News - ABATE of Florida, Southwest Chapter

ABATE of Florida, Southwest Chapter

RECENT NEWS

USS New York

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center .

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up. It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'

The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'

PAST NEWS

Wrong Way Driver takes out 12 bikers on way to funeral.

Date: 06/28/2008

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating an accident involving a single vehicle and ten motorcycles that sent a total of 12 people to area hospitals.

FHP said the accident happened Saturday morning when a 2004 Hyundai driven by Tom Romeo, 52, of Dundee was eastbound on US- 17-92 east of Old Tampa Highway and drifted into the other lane at the same time as a group of motorcyclists who were heading westbound were passing.

The front of Romeo’s car hit the second motorcycle in line and caused a domino effect that wrecked the motorcycles behind it.

Four riders were seriously injured and flown to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Four others were taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center and the rest were taken to Florida Hospital Kissimmee.

The road was closed for several hours while it was being cleaned up and investigators combed the scene.

FHP said charges are pending and that the Romeo may have suffered some type of medical problem.

New Laws for Motorcycle Licensure Take Affect July

Date: 06/27/2008

Basic Rider Course now required for all motorcycle endorsement

Starting July 1, new motorcyclists must take and pass the Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider Trainer Program before they can have the motorcycle endorsement added to their license, per Section 322.12(5)(a)., Florida Statutes.

After July 1 of this year, everyone will have to take the class and pass the test, no matter their age. Future motorcyclists will be able to find a Basic Rider Course sponsor or teacher on our website. Upon successful completion, the sponsor will submit the pass results electronically to the department records. Upon receiving the results, the applicant will be processed for a motorcycle endorsement.

The Department’s Florida Rider Training Program has a wealth of information on motorcycle safety and proper licensure. For more information, check out www.flhsmv.gov. Also information on where to find approved sponsors who teach the course can be found here.

Please note that anyone driving a motorcycle without an endorsement is violating the law, today.

FAQ

What if I had completed the tests before July 1 and did not get the endorsement by that date? Will my waiver from a third party tester be honored?

Yes. As long as the tests have been successfully completed, you can still get the endorsement up to 1 year from the date of the waiver.

What happens if I had a motorcycle permit from a DL office prior to July 1 but did not complete my tests?

You have to take the Basic Rider Course before securing your endorsement.

What if I have completed the Experienced Rider Course but did not secure my endorsement before July 1, 2008?

You still have to take the Basic Rider Course before you can secure the endorsement and be legal to drive a motorcycle.

12/16/07
Sherrif Mike Scott

Originally posted on December 12, 2007

Sheriff Mike Scott responds to 'no helmet' editorial
Liberal media ... conservative view on helmets?

“Hats off (pun intended) to all the organizers and participants in last Sunday’s Christmas Motorcycle Run.

This, the 27th annual event sponsored by ABATE and Bruce L. Scheiner, is a wonderful community outreach to those far less fortunate. I had the pleasure and honor of being involved; however, a few concerns arose for me during and since our charity ride.

As our procession traveled east on Colonial Boulevard and approached the I-75 overpass, I noticed a man with a camera hanging over the railing, presumably to photograph the event.

This fellow had exited his vehicle on the busy, high speed Interstate and extended himself over the railing to get a cameo shot. In my estimation, this was a very dangerous position and one that likely borders on a breach of the law.

Fortunately, the photographer escaped injury and secured that cameo shot, which appeared on the front page of The News-Press Local Section the following day. I wonder if that photographer works for The News-Press?

This morning, I was enjoying a fudge stripe cookie and a glass of orange juice while perusing The News-Press online. Imagine the comfort I took reading their editorial castigating me for not wearing a helmet during the motorcycle toy run.

The implication that I had set a terrible example in terms of safety caused me to wonder why they chose to allow that front page, color status in their paper.

After all, the newspaper would not want to continue such a bad example…or would they?

Could it be that they reviewed all the photos taken that day and elected to print one that might generate controversy?

As an avid boater, I am putting the News-Press on notice that I will likely participate in a Christmas Boat Parade or two. I am letting them know ahead of time that I will choose not to wear a life jacket.

I am doing this in the best interest of their photographer in case he appears on one of our local bridges to capture the event as he did last Sunday.

In that he did not wear a helmet that day despite a possible fall onto Colonial Boulevard, our newspaper might want to fit him with a personal flotation device if he indeed takes pictures of the boat parade.

One last suggestion for the safety-minded News-Press. You might want to reconsider the usual coverage you provide the Marion County Motorcycle Drill Team each year following the Edison Festival Parade.

Standing on a motorcycle and driving down a street lined with people does not portray the image you are apparently so concerned with."

— Mike Scott is the sheriff of Lee County