Former Whitesands Chapter President of ABATE of Florida Speaks out

Subject: White Sands Dissolution a long read.
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:07:54 -0500

On July 13, 2008 the last formal meeting for the White Sands Chapter of ABATE of Florida, Inc. was held. For the past 2 months there have been no officers in place and after contact with many of the members it was found that there are no interested parties to accept the responsibilities of the available offices.

With 38 members in attendance it was voted unanimously that the chapter would disband.
Many of the reasons for disbandment are the same reasons that have been reoccurring over the years, ABATE of Florida, Inc. has changed the true intent of the meaning of "A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactment".

We have become what we vowed to fight against.

We now make laws, negotiate with the safetycrats and sell the souls of the motorcyclists for the sake of notoriety. This year is a fine example of soul selling! ABATE of Florida, Inc. no longer cares what the members of the organization think and does not allow them to voice their concerns at state meetings upon request. The organization has become discriminatory in it's selection of who is heard and what is said at meetings.

White Sands members made the request to be placed on the April state meeting agenda to ask about the lobbyist contract and performance agreement. The state state meeting was attended by myself and my husband as delegates for the White Sands Chapter, April 13, 2008 in Tallahassee.

Upon receipt of the agenda it was noted by myself, that we were not on the agenda. When I stood and asked why we were not on the agenda I was, by the president/lobbyist, told that we could not speak during the meeting but were to meet in the back room after the meeting. In attendance in the "backroom" were the president/lobbyist, vice-president, and 2 sergeant at arms. Three White Sands members were allowed in this meeting as well. White Sands was told by the president/lobbyist that we did not support ABATE, did not care about motorcyclists rights because...we did not volunteer at Daytona. This was not the issue at hand. I call this a diversion. Why? The issue at hand, which White Sands asked to be placed on the agenda pertained to the performance agreement and the lobbyist contract. As we all know this is and has been a very sensitive subject for the president/lobbyist.

If you recall 2 years ago, White Sands Chapter members asked to see the contract and review it to ensure that the members of ABATE of Florida, Inc. were protected in case one party or the other did not perform in accordance to the terms of the contract. We, much to our surprise, found that there was no contract.

There was an agreement to pay $50,000 a year for 62 days work to the lobbyist/president. Now, that equals out to $806.45 a day.

White Sands then questioned the state board about the performance criteria that has to be met by the lobbyist/president for the $806.45 a day pay? NONE! There is no criteria other than the statement on the agreement that said that the lobbyist would do as he has in the past.

We found this to be unacceptable. Especially since there are no lines of definition as to how the lobbyist/president divides his cellular telephone use between the (independent contractor) lobbyist use, president of ABATE of Florida Inc. use and NCOM/AIM use. How the travel expenses are divided, how the lobbyist pays the BATE of Florida, Inc. office staff for using their time, paper, machines, etc.

If you recall 2 years ago when White Sands Chapter published the agreement (which affects all members of the organization) in their newsletter the state board of directors came to our monthly meeting with the intent to disband us. (editors note: At that time I was a member of ABATE. Members from two chapters, including Papa John and myself, Big Bend Chapter and Panhandle Chapter , now also disbanded, rode to that meeting to stop "Doc" from disbanding Whitesands)

After a consultation with a contract attorney I was told that if you are part of the business organization you have every right to publish/provide the contract to your members and by law the contract belongs to the members. The president/lobbyist told us differently. Why?

The agreement identified the lobbyist as an "independant contractor". For those who keep up-to-date on state meeting information, you will recall that the lobbyist/president failed to comply with the Florida Statute "11.045 Lobbying before the Legislature; registration and reporting; exemptions; penalties.- This resulted in a fine to the lobbyist. (Editors note: Doc was found to be in violation of Florida's lobbyist financial disclosure laws which we posted on).

Now for $806.45 a day, one would think that this individual would know enough to realize if you enter into an agreement with someone and are paid to lobby for them you are now an independent contractor and need to follow the law. Enough of this......

White Sands questioned....What are we as members of this organization getting for our $50,000 a year investment? Look at the rights that we lost last year and this year.
Here is a person going to the legislators saying he represents the "motorcyclists of Florida" and yet really represents .0083 percent of the motorcyclists in Florida. (By the way the 900,000 figure of endorsed riders is ABATE of Florida, Inc.'s number. There are only 7,500 members of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Do the math.)

Back to the point at hand.........
If we are a freedom fighting organization, then why are we not allowed the FREEDOM to address the delegates at a state meeting? Why are the voices of it's members being stifled? Why are the contracts entered into by the state board kept a secret? Why did all of the (half million dollar) safety money spending get decided by the board and not by the members? Of all of the chapters throughout the state of Florida each chapter should have had a billboard promoting Motorcycle Awareness in their respective areas. Money should have been spent on long term items for Awareness.

We are not educators. We are motorcyclists. Why did we not consult professionals on how to effectively utilize a half a million dollars to save lives? Why were materials on motorcycle awareness not purchased for each chapter? Why were the members of the organization not given a vote on what to order for their area? The state of Florida is not a one-size fits all state. Each area is unique. Our needs are different.

White Sands Chapter routinely, throughout the year, would reach at a minimum of 60,000 motorcyclists. I guess this doesn't count as support for ABATE of Florida, Inc. On the first Friday of every month White Sands Chapter would set up a booth to disseminate materials to the public about ABATE of Florida, Inc. and Motorcycle Safety and Awareness. White Sands Chapter routinely set up their booth at local motorcycle runs and events again to promote ABATE of Florida, Inc and Motorcycle Safety and Awareness. White Sands Chapter assisted the Panama City Beach Police Department in organizing the Cops & Kids events throughout the year so that in times of need the children in our community would not go without. We also set up our booth and distributed the same materials here. White Sands Chapter would adopt the Veterans at Clifford Sims Veterans Home and ask others to join in thus allowing non-members exposure to what we, White Sands Chapter of ABATE of Florida, Inc. is about. But in the words of the president/lobbyist, James Reichenbach II, White Sands Chapter does not support ABATE of Florida, Inc.

As current members of ABATE of Florida, Inc. you can transfer your membership to "AT-LARGE" status. For those of you who will expire in the next 2 months, should you want to continue your membership with ABATE of Florida, Inc. you can do so through your Masterlink.

I personally will take my $20 and support an organization that does not threaten its members, does not lie to their members and is not in the business of motorcycle rights because "Bikers are the only ones that would accept me after I came back from Viet Nam".

I have researched the achievements (or lack of) for the ABATE of Florida, Inc. lobbyist. The "Red/White/Blue" license plate, not ours, look where the money goes, not to motorcyclists.

Look at the "Handle Bar Height"....We never had one before the lobbyist negotiated one for us. I don't call that a success, I call that a sell out.

Look at the mandatory training.......
.
The icing on the cake? Follow the trail of HB 137 introduced by Carlos Lopez-Cantera. The members of ABATE of Florida, Inc. were given false information by the person that is collecting $806.45 a day to be informed. He called it a dead bill then placed blame on the "internet cowboys" for his failure to keep up to date and hide the fact that he negotiated this bill with the legislators. (Editors note: And we don't mind mentioning that we were one of the internet cowboys Doc was referring to. However we also attended committee meetings to witness just how Doc flip flops on th issues and stabs his own organizations members in the back and posted about it)

For $806.45 a day, I would think that the lobbyist could negotiate and influence our legislators on the front end and not "in the back door" as we are told.

Definition:"Lobbying" means influencing or attempting to influence legislative action or nonaction through oral or written communication or an attempt to obtain the goodwill of a member or employee of the Legislature.

When speaking with a legislator recently about motorcycle issues I was asked if Reichenbach represents the "Viet Nam Veterans motorcle group". I asked why. The response was because Reichenbach always refers having done 3 tours of Viet Nam then states he represents the states motorcyclists. They were confused as to Reichenbach's position.

I am no longer confused. After the April meeting, I was done. I tried my best to overlook the stupidity and arrogance of the president/lobbyist because some people cannot change.

Hopefully the membership of ABATE of Florida, Inc. will wake up to the fact that the membership has hovered in the same numbers too long. There is a problem within its ranks. Until that is resolved I will not support ABATE of Florida, Inc.

I wish you all well in your endeavors. I will continue to fight for my rights as a motorcyclists. I will not let someone go to the capital and pretend to represent the motorcyclists of this state and sell us short. If you care to join me....keep in touch.

Diana L. Woods

Editors Note: I spoke with Diana this afternoon. She reports today she received a certified letter from From ABATE of Florida advising her that Whitesands Chapter would be disbanded.

Ummmm Doc, how do you disband a chapter that has disbanded itself?

If this letter from Diana sounds eerily familiar it might be because we have been posting much of this same information for a couple of years now. In that time good members have been lost, chapters have closed and ABATE is no longer receiving state money due to their apparent inability to qualify. Or maybe they just decided they did not want it anymore. Yet apparently the cult following of James D. Riechenbach still does not get it. That is sad.

Diana was one of the hardest working ABATE members I ever met. She is a bulldog when it comes to freedom and rights and a significant loss to ABATE. The Upside is now Whitesands can truly ride free.Add to Technorati Favorites

What is FLorida State Universities Position on Returning Servicemen

Sent this date this time:
trustees@www.fsu.edu
president@mailer.fsu.edu
lhinkle@fsu.edu
lbrock@mailer.fsu.edu
president@mailer.fsu.edu
cbakker@mailer.fsu.edu
tdurant@mailer.fsu.edu
mmckamey@mailer.fsu.edu
labele@fsu.edu
rbradley@fsu.edu

Respected Florida State University Administrators

I am writing to make you aware of a situation you may not be aware of yet are catching the blame for.

There are a group of people, Patriot Guard Riders, who welcome and escort returning soldiers from overseas duty. All to often some of the escorts provided are to those who have been Killed in Action (KIA).

In the past the Tallahassee Police Chief and Leon County Sheriff have refused to provide escorts for these returning hero's who serve and all to often die doing what their country has asked of them.

Recently they have agreed to provide escorts. However a caveat is that during FSU football games they may be unable to provide that service as it would appear, your football games take precedence over those who have been killed and/or physically and emotionally disabled as a result of their service to you and I.

If you could please advise us as to your stance on this situation we would be appreciative. Are hope would be that you would communicate to the city of Tallahassee that whether or not in agreement with the war we are all in agreement that our soldiers doing what their country ask of them deserve our support.

You may find this post on: http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/

Along with other posts addressing the subject:http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2008/07/which-is-it-tallahassee-leon-county-leo.html

http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2008/07/world-is-watching-tallahassee-what-will.html

http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2008/07/do-quit-now-people-we-are-getting-er.html

rc
Publisher "Let Freedom Reign"
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/

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Leon County Sheriff Campbell, TPD Chief Jones we await your answer, FSU foot ball or service men?

We understand that this is probably a question that should not need asking. However your statements in the Tallahassee Democrat were somewhat vague and non specific. Especially when we cited that speciousness of your excuses for not doing what should have been done all along.

See post here

For those of us that did not quite understand and for the servicemen who have been hitting our site wondering just what the hell is going on in Tallahassee, could you please Clarify? Which takes precedence FSU football or returning servicemen.

Please see our letter to FSU here.

What is FLorida State Universities Position on Returning Servicemen

SENT TO:

Tallahassee Police Chief , Dennis Michael Jones, A Vietnam Veteran 850-891-4200
Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, U.S. Marine Corp Reserves, 850-922-3346
e-mail campbell@leoncountyfl.gov

Tallahassee Commisioners: Use this link to contact all of them at once
http://www.talgov.com/email.cfm?id=commissioners

Use this link to contact all the County commissioners at once:
http://www.leoncountyfl.gov/BCC/email/

Ride freeAdd to Technorati Favorites

Motorcycle Rights bits and pieces missed during the Tallahassee Campaign (which ain't over)

Posted: Wednesday, 16 July 2008 1:22PM
Police To Crackdown On Motorcycle Riders

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Warm weather and high gas prices are bringing out more motorcycle riders to Chicago area roads. State and local police are launching a crackdown on reckless motorcycle riders that will include patrols using air support, radar guns, lidar (which uses beams to follow a vehicle) and roadside safety checks.

Last year, 157 people died in motorcycle crashes on Illinois roads. That's up 18 percent from the previous year. In the first half of this year, there have been only 56 fatalities in the state.

State Police Lieutenant Jim Alexander says he's seen more motorcycles out this year and he attributes that in part to record gas prices.

Chicago Police Commander Bob Evans says police will target open stretches of road that motorcycle riders use to speed.

He says almost half of the fatalities are alcohol-related. Police estimate 92 percent of motorcycle riders in the U.S. have NOT had any formal training.
As we have been warning since the inaugural press conference of the Ride Proud Dress Loud campaign by the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety, watch for that to start happening here next.

Spying uncovered
Documents show state police monitored peace, anti-death penalty groups
By Nick Madigan Sun reporter 8:18 PM EDT, July 17, 2008

Undercover Maryland State Police officers repeatedly spied on peace
activists and anti-death penalty groups in recent years and entered the
names of some in a law-enforcement database of people thought to be
terrorists or drug traffickers, newly released documents show.

The files, made public Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of
Maryland, depict a pattern of infiltration of the activists'
organizations in 2005 and 2006. The activists contend that the
authorities were trying to determine whether they posed a security
threat to the United States. But none of the 43 pages of summaries and
computer logs - some with agents' names and whole paragraphs blacked out
- mention criminal or even potentially criminal acts, the legal standard
for initiating such surveillance.

State police officials said they did not curtail the protesters'
freedoms.

The spying, detailed in logs of at least 288 hours of surveillance over
a 14-month period, recalls similar infiltration by FBI agents of civil
rights and anti-war groups decades ago, particularly under the
administration of President Richard M. Nixon.

David Rocah, a staff attorney for the ACLU in Baltimore, said at a news
conference Thursday that he found it "stupefying" that more than 30
years later, the government is still targeting people who do nothing
more than express dissent.

Yehaw little doggies, now why yu reckon they need all them names on a database? They gonna pay you a visit? Ummmmm, anyone notice whether this violates the constitution or not? Wake up America?

Outlawing gangs is proposed
by: MICK HINTON World Capitol Bureau 7/18/2008 12:00 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — A state representative said Thursday that he wants to
outlaw gangs by passing a law to enable gang members to be charged with
a misdemeanor.

Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Oklahoma City, said he realizes that such a law
might not pass constitutional muster.

The Oklahoma City Republican previously failed in getting a law passed
to outlaw pit bulldogs because the attorney general said an entire breed
could not be singled out.

Tim Hock, vice president of the Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association,
said he strongly endorses Wesselhoft's efforts. Hock, an Oklahoma City
police detective, said he could not speak for his department but only as
an officer of the association.

"There's absolutely no reason why we should allow a gang to be legal,"
he said. "I don't think there is one good thing a street gang does."

Wesselhoft said allowing gang members to be charged with a misdemeanor
would give officers the means to interrogate them about criminal
activity in the community.
Check out Florida's new “gang” law. Check out RICCO. Check out the Patriot Act Check out how Australia has dealt with their “gangs”. Or read Rounding Up Radicals
A. Mitchell Palmer and the Red Scare, © Steve Sagarra Aug 25, 2007

“Containing jewels such as:On the heels of the Russian Revolution and the continuing saga of World War I, the United States government began a zealous internal campaign to stamp out any dangers posed by those suspected of extremist ideology. Popularly known as the “Red Scare,” illegal searches, unwarranted arrests, and the expulsion from the U.S. of radicals and subversives came to exemplify the era.”

Troopers target 'Bike Night' crowd
State Highway Patrol safety outreach effort includes BW3's visit
By JESSICA CUFFMAN • The Marion Star • July 19, 2008

MARION - With increasing gas prices, motorists searching for a means to save money at the pump are turning to motorcycles, increasing their traffic and creating a higher risk for accidents among bikers.

The Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be promoting motorcycle safety for bikers and non-bikers alike this week with a capping appearance at Buffalo Wild Wings' weekly bike night from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 24.

"With more people on the road driving more motorcycles, you're going to have more injuries," said Trooper James Fraley, who is leading the publicity push for the Patrol.

Fraley and some other troopers are motorcycle enthusiasts themselves and are noticing friends and relatives making the switch from cars, sport utility vehicles and trucks to motorcycles for regular transportation. The OSHP reintroduced the use of motorcycles for patrol in the past few years after 50 years of absence and troopers will have the bikes at bike night for those who attend to check out.
Reminds me of a story involving blotter acid and a police motorcycle. aw never mind.

7/18/2008
Australian Company to Issue Arizona Speeding Tickets
Arizona to use 200 fixed and mobile speed camera units to raise $165 million in revenue.

Speed cameraThe Arizona Department of Public Safety announced yesterday that it would pay an Australian company $28.75 for every ticket it is able to issue on state highways. By September 26, Melbourne-based ticket vendor Redflex will activate what will soon become the largest speed camera operation in the United States. Governor Janet Napolitano (D) commissioned the program to generate $165 million in revenue from the $165 citations. Redflex hopes this bottom line inspires other states to follow.

"We fully expect this program to provide a benchmark for the role speed enforcement will play in traffic safety in North America in the next decade," Redflex Traffic Systems CEO Karen Finley said in a statement to Australian investors.

Redflex already operates two speed vans on behalf of state government, but the new contract expands the program to allow up to 200 automated ticketing machines. The company plans to blanket the state with 40 mobile speed vans, 10 mobile red light camera systems, 90 fixed speed cameras and 30 cameras capable of simultaneously issuing tickets in two directions.

To help minimize voter backlash against the program, lawmakers last month eliminated points for these photo tickets, ensuring drivers would avoid insurance penalties and license suspensions. Early deployment plans also show out-of-state motorists will be a prime target. According to a state police news release, the placement of cameras on Interstate 10 west of Phoenix will issue tickets to "commercial and non-commercial vehicle traffic from California." Each highway patrol district will have at least two mobile speed vans to place in high-volume locations. State police have already dropped the speed that triggers a citation from 11 MPH to 10 MPH over the limit.

Illinois was first to deploy a speed camera program.

Hmmmm, is Illinois now going to compete with Florida to be the first true Police state in the Union.

People we can not urge you enough to take notice of what has been happening to Rights and Freedoms as it pertains to motorcyclists in Australia (our most recent post here). In states across the country yo can see the same bureaucratic attitudes
popping up in discriminating ordinances and police actions towards motorcyclists.

The gig is however, Motorcyclists are people! So it isn't the rights and freedoms of motorcyclists being violated it is the rights and freedoms of American people being violated! Wake up to that. The Maryland Spying program is aimed at "all" people.

Now it maybe that you are just a motorcycle rider that wears all the goodies and obeys all the laws and could care less about what others perceive as discrimination.

It maybe that you consider yourself a "Biker" that has no need for an interest in politics. Maybe you think that shit happens in other countries, states, cities and towns. Well it happened in Australia, it is happening here and if you "cherish" your lifestyle as much as you claim, it is time to stop relying on the MRO's that are kissing the asses of politicians and start taking action. Or lose your lifestyle.Add to Technorati Favorites