DIXIE ABATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Matthew Schroeder: State Director
Shane Coker: Assistant State Director
Larry Lindsey: EducationDirector
Gene Powell: Legislative Director
Kris Cook: Secretary/Treasurer
Address:
612 32nd Street South, #206
Birmingham, AL 35233
For information: 205-617-9944
NORTHEAST REGION, NOCCALULA FALLS CHAPTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
James “Ghost” Johnson, Director
Shane Coker, Secretary/Treasurer
Garland Medlock, Assistant Chapter Director
EAST CENTRAL REGION, TRI-COUNTY CHAPTER (Montgomery area)
Ira “Cowboy” Jones, Organizer
Jeffrey Meck, Assistant Organizer
MEETING NOTES: 6/10/2017: Guntersville State Park Lodge, Guntersville, AL
In attendance:
Kris Cook
Matthew Schroeder
Gene Powell
Ira “Cowboy” Jones
Patty jones
Bill Houck
Kris passed out notes from the last meeting (4/1/17) and an up-to-date treasurer’s report. Both were approved.
Old business: Matt is having trouble getting in touch with Alison White at Goodyear, concerning grants available to us. He can’t nail down the lady who handles it, so he will check with the plant manager. It is most likely that we don’t meet their criteria, but it is always good to ask.
We discussed the James Marshall Walton Highway bill, which passed. It awaits signature by the Governor. It was SB82 and HB88. This bill creates the crime of Homicide by Vehicle or Vessel. We are glad to see it. Perhaps it will give judges another avenue to prosecute drivers who hit motorcycle riders and kill them.
We need to find out when ALDOT takes over the operation of the new overhead highway signs. We would like to run a message on them.
We discussed how hard it is to have accurate fatality figures. We would like to know how many motorcycle fatalities Alabama has seen this year, and the details of the accidents. Those details seem to be impossible to obtain. We would like to analyze the details, as well as have a more complete picture of each accident than we can get from a two-sentence newspaper report alone.
We discussed whether our M endorsement automatically stays on our driver’s license or whether we have to ask to renew it.
We would like to know how many people are riding motorcycles on Alabama’s roads without a motorcycle endorsement at all.
We wanted to recount our experience showing up in court in Montgomery for the sentencing of Joel Slaton, the man who hit our member Dave Fail and then ran. The judge gave him the maximum sentence for leaving the scene – 10 years. We stood with Dave’s widow, and the judge let us each make a statement. This is one of Dixie ABATE’s services to the riding community. We will support you however we can, if you were unjustly treated or unfairly singled out in a situation that involves motorcycling.
Gene reported that our dead red bill (HB499) was put on hold. He will work with Philip Pettis to see if we can get it pre-filed for next year.
We need to all attend the NCOM convention in Mobile May Wednesday-Saturday, the weekend of Mother’s day, May 9-12, in 2018. They may need us to help host, lead rides, etc. Dixie ABATE is a member organization of NCOM, and we will need all hands on deck when this convention rolls around.
We couldn’t find out when the next ALCOC meeting is, since their website has not been updated since the June 3rd meeting.
Matt is looking into a new member benefit – a discount on prepaid cremation. Stay tuned for details.
Cowboy mentioned a benefit ride leaving from Heart of Dixie H-D, in Pelham, for a motorcycle policeman who wrecked and lost his leg. They will be auctioning an AR-15, for $25/ticket. Kris did not get the date, but will try to find out.
We discussed letting people post charity rides on our Facebook page. This will be decided on a case by case basis, but one overarching rule will be that no posts of that type can be made by a member who is not in good standing, i.e., paid up.
We discussed what kind of ride we should have, that would draw riders and help us gain membership.
We discussed putting on lunches in Harley shops, and setting up our tent in motorcycle shop parking lots on weekends, where riders congregate. Where should our meetings be, and how do we get the best turnout at meetints?
Cowboy reported that the American Legion has cleared members to wear another patch, such as ours, with the American Legion patch.
Kris to send a packet of promotional materials to Bill Houck.
Our next meeting is at 2PM on Saturday, August 19, at Eagle Vision Cycles, at 3967 County Rd. 42, Steele, AL 35987. You can reach Scott and Amanda at 256-538-3562.