Richmond Report

January 29, 2008 by GW Peterson, State Legislative Officer

This was a very good year for ABATE. We took the lead with our own helmet bill and along the way made many new friends in the legislature. Unfortunately most of those new friends were not on the House Transportation Committee where we faced 14 unswayable opponents on a panel of 22.

Since ABATE’s bill didn’t get out of committee most of our old and new friends never got the chance to show their support with a floor vote. Still, ABATE put on as good a presentation as I’ve seen with Delegate Lingamfelter and Douglas Findlay speaking eloquently and passionately for our cause, and our few good friends on the committee very effectively pointing out the flaws in all the arguments of our opponents. It was a losing battle but an inspiring scene (much like the 300 Spartans) and I look forward to ABATE continuing the fight. There will be more on that at the March BOD meeting and I ask that as many of our members and supporters attend.

I wasn’t surprised at the Speaker’s assignment of our bill but I didn’t anticipate any real complications or difficulty with having it reassigned to a more favorable committee. More importantly, I didn’t know what the procedure was to request such a reassignment and by the time I got it figured out it we were stuck. This was my fault and I apologize to everyone for it. I hate having to learn things the hard way.

In taking the lead this year we were able to discuss strategy directly with several senators and many delegates and so became aware of things that we otherwise wouldn’t have. Having this information will help us greatly as we plan our strategy for future elections and next year’s legislative session. On the latter subject, I anticipate a major change in our favor for next year and hope to be able to confirm that in March.

Motorcyclists are the only people I have ever known that will never leave a brother or sister stranded beside the road. This comes not from a sense of duty or responsibility but from the heart. If that ever changes we will be no different from everyone else.

ABATE members get results on Election Day 2007

November 7, 2007 by Zen

ABATE members across the state pitched to help state legislative candidates that support adult choice. Helmet laws only come from the state capitol, and that's also the only place they go away. Though we weren't successful in every single race, we made a significant difference in quite a few.

Most notable was the hotly contested race between Chap Petersen and incumbent Jeannemarie Devolites. Many volunteers worked weekends putting up Chap's campaign signs along roadways throughout Fairfax. It was Adopt-a-Highway, ABATE style ... and it worked!

We weren't as lucky with other races, but we gave some incumbents quite a wakeup call: Vote against us on the helmet law, and ABATE will put biker boots on the ground in your district. It's not personal, but it certainly is effective.

Jr. Edwards Memorial Horseshoe Tournament

October 1, 2007 by Sharon

On September 23, 2007, Culpeper ABATE (American Bikers Advocating Training & Education) of Virginia had a good turn out for the Jr. Edwards Memorial Horseshoe Tournament at the Culpeper American Legion. It was great to see our friends from the old days of tournaments at the Double D. The Culpeper Legion post has a great facility with nice pits and plenty of shade and the Sons of the American Legion were terrific hosts. The trophy winners were: 1st Place – Josh Pullen and Craig Settle, 2nd Place – Joe Pullen and Blaze, and 3rd Place – Dave Kennedy and Ray Dodson Jr.

Thank you to everyone who participated and thanks also for the generous donations we received for our charities. The event benefited the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Culpeper Home Health and Hospice Care in memory of our friend Dave Groves, and also ABATE's downed-rider fund. Watch for more news to come, we hope to host another tournament at the Culpeper Legion in May, 2008.