ABATE of Michigan President ~ Gary Kopta

Hello everyone, looks like we may have turned a corner with the weather. It might get up into the low 40's this coming week. Makes all of us a little happier. 

What a start to ABATE's 50th year. It started with a fantastic seminar at the end of January. Merry and her committee did an outstanding job. The hotel had a few hiccups but if your handling that many rooms and that many people all at once you are going to have issues. There was some unforseen circumstances with previous tennants that were out of our and the hotels control. Things happen. We also recruited a very influential member in Representative Amos O'Neal. Thanks for joining Rep. O'Neal from the Saginaw area which is the 94th House District.

Except for the few hiccups I heard nothing but good things about the seminar and the hotel. Hopefully we can get back in there next year and everything will go better. Some even said it was the best seminar they have attended in years.

After the seminar we had our Pizza and Pop event at the Capitol. Bear told me we had over 50% of the politicians represented by staff and even had quite a few show up. We also recruited another very influential member in Representative Tim Kelly. Thanks for joining Rep. Kelly from the Saginaw Township. He represents the 93rd House District. We also had many ABATE members show up to greet their elected members which was fantastic to see. 

Yesterday I had to go down to Lansing and get questioned by a panel of people from out of state called the motorcycle assessment team. I was there all day and the questions were all about what ABATE does for motorcycle safety. I was pleased to let them know everything we do from teaching the high school drivers ed students to the lane filtering bill to being instrumental in passing the bill back many years to make additional fees from renewing your cycle license and plates to go to motorcycle safety. The members of the panel were from Idaho, Oregon, Maryland and couple from Virginia. They were very nice and they are going to put a report together to turn over to the Governors Traffic Safety Action Committee to help us make the streets safer for us. That's what we all want, so it's nice to find people willing to help.

Thanks for being a member and lets make our 50th the best year ever.