ABATE of Michigan President ~ Gary Kopta

Hello everyone,

 It's been quite a year and it's not over yet. I've attended many fun things like field meet and poker runs. I've attended informational things like Governors Traffic Safety Action Team and Committee meetings, and I've also attended a few somber events like escorting the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall.

Last month myself and a few other ABATE members attended a memorial for a young 20-year-old man named Gunner Dortch.

Gunner was on his motorcycle enjoying his ride when an inattentive driver ran into him and unfortunately ended his life. 

This young man had his whole life ahead of him. I haven't been updated on whether or not the driver was ticketed or anything else. I will keep you all updated on this when I do hear anything. I guess I bring this up because many of us think something like this will never happen to us. We tend to think it won't happen to our children either. While we were at the memorial a bunch of Gunners friends came on their motorcycles, and I figured it wasn't the time or place to bring up everything ABATE is fighting for. Things like promoting safety and education along with justice for motorcyclists involved in accidents and especially this insurance fiasco. The hardest thing for me to figure out is how to get these young people involved to help us with the fight to stop what happened to their friend. 

If anyone has ideas how we can get the younger people involved I would like to know how. We have tried social media, and I don't know if it is working or not. I am open to any suggestions. Maybe you people with children and grandchildren should be talking about us and what we do with them and maybe treat them to a years membership in this organization. you never know maybe they will stick around. 

Our 50 x 50 membership drive is not going well so the gifted membership would help that also. 

My wife and I just got back from ABATE of Indiana's Summerfest. We weren't there long but had a good time watching the bike games and they also had minibike competitions which were entertaining. The event was near Jones, Michigan so I thought maybe I would see a few more ABATE of Michigan members there.

It was really hot that weekend so maybe that's why we didn't have much representation. 

Just a reminder that our elected officials are in their district right now so look for their coffee hours and go and introduce yourself and let them know about our concerns. You are a voter in their district, so they are interested in what you have to say. Get to know them now and then hopefully you will see them if you can attend pizza and pop or the freedom rally next year. 

Until next month ride safe and watch for the other driver