“Dear Secretary Peters
I recently received a press release stating that you appointed James D. Reichenbach to the Motorcyclist Advisory Counsel to the Federal
Highway Administration (MAC-FHWA)
I am surprised and shocked to hear that.
I am not aware of how Mr. Reichenbach came to your attention and
what information about him was supplied to you in helping you to make
that decision. I have to believe that you were given information
about him from sources that either did not do their research and or
have ulterior motives to see him appointed to this position.
I would like the opportunity to bring other information to your
attention in hopes that you will reconsider his appointment and replace him.
It is my understanding that MAC membership is based on certain types
of involvement in motorcycle-related organizations and that as
President of ABATE of Florida Mr. Reichenbach met that minimum
criteria.
For some time now ABATE of Florida has been having internal problems
and a large portion of the membership are unhappy with the way the
organization is being run. Efforts by concerned members who want to
make the organization work and do not always agree with Mr.
Reichenbach are voted out of the organization which is supposed to be
open to all. Chapters have disbanded because of frustration in trying
to make changes and large numbers of the membership have resigned or
just fail to re-new their membership.
ABATE is supposed to be open to all with a interest in motorcycling
yet during the 2008 legislative session Mr. Reichenbach stated he did
not consider a segment of motorcyclist riding in the state bikers.
The statement that ABATE of Florida represents the motorcyclist of
the state is very misleading as there are over 900,000 registered
motorcyclist in Florida of which ABATE claims 7,500 are members of
their organization. That number is open to argument and even if it is
true that would mean the organization has approximately 0.008%
representation and a large portion of that membership is not in
agreement with the present leadership.
There are many reasons Mr. Reichenbach should not have this
appointment and some of them concern monies received in the forms of
grants and how they were spent. I would request checking with the
Florida Department of Highway Safety on this and his violation for
failure to file financial disclosure as his position as a State of
Florida Lobbyist.
Also of concern to many ABATE members are his involvement as
Chairman of Board of Directors of NCOM and that organizations
involvement with AIM. Using the ABATE mailing list to try and solicit
customers for Richard Lester’s law firm.
I feel that I am a creditable person to make the comments that I
have as I am one of the original founders of ABATE, I have also been
a member of ABATE of Florida since the late 70s and am presently a
life member. I am also a member of the AMA, MRF and BOLT. In 2005 I
was also inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Freedom
Fighter section.
I am still very active in motorcycle rights and promote them through
the numerous publications I work for as a Photojournalist.
I will admit that I have been outspoken in the past about some of
the actions of Mr. Reichenbach especially when he refuses to answer
my questions about grant money and how it is spent as well as his
personal expense account as president of ABATE. As a member of long
standing in that organization I believe that I and all the membership
should be supplied that information.
I believe that the problems with ABATE of Florida can be solved if
Mr. Reichenbach opens the door to listening to the full membership.
I would suggest that Mr. Reichenbach work to solve the problems in
Florida before he be allowed to speak on a Federal Level.
I sincerely appreciate your attention in this matter”.
Rogue, Sturgis Freedom Fighters, Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005.
Letter To The Honorable Mary Peters Secretary, U.S. DOT
Published by October 10th, 2008 in Editorial.24 Responses to “Letter To The Honorable Mary Peters Secretary, U.S. DOT”
Comments are currently closed.
Congrats on your efforts Rogue and best of luck. What you are doing is much like what Chris Callen’s editorial calls for in the current issue of Cycle Source. I hope your and Chris’s word spreads and touchs individuals that seek change.
The issues with government and dirty politics have always been there but it is becoming more and more apparent that we need to take more action as citizens of this country and question our government. And when necessary work for the greater good rather than allowing questionalbe politics to line Political Pockets. I only hope I have the courage and possess the tools to be effective in the fight when I see the need. God knows it is far easier to talk about action than it is to take it.
I commend you.
Peace
Joe
Go get ’em Rogue!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Thank you Rogue! peace
Thanks Rogue,
I am concerned about the possibility of a conflict of interest here.
Seemingly, what we have here is an employee of an attorney that makes a living off the crashes of motorcyclists influencing what is supposedly safe or safer for motorcyclists.
Maybe it takes a brain surgeon or rocket scientist to figure this out.
I think that if the real intent was to make motorcycling more safe that it would not be sponsored by people that make a living out of people crashing motorcycles.
Yes, it is a business and someone should be a watchdog on whom the insurance companies are lobbying.
I do not quite understand how an organization that is “aimed towards education” is not educating or how an organization that is “against totalitarian enactments” has crawled in bed with the government and become whores with the pimp of NHTSA for all state and federal special interest programs of conspicuity and increased taxation of motorcyclists.
Doc Reichenbach . . . it seems like every time I hear that name there’s some sort of controversy and/or anguish attached to it. Although I don’t live in Florida and have to interact with him every day, his very name seems to raise an involuntary shudder every now and then even over here in Texas. His attempts at “fixing” the laws of Florida have, from the Floridians I’ve talked with, done nothing that I can discern for improving motorcycle safety there. To an observer such as myself, there are two common threads that surface every time his name comes to my attention: 1) an intense frustration coupled with a general sense of dread from those ABATE members I know concerning his actions, and 2) the feeling that Mr. Reichenbach’s only concern is that the media spell his name right.
To my opinion, this type of personality is the very last thing motorcyclists need representing and/or defending their rights in Washington. He has already done more than enough damage in Florida; do we really need him in Washington where his misguided efforts can have an exponentially greater influence nationwide? It is thought that it may take years to undo the damage he has done in Florida. We cannot afford to have his type of incompetence in a position of authority in the national arena. Secretary Peters desperately needs to reconsider this appointment at her earliest convenience.
I find is absurd that James D (Doc) Reichenbach has been appointed to the Motorcyclist Advisory Counsel to the Federal Highway Administration (MAC-FHWA) Mr. Reichenbach has ripped and torn apart Florida’s SMRO, ABATE of Florida, and now he is being rewarded by Mary Peters for this type of behavior. I ask you to please reconsider your decision to place Mr. Reichenbach into that position…..please ask Doc Reichenbach to first clean up and correct his Florida state problems he created before he attempts to act as if he will now be the great solution for all biker problems across America.
Rogue,
It seems to me like you cut to the heart of the matter.
Good representation of the facts.
On the one hand its hard to imagine why Mary Peters would be fondest of Reichenbach as a choice for an SMRO rep on the board. His contentiousness amongst the states most active and aggressive freedom fighters is well known and documented…………..
On the other hand…. it just make sense doesn’t it?
My letter to Ms. Peters;
Ms. Peters,
My name is Rusty Bongard and I am the Regional Coordinator for Region
21, ABATE OF MICHIGAN. Our Region comprises most of Central Michigan.
We are a well informed, very active grassroots political and freedom
advocacy part of our Michigan organization. While ABATE OF MICHIGAN
thrives with the vitality of an organization well and fairly run on
principles of honesty, democracy, and decency, we know that has not
been the case for our brothers and sisters in Florida for awhile now.
And we know that your nominee to the Motorcycle Advisory Council,
James D. Reichenbach II, is the cancer that weakens and sickens the
health of ABATE of FLORIDA.
Be clear, that ABATE OF MICHIGAN, Region 21, does not, nor will ever,
endorse nor legitimize in any way James D. Reichenbach II as a
representative for us, or of us, on any level. We strongly urge you
to reconsider your nomination of this individual and seek one of many
possible solid and well respected SMRO representatives that has
garnered the respect of motorcyclists across this nation, one who
serves at the will of the individuals in the organizations as opposed
to someone the likes of Reichenbach who takes his 30 pieces of silver
and answers to other masters.
Rusty Bongard
Member Sawtooth Wolves MC
Member B.O.L.T. of Michigan
Regional Coordinator, Region 21, Abate of Michigan
Asst. State Rep, MRF
Sadly I do not keep up on such things as I ought to but this situation sounds all too common when it comes to American politics. I doubt that motorcyclists are very high on Mary Peters list of priorities except as a source of revenue. Someone like Reichenbach is going to have friends in the right places to capture Ms. Peters’s attention and the money to get whatever it takes. I really appreciate folks like Rogue, Rusty & Chris who make an effort to protect my way of life. Keep up the good work guys.
Thank you Rogue, for saying what needed to be said. This does not surprise me, given what Mary Peters has done in the past. Both Peters and Reichenbach should have been fired long ago, as neither of them has the motorcyclist’s best interest at heart. More importantly, both have only their own interests in focus. This is corrupt government at it’s best (or worst). I’m afraid asking Peters to do the “right” thing will fall on deaf ears. It certainly hasn’t worked on Florida’s Abate membership, for whatever reasons.
The very few of us who write letters is not enough and I would encourage readers here to write your own letters to Mary Peters, as volume is what’s needed. We know you appreciate what we do, but size does matter, and the government must be made to see that the size of our army is substantial enough for them to sit up and take notice. Doc Reichenbach is a blight on all motorcyclists, not just Florida’s. This appointment should be waking everyone up and moving them into action, for to ignore it is nothing more than signing your rights away.
Rogue, as I have said in the past you go straight to the problem(s) at hand.
I also do not know how a person who can’t keep his on door step clean can or would tell someone else how to clean there’s.
Sadly to say in talking with folks I’ve met at different places, I have heard more bad remarks than good about Mr. Reichenbach.
Florida ABATE has lost many good people due to Mr. Reichenbach’s attitude of I’m the President/Lobbyist and that’s the way it is.
Mr. Reichenbach does not, will not and never has represented me as a motorcyclist of the state of Florida!
Nuff Said,
Sarge
You are right on on this subject. I always look forward to your comentary on subjects that concern so many people. Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work. I am A life member of Abate, but I don’ like “Doc” at all and I feel that Abate of Florida need a serious overhaul of our leaders. Thanks again Rogue.
JW Dean
Rogue,
I have not and will not renew my ABATE MEmebership that I have had since 1984 for the simple fact that it is not right for Doc to be chosen for any position inside of or around anything to do with MRO’s or the laws/regulations pertaining to anything of the sorts- Ms. Peters probably had an encounter with Doc where he was on his knees begging for just a little of what she had and got more than he bargained for- She whipped up her skirt and said have at it boy and he did just like he does with every other politician he comes in contact with- ( Oh my goodness did I just type that ) Yes I did- I am tired – this man has been doing this crap since the late 80’s he was a slug then with his hand in the cookie jar and he is apparently a bigger slug now that the cookie jar of many have been opened up to him- I stopped going to my local meeting because of him and now will no longer carry a membership to something that I have valued since my beginning years on two wheels- In 1984 – It was ABATE- A BROTHERHOOD AGAINST TOTALATARIAN ENACTMENTS it seems Doc &his pals have made it bullshit- Ms. Peters you should be ashamed of yourself for letting your lack of common sense partner up with your lack of judgement and allow this Con- Artist be a part of anything important. But wait you probably don’t even like Bikers, we all know Doc doesn’t.
Rogue,
Way to go! It couldn’t have been said any better. As a former long time member of ABATE Doc is the single reason why my wife and I have let our membership lapse. When ABATE of Florida does the right thing, comes to their senses and removes Doc (the fox in the henhouse) we will consider re-instating our membership. Thanks Rogue for telling it how it is.
PJ
The Honorable Mary Peters
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Dear Ms. Peters.
There has been a report that you have appointed ABATE of Florida President and lobbyist James D. Reichenbach II to the Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administration (MAC-FHWA).
This is absurd and decisions such as this will destroy any credibility or integrity the Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administration could possibly hope to achieve.
Have you vetted this individual? Are you aware of this mans history?
Are you aware that he lied to his membership over monies reportedly received?
http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/648676/
Are you aware that he was found by the State of Florida to be in violation for failure to file financial disclosure as per the laws pertaining to state lobbyists.
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2008/01/abate-of-florida-president-and-lobbyist.html
Are you aware that he, in print, declared a bill (HB137) sponsored by Representative Lopez-Cantera dead and urged the motorcyclists of Florida to “not” write there representatives regarding there feelings on this proposed law, when in fact the bill was never dead and ended up becoming law?
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2008/01/brief-chronology-of-fl-hb137-and.html
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2007/10/is-abate-of-florida-claiming-territory.html
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2007/11/one-letter-from-politician-cantera-one.html
Are you aware he has members kicked out of ABATE of Florida in violation of his own organizations bylaws?
Are you aware that he has barred members from the public from attending meetings advertised as being open to the public?
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2008/04/abate-of-florida-bars-rc-from-entering.html
Are you aware that the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety has had numerous questions as to how and where grant monies have been spent?
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2007/07/is-it-possible-to-get-screwedby-feds.html
Are you aware that he holds the positions of both Paid lobbyist of the state of Florida and unpaid President of ABATE of Florida and Chairman of Board of Directors of NCOM leaving him not only facing numerous accusations of conflicts of interest but of also being in a unique position to abuse his power by attempting to stifle opposition?
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2008/07/former-whitesands-chapter-president-of.html
Are you aware that in a state meeting discussing the lobbyist position he used this power to shut down opposition in violation of organizations by-laws by violating Robert Rules of Order?
Are you a aware that in a committee meeting during a discussion of an issue (SB2372- April -07) his organization tasked him to vote against, he voted for in direct violation of his duties?
http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/802599/
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2007/04/war-goes-on-but.html
Are you aware that an accurate count of the membership of ABATE of Florida is only a guess as some members report being counted more than once and Chapter presidents have complained of dead members being maintained on the roles?
Are you aware that ABATE of Florida represents 1% +/- of the motorcycling population in the state of Florida?
Have you Spoken with the Florida Department of Highway Safety to inquire as to why ABATE of Florida grant money is a constant problem?
http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/2007/07/is-it-possible-to-get-screwedby-feds.html
Barbara Lauer, Chief, Bureau of Driver Education and DUI Programs (850) 617-2529 http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/profiles/6065/a
Ms. Peters, as a former ABATE of Florida Chapter President who left ABATE after watching manipulations of people and money so bizarre it would be laughable were it not so damaging to the rights of individuals, much less “Motorcyclists”. The thought that you would even consider for a moment such an individual as a committee member only deepens my commitment to the cause of “bikers rights.” Because if this report is even remotely true it can only demonstrate that the incompetence accusations laid at your departments doorstep by many in the motorcycling community, are not just validated, but worse than thought.
But continue on. As appointments such as this will only make it easier to refute any advise or recommendations the advisory council may choose to give.
This e-mail can be found posted at http://www.bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/ and as many other websites as possible. We eagerly await your response.
rc
Publisher “Let Freedom Reign”
B.O.L.T.
—
rc
Let Freedom Reign
http://bigbendbikersforfreedom.com/
I’d like to also add that I can personally vouch for Reichenbach’s lack of integrity where ALL bikers are concerned.
Last year when a few of us were fighting valiantly to overthrow SB137, I watched Reichenbach step up to the podium at the first committee hearing and make the statement that Sport Biker riders were not “real bikers”. This was AFTER he broadcasted months before on Bruce-n-Ray’s Bikers Rights Forum that we should not concern ourselves with HB137, as he had “already taken care of it, and the bill was dead”.
In the committee hearing, our position (RC’s and mine) was that the bill was discriminatory and unconstitutional for ALL bikers, while Reichenbach’s concern was only for those who rode cruisers.
Afterward, I wrote up a summary on what I perceived that morning from the committee members, carefully leaving out any observations regarding Reichenbach’s performance, all of which earned me a nasty scathing email from Reichenbach. I can only surmise that Reichenbach was annoyed that we were at the hearing and not as members of Abate.
I can’t say it enough, it isn’t about what you ride, who you are, or whether or not you belong to Abate. If you ride, you’re a biker, and bills like this affects us all. If we can’t all unite and support each other, we are divided. United we stand, divided we fall.
With that in mind, at the second hearing that RC and I attended, where Reichenbach was also there, I approached him and offered a hand in truce to see if he would take it, and begin to work with us. He did not. He did not rise to greet me, nor did he verbally respond. All he did was smirk and accept my handshake because he could not avoid doing so.
Perhaps he didn’t like me, though he would have no basis for it, other than I won’t bow before his over-blown ego and self-proclaimed importance. But I was polite and sincere in my offer at the time.
I mingle regularly with people in high places within my own company employment. I’m sure some of you do also. Is this the professional behavior we see from those who make important decisions about hundreds or thousands of others? No. And this is the man who would represent us?
Not me. Not ever. Reichenbach is all about Reichenbach, and no one else.
Does this mean we will be mandated to wear two helmets because she won’t be able to appl,y the brakes to this fat boy any better than her old bike?
The Honorable Mary Peters
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Dear Ms. Peters.
I hope you will do a better background check and double check your facts. Then realize what an error in judement you have made.
James D. Reichenbach II has no ones (other then his own) best interests in mind. He does not care about anything, but what he can do for himself. He has lied, played let’s hide the books and dishonored motorcyclists throughout the state of Florida.
Please do an old time rider a favor. Do not put a known fox in a bigger henhouse and allow him to do damage to riders all through the United States.
Very well written
Rogue,
Hats off,,,,it’s needed to be said for a long time!!!!
Also -how come the Lobbyist gets himself a “voted in” $15,0000″ raise in his lobbyist salary,
in one year……hell, some of us can’t even get 5% in our real jobs….
as well as why in the hell do chapters of ABATE (Hillsborough included) as well as the state
board have CD’s to stash cash…..and this is allowed to continue….
Now it’s time for a revolution….take over ABATE and right the wrongs!!!!
There’s so many people who want to make this the right organization….we need to stick together
and keep in mind, motorcycle rights, safety and awareness….
Let the trash go to Washington, where he will support a person he was so against previously
for her mention of a nation helmet law…….what happened to that one…..
keep ABATE about bikers,,,,,deflate all the egos that the “Doc-bots” have statewide…
and bring the organization back to where it belongs….a grassroots group
American Bikers Against Totalitarian Enactments!!!!
WE DON’T NEED A LOBBYIST – WE NEED ALL OF US STICKING TOGETHER AND
SUPPORTING EACH OTHER…..POWER IN NUMBERS….
Chopper John and Dmac
former Pres, Sec, SA of Mass. Modified Motorcycle Assoc, former Brevard Co Chapter Member,
former VP and co-founder – Skyway Chapter, Abate of Florida, former Suncoast,Bayside chapter member , Life Member Abate of Florida
PS : feel free to use as u see fit!!!
HEY ROGUE:
I TOO AM SICK AND TIRED OF POLITICAL APOINTEES WHO KNOW AND DO NOTHING FOR THE CAUSE OF MOTORCYCLING.
TREE PRES WOLFPACK MC CONNECTICUT
The following is a letter sent out to everyone in our area that has an interset in motorcycling and the rights of motorcyclists.
The reason? We did not want anyone to join ABATE of Florida, Inc. due to inappropriate actions of its president/lobbyist.
For a chapter to go from 147 members to disassociation from its state organization, speaks volumes.
Please take the time to read this.
From: whitesandspres@hotmail.com
To: d_woods2005@comcast.net
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.
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.
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.
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
***
WHY DID MARY PETERS CHOOSE “DOC” TO BE ON
THE MOTORCYCLIST ADVISORY COUNSEL?
There has been a lot of discussion on why Secretary Mary Peters appointed James “Doc” Reichenbach to the Motorcyclist Advisory Counsel of the Federal Highway Administration (MAC-FHWA)
We may never know for sure why she did that but there are something’s that we do know and looking at them people have come up with some possible reasons.
It is a documented fact that Secretary Peters sent a letter to every state governor stating she would like to see Mandatory Helmet laws in every state. She even tried to divert money to help accomplish this. There is no reason to think that her position has changed.
One of the states that the NHTSA wants to get a Mandatory Helmet Law in is Florida.
“Doc” has previously made the statement that there were those who wanted to re-instate Florida’s Mandatory Law. That is not surprising as many states that have freedom of choice laws are trying to do the same.
It would not be hard for Mary Peters to get some Florida politician to file a bill to that affect. Most Florida legislators have been reluctant to do so in the past because of ABATE and other motorcycle right organizations being against it.
What affect is “DOC” being on this board going to have on that? We will have to wait and see.
Everyone who wants the freedom of choice to decide on their use of a helmet will have to watch the Florida legislature very carefully in the upcoming session. If no Mandatory Law bill comes up then that may not be her reason.
ABATE and or other organizations can not stop someone from bringing up a bill. It is expected that the membership of ABATE would object to such a bill becoming law.
With “DOC” Reichenbach being the lobbyist for ABATE this makes some Florida motorcyclist very nervous to say the least.
Things that happened during the 2008 session of the Florida legislature like HB-137 that “DOC” stated was dead when in fact it was not and the bills sponsor saying he had the approval of ABATE.
This was definitely not in the best interest of the motorcycle riders of Florida.
This bill had the confiscation of motorcycles for speeding section removed and other changes to the bill made do to the efforts of others speaking out against it and motorcyclist through out the state contacting their legislators. It should also be noted that this is the bill that includes the $1,000.00 fine for Vertical License Plates.
MANDATORY Rider Education was also passed. This law took away the option for people to take the test with out going to school. This also makes a lot of money for a select group and takes the choice away from the indivual.
OH YEA and the motorcycle endorsement also went up by $2.00. They say the money is going towards education, though no one is explaining what the money previously in the license was used for.
Another red flag would be if ABATE receives a grant from the State of Florida and or the NHTSA for what ever reason. We all know that when the government gives money they want something in return. What will they be asking from those taking the money?
Now maybe none of these things will happen and everything will turn out fine.
I for one certainly hope so, but I will be paying attention and hope you will too.
ROGUE
I have been trying to get on board with FAA from last fivr years. I have 25 years experiance in heavy aircraft maintenance and to this date i have not even got response from the department. I know you are a very bussy person.
I wanted to try if you can help.