State Meeting Notes – Dec. 21, 2024

MEETING NOTES: DECEMBER 21, 2024 – BILL-E’S BACON, FAIRHOPE, AL
IN ATTENDANCE:
Kris Cook Rodney Green
Paul Hebda Leigh Copeland
Cory Chavers Chris Best
Shane Coker Michael Stieber
Keith Stieber Karin Stieber
Kathleen “Mama Kat” Zimmer Fran Barber-Bruyn
Neil Bruyn Matthew Schroeder
Ron Braaksma John “Chico” Bethea
Chuck McKinley Susan McKinley
Bill E. Stitt Noel Leonard
Edward “Juju” Lessard Richard Comston
Freddy Wheeler
Everyone inspected the notes of the last meeting and the Treasurer’s report. Paul moved to approve; Rodney seconded. All in favor. Those documents are now on record.
Juju discussed how our old Share the Road video is out of date and moves too slowly. KC to send Juju the essence of her presentation to drivers ed classes. Juju has his own and will seek to get back into schools as soon as possible.
Kris read the Webmaster’s report from Blythe. Interaction with our website is down. We expect more Facebook engagement this year because of the nature of our priorities and goals. Facebook engagement drives website visits.
Freddy reported on the meeting of the newly reconvened motorcycle consortium that was held at the Alabama Traffic Safety Center on 12/17/24. We had representatives from the AMSP, the ALCOC, ALDOT, the AL Fire College, the Alabama House of Representatives, Dixie ABATE, ALEA, the COC, and Law Tigers. This group of people discussed the logistics involved in implementing more robust licensing requirements for new motorcyclists in Alabama.
We discussed how an on-road or on-range riding test being required before a rider can get an “M” endorsement would drive riders to riders ed classes, creating a larger demand for those classes. The problem with that is the critical shortage of ranges that meet all the requirements. Freddy reported on the state of class locations at this time. It is very hard to find range space that is large enough, level, clean, free of charge, and has shelter and bathrooms. Freddy is considering looking at the Mobile Greyhound Park, which is owned by the Poarch Creek Band of Indians. Cory has contact with the Poarch, via the Poarch Creek Riding Club. Maybe Cory could make contact and ask about us using some of their parking lots.
Freddy said the first question he gets asked is if the AMSP has liability insurance. He mentioned OWA, which may have some space. He said the AMSP at Montevallo has historically been opposed to using the parking lot of anywhere that features gambling.
The AMSP has a trailer with 14 motorcycles in it, that would need a safe place to park. The range needs to be 200’ x 300’. The core space can be 120’ x 220’, but there needs to be 40’ runoff space, 20’ on each side. They have to be able to lay down permanently painted striping. Ron said several states have modified their curricula because of a problem finding ranges.
We talked about where riders ed funding comes from now, and how we could structure the fees for the “M” endorsement so that the process would pay for itself with some left over to help fund rider education. We still need to find out the details of funding as it stands.
The test would be a version of the ALT-MOST test that the AMSP uses to test riders that take the BRC. Most paved DMV lots would have room for this, but we need people to administer the test, which the DMV probably wouldn’t be able to provide.
Everyone needs to be at the State House in Montgomery at 7:30 on February 19, our Legislative Day. We will have breakfast for the whole state house. This is our chance to talk to all our legislators.
Freddy talked about the cost of each fatality in terms of lost wages.
Juju announced the ABATE of Florida panhandle meeting January 4 at the American Legion Hall #340 in Pensacola.
We are always invited to their meetings.
Noel reminded us to check our insurance for sufficiency.
We congratulated members Chuck and Susan McKinley, who recently became Dixie ABATE’s newest Life Members.
Dixie ABATE presented Matthew Schroeder with a plaque thanking him for his long years of service as State Director.
He stepped down as of 12/31/24 and Shane Coker, our Assistant State Director, stepped up. We now need an assistant State Director.
Our next meeting is at 2PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Bill E’s Bacon, 19992 AL-181 B, Fairhope, AL 36532. The number there is 251-209-2129.