A Biker in the Winds Mother Speaks to Florida legislators

We need more of this.  It was Mothers Against Drunk Driving that got the DUI laws enhance. It maybe we need to turn to the mothers of those in the wind to save our lives since we can't seem to tear ourselves away from Hooters long enough to do so:

RC,
FYI sent this today, called yesterday and spoke to an aide. Hope this helps. I also sent it to every one in the Senate & House and the Governor.
Diane

From: Diane Pearson [mailto:diane@gulfaerospace.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 8:46 AM
To: 'garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov'
Subject: BILL 968

Dear Mr. Garcia,
I have written to you before about stiffer penalties for motorist who have killed a person while riding a motorcycle, and now I am begging you to not water down BILL 968.
My son Gene was killed while riding and the person who killed him never even got a ticket, it was ruled an accident because the motorist said, "I did not see him". I am getting sick and tired of hearing that "I did not see him", thus an accident and nothing done to the motorist. I know people do not go out an intentionally kill some one, but when they do, they need to be punished and we who are left behind need justice. So far in 3 1/2 years I have not seen justice served to anyone who has been killed while riding his motorcycle.

I am sure that if your son, or daughter was killed you would want justice, and that's all we are asking for. I don't think people who have the power to change laws have experienced the pain and suffering we have endured since our loved one died. You need to put mother's on the committee's where you can hear time and again that nothing was done to the motorist, a slap on the wrist, and sent on his way to live his life day in and day out, but we who are left behind get to visit the cemetery day in and day out for the rest of our lives. Yes it is too late for my son, but I have become a Mother on a Mission for all motorcycle riders, who still have a chance to have justice for their families. Kill a Biker and do some jail time, get points put on your license that can't be taken off as a reminder of what you have done or revoking your license for a time period set up by the courts. You have to be held accountable for your actions, does this sound cruel, not any worse than the nightmare we have to endure everyday. When the penalties get stiffer, people will take driving more serious, right now it's joke, so they drive as if motorcyclists don't exist on the roadways.

I would be more than willing to meet with you and talk to you about this matter and any other concerns about motorcycle safety, please do the right thing for us with BILL 968. Just think of all the moms who want justice for their children, and the pain we feel because nothing is being done, now something could be done and you can be that person to help us. You have the power to help us change this into something that will bring honor for those who have had no justice. Their lives were cut short because the were doing what they loved, riding their motorcycles and were killed by a careless driver, who said, I did not see him".

Thank you for your time,
Diane Pearson mother of the late Gene Adam Pearson

 God Bless you Ms. Pierson, You are always in our prayersAdd to Technorati Favorites

Conversations with Florida representatives this date.

Today I spoke with the aides from Representatives Holder and Representative Leggs office regarding proposed cell hone legislation.

I communicated concerns about these bills and how in their present form were like using a band aid to stop major hemorrhaging. That in their present form it was my feeling that it was a waste of tax payers monies to even hold hearings on the bills in their present form. We discussed the research that demonstrates that "ALL" use of cell phones while driving was the equivalent of driving while intoxicated.

Surprisingly these gentlemen were not turned off by my concerns but expressed concerns of their own about the telecommunications industry lobby and their constituency's reluctance to support the legislation needed.

I attempted to make the point that comes a time when a representative must stand up and do the right thing regardless. I don't know what impact if any our conversation had, except that we did agree to keep the lines of communication open.

I also communicated our to fight against any bill that does not comprehensively address the problem, stating that lives should come before any need to use a cell phone.

It was pointed out to me that if we want to make progress in this area Senators and Representatives NEED to HEAR from the constituents in their districts.

This does not mean, if you are a member of some organization that pays a lobbyist you can sit back and let him or her do the work. It means that YOU have to contact your representative yourself.

What that also means is that YOU the BIKER, have it within your power to make a difference if YOU, not some appointed mouthpiece, pick up the phone and contact your legislators and tell them what YOU as someone who votes wants.

"YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT" Rolling Stones

"You will never get what you want if you do not ask or take it"Add to Technorati Favorites

Our letter to the Leon County Community Action Safety Team

Dated February 9th

Terri, this bill sponsored by Sen Garcia is asking for minimum mandatory penalties to include jail for those who hit a motorcyclist causing severe injury or death. I contacted Sen. Garcias office, speaking with an aide, by the name of David I believe, and suggested they add to the wording children, pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles.

In it's current version it is a strong bill. I believe with the additional wording it can go along way towards making the roads safer for all of us. PRoblem is there is talk of watering it down to make it more palatable. My folk are against watering it down. You may wish to take a look at it and contact Garcias office with your thought and let others know about it asap.

http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&ElementID=JumpToBox&SubMenu=1&Year=2009&billnum=968

garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.govAdd to Technorati Favorites

American Motorcycle Association weighs in on Florida SB968

Rogue and I have written the American Motorcycle Association requesting their help in support of the stiffer penalties law SB968. I am sure that Rogues long term affiliation with the AMA and Biers Rights played a major role in their agreement to do so.

They will be placing a support bulletin under their state watch rights and issues section and and we anticipate an Action Alert sent out for Florida early next. We want to thank the American Motorcycle Association for their support in this area.

Remaining Silent regarding injustice is to be complicit in injusticeAdd to Technorati Favorites

Another ABATE of Florida E-mail finds it's way to my inbox

Initially when I received this e-mail I thought, oh well more of the same and had decided not to post it.
However in light of the previous post I have decide that more of the same can not be tolerated when more of the same consist of an ongoing history of of deception, financial boondoggles and behind the back knifings.

In the majority of our posts, unlike our friends at ABATE of Florida we arre pretty much up front with what we do unless it invoves people who through posiitions of power whould cheme to hurt and/or injure others.

There for we will print this letter removing identifying information.  The individuals name is not important. It could be any nymber of peole who have been screwed over by ANATE of Florida for attempting to do the right thing:

To:................................
I have thought and prayed long and hard about what I wanted to say to everyone in regards to the recent events.  So here it goes.

                January 18, 2009 I resigned as your chapter treasurer.  Contrary to what you some of you may have heard, this was NOT due to issues that I had not tried to resolve.  I took over the books in July 2008.  In August, I spoke with the state treasurer in regards to the issues I felt need addressed.  At the September board meeting I addressed the board, and made a motion.  This should have been the end of it.  However, the same problem continued to come to the forefront.   At the January board meeting this issue again had to be confronted.  I was put in a spot that made me feel very uncomfortable keeping the chapter books.  Demands from the president that were contrary to the decisions agreed on at the September boards meeting led to me resignation.

Since that time, there has been an emergency meeting called to elect a new treasure, that I respectfully did not attend.   I have recently been informed that things were said at this meeting that were un brotherly,

To print any more would give away the persons identity.  However having suffered pretty much the same treatment as have many former ABATE of Florida members, especially when it comes to issues of "money" , I can emphasize with this individual and have since sent an e-mail to the expressing such along with my respect for his ability, unlike many others, to take a stand on principle and not back down.  It is amazing how quickly "Brothers" can turn on you when you are not within earshot!

This taken in conjunction with the previous post might indicate that ABATE of Florida may wish to reassess it's claims to speak  for "all Florida Bikers." Especially when it has such a dificult time treating it's own members with the respect they deserve.Add to Technorati Favorites

Remaining Silent insures you will not be heard