JUNE 2013 Welcome to Georgia, where Tar Snakes are A-OK because according to GDOT.... Their CHEAP! That looks PERFECTLY safe for your motorcycle right? (wonder how those snakes feel in the rain?) Fighting for the rights and education of every Georgia motorcyclist June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER STATE OFFICE ADDRESSES Advertising Fees www.abatega.org (Mailing Address) ABATE OF GEORGIA, INC. Website 115 1 Month P.O. BOX 116 Newsletter Austell, GA 30168 Phone: (770) 881-7438 Fax: (770) 234-4177 Business Card ABATE OF GEORGIA STATE OFFICERS 2012-2014 Term Black & White Term in Months State Director $ 40.00 1 Ned Williams (404) 324 –2037 E-mail [email protected] $ 110.00 3 $ 200.00 6 Legislative Director James F. Trucks (404) 307-2541 E-mail [email protected] 1/4 Page Treasurer Black & White Term in Months Gary Bonds (404) 915-8778 Email: [email protected] $ 70.00 1 $ 200.00 3 Membership Director Ann Crenshaw (229) 924-7449 $ 360.00 6 Email [email protected] $ 660.00 12 Sgt. At Arms $ 1 One Month Member Memorial Dave Woodruffe 678-778-9646 Email: [email protected] 1/2 Page Black & White Term in Months Activities Director POSITION OPEN $ 125.00 1 State Secretary $ 360.00 3 Ann Turner (770) 881-7438 Email [email protected] $ 660.00 6 $ 1,200.00 12 (Acting) Director of Education $ 2 One Month Member Memorial Chriss Carr (678) 896-5909 Email: [email protected] Full Page Black & White Term in Months Webmaster Bill Mattison [email protected] $ 225.00 1 $ 660.00 3 A.B.A.T.E. Legal Advisor Steve Murrin (404) 221-0777 $ 1,200.00 6 $ 2,200.00 12 A.B.A.T.E. State Chaplin Wade Warnock (CMA) (678) 271-2860 $ 3 One Month Member Memorial Ads Must Be Received in digital format or ready to scan by the 10th of the month, accompanied by full payment, to be printed in the next issue. Credit card payments are welcome. Ads must be paid in advance to receive the multiple ad discount rate. If you wish, we can lay out your ad for you for an additional $25 charge plus any reasonable costs. Additional charges and services offered at the discre- tion of the editor. Please allow additional lead time for all ads that we must lay out. Payment must be received in advance for ad renewals. If not you will lose the discounted multiple ad rate and the account will revert back to monthly prices. Make your check or money order payable to A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia, Inc. Send to: A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. P.O. BOX 116 Austell, GA 30168 Call the State Office @ 770-881-7438 for more info. A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia, Inc. All rights reserved. This newsletter is published monthly and distributed throughout the state of Georgia as well as to other motorcycle organizations nationwide. A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia accepts no re- sponsibility for the comments or opinions from reprinted materials contained within this publication. We welcome your news, opinions, comments, com- plaints, and suggestions on Motorcycle related issues. All articles must in- clude your name and address. We do not accept slanderous, accusing letters; profanities (photographic or written); non-A.B.A.T.E. related letters. A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia reserves the right to refuse or edit any article, photo, letter, or advertisement that is decided is not in the best interest of the organiza- tion or its members. 2 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER ATTENTION ABATE OF GEORGIA MEMBERS If you have had trouble with your member card, a pin or a patch A new hotline has been set up to make sure your issue is addressed Please call the membership hotline At (678) 753-6018 (The hotline is monitored during business hours 7 days a week. Calls made after hours will be returned the next business day 3 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER Some of A.B.A.T.E.’s accomplishments over the years: WHAT IS • Successfully lobbied for legislation that created the Georgia A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, Inc.? Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP), our state’s rider education program that is available to all. • Lobbied to have legislation passed to modify the existing manda- The letters “A.B.A.T.E.” stand for tory helmet law to allow adults age 21 and older freedom of choice as to the wearing of a helmet. American Bikers Active Toward Educa- • Successfully lobbied for legislation leading to the repeal of the tion. A.B.A.T.E. is composed of motor- Georgia law prohibiting use of speakers or headphones while riding a motorcycle. cyclists from all areas of the state, from • Fought and stopped legislation introduced in the 1992 Session of the Georgia General Assembly that would have made it illegal for all walks of life, and who ride all makes kids age 10 and under to ride as passengers on motorcycles. • of bikes. A.B.A.T.E. is not a club, it is a Established May as “Motorcycle Awareness and You” month through a proclamation signed by the Governor and through non-partisan politically active organiza- resolutions passed by the Senate and House each year. This is an annual effort that raises public awareness of motorcycles. tion working on motorcyclist’s rights. • Successfully lobbied legislators to approve increased funding for We are affiliated with national rights the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program, in the amount of $170,000 after the license tag rate was raised on all vehicles to groups like the American Motorcy- $20. • clist Association (AMA), the Motorcy- Successfully stopped proposed legislation that would have increased the size of motorcycle tags. cle Riders Foundation (MRF) and the • Successfully lobbied for handicapped tags for motorcycles without further enabling legislation, by bringing it to the attention of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Department of Revenue that the code section was written in such (NCOM). a way that it was already authorized. • Successfully lobbied for antique tags for motorcycles in the 1998 legislative session. • Our main focus is to keep motorcy- Established a 15 District organization that has led to more participation locally, while raising our membership statewide. The cle legislation in its proper perspec- more members we have, means the more clout we have at the State Capitol. tive. Many restrictive laws are enacted • Sponsor and promote the largest Swap Meet/Bike Show in by uninformed legislators. A.B.A.T.E.’s Georgia, 5 times a year. • Successfully forced prosecution of a trucker who, while making an goal is to keep our lawmakers informed illegal turn, killed fellow motorcyclist Mark Bonner. • of our members collective position on Successfully lobbied to pass the “Frank-Lee” (ROW) bill to enhance penalties to those who cause death or serious injury to a Motorcycle related legislation. motorcyclists by failing to yield the right of way. • Successfully lobbied to pass the “Tag/Title” bill SB-437 that allows Preventing unfair legislation from be- for registration of kit/assembled bikes. Signed by Governor Purdue coming law is easier than fighting to get May 14, 2008. the law repealed. Your benefits as a member of A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia: Organized lobbying of State and Federal legislators to make your Rider education and public aware- views on motorcyclist rights known to your Representatives. ness of motorcyclists are goals of Current information on all motorcycle related legislation and where your legislators stand on the issues that affect your motorcycling A.B.A.T.E.. We are not against the rights and freedoms. Monthly newsletter with legislative updates, event dates and wearing of helmets, and we encourage places, and information Membership card, patch, and one year pin for new members. all riders to ride safely. An informed and Yearly pin for renewals. educated rider is a safer rider. Helmet Admission discounts at most A.B.A.T.E. events around the state, including ALL State Swap Meets. laws do nothing to prevent an accident, Discounts at many motorcycle shops and dealers around the state Personal satisfaction of joining your brothers and sisters in pro- and a helmet only provides the illusion moting the great sport of motorcycling while supporting your right to ride by participation at State and District meetings, toy runs, blood of safety, while rider education is drives, camp-outs, bike shows, swap meets, etc. proven to prevent accidents and save Spiritual consultation with the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) for ride prayers, weddings, and visitation. lives. A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, Inc. IS A TEAM EFFORT WE WELCOME ALL RIDERS, ALL BRANDS 4 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER Ned Williams, State Director Summer riding season is upon us, that means Georgia’s 200,000 riders will be out in force. This also means now more than ever ABATE of Georgia’s members to get the word out about joining to those members. The question each member should be able to answer is “Why ABATE?” , last month we asked members the “Why ques- tion” on facebook, we will use their answers in an upcoming Membership poster for districts to display when they work membership booths at events. Each member should ask themselves the same question, the faster you can the question for your- self the faster you can answer it for someone who does not know what A B A T E stands for. Also this month we are asking each district to make a point to introduce them- selves to their member of the Georgia DOT State Transportation board. James Trucks our legislative director feels these people are our best bet to end the Motor- cycle Only checkpoints. They are also the people we need to ask to get GDOT to stop spreading tar snakes throughout our state. Check out this month’s article on Tar Snakes and look at the photos from some of our state’s motorcycle roads. Defi- nitely something each of us should work towards stopping the spread of. Check out the GDOT State Transportation board at their website: http://www.dot.ga.gov/aboutgeorgiadot/board/pages/default.aspx ABATE’s own Ann Purcell is on the State Transportation board, feel free to say hello! The Georgia Department of Transportation State Transportation Board 1st Congressional District Ann R. Purcell 2nd Congressional District Johnny Floyd 3rd Congressional District Sam M. Wellborn 4th Congressional District Robert L. Brown, Jr. 5th Congressional District Stacey Key 6th Congressional District Dan Moody 7th Congressional District Rudy Bowen 8th Congressional District Jay Shaw Vice Chairman 9th Congressional District Emily Dunn 10th Congressional District Jamie Boswell 11th Congressional District Jeff Lewis 12th Congressional District Don Grantham 13th Congressional District Dana Lemon 14th Congressional DistrictRoger Williams 5 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER Closed Districts are a complete loss to ABATE of Georgia. Districts 12 and 14 need to be reopened and made productive once again. These Districts closed for different reasons and for the most part they still have a membership base. If you have friends or family members in those areas please talk with them about reactivating the districts so we can continue with the growth we need in order to accomplish the fight for our rights. I have made an effort to contact those that have an e-mail address however a friend’s request is much more likely to have an impact in getting this done. It only requires 3 officers to open a district. One must be the District Coordinator and the other must be a Treasurer and the third can be any position. Make the phone calls and see what we can accomplish. UPDATE:Disitrict 10 is REOPENING! Contact Michael Smith for information! (see below) District Coordinator Contact Information District 1st Name Last Name Phone # EMAIL 1 Tami Culver 706-581-4132 [email protected] 1W Frank Chaney 706-694-8626 [email protected] 2 Anthony G Love 706-754-8517 [email protected] 3 Dave Woodruffe 678-778-9646 [email protected] 4E Paula LaValley 678-231-9942 [email protected] 4S Rod Hargrove 770-363-4515 [email protected] 4W Jon Lambert 404-3682093 [email protected] 5 Richard Jackson 678-283-1725 [email protected] 5-N Allen Kennedy 770-231-4824 6 Don Whitlow 770-294-7640 [email protected] 6-2 David Putnam 678-481-4124 [email protected] 6-3 Jim Blessitt 770-235-9642 [email protected] 7 Leigh Jester 478-319-4013 [email protected] 8 Nancy James 706-592-1015 [email protected] 9 Cyndi Griffith 706-332-7675 [email protected] 9-2 Al Harper 706-884-9498 [email protected] 10 Michael Smith 478-542-1037 [email protected] 11 David Jackson 912-441-7586 [email protected] 13 Joseph Neese 229-567-0973 [email protected] 15 Stephanie Cruwys 912-269-6500 [email protected] 6 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia District Boundaries 1W: The Fourth Monday of each month at the 1:1st Tuesday of the month at the 2: 1st Sunday of the month 2:00pm, Location Dari Dip on Villanow St. Lafayette. Meeting Logan’s Roadhouse 2140 East Walnut alternates every other month: El Jinete Mexi- starts at 6:30pm Avenue Dalton, GA can Restaurant in Clarkesville, GA or Lo- rena’s in Dawsonville 4E : 1st Wednesday of the Month 7PM, Con- 3 The Watering hole ,Tri fetti’s Bar and Grill, 6470 Spalding Dr. County Plaza 451 W Bankhead HWY Villa Norcross, GA 30092-4656 Rica 1st Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm 5N: third Tuesday of the month 7PM at Cycle World 4225 Atlanta Highway ,Athens Ga 4W :1st Tuesday at 7:30pm at Red’s Timbers, 730 Concord Rd. Smyrna Ga. 5 : 7:00PM 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 5 O’Clock Somewhere 7189 Turner Lake Rd Covington Ga 4S : Third Thursday at 8: 1st Sunday 7:30PM Solutions Bar and of the month Grill, 2040 Sylvan Rd, @ 2pm at Atlanta Road Runner Cafe, 2508 Peach Or- chard Rd. 6/2: 1st 6 :1st Tuesday (Rt. 25), Thursday of of the month Augusta the month at at 7:00 PM at 7PM @Jekyll The Grove Bar and Hyde's, and Grill, 7: 1st Sunday of HWY 29 4681 Bill the month at 2:00 North, New- Gardner PM at AP's Hidden nan Pkwy., Hideaway on Broadway in 9: 1st Tuesday 9/2: 3rd Mon- Macon of the month at day of the 7:30 PM at Month at 6 Player’s on 54th pm Los Na- St. Columbus. opales Res- 10: 3rd Saturday of every month taurant 382 at 2PM at Dairy S. Davis Rd. Queen Mcrae, Lagrange, Ga GA 6/3: 1st Monday of every month at 11: 2nd 7pm at Big Daddys Sunday of Oyster Bar,101 the month Crossings E # 3, at 3:00 PM Peachtree City, GA at The Redleg Saloon Savannah, GA 13: Meets 1st Sunday of Month @2PM at The Henry T. Elrod 15: 1st Sunday of every Welcome Center 100 Washing- month at 2PM at Toucans Ale ton Ave. Ashburn, Ga House 2450 Perry Lane Road Brunswick, GA 31525 7 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER 8 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER IMPORTANT: ABATE of Georgia: PEACHPASS INFO FOR MOTORCYCLES The new "HOT" Lanes (most of the current HOV Lanes are being converted to HOT Lanes) will require a "PeachPass" to use the Lane, this cost money, $20.00 minimum, plus the cost of the Geor- gia Legislature realized the motorcycles will still need to be exempt from the "PeachPass" and Ride like a pro would like to offer the members of ABATE a special discount on Ride Like A PRO Atlanta Advanced still be able to use either the "HOV" or "HOT" Motorcycle skills training. This offer is good for current Lanes. and future members of ABATE. The ABATE discount pric- ing is $140.00 per rider - a $10 discount off regular price. What do you need to do? To use the new "HOT" As I offer to all my students, they can retake my advance Lanes will require that you register your motorcycle training classes for 12 months after they take the initial class. They will need to email or call and check if I have with the "PeachPass" people and there is NO additional space in the class CHARGE for this. All you will need is your motor- cycle license tag and drivers license numbers. You Scott Ford CANNOT NOT USE THE WEB to register but must call the following number: (855) PCH-PASS Ride Like A PRO Atlanta (724-7277). If you use the online form then you will end up paying for the privilege to use the "HOT" www.ridelikeaproatlanta.com Lanes. The new ABATE of Georgia Graffiti wall . ABATE of Georgia . needs your input and assistance in tracking the Motorcycle Only Safety Checkpoints and the Access to the wall can be found at http://www.abatega.org/wall Rolling Random "safety" stops known as B.E.A.S.T. Wall entries will be featured starting in the November news- We expect that The Georgia State Patrol may set letter. up at a DOT truck weigh station north of The Wall is subject to the following rules. Macon on I-75 and perhaps on I-85 north of La- No advertising for any business. Grange. If you see a LARGE portable message board No Vulgar or inappropriate language. near either of these locations or even further You message may not exceed 256 characters, this includes south near a DOT weigh station or Rest Area spaces. contact us at 770-881-7438 and leave a message Cost is $10.00 dollars per month, payable via paypal or or e-mail [email protected]. These are nor- credit card at http://www.abatega.org/wall mally set out a day or two before the stops be- gin. Submissions can be submitted at http://www.abatega.org/ wall If you have the opportunity record through pic- tures or video what is happening. You can for- Submissions received before the 15th of the month will be featured in the following month’s newsletter and on the ward this information to the e-mail above. ABATE website. Submissions received after the 15th will We hope you have a safe and enjoyable ride. be included in the newsletter of the month after the next month.. 9 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER The ABATE back patches are available in large for men $30.00 and medium for women $25.00 , Contact y our District co- ordinator to get yours now! A Special offer for ABATE of Georgia Members from Two Wheel Adventures HTTP/www.garage71.com http://www.twowheeladventures.com Do Call us (678) 896-5909 you know of a traffic signal that Two Wheel Adventures will be offering a class every does not see your bike when you pull other month. Cost per Student is $125.00 up? Is there a pothole that no one will First class offering starts Feb 26, 2012 fix? Is there some form of road hazard Students have to ride their own bikes, must have a valid motorcycle endorsement that public works NEEDS to repair? Are there roads that have more GET YOUR LICENSE than a few isolated accidents, with or MSF and Georgia approved training provider without fatalities? Abate Preferred Provider and Abate member If so, TELL US! Official trainer of the Zac Brown Band http://www.abatega.org/ 2 Locations : Lakewood Amphitheater & Fraziers Harley Davidson roadhazard.htm Classes taught by Chris Carr 2011 National Middleweight Superbike Champion 10 June 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER