Abate of Arkansas April, 2024

Chairman

Chuck Vaughn akelsey@ipa.net

501.207.3093

Co-Chairman

Rodney Farley

Secretary

Beverly Waddell bbowen1960@yahoo.com

Treasurer

Helen Wesson usapro@sbcglobal.net

870.222.8509

Membership Secretary

Rodney Farley

abateofarkansas@swbell.net

Sergeant At Arms

Randy Hutcheson

870.540.9654

Products

Rodney Farley

501.317.1832

abateofarkansas@swbell.com

Newsletter

Rodney Farley refarley59@yahoo.com

MRF State Representative

Rodney Farley refarley59@yahoo.com

501.940.7859

MRF State Assistant

Helen Wesson usapro@sbcglobal.net

870.222.8509

State WEBMASTER

A.J. Huffman

abateofarkansas@swbell.net

ABATE of Arkansas State Office Mgr

Rodney Farley

P.O. BOX 1932 NLR, AR 72115

501-317-1832

The main purpose of the ABATE organization is to work toward continued freedom of the road by insuring that motorcyclist’s point of view is presented to our legislators and to promote motorcycle safety, rider education and public awareness. We are trying to alleviate the very real possibility of “Big Brother Government”. We encourage all our members to be informed registered voters. We write letters to our elected officials and stay aware of what is going on with motorcycle legislation, and other transportation issues. We welcome interested parties to any of our activities or to join our organization.

All articles and photo’s within the contents of this newsletter and our website are the property of ABATE of ARKANSAS. You may not use them without the express written consent of the newsletter editor, webmaster or the ABATE of ARKANSAS board.

ABATE ofARKANSASencourages all members to submit letters, articles or cartoons they feel may be of interest to fellow ABATEmembers. ABATE ofARKANSASsupports the rights of ALL motorcyclists, ABATE ofARKANSASdoes not endorse any products or services other than its own.

The thoughts and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual contributors alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ABATE of ARKANSAS board and it’s members.

Welcome to some warmer weather to get out and ride your motorcycle. ABATE of Arkansas will be celebrating 40 years this coming year 2025. I believe I have gotten enough ABATE pins for the 40 year members we have and I personally thank you for your commitment and donations over these past 40 years. Next month in the newsletter we will start taking orders for anyone that would like to purchase a 40 year ABATE t-shirt. The more we sell, the cheaper we can purchase them. We will have the shirts available at the October State ABATE meeting and if can’t be there in person you can get them from your local district reps at your next district meeting. Stay tuned things could change. Remember newsletter articles, event flyers, etc are due to state office by the 10th of each month. If you see something that incorrect in our newsletter, please reach out to me. Thanks, and Keep the Shinny side up!

Rodney Farley ABATE Office Manager

Beginning January 1,

State Office Manager

THANK YOU TO OUR SUSTAINING MEMBERS!

In recognition of your generous financial support in promoting and protecting Motorcycle rights and awareness 2024

SUSTAINING MEMBERS & DISTRICTS

Randy & Elaine Hutcheson USA Promotions (Helen Wesson)

Charles & Rita Greenlee

Danny & Bennie Woods

Kevin & Jamie Lavedas DIST 16

Single $30 Couple $35 Assoc (under 18) $5

Sustaining Memberships Annual Individual (up to 2) $100 Annual District $100

PLEASE PRINT

Member#___________ /___________/___________

Name_________________________________________

Name (joint)

Assoc. Name(s)

Address City __________________ State_____ Zip___________

Phone (____) ______________________

Birthday(s) ________/____ /______________

Would You Like To Receive Newsletter by Email? YES NO

Email

Dist #_______ Exp Date: __________ ___

Yr Pins (given as follows)1/5/10/15/20/25/30/35) -

All others must be requested & paid for in advance, as long as supply lasts

Mail Check / Money Order to: ABATE of Arkansas, Inc. P.O. BOX 1932 North Little Rock, AR 72015

Also available on our website: www.arkansasabate.org

To initiate , endorse and sponsor educational programs such as rider safety, public awareness, legislative and affirmative action and, individual freedoms and rights.

2)… To create and promote a positive public image of motorcyclists and motorcycle groups and to dispel and disprove media hype, unfounded propaganda and the “Hollywood” image.

3)… To encourage goodwill and mutual understanding among motorcyclists, law enforcement personnel and the general public.

4)… To serve as an information source on matters pertaining to current laws, pending legislation, personal rights, political inclinations of elected officials and their constituents, and voter awareness.

5)… To act as a central responsive agency to devise and coordinate recreational, legislative, educational, and charitable activities

MRF & IMA Meet In Daytona

On Wednesday during Bike Week in Daytona Beach, FL. representatives of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council (IMA), with members of the motorcycling media present, met with an important group of involved motorcycle shop owners, parts distributors, dealers, bike builders, and non-OEM parts manufacturers from the motorcycle aftermarket industry.

In the third meeting between these groups the agenda was to share updates on the MRF’s relevant legislative initiatives to combat threats to the aftermarket industry. Topics included Right to Repair/Right to Modify, Preservation of Internal Combustion Engines, strategies to limit the close collaboration and detrimental impacts that the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) continue to force on this industry, and the concerns around a continued ability to simply remain in business.

MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, also discussed the economic impacts to small business and this industry in particular as highlighted in the Vaughn Study the MRF Commissioned during the EPA’s “Color and Chrome” only campaigns. The draconian concepts of Vehicle End of Life Directives, recent rhetoric around making it illegal to repair vehicles over 15 years old, and most recently a plan to ban chroming beyond 2024 were also hot topics.

The IMA spoke about the costly and extremely arduous process to certify aftermarket parts, an inability to submit multiple components together, a lack of clarity or availability of the standards to meet for certification. There was a consensus that the history and heritage of motorcycling demands transparency around these standards so innovators can work to meet them. There was also frustration around the fact that a well-tuned and well-built motorcycle could get better fuel mileage and produce less emissions is either being ignored or not recognized by bureaucrats bent on regulating this industry out of existence.

IMA Chair, Bob Kay, then brought up what was on everyone’s minds at the meeting. What is going to happen with requirements to sign waivers certifying race use only to have access to performance parts, potentially providing VIN numbers on bikes with parts installed, or a check the box program to acknowledge the end use of parts. This is seen as a method to transfer liability to small shop owners that would legally put them at significant risk and the IMA does not recommend doing this without checking with an attorney.

Bob Kay went on to say in his closing statement, “The IMA is happening and will be there along with the MRF to protect the right to repair and modify motorcycles for independent shops in the aftermarket industry.”

Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine had this to say while encouraging anyone with an interest in the motorcycle aftermarket industry to join the IMA, “The animated conquest for freedom requires many small and sustained efforts over time to be successful.”

The time is now to join the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council and get involved in saving the motorcycle aftermarket industry and end users from extinction.

D-1 CENTRAL ARKANSAS

PRES. RODNEY FARLEY 501-940-7859

MTGS. / 3RD THURS / 6PM / BLACK ANGUS REST

5100 W MARKHAM / LITTLE ROCK

D-2 JONESBORO

PRES. JOHN JOHNSON 870-930-6640

MTGS. / 1ST SUN / 1PM / ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE

202 S PATRICK / JONESBORO

D-4 FAYETTEVILLE/NW ARKANSAS

PRES. James Hegna

MTGS./ 1ST SAT/5PM/AMERICAN LEGION POST 27

1195 S CURTIS AVE/ FAYETTEVILLE

D-7 HARRISON

PENNE ESTES

MTGS. / 1st THUR / Eat 5:30PM / 7PM Harrison Elks Lodge

D-13 JACKSONVILLE

PRES. BOBBY SHERRON 501-681-5464

MTGS. / 2nd Tues / 6:45PM / US PIZZA

McCain Blvd. North Little Rock

D-16 MTN HOME

PRES. NEIL (TIG) NORTON 870-706-9200

1st THUR @ 6:30pm / EAGLES CLUB Midway, AK

D-18 SOUTHEAST

PRES. DAVID HARRIS 870-501-1770

MTGS. 1ST THUR / 7PM / DREW COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

D-19 SEARCY

PRES. CHUCK VAUGHN 501-207-3093

MTGS. 1ST TUES. / 7PM / AMERICAN LEGION

173 HWY 11 / SEARCY

D-20 PINE BLUFF

PRES. DANNY WOOD 870-699-8205

MTGS 1ST SAT./ 10AM / HARMONY BAPTIST ASSOC.

8869 HWY 79 SOUTH/ PINE BLUFF

https://www.arkansas.com/things-to-do/motoring-byways/motorcycling

DISTRICT 1 Central Arkansas

President

Rodney Farley

3105 Oak Grove Road NLR, AR 72118 501.940.7859

refarley59@yahoo.com

Vice President

Pete Waddell

12 Tallyho Ct. Jacksonville, AR 72076

Secretary / Treasurer

Beverly Waddell

12 Tallyho Ct. Jacksonville, AR 72076 bbowen1960@yahoo.com

Sergeant at Arms

Karla Farley

3105 Oak Grove Road NLR, AR 72118

karlacreasey@yahoo.com

Newsletter Editor

Rodney Farley refarley59@gmail.com

State Reps

Rodney Farley

Pete Waddell

Karla Farley

State Alternates

Beverly Waddell

District 1 Meetings

3rd THURSDAY of MONTH

6PM Black Angus Restaurant

5100 W. Markham, Little Rock

DISTRICT 4 Northwest Arkansas

President

James Hegna

DISTRICT 2 Jonesboro

President John Johnson

870.930.6640

Secretary Mack Newsom

870.573.6546

Treasurer Steve Taylor

870.219.9209

Sergeant at Arms

Fonzie

870.351.1204

District 2 Meetings

1st SUNDAY of MONTH 1PM

ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE

202 South Patrick, Jonesboro

Vice President

Tina Jackson

Secretary

Tina Redman

Treasurer

Ed Jackson

Sergeant at Arms

Nora Heath

Road Captain Seth Robison

State Rep

Rick Duran

Tamara Stevens

Alternates

Erynn Carriger

Bobby Beavers

Stand By Derek Riedel (Communicator)

Legislation

William Cassidy

District 4 Meetings 1st SATURDAY of MONTH 5PM

DISTRICT 7 Harrison

President

Mike Conway 870.754.6822

Vice President

Melissa Block

Secretary / Treasurer

Penne Estes

Sergeant at Arms

Wayne Carr

Chaplain

Jerry Harris

Road Captain

Fred Tyson

District 7 Meetings

1st THURSDAY of MONTH

5:30PM Eat & Fellowship 7PM Meeting

Harrison ELK’s Lodge 1521 65N & Hwy 62W

DISTRICT 13 Jacksonville

President

Bobby Sherron

681.5464

Vice President

Frank Blevins

909.2400

DISTRICT 13 continued

Secretary

Gina Fulmer 259.1087

Treasurer

Terry Fulmer

Sergeant at Arms

Billy McKinney

PRIMARY

Bobby Frank

Terry ALTERNATE

Gina

Billy

Charles

District 13 Meetings

2nd TUESDAY of MONTH 6PM Eat

6:45PM Meeting U S PIZZA Co. 4001 McCain Park Dr.

OUR 2024 Officers THANK YOU ALL FOR Another tear BIKE NIGHT

Across from Greystone 1st TUESDAY of MONTH 6PM

www.facebook.com/ABATEDist16?fref=ts

DISTRICT 16 Mountain Home

President

Neil (TIG) Norton

Vice President

Bowtie

Secretary

Doc

Treasurer

Bam Bam

Sergeant at Arms

Chris Reynolds

District 16 Meetings 1st THURSDAY of MONTH

7PM

Eagles Club, Midway Arkansas

www.facebook.com/ABATED-18

DISTRICT 18 Southeast Arkansas

President David Harris 870.281.4708

Vice President David Harris

Secretary Helen Wesson

Treasurer Karon Loveless

Sergeant at Arms

Charles Dalsis

District 18 Meetings

1st THURSDAY of MONTH

6PM

DREW COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Remember, T-shirts, caps and other products are available at meetings or from Helen Wesson

We meet weekly at Hardees on Race St. and leave by 10am. We all meet discuss all that is going on in the area and mutually to ride in the same direction.

DISTRICT 19 White County/Searcy

President

Chuck Vaughn

501.207.3093

Vice President

Keith Barnett

501.593.0908

Secretary

Steve Lewis

Treasurer

John Butler

ABATE Constitutional Changes were adopted by the State Board Reps at our recent meeting.

MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS SIGNS

We have several available to put up around the county. Working with two locations now.

Sergeant at Arms

Alma Vaughn

State Rep

Keith Barnett

John Butler

Chuck Vaughn

Alternates

Steve Lewis

Lynn Mitsunaga

Clark Warden

All are welcome to attend our meetings. We meet the 1st Tuesday of each month at the……. American Legion Post 324 173 Hwy 11 Morning Sun, AR Meet & Greet 6:30PM Meeting 7:00PM

D19 NEWSLETTER EDITOR

John Butler

john955@centurytel.net

If you have any articles you’d like seen in the Newsletter you can send them to me and I will gladly work them into the next Newsletter submission.

Annual Officer Elections for 2024

With some adjustments made necessary due to Bryn Chalcroft leaving, we have elected our stable of District Officers and State Board Representatives for next year. We’d like to thank all that volunteer their time to keep this boat afloat.

DISTRICT 20 Pine Bluff/Sheridan

President

Danny Wood 870.699.8205

Vice President

Charles Greenlee 870.510.9536

Secretary

Elaine Hutcheson 870.489.2098

Treasurer

Ann Harris 870.643.7949

Sergeant at Arms / Chaplain

Ray Cuthbertson 870.643.5983

Road Captain Open Position

State Rep

Randy Hutcheson, Danny Wood, Charles Greenlee

Alternates

Gary Tucker, Sherry Wewer, Mike Harris

Chaplain

Ray Cuthberson

Email / Public Relations

Pat Freeman

extex1977@yahoo.com

Newsletter

Elaine Hutcheson

hutcheson.elaine@yahoo.com

MEETING LOCATION

District 20 Meetings

1st SATURDAY of MONTH

JAN—APR 2024 10:00AM MAY DEC 2024 9:00AM Harmony Baptist Association 8869 HWY

If you’re ready to experience the unique thrill of riding your own motorcycle for the first time, there’s no better place to learn than the New Rider Course at Harley-Davidson Riding Academy. Experienced riders, take your skills to the next level with the Skilled Rider Course.

Available at Rock City Harley Davidson. Want To Learn More? Click on the link below!