ABATE of Michigan President ~ Gary Kopta

Hello everyone, I hope you’re surviving the cold weather. The first day of spring is less than 70 days away so that's something to look forward to too. 

By the time you read this the seminar will be over. I hope you made it I am sure it will be a good time. I know Merry and her committee are already working on the field meet. It’s at a new location this year so there are no more gravel roads. I haven't been there yet, but it sounds like a nice place. If you attended last year’s fieldmeet then you know how flooded it was. This place has more buildings for us to use if it rains again. 

 I want to thank everyone that went to the capital to see the swearing in ceremony. I believe there were 10 ABATE members there. We were welcomed to join many representatives in their offices for the free food they were offering. It's nice to be recognized by the reps and staff and the food was outstanding. There seems to be a new attitude to the capital. It's almost like maybe the two parties are going to work together. Wouldn't that be nice? Time will tell.

 We did dodge a couple bullets like there was talk of toll roads and $100.00 more for your license plates for each vehicle you have. That would've hurt the pocketbook. We now must meet the new representatives before the insurance lobbyists get their claws into them. We need to educate them on our cause so if you have a new representative please reach out and introduce yourself. It's better they meet you first than the insurance industry. 

 On a final note, This year we are putting on a big push for new and returning members. There is going to be an announcement made at the seminar regarding membership. We must get more members in order to accomplish everything we want to do such as our insurance issue, staying helmet free, and the list goes on. It seems to be an issue for a lot of organizations such as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). We all need to come together and join all these organizations in order to keep riding our motorcycles the way we choose. If you’re not sure what the MRF is just imagine a nationwide ABATE. It's an organization that fights for our rights at the national level. If the feds decide we have to wear a piece of Tupperware on our head, then there is nothing ABATE of Michigan can do. You also get a free $4000.00 accidental death insurance policy just for being a member. 

That's all I have for now; I hope to see you at the seminar.

Ride free