STATE COORDINATOR'S REPORT | |
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Click here for my full letter with more information about important updates and upcoming events where ABATE supporters are needed! Get out there and spend some time on your bikes. Have fun, and don’t let the negative people get you down. Thank you all for being members of ABATE of Washington.
In the full letter, find more information about:
- The recent swap meeting and it went very well. Thank you to everyone who put this event on!
- There was a vote at the Board of Directors meeting on April 20 under the current bylaws for the new drafted bylaws and articles of incorporation. The Board of Directors (BOD) passed the new articles of incorporation. You can read the full report from this meeting here.
- Several motorcycle events are coming up through the spring and summer. Let me know if you plan to participate in an event on behalf of ABATE or Chad Holtquist as the Westside Ambassador, so we don’t double our efforts.
- We have a total of 5,000 tickets in our motorcycle lottery. Please do your best to sell these tickets. Let's make this the first year we sell all of the tickets.
Andy McAfee
State Coordinator
ABATE of Washington
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MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH | |
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May marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Remember, safety on the road is a collective responsibility. Whether on two wheels or four, it's crucial to remain vigilant, adhere to safe driving practices, maintain proper spacing, and collaborate to ensure every journey is as secure as possible.
Tragically, 12 motorcycle fatalities occurred on Washington roads last month, leaving behind 12 grieving families. By prioritizing safe riding habits and fostering cooperation among all road users, we can work towards reducing the toll of fatalities and injuries. Remember, speeding is never acceptable. Let's ride responsibly and keep our roads safe for everyone.
View the full proclamation here.
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June 27-30
Keep Selling Those Tickets!
Thank you to those who have turned in their ‘sold’ raffle tickets and money. ABATE has 5000 tickets to sell. Please let’s do what we can to get these sold. If you need more tickets, reach out. Andy or I will meet up with you.
I would appreciate it if you brought the tickets you sold and money to the April BOD meeting so you can check out more.
Also, make sure the person purchasing the raffle ticket uses their ‘real’ name and that it is legible. They need not be present to win!
Thank you for helping make ABATE and this raffle great!
Chris McAfee
Click here for the Raffle Ticket rules
Spring Opener Flyer
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THANK YOU | WHAT A FANTASTIC 2024 SWAP MEET! | |
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To our vendors, thank you for your grace with the very few minor hiccups. You were willing to adapt to a few changes that needed to be made. You were willing to ‘move’ to accommodate another vendor. You were willing to change what you were doing with a smile, a cookie, or a thank you. Notes were taken for next year.
Thank you to the buyers! We may have set a record for attendance. You bought items, enjoyed our food vendors, bartered some, and left laughing. You helped make this event such a success.
We have already begun getting the 2025 Monroe Swap Meet set up. Please watch for the ABATE of Washington web page to be updated, the Motorcycle Swap Meet Facebook page for updates, and emails sent out to previous vendors. Once everything is reconciled from this year, we will be on to next year…
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To the VOLUNTEERS who put in hours upon hours to make this all happen…THANK YOU!
- Carrie Saagim, my right-hand gal. Carrie helped with anything starting Friday and everything finishing up on Sunday but rocked the check-in booth.
- Phil Schultz, who was there on Friday to help ‘chalk’ the buildings to Sunday cleaning up and anything else in-between.
- Bill Dye, Jr, Deputy Coordinator, who worked alongside me ‘learning’ as this was the first year for both of us. Bill did anything requested, whether it be ‘mopping up’ spills or puddles left over from the rain squall on Saturday…I could not have done it without Bill.
- Chad and Cheryl Holtquist: Cheryl had the State Products booth up and running with that ever-seen smile. Chad did whatever needed to be done and helped Cheryl in the booth. They are in their element selling the products and are invaluable to the ABATE of Washington organization. Thank you both for staying to clean up, also.
- Donnie Morrow also did whatever needed to be done to keep things moving and flowing, always with a smile. Donnie was the person who secured our food vendors, which were great!
- Scott Robinson & Terry Arthur: Thank you both for chalking the buildings and ‘teaching’ others how to do it. You both were invaluable.
- The ticket booth peeps, Connie Scapes, Dolly Cervantes, Marjorie Graham, Roxanne Kelly…THANK YOU! You worked quickly to keep the lines moving, and I appreciate you all.
- Monika Scotti, the ‘behind the scenes’ money gal who does what she does very well!
- Phil & Jeri Snow for keeping security ever-present…Thank you. You both know how to do it very well.
- Tina Lawson: I can not begin to tell you the gratitude I have for you helping me get the ball rolling and rolling the correct way. Your knowledge is invaluable, your willingness to get our flyers ready and sent to the printer, and your support for me was huge. Saying Thank you just really isn’t enough.
- All the other volunteers who make this organization function, a huge Thank you!!
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Lastly, we thank our state coordinator, Andy McAfee. Thank you for ‘vol-un-tolding’ me that I was the swap meet chair. Thank you for trusting me to get the tasks done with help from others. Thank you for giving up the dining room table for two months, so I did not need to move notes, maps, flyers, etc, until I was ready to. I appreciate being able to use you as a sounding board on how to make things work that were not working and getting it all figured out. Love you.
Until next year…
Chris McAfee
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We are in need of a new State Products Coordinator. If interested, please contact Bubba Bowen at srdeputy.abateofwashington@gmail.com. A special thank you to Cheryl Holtquist for all her hard work. | | | |
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Thanks to all of you who have submitted articles, chapter reports, and photographs for our Freedom Newsletter.
I will send an email confirmation of each submission I receive. If you do not receive written confirmation from me, the submission did not arrive as planned. Please reach out to me so that I can ensure your submission is included in the next month's newsletter. I will respond with an email confirmation. As always, thank you for sending your submissions by the 15th of each month.
With respect and gratitude,
Shari Carlsberg
ABATE Freedom Newsletter Editor
newsletter.abateofwashington@gmail.com
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American Income Life - FREE Accidental Life & Dismemberment | |
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Dear Members of A.B.A.T.E of WA:
You may recall receiving letters from American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL) over the years. As a member of ABATE of WA, you automatically receive a $4,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance benefit at no cost to you or ABATE of WA.
ABATE of WA has partnered with AIL for several years to offer these benefits. Each letter included a reply card, which you must complete to receive your certificate of coverage. An AIL representative will contact you to designate a beneficiary. If you do not name a beneficiary, the $4,000.00 will be paid to your estate and may be taxable.
ABATE of WA does not provide AIL with your name or contact information. The only way they have access to your information is when you send the reply card back or CLICK HERE to request your benefits. AIL offers several supplemental programs, which will be discussed when an AIL representative calls.
If you have any questions, please contact AIL at 1-800-495-1213 or Fran Christie, AIL Public Relations at 778-231-0226.
Over numerous years, AIL has helped ABATE of WA families by paying multiple claims. ABATE of WA has no financial interest in AIL in any way.
To request your benefits, click below:
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MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION | |
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BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY
In 2023, motorcyclists attending Bikers Inside the Beltway visited all 535 congressional offices. That same orchestrated visit will be part of Bikers Inside the Beltway 2024.
Now is the time to plan to attend Bikers inside the Beltway – May 20 & 21, 2024. Event registration is free. However, we request you register early to help us plan the event.
Read the full story here.
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2022 CRASH STATISTICS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its final 2022 Fatality Analysis Reporting System traffic crash data. NHTSA reported 42,514 total fatalities in the U.S. in 2022. That is a 1.7% decrease from the previous year.
Sadly, overall rider deaths on our nation’s roadways increased by 1.2%. The official number of motorcyclists killed in 2022 was 6,218.
Read the full story here.
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RIGHT TO REPAIR MUST BE PROTECTED
The Right to Repair ensures access to repair information and tools for all, including independent dealers and individuals. It's essential for those who prefer independent shops over franchise dealers, especially for older motorcycles that may not be serviced by franchise dealers.
We should not be penalized with the threat of losing our warranty using our favorite independent dealer, whom we have trusted and supported for years.
Read the full story here.
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MRF AGENDA GETS STEAM POWER
Last weekend, ABATE of South Dakota hosted the 34th Annual Heartland Seminar to Educate and Motivate (STEAM) event in Sioux Falls, SD. Riders from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin gathered to share information about how the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and state motorcyclist rights organizations are tackling issues facing the motorcycling community.
A diverse set of presentations occurred over the two-day seminar. Some highlights included MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard’s speech, “Ride to Live, Live to Ride; Well Maybe,” a history of the Bikers’ Rights Movement by MRF Executive Director Mark Buckner and an update on legislative action from the member states. Famed long-distance rider Wendy Crocket shared her stories of career achievements in competitive endurance riding. As always, there were breakout sessions that allowed riders to learn more about issues they care about.
Read the full story here.
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NO SPEEDING... EVER?
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in California requiring “every passenger vehicle, motortruck, and bus manufactured or sold in the state” to be equipped with speed limiter technology, starting with the 2027 model year. According to the bill (SB 961), the technology would “electronically limit the speed of the vehicle to prevent the driver from exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour.”
Representatives from the MRF attended a roundtable discussion held by the Road to Zero Coalition on this initiative and were troubled by many aspects of this proposal. It is important to note that this is not about speed governors. This proposal is about a dynamic system using vehicle cameras, road signs, GPS, and virtual maps to determine speed limits on roads and actively restrict vehicles from operating above a certain threshold.
Read the full story here.
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CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW T-SHIRT ORDER FORM | | |
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South King County Chapter Outta Control Night
May 4, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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East Pierce County Chapter Mystery Run
May 18, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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17th Annual Memorial Ride
May 18, 2024
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Sky Valley 27th Annual Motorcycle Show
May 19, 2024
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Spokane Chapter Let Them Stare Make Them Aware
May 19, 2024
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Spring Opener
Mark your Calendars!
June 27 - June 30, 2024
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CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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Demolition Derby and Fireworks
July 4, 2024
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RIDER REIMBURSEMENT
Complete a State-Approved Rider Safety Course to receive $50 reimbursement & more!
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER
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COLUMBIA GORGE
UPCOMING EVENTS!
- May 31st - Memorial Poker Run for Lori Baranovich
- June 27th – 30th - Spring Opener
- July 4th - Demolition Derby and Barrel Race
READ MORE
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EPCC
Merry May from EPCC!
Hope everyone’s enjoying this crazy Spring weather. We had a perfect day for our 4th Annual Leprechaun Memorial Run in mid-March. Thanks to the many who supported us and Helping Hands House!
READ MORE
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STAR LAKE
Greetings everyone from the Star Lake Chapter!
We had our Chapter meeting on April 7th, 2024, 11 am at Purdy’s Public House in Sumner. The chapter discussed having another chapter ride later in the year (TBD). The next meeting will be on May 5th, 2024. All are welcome to attend.
READ MORE
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Need to reach a specific Chapter?
Get their contact information here:
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Who We Are
We’ve been helping people for almost 30 years. We’re smart, efficient, and sophisticated. We measure success by the results achieved for our clients. Most of our cases involve a motorcycle, bicycle, and auto collisions. We work on a contingent fee basis. We only get paid if there’s a recovery. Not only do we do all the work, we also advance all the costs necessary to prepare the case for trial. Clients don’t have to pay any money upfront.
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LAW TIGERS & THE SOCIAL CONTRACT (REDUX) | |
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Back in December 2022, we sent out a newsletter about Law Tigers and the Social Contract.
At the last INWCOC meeting, someone brought up another attorney who operates the same way as Law Tigers. So we thought it made sense to revisit.
View the original newsletter here! We want to work on issues that are important to you. What kind of help can we provide to your club?
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Pinewood Derby
When you get past the surface, no one is an average or run-of-the-mill person.
That begs the question: Does it make sense to go beyond the surface? In a case with $8,000 of chiropractic treatment it probably doesn’t move the needle. And it’s probably not necessary when someone has lost limbs or been rendered quadriplegic... Click here to read more.
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The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword
Not many First Amendment cases get filed. The vast majority—maybe 99 percent—get dismissed.
But ours didn’t. Last week we tried an important First Amendment case in the federal courthouse in Richland.
Click here to read more.
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Thirty Years in the Saddle
And just like that it’s been 30 years since I started practicing law.
My first job was at a law firm. But I didn’t like being told what to do. So three years (and three firms) later I started Myers & Company. My first business card read: Comprehensive Legal Services.
I didn’t want to miss an opportunity. Ever since then I’ve been narrowing my practice. At this point I just represent people who have been hurt—physically or financially—by someone else.
Click here to read more.
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Small Things Make a Big Difference
Most stories have a theme:
Fate v. Free Will
Good v. Evil
Man v. Nature
So do personal injury cases. Themes help tie together evidence and remind juries why what they’re hearing is important.
One of the big struggles is figuring out what theme really fits the facts of the case. A theme that isn’t quite right... Click here to read more.
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Filling in the Blanks
Most people have a pretty clear memory of how they got hurt. Frequently their memories are punctuated with very specific details. “That son of a bitch looked me right in the eye before turning left.” “The front door mat was a bright pastel color.” “The impact made a sound just like an M-80 going off.” But when you go through something traumatic, like a motorcycle wreck, the brain isn’t focused on making memories—it’s focused on survival. The same mechanisms that keep the brain sharp enough to escape immediate danger may also make it harder to accurately recall the event.
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He Passed Me Going 90 MPH
In just about every motorcycle case we have there are allegations that our client was speeding. There are a couple of important things to know about the issue of motorcycle speed. The first relates to the reliability of witness observations. The second deals with the way courts deal with favored drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Witnesses are almost always wrong about motorcycle speed. It may be based on the relatively small size of motorcycles compared to other vehicles. Or it may be based on witness bias.
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What the Jury Doesn't Hear
The evidence rules have a big impact on what the jury gets to hear (and what it doesn’t get to hear). Evidence can seem a lot like an iceberg: 10 percent visible, 90 percent below the surface.
A lot of the evidence rules are counter-intuitive. Here’s what the jury doesn’t get to hear in a personal injury case.
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