Hello Franklin County-

          It's the beginning of January,I'm barely over the New Year's hangover, and the holiday glow has faded. That means it's time to write my February Outspokin article. I hope every one had the chance to ride on the first-it's supposed to bring good luck if you do. Anyway, for those of us hardy souls that like to ride when the temperature is crisp, remember to watch out for potholes!! If you encounter one, take the time to report it to the proper municipality, or to the Abate legal office.  They will notify the correct jurisdiction, which will also put it in the public record.  A municipality is not liable for damages from potholes UNLESS the were notified of it's existance.  So do yourself and all your fellow riders a favor and report any potholes.  Look in the Outspokin for the Abate Legal Services phone number, or call the State Office, or go to the Abate website (www.abate.com) for this information.  Speaking of websites, the Region 9 website has a new webmistress. Robin Pickens was elected to that position in the December elections. I know Robin will do an outstanding job for Region 9, and I can't wait to see her put her stamp on the website(Region9abateofohio.com). I would like to thank Chuch Isreal for all his efforts in refining the website and for keeping it up and running.

          Yesterday (Jan.10, 2008) was the first day of the new session of the Ohio Legislature.  I took some time off and went down to the Statehouse and sat in on the House session. I realize that all the real work is done in committee and behing the scenes, but it was still interesting.  I don't know how much impact a lone biker had on the proceedings, but I think if we were to get more numbers in the gallery, it would definately get some attention. Hopefully, the next time, we'll be able to organize more attendees and have more of an impact.  I also was able to meet with my Representative in the morning, before the session.  I would like to thank Representative Tracy Heard for taking the time to meet with me.  We talked about the ROW legislation, and I am hopeful that the Representative will join as a co-sponsor.  In addition, we talked about the Seizure Bill and other motorcycle issues.  The Representative seemed quite receptive and was gracious throughout the meeting.  I would also like to thank her aide, Jackiechia for her help in setting the meeting up.  It was a new experience for me to meet with a government official, but this is how to get results. One more legislator is now aware of Abate and what we are trying to accomplish.  I hope this will lead to more dialogue and will result in a productive relationship in the future.  Sadly, my Senator was unable to free up time for a meeting, but at least contact was established and a foundation laid for further interaction.  All in all, it was an interesting experience and one that I would like to repeat.

          As far as legislative activity is concerned, we are still in about the same place with our two pieces of legislation.  They are both in committee (I believe) .  Come to a meeting and get the latest info from Tim and Dave, our two legislative coordinators.  Thanks to Dave Stuckey for his legislative presentation at the January meeting!  On the Federal level, the HIPPA legislation is moving along.  We need you all to write your legislators on both the Federal and State levels, and ask them to co-sponsor these peices of important legislation.  Don't forget to thank them if they are co-sponsors, this is important as well. Don't know who yourreps are?  Come to a meeting, of go to either of the aforementioned websites, of the AMA Directlink website to get this information.

          Here in Franklin County, there was only one change in the Officer line-up for 2008.  Tim Horetski and Dave Stuckey are co-legislative dudes for the year.  Every other Officer position is the same as last years.  If you don't know who your officers are, just got to the post office, I'm sure one or two of our pictures are posted (seriously, come to a meeting and meet us, we usually don't bite!!).

           Speaking of meetings, the February meeting will be at the Alumni Grill, Hoover Rd. and Rt. 665 on the 6th. of February@noon.  All meetings are on the first Sunday of the month, except those months that might clash with a holiday, and you will be given ample notice of those. Next month's meeting place is being negotiated, and the six month schedule will be posted to the website as soon as it is determined.  Also, monthly meeting reminders are mailed every month to let you know where the next meeting will be.  Thanks to Big Dog Motorcycles for sponsoring those mailings every month. If you have moved and are an active member of Abate, please let the State Office know your new address, so you will receive these reminders.  I get back four or five reminders a month that the post office cannot forward, because of no forwarding address on file. So, please give us your new address if you move.  Thanks.

          As for events, Franklin County will have it's Daytona North Party on the 15th. of March, at a site yet to be determined.  Please watch the Outspokin and the website for this info.  It will be posted as soon as it becomes available.  Once again, I ask everyone to support as many events as you can, both in our county and in the other counties in the region.  We have a really good region and the other counties do a good job with their events, so let's support as many events as we can.

          One event I have not mentioned is the return of the State Seminar.  For thoses of you reading this on the website, there is still time to sign up for this informative event.  I am really glad that the seminar is making a comeback, and I would like to thank Kari Engen for heading the committee that has brought it back.  Those of you that are reading this in the Outspokin, the seminar is probably going to happen  a few days after you get your issue.  Either way, if you ride and give a shit about your right to ride, you SHOULD be there. You might learn something,but at least you'll have a good time. Once again, look in the Outspokin or on the websites for more info.

           We've had some days that weren't too bad for riding, I had the scoot out on New Year's Day and right before Christmas and I rode it to the Statehouse and the previous weekend. All in all, it hasn't been too bad a winter so far, and spring is coming sooner than we think.  Now is the time to get your scoot in shape and to think about maybe taking a rider's ed course to refresh your riding skills. If you know of a first time rider, please encourage them to take a course and to get that endorsement.  Remember, if you are stopped and you don't have your endorsement, they will impound you bike!  Rider's courses CAN save your ass, so even if you've been riding forever, you can still learn some new skills, or unlearn some bad habits,, so take one.

          That's about all I can think of at this moment, so I'm going to wrap this up.  See you at a meeting, at the seminar, at a Bike Night or just somewhere on the highway!

 

             Ride Smart, Ride Hard, Ride Free!!                         Kolman  

Hello, Franklin County:

          As we start a new year, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a safe holiday season. Once again, we will face new challenges, as well as some of the same old ones.  Utilizing the resources of the AMA, the MRF and ABATE, we will respond to any and all of these threats in kind.  We MUST be ready to do whatever it takes to fight for our rights, and I am confident that we as an organization are up to the fight.

          Today we went shopping for toys with the money we raised at the Firefighters 4 Kids Toy Run. I would like to thank the managers and staff of Schottensteins West and the Big Lots on Stringtown Road for all their cooperation and assistance during the toy buy.  With the money raised, we filled four Medic Squads with toys for children who would otherwise not even have a Christmas.  The Firefighters assist 18,000 families, and we are proud to be a part of their efforts.Once again, I would like to thank everyone involved in the Toy Run for their help and generosity-we raised $12,421 for the Firefighters.

          I would like to take a moment to thank all those locations that hosted a county meeting last year, and I'm looking forward to this year's round of meetings;and,also, to finding new locations to hold our meetings.  If anyone has a location they think might be a suitable meeting place, please bring it to my attention.  I would also like to thank Big Dog Motorcycles for their support last year and for their continuing support in 2008. Also, thanks to AD Farrow for letting me present an Abate update at their monthly Harley Owners Group meetings.

          The elections for County and Regional Officers were held in December.  Here in Franklin County, there were no changes in any of the positions for 2008.  As of this writing, I do not have the results from the Regional and other County elections.  Please check the Region website(region9abateofohio.com) for this information, and it will be available at the January meeting.

          As for legislative matters, please check the region website or the Abate website(www.abate.com) for information on state and federal legislations. Of course, this info is also available at the monthly meetings. I am looking forward to seeing some new faces at the monthly meetings in 2008, so if you haven't been to a meeting lately, drag your ass to a meeting.  Monthly meeting reminders will be sent out each month to inform you of meeting locations.  In other legislative news, we will be having a State Seminar this year, details are in the Outspokin. I strongly urge all who are interested in rights issues to attend, you might just learn something.

           Please continue to support Abate events, both in your county and in counties in your region, and statewide if possible.  We need to grow the organization, so please try to recruit new members. Numbers are to our advantage - GET NEW MEMBERS!! 

          Well, that's just about all I've got at the moment, just remember, Spring is coming, you're reading this in January, already.  Those of us hardy folk are still riding in the winter, the rest are watching the calender and the weather forecasts. Whatever you are doing, be safe and sane. See ya in 2008!

                                            Ride Smart, RideSafe, Ride Free        Kolman