Live will present a Bikers Event July 29 th.from 2p to 11p. Also on that day is our turn to hold the cook out at Lakeland H-D from 11a to 3p. Also Sunday July 9 th. we cook. Let Tim know where you want to volunteer. [or just come out and enjoy]

8 6 Darlin Deb Total Members: 154 Membership Report Welcome New Members: Veronica Febre, Rafael Febre, Max Taylor, Antonio Gonzalez Thank you to our Renewing Members: Stephen Klapach Jr, Gary Ouellette, Tim McDermott, Debbie Zinser, Dian Ranney, Patrick Ranney and Charlie Cline. Reminder for Renewal: Please check your membership cards Due in May: Robert Macknosky, D. Scottie Matvyak, Due in June: Joe & Kathy Imbrogno, Due in July: Maria Griffin, Margaret Mullins, Virginia Stapleton I would just like to say Thank you for being patient with me for the last couple of years. I have a lot on my plate and haven t always got your cards out when you expected them. It wasn t intentional. Be safe! Darlin Deb Please renew a month early to avoid expiring and losing your years of continuous membership. Dues can be paid at our Chapter meeting or mailed to our PO Box 2743 Lakeland, FL If you need to update your contact information or address or did not receive your renewal card, please send me an with your correct information at membershipabatepolk@hotmail.com or mail updates to Abate of Florida Inc. Polk County Chapter P.O. Box 2743 Lakeland, FL 33816

9 7 Zman Legislative Report for July 2016 Hey y all, here s the latest from Tallahassee and beyond, Zman. THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, July 3, Miami Judge on Monday ruled that a change to the state's stand your ground self-defense law signed nearly a month ago by Gov. Rick Scott, intended to better protect the rights of defendants, is unconstitutional. Supporters of the controversial law, approved by the GOP-dominated Legislature earlier this year, called the ruling a notable setback and predicted an appeal. I'd be surprised if this decision wasn't overturned by the appellate court, Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley, a former prosecutor who sponsored the legislation, said after Monday's ruling by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Milton Hirsch. In a 14-page order, Hirsch wrote that the Legislature overstepped its authority with the change, which involves pre-trial burden-of-proof. The statutory change violates Florida's separation of powers doctrine because it amounts to a procedural revision, something that must be handled by the Florida Supreme Court, Hirsch wrote. While the Legislature makes substantive law, the judiciary is in charge of procedural matters, the judge wrote. The constitutional separation of powers bars the legislative, judicial and executive branches from exercising powers consigned to another branch, Hirsch explained. It applies whether the purposes of the overreaching branch of government are benign or otherwise. It applies even when its application prevents a seemingly salutary change in law from becoming law. It applies in such cases because experience with government has shown that any momentary benefit expected from a change in law is usually outweighed by the lasting detriment resulting from a change in our constitutional system of checks and balances, he wrote. The new law, the only major gun-related measure to advance this year, shifted the burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors in the pre-trial hearings. In stand your ground cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution. Critics argued, in part, that the change would lead to cases ending before all the facts are revealed. Proponents of the bill, supported by groups such as the National Rifle Association, said shifting the burden of proof would better protect the rights of defendants. NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer, a former president of the national organization, said it was difficult to comment on the ruling.

10 8 It is so bad I'm at a loss for words," she said. Bradley, who backed the change the past two sessions, said the law simply cleared up an ambiguity found in the original 2005 stand your ground law, the first of its kind in the nation. Bradley said the legislation (SB 128) was drafted as a response to clarify what he called a misinterpretation of stand your ground by the state Supreme Court, in a case known as Bretherick v. State. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in July 2015 that people who use the defense have the burden of showing they should be shielded from prosecution. In "stand your ground" cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants are immune from prosecution. Under the new law, which applies retroactively, the burden of proof is on prosecutors. Once the Legislature filled in the blanks, which is what we did, that certainly was an action that was within the appropriate purview of the Legislature, Bradley said. House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a lawyer, also predicted that the circuit judge's ruling would be overturned. "It is the role of the Legislature to write the laws that govern how Floridians may exercise their statutory and constitutional rights, Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, said in a statement. The Florida House will continue to stand with ordinary citizens who exercise their right to self-defense. We look forward to this decision being reversed on appeal." Scott spokeswoman Kerri Wyland said Monday that the governor's office was reviewing the decision. During debate on the measure earlier this year, Democrats labeled the self-defense proposal "a shoot to kill" and "how to get away with murder" bill. The proposal was approved along party lines on the final day of the regular legislative session that ended early in May. Yet another ill-conceived law rammed thru the legislature by GOP is ruled unconstitutional, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat, tweeted shortly after Hirsch's Monday ruling. The "stand your ground" law has long been controversial. It says people can use deadly force and do not have a duty to retreat if they think it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. Lucy McBath, faith and outreach leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, on Monday called the ruling a notable setback in the dangerous expansion of `stand your ground' laws. Florida is one of the few states to expand or enact a Stand Your Ground law since the senseless killings of my son, Jordan Davis, and Trayvon Martin, said McBath, who attended a number of committee hearings on the bill this year. We must continue to fight for the safety of our communities, and we must continue to fight for justice." LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES TO START IN SEPTEMBER With the 2018 legislative session starting in January, the Senate and House will begin holding committee meetings the week of Sept. 11, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, said in a memos Thursday to members. The plans call for committee meetings during six weeks before session. Along with the week of the Sept. 11, they are the week of Oct. 9; the week of Oct. 23; the week of Nov. 6; the week of Nov. 13; and the week of Dec. 4. Annual legislative sessions typically begin in early March, but lawmakers moved up the start of the 2018 session to Jan. 9. CANDIDATES QUALIFY FOR EISNAUGLE HOUSE SEAT Three Republicans quickly qualified Monday morning to run in a special election to replace former state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, an Orlando Republican appointed last month as a judge on the 5th District Court of Appeal. The qualifying period in Orange County's House District 44 started at 8 a.m. Monday and is scheduled to end at noon Tuesday. The Republicans who qualified Monday morning were Usha Jain, Robert Olszewski and Bruno Portigliatti, according to the state Division of Elections website. Three other candidates --- Republican John Newstreet and Democrats Paul Chandler and Nuren Haider - -- have opened campaign accounts for the race but were not listed on the website as qualifying Monday morning. The special primary election will be held Aug. 15, while the special general election is scheduled for Oct. 10. DEMOCRATS TRY TO BUILD SUPPORT IN GOVERNOR'S RACE

11 9 HOLLYWOOD, June 17, With 14 months to go before they face their party's voters, the three declared Democratic candidates for governor gingerly began outlining their different approaches to the race during a forum Saturday in front of a packed room of activists. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and businessman Chris King did not clash much on the issues, and weren't expected to, as organizers made it clear from the beginning of the forum that it was not supposed to be a debate. The candidates hewed closely to Democratic positions on issues like the environment, education, health care and the minimum wage. A controversial and wide-ranging education bill known as HB 7069, signed this week by Gov. Rick Scott, came in for a hammering from the candidates. "And when a Democrat is elected governor, and I hope it will be me, our first priority will be to turn back this regressive, horrible legislation that takes away from our kids the opportunity to learn," Gillum said. Still, it was the first chance to see the three candidates side-by-side, discussing the challenges facing Florida and the party that hasn't won a gubernatorial election since It provided a few contours to a race still taking shape, particularly as prominent trial lawyer John Morgan and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine are still weighing whether to jump in. Gillum continued to try to pursue liberal voters in the Democratic base energized by the election last year of Republican President Donald Trump, who narrowly won in Florida. The mayor touted his clash with the National Rifle Association over local gun laws and his early moves to welcome same-sex marriage in Tallahassee. He also told the crowd that digging in was a way to reach out to Floridians who feel left behind by the Republican dominance of Tallahassee --- and a way to win. "We're going to stand up unapologetically and stand firmly on what we believe in.... My opinion is the only way we win is by bringing those folks out to the ballot by telling them that we stand with them too," Gillum said. He also took an implicit shot at Graham, who has come under scrutiny from some on the left for her voting record in Congress when she represented a swing district in Northwest Florida. "The truth is... that we gotta make sure that people understand that we're not trying to be Republican-lite," he said. Graham, on the other hand, tried to use her experience winning that district in 2014 to her advantage. "I won with your help in a red year, a red Republican wave and a red district," she said. Graham did not run for re-election last year, following a court-ordered redistricting that made her former seat far friendlier turf for Republicans. She also tried to obscure traces of moderation that might hurt her during an election cycle in which the Democratic Party seems to be moving left. She called repeatedly for a public option in health care and joined Gillum, in particular, in bashing the standardized school-testing regime that has been a Republican hallmark for two decades. "I will end the testing culture that has taken over our schools," she said, adding that she would also do away with the school grades that come from those tests. "Every school is an 'A' school in this state." King, a real-estate developer who works in affordable housing and is making his first bid for office, pushed the need for Democratic candidates to promote economic development and growth --- saying the GOP has largely dominated on those issues in recent years. "We have been beaten over and over by the Republicans.... We need to be speaking from the same tune on a broad-based economic message that lifts people up, that lifts wages up and that tells the story very clearly that the Republican one-party government has mismanaged this economy," he said. The Winter Park developer focused on the need to help "home-grown" businesses by trying to generate additional capital for small firms. The forum took place in Broward County at the party's annual "Leadership Blue" weekend, which includes an annual fundraising dinner expected to host 1,250 people. Former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who is up for

12 10 re-election in 2018, were scheduled to speak to the Saturday night gathering. BATTLE BEGINS ABOUT APPOINTMENTS TO SUPREME COURT The battle over the future makeup of the Florida Supreme Court began in earnest Wednesday, as a pair of voting-rights groups asked justices to determine whether Gov. Rick Scott has the power to reshape the court. A petition filed by the League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause called on the court to clear up a simmering dispute about who has the right to name the successors to three justices whose terms will end the same day that Scott leaves the governor's mansion. The three outgoing members of the court --- justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince --- are part of the court's more-liberal majority and have been an annoyance to Republicans for years. Scott has already replaced one liberal former justice, James E.C. Perry, with the more-conservative Alan Lawson. Scott, who is term-limited, has already indicated that he has the right to appoint the justices' replacements, because he will still essentially be governor for part of Jan. 8, 2019, the day when their terms end. But many legal observers have questioned that assertion, saying previous Supreme Court decisions and the wording of the Constitution suggest otherwise. In their filing with the court, the voting-rights groups argue that the conflict needs to be sorted out well before a potential constitutional crisis engulfs the judiciary. Pariente, Lewis and Quince will have to leave the court at the end of their current terms because of a mandatory retirement age. "Although the general election is over a year away, there is simply not time for this case to work its way through the circuit court to the district court and back to this (Supreme) Court for final resolution," the petition says. "The importance of deciding this issue before Governor Scott attempts to make the subject appointments cannot be overstated." Under the Constitution, the new governor comes into office on Jan. 8, 2019, the same time the terms expire. But governors often are not inaugurated until around noon, a window that could allow Scott to name new justices in the interim. SCOTT VETOES MAJOR HIGHER EDUCATION BILL Gov. Rick Scott late Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have made wide-ranging changes in Florida's higher-education system, rejecting a top priority of Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart. Negron has focused heavily on revamping state universities, and the bill (SB 374) included issues such as moving to block tuition. But in a veto message, Scott focused on parts of the bill dealing with the 28 state colleges, saying the legislation impedes the State College System's mission by capping the enrollment level of baccalaureate degrees and unnecessarily increasing red tape. The News Service will have a full story Wednesday night. LOTTERY, WIRELESS BILLS HIT SCOTT'S DESK Measures to place warnings on state lottery games and to give wireless providers a boost in dealing with local-government regulations were among 63 bills sent to Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday. The bills are the last of 241 approved by the House and Senate during the regular legislative session to go to Scott. He has until June 29 to act on each of the 63 proposals. The lottery measure (HB 937) would require warnings about the addictive nature of the games to be posted on lottery tickets, as well as on all print and electronic advertisements issued by the Department of the Lottery after Jan. 1. The wireless proposal (HB 687) would limit the ability of local governments to regulate types of equipment known as "small wireless facilities" in public rights of ways. The equipment is for emerging 5G technology. SCOTT SIGNS FENTANYL, POLLUTION NOTIFICATION BILLS Gov. Rick Scott signed measures Wednesday that will impose minimum mandatory sentences on people who traffic in the dangerous drug fentanyl and require increased public notification of pollution incidents. The bills were among 28 that Scott signed into law late Wednesday. Scott also vetoed a higher-education measure (SB 374) that was a top priority of Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart. The measure, for example, would have required state universities to develop block tuition plans and created a new board to oversee the 28 state colleges. The fentanyl legislation (HB 477), sponsored by Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, will impose a minimum three-year sentence for anyone caught with at least four grams of fentanyl or other synthetic opioids like carfentanil. Anyone caught with 14 or more grams of fentanyl will be imprisoned for at least 14 years and those caught with 28 or more grams will serve minimum 25-year prison sentences. Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier Wednesday that the three-year minimum mandatory is needed to get synthetic opioids off the streets. This is black market fentanyl. This isn't the fentanyl that is being administered to cancer patients, to surgery patients, Bondi said. This is the black-market stuff that is being manufactured in Asia and it's coming in the through the traditional smuggling routes, Canada, but mainly Mexico. In May, Scott issued an executive order declaring that an opioid epidemic state of emergency existed in Florida. The order, which came amid calls for action because of deaths linked to drugs such as fentanyl and heroin, allowed the state to draw down $27 million in federal money for prevention, treatment and recovery services. The Florida Sheriffs Association pushed for the bill, which takes effect Oct. 1, as a way to expand efforts to combat the growing opioid epidemic. We must continue to be equipped with the necessary resources and laws to reduce the supply and demand of illegal drugs, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, the president of the association, said in a prepared statement. The legislation nearly failed to pass in the final days of the spring legislative session when the Senate sought to give judges more discretion in sentencing people in fentanyl cases. But the House prevailed in its position, insisting that even four grams represented a major amount of the synthetic drug, which has been linked to a surge of overdose deaths. Meanwhile, the measure requiring stepped-up public notification of pollution incidents (SB 1018) is the result of controversies last year in the handling of a sinkhole opening at a Mosaic phosphate plant in Polk

13 11 County and sewage discharges into Tampa Bay. The measure, which was sponsored by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, and Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and becomes law July 1, requires owners or operators of facilities responsible for pollution to submit reports within 24 hours to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The department, in turn, will be required to post the information online within 24 hours. The department will also have to create a subscription system for people to receive the notices. The sewage spill in Pinellas County and pollution incident at Mosaic last year demonstrated the importance of a 24-hour public notification requirement following pollution incidents, Scott said in a prepared statement. Floridians deserve to know about these types of events, and every Florida resident should enjoy clean water and a healthy environment. HOUSE, SENATE TO CONVENE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON The House and Senate will convene early Wednesday afternoon as they start a scheduled three-day special session to take up budget-related issues. House members are scheduled to meet in their chamber at 12:30 p.m., with an Appropriations Committee meeting at 2 p.m. and a Rules & Policy Committee meeting at 6:45 p.m., according to the House website. Senators are scheduled to convene at 1 p.m., according to the Senate website. Gov. Rick Scott on Friday called the special session after reaching agreement with House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, on funding issues related to education, tourism marketing and economic development. Bills (HB 1A and HB 3A) have been filed in the House dealing with the issues. FROM THE AMA WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told a congressional committee he will not remove motorcycles from a proposed import tariff while negotiations continue in a dispute with the European Union over U.S. beef imports. He said he was "sympathetic" to American motorcyclists, dealerships and others, but he refused to take action. "He has chosen the U.S. beef industry over American motorcyclists and Americans who own and operate motorcycle dealerships," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. At issue is a proposed 100 percent tariff on 51cc to 500cc motorcycles imported to the United States from manufacturers in the European Union. The bikes are included in a long list of products that would be the subject of tariffs as part of the long-running dispute over U.S. beef imports. LANSING, Mich. - The state Senate voted to raise registration and training fees for motorcyclists. The annual registration fee goes from $23 to $25. Initial endorsement fees go from $13.50 to $16, and renewals from $5to $7. The additional registration fee revenue will go to the motorcycle safety education program, while some of the endorsement fee revenue will fund a new program promoting motorcycle awareness. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Kawasaki Motors Corp. moved its Engine Division's research and development wing to the division's headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich., where it just completed a multimillion dollar renovation of its facility. Since 1995, R&D has been located in Marysville, Mo., where the majority of its engines are manufactured. The result, the company hopes, is a streamlined market-based development "funnel" where market research and information on OEM customer needs, trends and desires seamlessly flow into the R&D department. RYDER, N.D. - Harley-Davidson convinced the town of Ryder to become "Riders" for this riding season and offered to teach all 84 residents to ride a motorcycle. Harley-Davidson helped refurbish the town's water tower, painting it to mirror the design of the famous water tower that sits atop Harley-Davidson headquarters in Milwaukee. International News KORONADAL CITY, Philippines -Guinness World Records has officially recognized this city as the new world record holder for the most motorcycle engines started (3,184) and motorcycle horns sounded simultaneously (3,177), city officials announced. Ben Backhouse, head of records management for Asia Pacific of Guinness World Records Ltd., said they have approved the city's application for the two world records that were set April 29. ANAMOSA, Iowa - City officials honored AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer John Parham, by naming a street after him during the J&P Cycles motorcycle rally today, June 23. Parham, who founded J&P Cycles and the National Motorcycle Museum, passed away on April 20 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 62. The June 23 dedication included a presentation by Anamosa City Administrator Alan Johnson, the Parham family and a celebratory first ride on Parham Drive featuring 15 motorcycles. Parham was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in AMA clears blender pump confusion Contact the AMA with information! With the summer riding season in full-swing, the American Motorcyclist Association wants you to be informed when it comes to selecting safe fuel for your motorcycle. E15 - which is 15 percent ethanol by volume and is not safe for motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines -- and fuels with higher ethanol content must adhere to federal labeling rules. Pump labeling is important, because it is illegal to operate motorcycles and ATVs on fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol by volume (E10). Using higher ethanol blends in motorcycles or ATVs may cause fuel system or engine damage and could void the manufacturer's warranty.

14 12 The rules governing fuel labels are: E10: No federal label is required. E15: Blender pumps must use the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved label for fuel containing more than 10 percent and up to15 percent ethanol by volume. E16-E50: Fuel containing between 16 percent and 50 percent ethanol by volume fall under one of two options from the Federal Trade Commission: 1) Retailers may label dispensers indicating the exact percentage of ethanol contained in the blend, or; 2) The percentage indicated on the label may be rounded to the nearest multiple of 10. E51-E83 (Ethanol Flex Fuels): For fuel blends containing 51 percent to 83 percent ethanol by volume, the FTC offers three options: 1) Dispenser labels must disclose exact ethanol content; 2) The ethanol content may be rounded to the nearest multiple of 10; or 3) the ethanol content must be expressed as a range of 51 percent to 83 percent. Here are photos of improper labeling or no labeling.

15 13 From a fuel retailer in Minnesota: In this example, the retailer conflates the EPA-approved E15 label with the FTC-approved label. There is only one approved label for E15. This label incorrectly refers to E15 as a "Flex Fuel." This label circumvents the Reid Vapor Pressure restrictions that prohibit the sale of E15 fuel in certain parts of the country during the summer months. This blender pump in Ohio has none of the required labeling. It should have the EPA-approved E15 label and the FTCapproved label for the flex fuel. In fact, the retailer renames E15 as "Unleaded15" and uses a blue color. The AMA wants to thank our members for sending these photos! If you see anything other than the federally-approved labels for ethanol-blended fuels, please take a photo and note the address of the retailer. Then forward the photo and information to the AMA at grassroots@ama-cycle.org. Urge your senators to join the Senate Motorcycle Caucus Send an today! Take Action U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) launched the first Senate Motorcycle Caucus, and the American Motorcyclist Association applauds their efforts. Ernst and Peters-both lifelong motorcyclists-will serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan caucus, which will advocate on behalf of both motorcycle riders and manufacturers. Urge your senators to join Sens. Ernst and Peters on the Senate Motorcycle Caucus. That s it for this month. RIDE SAFE AND ENJOY.Zman

16 14 Tim McDermnott I hope my letter finds all my motorcycle peeps happy healthy and have sore buttes from too much seat time! I would like to thank our members for their vote of confidence in me as your returning Arms and as State Delegate along with Dewey Cain. I would also like to thank our returning officers as well as our new officers that stepped up for the first time. I hope this New Year will find Polk County very successful with our Skills on Wheels Motorcycle Rodeo and all our group activities. I look forward to riding with all of you in the coming year. I would also like to remind you of our monthly rides and remind you that if you would like to lead a ride at our monthly breakfast ride, give me a shout, I am always open to somewhere different. I used to plan our rides but anymore it depends on the weather. Let s not forget about safety out there, people are still texting and not looking where we are. That s all for now, Ride often, ride safe, ride free.roadmap The crew that went to the Rally in Tally this year.

17 15 GREG VERNON Wow it's going to be a pleasure to serve the chapter this year as your Products Trustee. I can promise more ABATE products as well as more chapter level products to be available at our meetings and events and try my hardest to work with the state to get our special ordered state products more in a timely manner or just have as many on hand as I possibly can for your at will purchasing convenience. Steve Ammerman Hi Polk County, I have once again been elected to the post of Webmaster for the ABATE of Florida - Polk County Chapter. I will continue to try to keep the Chapter informed and to spread the mission of ABATE to fight for Florida's biker community.

18 16 ABATE came to Florida in the mid 1970 s. At that time it was a group of individual and unaffiliated chapters. In 1979, ABATE of Florida, Inc. was formed by the individual chapters. This union was the basis for today s organization. Throughout the years, ABATE of Florida, Inc. has strived to be an effective political force for the rights of motorcyclists in Florida. We have also attempted to keep up to date on all legislation on a federal level and have tried to input our concerns to our federal officials. ABATE of Florida, Inc. has hired a professional lobbyist to aid us in our fight for freedom of choice. Our lobbyist has also been instructed to keep a close watch on all State or National legislation that would affect all motorcyclists. Jenni Stapleton Please note any political information in the chapter newsletter is for your educational purposes only and is not meant as promotional materials. All members are encouraged to submit articles, photos, and other materials that would be of interest to their fellow members by 11:00pm on Friday following the chapter meeting except when announced otherwise. All board members are encouraged to submit their articles as soon as possible following the monthly meeting. Please do not submit slanderous or accusing letters, profanity or nudity. Calling all members we are looking for letters from YOU!!! It does not have to be about the chapter it can be about legislative issues, community activities that have happened or other vital information. Please send your submissions to either PO Box 2743 Lakeland, FL or abatenewsletter@hotmail.com

19 Join Us! At our next meeting July 16th, 2017 at 1:00PM Boondocks 8515 US Hwy 98 North Lakeland, FL ABATE of Florida, Inc. Polk County Chapter 17

20 18 Polk County Chapter July16th Chapter Meeting BOONDOCKS 8515 Hwy 98 North July 21st Newsletter submission deadline State July 8 th /9 th Leadership Seminars, Marion County Assoc of Realtors Other Chapters July 16 th Gator Alley Preservation Run Every TUES 6-9 PM BEEF O BRADYS Northside Lakeland Every WED 6 PM -?? MOJO s - Lakeland Every THURS 7 PM -?? JOHNNY G s Lakeland Every Thurs 7 PM -?? LA s MIDWAY Across from Winter Haven Airport Every FRI 7 PM -?? POUR HOUSE Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven First THURS, 6PM -?? VFW on North 98

21 19 ABATE-Polk County Chapter Life Member ABATE Polk County Chapter life member ABATE-Polk County Chapter member Florida s Consumer Law Firm Bankruptcy * Foreclosure Injuries * Litigation Real Property * Loan Modifications Keith P. Merritt, M.B.A. Supreme Court Certified Mediator Cindy Green 1804 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL (863) Fax (863) Mailing address, P.O. Box 92412, Lakeland, FL or visit us at

22 20 Contact your elected officials - They work for YOU! For corrections to this listing please abatenewsletter@hotmail.com Governor Rick Scott The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Senator Darren Soto D-District 14 Legislative Assistant: Christine Aleknavich 220 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Soto.Darren.web@flsenate.gov Senator Kelli Stargel R-District 15 Legislative Assistant: Rachel Barnes 324 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Stargel.Kelli.web@flsenate.gov Senator Denise Gimsley R-District 21 Legislative Assistant: Larry Ford, Andrea Jahna and Marty Mielke 306 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Grimsley.Denise.web@flsenate.gov Representative Neil Combee R-District 39 Legislative Assistant: Barbara Blasingame 1302 The Capitol 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Representative Seth McKeel R-District 40 Legislative Assistant: Joseph Clements 222 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Representative John Wood R-District 41 Legislative Assistant: Emily Nance 214 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Representative Mike La Rosa R-District 42 Legislative Assistant: Rebekah Hurd 1302 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Representative Ben Albritton R-District 56 Legislative Assistant: Kevin Cleary 222 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL Senator Bill Nelson D-Florida 716 Senate hart Office Building Washington DC F: bill@billnelson.senate.gov Senator Marco Rubio R-Florida 317 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC Representative C.W. Bill Young 10 th Congressional District Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC F: Representative Bill Posey 15 th Congressional District 120 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC F: Representative Dennis Ross R-Lakeland 12 th Congressional District 404 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC F:

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