FEBRUARY 2014 HAPPY VALENTINE`S DAY ABATE CHILI

FEBRUARY 2014
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
ABATE CHILI COOKOFF @ TR’S
FEB. 22nd
NEXT MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2014
LOCATION: ELK’S LODGE #664
LOCATED AT INTERSECTION
OLD LINCOLN TRAIL & HWY 161
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
2014 St Clair County
A.B.A.T.E. Chapter Officers
President
Katie Gallagher
irishrose508@yahoo.com
Vice President
Steve Elford
selford@sbcglobal.net
Secretary
Joanne Szoke
jkszoke@gmail.com
Membership/Newsletter
Mike Gallagher
mikeg426@att.net
618-791-5033
Treasurer
Gina Chorma
gchorma@gmail.com
Safety & Ed
Rich KinKade
rkrkx2@ameritech.net
PR/Activities
Joe Rewerts
Joe.rewerts@yahoo.com
Sgt at Arms
Daren Harding
derwood62243@yahoo.com
Region Rep
Joanne Szoke
jkszoke@gmail.com
Legislative/BOD
Ralph Hult
auntminda@sbcglobal.net
BOD Rep
Renie KinKade
rkrk143@ameritech.net
Chaplain
Douglas White
pastorwhite@edgemontbiblechurch.org
618-593-2277
ACTIVITIES REPORT
Joe Rewerts
What a great January this has been! Let me
start off by thanking all the members and officers that
came together to make both the Trivia Night AND The
Meat Shoot big successes! The Trivia night made $282
for FEDPAC. It was nice to team up with the Kaskaskia
Valley Chapter and to meet some new people.
Everyone at the 2nd Annual Meat Shoot did a REALLY good job, and it
seemed to me that everyone in attendance was having fun as well. We made a little over
$1700 (After paying for the meat) I would like to thank the people at The American
Legion for helping us with this event.
Next month, February 22 will be our Annual Chili Cook Off at TR's Place,
Sign ups are from 11-Noon See the Event/Flyer on our chapters Face Book Page and in
this news letter. You can find the Face Book Page under St Clair Count ABATE Chapter. All proceeds will benefit ABATE FEDPAC. So start working out the kinks in your
favorite chili recipes and bring’em down! We have some new event ideas in the works
and hopefully will have all the details ironed out soon. Until then keep your wheels on
the pavement and your eyes on the road, except its winter and 3 degrees outside and
most of us are keeping warm in the house. Thanks' Joe.
CONGRADULATIONS To CHASERS
ABATE members Brad & Jean Stoll for
winning the Millstadt Wing Fest Jan. 25th!
CONGRATULATIONS
KATIE GALLAGHER
FOR BEING CHOSEN TO
REPRESENT US IN THE
WASHINGTON D.C. ABATE
LOBBYING
GROUP
AGAIN FOR
2014
(SORRY ED,
YOU CANT
GO)
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
KATIE GALLAGHER
Hey all, there are some exciting things going on so far this year.
We’ve already had two great events and have another one on the way
(check out Joe’s article). Joe decided that he was so pumped and eager to
get going on the activities that he wouldn’t be able to put as much attention into being PR officer as he should so he opted to resign from that
position. At the meeting, Sue Starko (long-time ABATE member) accepted the nomination to become the next PR officer. We voted to accept
her as interim PR officer until an official election could be held. We will
be accepting additional nominations again at the next meeting and if no
one else comes forward, then Sue will get the “job”. Sue had come to me
a little while ago and wanted to become more involved and I told her this
was definitely the best way to jump in with both feet and she has. I look
forward to seeing if anyone else is also eager to jump in…
I attended the State Seminar again this year and it was FANTASTIC to see St. Clair County represented so well. The members/officers
that came out were spread out well over the classes and I look forward to
hearing everything that they learned to continue to improve our chapter.
While in Springfield, I also had the pleasure of socializing with
Backroads Chapter who is eager to co-host an event this year. We are
looking at a potential off-road event later in the year. I am thrilled to collaborate with them and hope that we can add a little excitement and possibly reach out to the off-road community in a better way than just peppering them with paper. I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting.
Katie
MEAT SHOOT
EVERY SUNDAY
THROUGH MARCH
AMERICAN LEGION
STOOKEY POST 1255
201 EILER ROAD
BELLEVILLE,IL
62223
618-538-5445
LEGISLATIVE REPORT BY RALPH HULT
From USA TODAY: Voluntary checkpoints spark backlash as a tactic used by the federal government to
gather information for anti-drunken and drugged driving programs is coming under criticism in cities around
the country, and some local police agencies say they
will no longer take part. The tactic involves a subcontractor for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that uses off-duty but uniformed police at voluntary roadside checkpoints where motorists are asked on their behavior behind the wheel. In some cases, workers at the checkpoints collect blood and saliva samples, in addition to
breath samples. NHTSA has said previously that the surveys do not collect any
DNA. Drivers are not charged at the checkpoints. Check out this link to the USA
Today article http://usat.ly/1cTXy58 . If you run across this remember this is
a VOLUNTARY Check Point. If you don't want the government in your business Don'tParticipate!!
We (the motorcycling community as a whole) are slowly but surely winning
our fights on a couple of issues but we have to keep the pressure on the federal
legislators. One issue is "Ethanol". We don't have any co-sponsors on this bill (after
all we are the #2 corn producer) but we are winning this fight. We also need to
keep calling on the following bills and get your U.S. Representatives on the list as
sponsors if they are not on them now. Even if you have called them - keep calling
them and tell them you want to see their name on those bills.
(1) On Nov. 29th the US EPA proposed a rule that would modify the blending requirement for 2014. This would slow the introduction of E-15 into the retail market
place. The proposed rule by the EPA lowers the amount that must be blended into
fuel supplies from 16.55 billion gallons in 2013 to 15.21 gallons in 2014, the same
amount that was produced in 2012. Your calls and calls from a country full of Bikers
are being heard, finally.
In the Illinois State House we need to be calling our State Senators and ask them
to Co-Sponsor SR 634 and your State Representatives to Co-Sponsor HR 524. Both
these state resolutions are to support congressional bill H.R. 875, the bill to require
a "Comprehensive" and "Independent" testing of E-15
HR 875: To provide for a comprehensive assessment of the scientific
and technical research on the implications of the use of mid-level ethanol blends,
and for other purposes. There are no llinois co-sponsors at this time. Hopefully we
will change that with us passing our 2 state resolutions to support HR
875. ABATE of Illinois SUPPORTS H.R. 875
Within the coming weeks, supporters of the motorcycle lifestyle in the U.S. Senate
will introduce a bipartisan bill to ban federal funding for motorcycle only checkpoints. The Senate bill will prevent the Secretary of Transportation from issuing
grants intended to support the creation of “checkpoints for an operator of a motorcycle or a passenger on a motorcycle.” It will most likely be a sister bill to H.R. 1861
Treasurer: It is Tax season!!! Each chapter Treasur er should have r eceived their
990 forms from the State Treasurer.
.Activities: State Swap Meet will be held Febr uar y 16th at the Convention Center in
Springfield, IL. The State Party will be held June 19-22 at the Fairgrounds in Petersburg, IL.
Bike Raffle: Continue to sell tickets for the 2014 Har ley Davidson Switchback
and other great prizes that can be won.
SW Region Coordinator:
 Shoal Creek Chili Cook-Off - February 9th
 Black Diamond Chili Cook-Off – February 16th
 St. Clair Chili Cook-Off – February 22nd
TREASURER REPORT
Beginning Balance: 2273.58
Total Credits: 245.00
Total Debits: (478.62)
Ending Balance: 2039.96
Thank you for supporting your motorcyclists rights.
*GINA GALLUCCIO CHORMA*
BOD Meeting (January 4, 2014) Report
By: Renie Kinkade, St Clair ABATE Chapter BOD Rep.
Executive Board Members for 2014
State Coordinator: Ryan Hubbard
Assistant State Coordinator: Scott Gerke
Secretary: Kathleen Connor
Treasurer: Julie Bacon
Legislative: Bob Myers
Safety & Ed: Vi Roberts
Products: Julie Thurman
Newsletter: Carla Enburg
PR: Shirley Laycock
Bike Raffle Coordinator: Bob Dodson
Activities: Barb Fitzpatrick
SW Region Coordinator: Jim (Legs) Korte
Nominations for the Rich Neb award closed on December 1, 2013. Nominee
will be announced at the State Seminar in January 2014.
Motion was made and passed to accept the Non-Preferred Vendor List as written with
the removal of written and/or oral in section 3.0 paragraph e.
Motion made at the October 2013 BOD meeting to return chapter membership dues of $5 vs. $3 to chapters who have less than 100 members failed. Membership
money returned to chapters will remain at $3.
New Business
Motion was made and passed that each chapter must sell a minimum of $250 in Bike
Raffle Tickets in order to receive a check for 10% of their sales. Anything written in
regards to ABATE on social media should always be in the best interest of our organization. Motion made and passed to renew Todd Vandermyde’s (our Lobbyist) contract
for 2014.Ernie Steele declined renewal of the webmaster contract. Rich KinKade has
been appointed to temporarily fill the webmaster position until letters of intent are received and normal voting procedures using by-law guidelines are followed. The written contract will be sent out with the State BOD minutes.
Officer & PAC Reports
State Coordinator: If out of state Ride Smar t Pr esentations ar e requested, the
requestor pays for travel expenses. You can find the Ride Smart Presentation on You
Tube at www.startseeingmotorcycles.org. You may also check out accident Safety or
Survival statistics at www.accidentscene.org/sos.
Rich KinKade was recognized and thanked for burning and donating 150
DVDs for the Ride Smart Presentation and 50 DVDs for the Safety & Education Program. It is important we get the word out in an attempt to reduce motorcycle accidents
and fatalities.
Legislative: Legislative Day in Spr ingfield, IL is March 5, 2014. 20 Rooms have
been blocked for ABATE at The State House Inn, Springfield, IL. Phone # is (217)
528-5100 or ((217) 528-4358. Group contact is Bob Meyers (618) 917-4919. Group
Account #: 1244271, Group Name: ABATE 2014. Guests are responsible for all
charges.
CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
H.R. 1861 Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act - Prohibits the Secretary of
Transportation (DOT) from providing grants or funds to a state, county, town, or
township, Indian tribe, municipal, or other local government. We in Illinois have it
through our General Assembly but let’s help the rest of the country also enjoy what
we have and we will benefit when we go riding in other states. This will also offer us
extra protection in case we ever lose what we have here in this state. Illinois CoSponsors are Randy Hultgren (14), Adam Kinzinger (16), Aaron Schock (18), Rodney
Davis (13) and John Shimkus (15). Let’s get this list increased!! ABATE of Illinois
SUPPORTS H.R. 1861
Currently, only New Hampshire, Illinois, California, Missouri and Virginia
have restrictions on motorcycle only checkpoints. This has allowed other states to
continue to employ this discriminatory and ineffective practice, especially during
rallies and other large motorcycle events, such as Rolling Thunder in Washington,
D.C. and the Daytona Bike Week in Daytona, Florida.
You can make the same impact on the Black Box Privacy Protection Act,
H.R.1861. Get those calls a ringing! When we buy a vehicle that has a "data recorder"
on it that is OUR property and no one has a right to it except thru us.
H.R.
2414: Black Box Privacy Protection Act: Requires the event data recorder in an
automobile or motorcycle, and any data recorded, to be considered the property of
the owner of the automobile or motorcycle. The only Illinois Co-sponsor - Rodney
Davis (13), ABATE of Illinois SUPPORTS H.R. 2414
Safety & Ed Report
February 2014
Rich KinKade
Hope everyone is staying warm and water pipes are
not frozen. Mother Nature has held a grip on the area
for the past couple months. Bitter cold and heavy
Snow has bit some in the butt with falls. Use caution
when shoveling snow and dress the part. With extreme low temperatures combined with the wind can lead to frost bite quickly.
I'm sure most of you are eager for the riding season to start. While others are thinking "I
should start cleaning my bike and perform the T-Clock inspection". Now is the time to
inspect your bikes and or toys.
I'm reaching out to the local high schools
to teach Safety & Ed in the class room. I
certainly could use your help if you're
interested. Send an e-mail with your
contact info to: rkrkx2@ameritech.net
Stay Warm
Rich KinKade
SECRETARY &
S/W Region Report
Joanne Szoke
SHEDULE OF EVENTS
SECRETARY’S REPORT
(a/k/a unapproved Minutes)
The January meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 9th. A thank you note from
Jerry Sharp’s family was read. The December meeting minutes were read and accepted.
The Treasurer’s Report was given and accepted. Treasurer also reported that the 990’s
are already in. The Newsletter was mailed and advertising rates were discussed. Membership report was given 41 renewals were mailed out! Safety and Education said they
were getting ready to contact schools to get classroom education started locally. Activities headed out a meat shoot sign-up sheet; St. Clair Co. had 3 teams headed to the Trivia Night in Coulterville and is preparing for the Chili Cook-off February 22. Joe
Rewerts is resigning as the P.R. Representative and Sue Starko offered to step in and
help out in that position. (Thanks Sue!) S.W. Region report was given. B.O.D. report
was given, state elections were held and new officers were announced. The NonPreferred Vendor list was updated. Upcoming events were revealed. Legislation Day is
March 5, 2014 – All are welcome to attend. 50/50 drawing was held (I won!). J Meeting was adjourned.
SOUTHWEST REGION REP. REPORT
The 2014 Marble Run is taking shape nicely. The St. Clair County stops are as follows:
Geo’s Wings & More; Belleville, IL
Mandy’s Bar; O’Fallon, IL
Faye Inn; Fayetteville, IL
McDill’s; Collinsville, IL
Just One More; Fairview Heights, IL
Knotty Pines; Paderborn, IL
I attended the State Seminar and we held a region meeting in Springfield, IL on Jan.18 th.
Upcoming events were discussed. There is legislation being presented to amend the
“gaming law” that recently was passed – we are hopeful that the portion of the law affecting our poker runs, etc. will be amended and/or rescinded. In case you didn’t
know, there are currently 8,207 motorcycles registered in our county and only 207
ABATE members. Let’s do something about that! If you ride, you have the right to
decide (thanks to ABATE). Help raise motorcycle awareness and please bring a friend
to the next meeting. I will be discussing many of the things I learned at the State Seminar which were very interesting. Thanks! Joanne