Abate of Ohio, Inc.
Franklin County Minutes
July 5, 2015
Call to Order – Randy Paul at 12:16
Officers present: Chris Winchester, Randy Paul, Kim Chafin, Melissa Stevens, Tony Losego, J.R. Gantner,
and Kathy Gantner.
Pledge of Allegiance followed by moment of silence. Abate Mission Statement.
Welcome –Thank you to Oak Grove for hosting.
New Members or guest? Dusty and Mindy Walker.
Bike Nite at Scioto Downs – volunteer sign up list is going around as well as the meeting sign in sheet.
Officers Reports:
Secretary Report: Motion to waive the reading of the minutes from the June meeting
Motion made by Glen Craig 2nd by Steve Crabtree yes-13 no-0 abstain -1 Motion passed.
Legislative Report: J.R
 Highway Bill Gets Marked up – Senate Environment and Public Works Committee marked-up
their portion of the highway bill. This portion is the most costly and deals with infrastructure.
One unfortunate provision allows states to spend toll money on other projects that has nothing
to do with roads which was the reason for tolls being collected. There was a stop to the
expansion of more toll roads due to public outcry. The bill was passed out of the committee 200.
 Ethanol Field Hearing – EPA held another field hearing in Kansas City, Kansas on ethanol
production. Corn Growers are adamant about increasing the amount of ethanol in the pipeline,
everyone else is not. It’s likely that EPA will keep as in the fuel supply as possible, but with the
hatred of the higher blends by the public they will be forced to blend less than the mandate
requires.
 Governor Jindal - Governor Jindal of Louisiana has announced that he is running for President.
He is a noted leader with a solid budget hawk background. However he has turned his back on
the bikers of Louisiana. In his run for Governor in 2007 one of his campaign promises was to
repeal the helmet law. He said that if the bill got through the house and senate – he would sign
in. He did not sign the bill.
 US EPA – calls for higher ethanol blended fuels and the USDA is spending tax payer’s dollars to
make it happen. Using E15 or higher is illegal in most ATVs and motorcycles and may cause
engine and fuel system damage that void manufacturer’s warranties. AMA has a petition on
their website to stop further spread of E15 fuel mandated and subsidized by the federal
government.
 US Senate Jeanne Sheheen urges fellow senators to include language from her “Stop Motorcycle
Checkpoint Funding Act” in the surface transportation authorization bill. S-127 would prohibit
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the Secretary of Transportation from providing grants to be use for motorcycle-only
checkpoints. Highway Bill Advances – DRIVE Act “Developing a Reliable and Innovative “Vision
for the Economy” would increase funding levels from the 2012 transportation law by 3% which
would be $260 billion for highway infrastructure programs. The pilot program to test tolling
existing interstate roads still exists. Another disturbing provision of the DRIVE Act would allow
states to divert tolls collected to fund other projects. Thanks to all who voiced their concerns to
EPW committee members keeping the non-expansion of the tolling program.
Carbon Emissions – First it was carbon emissions from power plants targeted by President
Obama dropping them by 30% by 2030. Later EPA announced it was going to begin regulating
commercial airplanes carbon emissions and this week it was announced a crackdown on
medium to heavy duty trucks. It will likely take over a decade to realize the changes, but they
are coming.
Proposed changes to Motorcycle Helmet Standards – NHTSA gathers information on the
proposed rule that would change the definition of a helmet to include actual measurements of
the thickness of the helmet’s lining. The required thickness would eliminate the now-legal
novelty helmets. Would shift the focus from a performance standard of a helmet to a
construction-based standard.
Interstate Highway Tolls – Senate is marking up portions of the highway bill. This portion deals
with the actual infrastructure, not those who use it. Idea is to allow state tolling of interstate
roads. Pilot program has been around for 17 years and has failed time and time again because of
local outcry. Some see it as revenue raiser but the locals who bear the brunt of the impact of the
costly tolls fight back. Let your voice be heard.
MRF proposed amendments to FMVSS 218- IF DOT approval moves from performance based
standards to production based standards then it’s the thickness of the helmet that makes it
legal. Since road side testing is costly, law enforcements wants an easy way to inforce helmet
laws. If they can just pull a motorcycle over and measure the thickness it is easier to enforce.
NHTSA’s proposed changes stymies innovation from manufactures to develop new energy
absorbing materials that is thinner, provides more protection for the rider, and weighs less.
Your comments matter. This proposed rule has very few comments – take this opportunity to
make your voice and concerns heard.
California – University of Berkeley shows that motorcycles that split lanes in heavy traffic are
less likely to be struck from the behind and are less likely to suffer head or torso injuries.
Treasurers Report: Kim Chafin
Beginning Balance
$944.60
BADATO Amount for meeting: $38.00
Cash in
$1411.36
Any roll over amount?
Cash out
$445.00
Earmark funds
$475.00
Overage to State
$435.96
Ending Balance
$1000.00
$1.30
Special Draw amount for meeting: $21.00
$20.00 donated back by Burges
Motion to accept Treasurers Report – Chris Winchester 2nd by – Randy Paul
Yes -12 No-0 Abstain -1 Motion passed
Products Report: Melissa Stevens
A note from Eldorado’s – more was donated to Abate from the Fallen Riders Memorial Run that was
held in May.
Technology Report: Tony Losego
 New website for mobile use posted. Events page for mobile use is still under construction. See
state events page for events.
 Memorial page is posted also.
Membership Report: Chris Winchester
 New membership trifolds are out and renewal post cards.
 Region 9 lost 11 members over all. Officers gave a quick update on status of phone calls. Chris is
keeping up on the monthly calls.
 Bike Nite at Scioto Downs presence will help get our mission out to more of the bikers in the
community.
Regional Report: Kathy Gantner
 June Jam – soggy but fun. Kolman wanted to thank all those who attended and helped with the
work schedule for Reg. 9 and other Regions also.
 Vintage Days – Products booth will be there and volunteers are needed. Jim needs help on
Thursday to check in Vendors. Camping is available on Wed night for those helping on Thursday.
There are 5 passes available for those working the products trailer and helping with Field Events.
Call Jim by way of Diana’s cell phone 937-477-5193
 Wetzel – Product booth volunteers are needed. June Outspokin for flyer
 Wauseon – Product booth volunteers are needed. July Outspokin for flyer
 Foundation Bike Raffle tickets – Ohio bike week did not sell as many tickets as in years past – sell
tickets.
MRF Report: Robin Pickins- not present
 Kathy - Meeting of the Minds information is in the Outspokin. For those who have never
attended, it is a time to meet other riders from all over the US and other countries. Very good
conference and will worth the trip.
COB: Jim Elgin –not present
Old Business:
 Covered Bridge Run – Aug 8th – Begins at Oak Grove Tavern. Flyers available. Please participate
 Pickaway Anniversary Run – Flyers available - Sept 19 beginning at Station House 81
 MOTM - Make your reservations and plan to attend.
June Outspokin
New Business:
 Labor Day – motion to move the county meeting to the second Sunday - Sept 13.
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Motion by Pat Lytle 2nd by Steve Crabtree Yes- 12 No-0 Motion passed
Tony will add it to the website.
BOD – July 11th
Regional Officers Meeting = July 15th – 6:30 pm – Panera Bread on Mill Run
Toy Run – Melissa reported that Hollywood Casino is will to donate the desserts for the food
line.
o Question was raised if Berwick Manor had been contacted about hosting the fund raiser
after the Toy Run? Was Exclusive contacted?
o It was discussed that we should go back to the basics for food line, and not pay for meat
from City BBQ.
o Melissa has volunteered to handle the food line.
o All – start getting donations for the auction.
Meeting place for the winter meetings. Two locations have been nominated for the winter
meeting location. Colombinis on Broad Street and Shakers.
Other Events Good of the order:
Adjourn – Motion to Adjourn by Pat Lytle 2nd by Randy Paul Motion passed.
Adjourned at 1:03 pm
Minutes taken by
Kim Chafin