Region 11 July 2008 Meeting Minutes

Meetings called to order. Guests welcomed. Pledge of allegiance conducted. Russ thanked Abe for doing the June meeting for him. An email was sent out prior to the meeting informing all members about our guest speakers this evening and that region business would be kept short to allow our guests all the time they needed. The officers were asked if they had new business that needed to be gone over or if it could wait till the August meeting. No replies of new business were received. Our guest speakers are all republicans. Bert Copple is running against Sander Levin for Congress, John Accavitti and David Auwen both are running for state rep in district 32.

Treasury Report: Given by Al.

Legistlative: Everyone is aware our helmet bill was vetoed. We may try for an override in lame duck session which is mid to end of November. If not, we start all over next year. 8-5 is the primary vote. Please get out and vote. Some candidates have no opposition but a few others have a lot of competition and a primary vote win can swing the election their way. Any candidate information you come across, please get to Alice or Russ. We will have a motorcyclist suggested voter guide in place for the November election.

We've just been notified that Matthew Soares has been granted a new trial. He was sentenced in 2006 to serve 7-15 years in prison for drunk driving causing death and manslaughter with a vehicle. The victim killed was our member Bill Day. New trail has been granted by a vote of 2 to 1 in appeals court. Reason being, that apparently Bill Day had marijuana in his system. Our region worked with Gloria Day and the Tribesmen for about 2 years on this case. We wrote letters to the papers, went to court, and helped the family anyway, we could. We will be keeping a close eye on this case and will keep everyone informed as more details develop.

Al reported that our observation run was successful. After minor expenses, we netted a profit of $780.28 which goes towards legislative efforts for the region.

Last month the region voted to purchase insurance for the possibility of an autumn moon. Bob and Tam generously offered the region their property to use for the event and was thanked by all. A meeting was held and the committee members were asked to vote on the event. Majority of the committee voted no due to the expenses involved for the event and being for 1 night only. Another reason majority voted no was due to inadequate insurance coverage for the region and a home owner. Committee members have and will still be looking for a campground scenario for a weekend event in 2009.

Read your memo. Theirs a couple of events with region meet ups for anyone interested in going.

Our bikes in the park is October 11th. Fliers on the table.

Last call for state bike raffle tickets. Tiny will be mailing them in the 1st of August.

Guest speakers came up to the front table and were introduced. Each one gave their reason for running for office. All want change for Michigan. Biggest election issue is Michigan's economy. All 3 agree that we must invest in Michigan in order to create and get jobs. Discussed fair trade agreement, drilling for oil in the U.S., term limits, 2nd amendment rights, health care benefits for legislators, helmet choice use and hunter issues. All support individual freedom rights. They differ slightly on drilling concepts and term limits. All support helmet choice, gun rights, and hunter's issues. All state that our fair trade agreement is not fair at all. Answered questions from the membership and gave closing statements. Russ asked for everyone to talk about and spread the word about these candidates. Michigan would do good to have any of them in office. Another unexpected guest was present. Ray Foultz who is running for St Clair Sheriff and who is a friend of Al's. All guests were thanked for taking the time to come out to our meeting. With no further business pending, meeting adjourned by motion and support.

Meetings adjourned by motion and support.