Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida November 2012 Newsletter

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ABATE of Florida, Inc. ~ Southwest Chapter
Volume XXXII, Issue III

NOVEMBER 2012

EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
       

Presidents Message Minutes Membership Report Calendar Events Classifieds NCOM Bytes Legislative Report

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Hello Everyone, Another month gone by but good news, rainy season is just about over. In the coming months there will be countless events in this area for you to enjoy. Please consider helping out with ABATE events when you can. We are on track for our Christmas ride. Please help us with collecting donations for the Vets. Doreen Burns will be making a quilt from Southwest Chapter t-shirts for the Veterans home wall, Thank you Doreen for taking on this project. We now have the yearly “bike” tickets from State office. Tickets are only $5 bucks and the winner will take home approx. $6800.00 of the $10,000.00. Drawing to be held at bike week in Daytona at the ABATE campground Saturday March 16, 2013 at 12 noon. Contact me if interested in selling a book of 10 or more. Traffic is building out there as snow birds trek down. Be cautious and aware of your surroundings, keep a safe distance and always leave room for a way out, unless some idiot with total disregard pulls out in front of you, slams on their brakes and leaves the scene, just sayin’. Keep safe, ride proud Wayne

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ABATE of Florida, Inc.

Southwest Chapter

PO Box 60745, Fort Myers, FL 33906-6748 southwest.abateflorida.com
President Wayne Cerra 239-989-3349 Vice President Jimmie Dennis 239-440-4213 Secretary Tracy Davis 239-645-7936 Treasurer Todd “KC” Burns 239-634-3080 Sergeant At Arms Ken Coon 765-464-9542 Membership Trustee John Ottervanger 239-699-2814 PR/Communications Wayne Cerra 239-989-3349 Legislative Ken “Teddybear” Miller 239-693-7035 Newsletter Editor Kevin Barfield 239-771-2804 Products Jimmie Dennis 239-440-4213 Safety Coordinator Victor Piorkowski 239-823-6159 Webmaster Taylor Musburger 239-334-1620 State Delegate Frank Kennedy 239-849-9065 State Delegate Pam Mix 239-362-8807 Advertising Jimmie Dennis 239-440-4213 Photographer Taylor “ATM” Musburger 239-334-1620 Chapter Chaplain Tom Provenzano 239-267-8641 Road Captain Scott Turner 239-633-5765 Sport Bike Liaison Eddie “Crash” Mix 239-440-4064 Sport Bike Liaison David ”Flip” Johnston 239-281-3419 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MRO* Chapter Meetings held at Harley Davidson of Fort Myers on 1ST Sunday of Each Month
*MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.
© 2011 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Southwest Chapter • All Rights Reserved Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for Federal Income Tax Purposes ABATE of Florida, Inc. and Southwest Chapter Does Not Condone Drinking and Driving

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ABATE of Florida, Inc.
PO BOX 60745 • Fort Myers, FL 33906

Southwest Chapter

southwest.abateflorida.com MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Name Mailing Address: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code ________________________________________________________ Email Address: Phone: ____________________________________________ _______________________________ (Include Area Code) YES NO YES NO _________ US Congress

May we use your phone number for our phone tree? Are you a registered Voter? _________ FL House Select ONE of the following: ____New/Renewal - Annual Membership Due $20.00 ____ Lifetime Membership $ 150.00

Please Lister your voting districts from your Voter Registration Card: _________ FL Senate

Name of Chapter you wish to join _________________________________________________

____ Transfer Membership to: ____________________________________________________ ____ Change of Address: ________________________________________________________ Signature __________________________________________________ Date: ____________ Sponsored by Chapter Member : _________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER USE Dues Paid by □ Cash Copy of By Laws Membership Expiration □ Check □ Money Order Mailed Date: Membership Card _________________________ _________________________ _________________________

Memberships are open to anyone 18 years of age or older All members receive with their paid membership a membership card, our bi-monthly Masterlink magazine, Chapter Newsletter, Chapter voting privileges and personal involvement in Statewide legislative actions and their freedom to ride PG 4

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. MISSION STATEMENT
WHO WE ARE We are a non-profit organization of motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life. We lobby and educate the government and the general public to promote motorcycling in a safe and positive image. We endeavor to enlist the cooperation and participation of all organizations and individuals that share a similar interest in preserving our American tradition of FREEDOM. We promote motorcycle safety, training, & political awareness. We ARE NOT A CLUB OR A GANG. We fund our work through toy runs, poker runs, campouts, and other motorcycle activities. We are your neighbors & friends who work, pay taxes, and get involved with our community. We serve and support our country and believe in freedom. We use all legal means to protect our rights without infringing on the rights of others. OUR GOALS To become a powerful and viable political force in legislative matters concerning the motorcyclist. To promote the safe riding habits without infringing on individual freedoms. To motivate the bikers to write letters to their legislators before, during, and after the legislative session. To furnish our members with a newsletter to keep all bikers informed in regards to upcoming legislation. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ABATE of Florida, Inc. and or the Southwest Chapter. This publication allows members to express their beliefs and opinions. ABATE of Florida, Inc. and Southwest Chapter accept no responsibility for the comments, opinions or views contained in this newsletter. Please direct correspondence in reference to this publication to:

Southwest Chapter Meeting Schedule This months Chapter Meeting Will be on November 4th @ 10:00 AM @ Harley Davidson of Fort Myers
Located at: 2160 Colonial Dr. Fort Myers, FL 33907 239-275-4647
southwest.abateflorida.com
PRESENTLY, MEMBER MATERIAL DEADLINE IS THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE EACH CHAPTER MEETING FOR BOARD APPROVAL FOR SUBMISSIONS
NEW ADVERTISERS OR AD CHANGES MUST

15TH OF EACH MONTH
IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT SOUTHWEST CHAPTER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER; ISSUE DATE: November 2012
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY ABATE of Florida, Inc. Southwest Chapter

BE SUBMITTED BY THE

Wayne Cerra (cell) 239-989-3349
Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for Federal Tax Purposes. ABATE of Florida, Inc. © 2010 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Southwest Chapter • All Rights Reserved ABATE of Florida, Inc. and the Southwest Chapter do not condone drinking while riding or driving

http://southwest.abateflorida.com/ PG 5

PO Box 60745, Fort Myers, FL 33906

ABATE of Florida, Inc.'s Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Program ABATE of Florida, Inc. is a state-wide non-profit organization of motorcycle enthusiasts

from all walks of life. We promote motorcycle safety awareness, encourage continuing rider training and political awareness. We fund our work through motorcycle related activities. We are your neighbors and friends, who work, pay taxes, serve our country and vote. We believe in freedom. We use all legal means to protect our rights without infringing on the rights of others. ABATE of Florida, Inc. acknowledges the growth of motorcyclist of all ages riding in the State of Florida whether it is for economic reasons or pleasure. We are dedicated to teach our Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program in our efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities in our beautiful State of Florida. Our program is a 45 minute presentation including two videos to help everyone driving on Florida’s roads become more aware of motorcyclists. Classes are taught in all 10th grade drivers ed classes in Lee County by the Southwest Chapters Certified members. Sharing the road with respect and knowledge is just one of many focuses we have pertaining to Motorcycle Safety. If you are planning on visiting or live in our beautiful State of Florida whether you choose to ride or drive here are some facts to keep in mind: Obey all traffic laws, signs & signals Constantly check and expect to see motorcycles Motorcycles are smaller than cars or trucks and it can be more difficult to judge their approaching speed Look, look, & look again at traffic intersections before you turn or pull out Allow a three second “Space Cushion” when following a motorcycle There are 7 to 9 blind spots in an average vehicle Give Motorcycles the same respect and courtesy that you want for yourself and other motorists For Laws pertaining to riding a motorcycle in the State of Florida please visit www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

ABATE
(American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) Southwest Chapter is a not-for-profit, safety, educational, and advocacy motorcyclist organization. Its aims are to motorcycling in a positive image along with safety and awareness. The Southwest Chapter is a great group of people who are working hard for the greater good of Florida motorcycle riders. We would like you to join us and make it an even better chapter!
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The Blessings to Bikers:

Getting Ready to Go! DEAR FELLOW ABATE MEMBERS
Nothing seems to require more preparation than a motorcycle trip. And, it requires even more preparation when others are coming along. I look back at a five-state, 1255-mile, three-motorcycle, four-person, eight-day trip, that I took three years ago. It was with my son, my grandson, and my brother... The logistics for such an event, seemed immense at the time! How many miles would we cover each day? Where would we stay each evening? Where would we eat (everyone seemed to have different appetites)? What routes? What attractions were we interested in? How would we pay for this adventure? Would everyone be able to arrange their work and school schedules to make the trip? How do we pack for four people, with three motorcycles? With emails, phone calls, and personal visits, the trip took about five months in working out the details! Think of all the other things that we take a lot of time to plan for in life. Some of those include marriage, getting ready to leave home for school, just getting ready to leave home, looking for a job, preparation for a career, going into the military and/or other types of service, and saving for retirement. All of this busyness of life is only for TEMPORARY times! Ask yourself, "What have I done, to prepare myself for ETERNITY? The scriptures tell us, that while we have the opportunity and we are still alive to do so, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."- Matthew 6:19 and 20 How can we begin to accomplish this? The words of Jesus in speaking to Nicodemus, gives us the answer in John 3:16-18, 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." It is one of the devil's biggest lies that since we entered the world with nothing, that we will take nothing with us. The devil loves to use our intellectual pride that there is no God and there is no hope for salvation. Then, he uses the lie that we have to work our way into Heaven and go through all types of preparation. The truth lies in scripture when the Word of God says, that all we have to do to receive forgiveness is to believe in the Lord, Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 13:38-39). The time that we are here now, is only the beginning of our existence and a tiny portion of eternity. It's time to replace despair with the hope of an eternity with Him! What we are going through now is a test. This is so we can have a time of testimony of how God brought us through! In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” “….if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. Jesus said. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.” Revelation 3:30. “If ANYONE hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” WILL YOU OPEN THE DOOR OF YOUR LIFE, NOW? No more excuses! No more preparation. The time has come. There may be no other time or opportunity left, than right now. Only say this short little prayer and mean every word of it with the conviction in your heart. "Dear God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, my heavenly Father, the God of Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and have been separated from You. I receive forgiveness of my sins by the finished work on the cross. I repent and accept this gift of repentance and I wish to be free in you. I confess with my mouth that your son Jesus is my savior and died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. I receive Jesus into my heart and ask Him to become the center of my life. I ask, in the Name of Jesus. Amen." If you wish to contact us, to talk about your decision for Him, please email or call. If you wish us to help with prayer for you, loved ones, friends or others, let us know. Blessings, Pastor Tom (SW ABATE and Estero River ABATE Life Member) and Pastor Kathy (SW ABATE Life Member)- www.messiahsmessengers.org 239-267-8641 or email: [email protected]

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Gov. Scott calls for study of texting drivers
By Kathleen Haughney, Tallahassee Bureau 8:13 PM EDT, October 23, 2012 TALLAHASSEE – A new report that traffic fatalities are up by four percent this year has top state officials taking a closer look at texting while driving. Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday that he'd like state highway officials to complete a texting-while-driving study to see if the state needs to take action on the issue. While texting-ban proposals have died in the Legislature in recent years, neither Scott nor Attorney General Pam Bondi – who echoed the request for more data -- had previously expressed interest in the issue. Scott's comments came after Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director Julie Jones delivered a report to the Florida Cabinet on the rise in fatalities. Both Scott and Bondi immediately asked whether the agency knew if these accidents were caused by drivers who were texting or for other reasons. Scott acknowledged that getting the information directly from the driver may be difficult. "Who's going to say that they were distracted by texting?" he said. Jones said it was difficult to say because texting while driving was not currently an offense in Florida and thus may or may not show up on a crash report, making analysis difficult. All she could offer was that most of the crashes were the results of accidents, not criminal behavior. After the meeting, Scott said that he would like Jones' department to try to get more data to see if texting is an issue that the state should take a closer look at. "I think that we ought to continue to look at ways to make our state safer," he said. Like Scott, Bondi stopped short of calling for an all-out ban, but said she too wanted to get more information from the department and encouraged drivers to abstain from the practice. "I've about gotten killed by people texting while driving while on the road," she said. "You see people swerving all the time. So I was just curious." According to the Highway Safety department, 1,958 people have died in Florida traffic accidents so far this year, up from 1,866 at this point in 2011. Jones said the increase may be because more vehicles are on the road, a trend nationally. But she said that some states with texting bans were not seeing a similar spike; she did not offer specifics. Texting while driving is banned in 39 states and Washington, D.C. Proposals to ban texting while driving have passed in the Florida Senate but have died for several years in the House. That hasn't stopped some private companies from banning their employees from engaging in the practice. Walt Disney World and Orange County have bans in place, and Orlando-based Darden Restaurants has implemented a policy preventing workers with company phones from texting while driving. In South Florida, the Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation has handed out magnets with the message "TXT=RIP" and has asked employees who buy cars from a company dealership to agree not to text while they are behind the wheel. Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, who has championed the issue in the past, has promised to reintroduce the issue. Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, in the midst of a tough re-election battle, also said via press release this week that she is introducing legislation to ban the practice. Sachs said her measure would make texting or emailing while driving a primary offense, meaning a police officer could pull over a driver just for texting. [email protected] or 850-224-6214 Copyright © 2012, South

Florida Sun-Sentinel

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT November 2012
Good Day Freedom Fighters: Independent Presidential Candidates 2012: Is the Third Party Over? This could have been the year for a third-party candidate to make a breakthrough in national politics. Maybe not win the White House, that’s far-fetched in America’s entrenched two-party system, but at least introduce a neglected issue or two into the national conversation. Grass roots protest movements (think Occupy and the Tea Party) were active on both sides of the political spectrum. Enthusiasm for President Obama had waned significantly since 2008. Many former supporters were disappointed with his first term. Meanwhile, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney coasted to his party’s presidential nomination as if preordained and never had a fired-up core base of support. With so many voters mired in debt, unemployed and shrugging their shoulders at their two-party choices, where is 2012’s Ralph Nader or Ross Perot? MORE: Third Party Voting: Civics in a Minute In most come as news to most Americans, but there are third-party candidates running in the 2012 presidential cycle. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is the Libertarian nominee. Roseanne Barr, (Yes, the actress/comedian), is making a bid under the Peace and Freedom Party banner. Jill Stein, of the Green Party, rounds out this list of the best-known unknowns. They’re splitting about 2 percent of the vote between them in some polls. To put that into perspective, Perot took home 19 percent of the popular vote in 1992, the most of any third-party candidate since Theodore Roosevelt’s run under the Bull Moose banner in 1912. Timothy Hagle, a University of Iowa political science professor, says third-party impact all comes down to money and name recognition. Perot ran again in 1996 and garnered more than 8 percent of the popular vote. Even 2000 spoiler Ralph Nader took home more than the current crop of third-party candidates combined. He claimed 2.74 percent of the popular vote 12 years ago. Moreover, Perot and Nader ran before Twitter, YouTube and online fundraising made it easier for candidates of any stripe to connect with potential voters. In Perot’s case, he tells TakePart, “Having the money behind him allowed him to make a big splash.” For instance, Perot spent $63.5 million of his vast fortune on his first run. Nader, meanwhile, was well known for his history of consumer advocacy, a notoriety that helped him generate support for his candidacy. None of the current crop of third-party candidates has a comparable cachet. Barr is well known, but after leaving Hollywood to become a Hawaiian nut farmer, she isn’t considered a credible candidate. Libertarian nominee Johnson hasn’t caught fire. As for the Greens’ Stein, well, she tried to make her mark with a $110,000 ad buy back in August. Her candidacy hasn’t gained momentum since. To be fair, Obama and Romney have shelled out about $883.8 million in ad spending to date; so Stein’s buy was like sneezing into a hurricane. (Barr and Randall Terry, an anti-abortion, Independent presidential candidate, have made sporadic buys, but nothing close to Stein’s, according to Smart Media Group, a media buying firm based in Virginia). Texas Congressman Ron Paul (R) is one candidate who might have captured the media spotlight. He had significant support in Iowa, the lead off caucus state, according to Hagle. But after losing to Romney in the GOP primary, “Paul decided to work through the Republican Party” and not make an independent bid. Paul’s Libertarian supporters—along with cable news commentators—have not gravitated to Johnson. Some activists have toyed with the idea of a moderate third party candidate entering the race, but Hagle believes that prospect is even more doomed than making a Green Party run. “It’s hard to be passionate when you’re in the middle,” says Hagle. Though shut out of the four presidential and vice presidential debates, third-party candidates have organized their own forums. Free and Equal Elections Foundation, a non-profit group promoting ballot access for third-party candidates, hosted an October 23 debate in Chicago, which was moderated by broadcaster Larry King. In case you, like the vast majority of the country’s media consumers, missed the October 23 discussion, Free and Equal Elections Foundation plans to stage another, with Stein, Johnson, Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party and former Virginia Representative Virgil Goode of the Constitution Party, on October 30 in Washington. For show times broadcast URLs, consult the Free and Equal Elections website. I believe that most voters already know who they’re going to vote for before the cast their ballot. That’s why it amazes me when my mail box fills up with all those negative political ads, attacking one candidate or another, from organizations you never knew existed. Usually, I just throw them in the trash, because that’s where they belong. After all, I’ve already decided who I’m voting for, and these negative political attack ads aren’t going to influence that. However, one caught my eye. It was a magazine, yes, that’s right, a 43-page, professionally printed magazine, with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s picture on the cover, and claiming to be a voter’s guide. I didn’t realize that it was an attack ad until after I began to read it. The ad attacked Sen. Nelson on everything he has ever done while in office, and accusing him of being an “Obama Clone.” It was produced by a group calling themselves “Freedom Works for America,” out of Washington, D.C. It was amazing to me that these people spent millions of dollars producing and distributing this “magazine” throughout Florida, just to attack Sen. Nelson. Now, I don’t support Sen. Nelson anyway, never have, but I couldn’t help but wonder where do you suppose they got the money from? RNC? That wouldn’t surprise me. Will it influence the way I’m going to vote in the U.S. Senate race? No! But, the next time the RNC asks me for a donation, I’ll think twice about it. So I threw in the trash. What a waste. ‘TEDDYBEAR’ Lee County voters will be facing a massive ballot this year, which will include federal, state and local races, 11 proposed Constitutional Amendments by the Florida Legislature and a proposed county referendum that will allow slot machines at the Fort Myers-Naples dog track in Bonita Springs. As far as I’m aware, ABATE of Florida, Inc. has not put out a “voters guide” this year. Hopefully, all of you have done your homework and know who you are going to vote for before you go to the polls. However, just in case you’re not sure about something on this year’s ballot, I’ll give you a brief snap-shot of the candidates, the proposed amendments and the referendum, along with my picks, comments and recommendations.

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT (Cont.) November 2012
Federal Office: President / Vice President: Barack Obama / Joe Biden (incumbent), Democrat Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan, Republican 10 - Third-Party candidates, and several write-in candidates. My Pick: Romney/Ryan. United States Senator: Bill Nelson (incumbent), Democrat Connie Mack, Republican 2 - NPA candidates and several write-in candidates. My Pick: Connie Mack U.S. House of Representatives, District 17: Tom Rooney, Republican William Bronson, Democrat Tom Bauman, Write-in My Pick: Tom Rooney U.S. House of Representatives, District 19: Trey Radel, Republican Jim Roach, Democrat Brandon Smith, NPA My Pick: Trey Radel State Office: Florida Supreme Court Justices: 3 – Florida Supreme Court Justices are up for merit retention. My Recommendation: Yes Second District Court of Appeal Judges: 4 – Second District Court of Appeal Judges are up for merit retention. My Recommendation: Yes State Representative, District 77: Arvella Clare, Democrat Dane Eagle, Republican My Pick: Dan Eagle State Representative, District 78: Kerry Babb, NPA Heather Fitzenhagen, Republican My Pick: Heather Fitzenhagen State Senator, District 30: Lizbeth Benacquisto, Republican Debbie Jordan, Democrat My Pick: Lizbeth Benacquisto Countywide/Local Offices: Lee County Commissioner, District 1: John Manning (incumbent), Republican Gerard David, Write-in My Pick: John Manning Lee County Commissioner, District 2: Cecil Pendergrass, Republican John Sawyer, NPA Neal Moore, Write-in My Pick: Cecil Pendergrass Lee County Commissioner, District 3: Larry Kiker, Republican Charlie Whitehead, NPA My Pick: Larry Kiker Lee County Commissioner, District 5: Frank Mann, Republican Matt Miller, IPF My Pick: Frank Mann Lee County School Board, District 2: Jeanne Dozier (incumbent), Non-Partisan Robert “Bob” Chilmonik, Non-Partisan My Pick: Jeanne Dozier Lee County Sheriff: Mike Scott (incumbent), Republican Lee Bushong, NPA Christian Meister, Write-in My Pick: Mike Scott Lee County Tax Collector: Larry Hart (incumbent), Republican James Chandler, NPA My Pick: Larry Hart Countywide/Special District Office: Lee Memorial Hospital Board, District 1: Marilyn Stout (incumbent), Non-Partisan Steve Brown (incumbent), Non-Partisan Frank Antos, Non-Partisan My Pick: Marilyn Stout & Steve Brown Lee County Hospital Board, District 3: Sandy Cohen, Non-Partisan David Collins, Non-Partisan Kenneth Morris, Non-Partisan Lewis Robinson, Non-Partisan Bob “Smitty” Smith, Non-Partisan My Pick: Sandy Cohen & Lewis Robinson Lee Memorial Hospital Board, District 5: Donald Brown (incumbent), Non-Partisan James Green (incumbent), Non-Partisan Jessica Carter, Non-Partisan William Glover, Non-Partisan Stephanie Meyer, Non-Partisan My Pick: Donald Brown & William Glover

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT (Cont.) November 2012
Proposed Constitutional Amendments Groups ranging from Florida’s League of Women Voters to Lee County’s elections office staff to local political activists report unprecedented voter frustration over proposed constitutional amendments on this year’s ballot. Most, if not all, should or could be passed via legislation, most experts agree; for various reasons, the Legislature preferred to put them on the ballot, and because lawmakers last year loosened restrictions on what they can put on the ballot, it’s likely this trend of long and confusing proposals will continue. There are many websites with an easy explanation of the amendments, including news-press.com/election. Florida’s League of Women Voters offers nonpartisan, “plain English” explanations of the proposals on their site. League of Women Voters leaders, who previously often advised skipping amendments that are not fully understood, changed that position this year. Now they advise voting no on any that cause undue confusion, hopefully sending lawmakers a signal of voters’ disapproval of their tactics. Joe Mazurkiewicz, a Lee County political and government consultant, took much that same tack in his presentation on the proposed amendments to BUPAC this week. Mazurkiewicz was there to offer nonpartisan explanation of the proposals; he also made it clear he believes most of the amendments do not belong in the constitution and should or could be dealt with by law. Many of the proposals that sound good have consequences that aren’t often spelled out, he said, pointing specifically to Amendment 4, which has perhaps gotten the most publicity. Backed by Florida real estate interests and opposed by city and county associations, the amendment seems to give first-time homebuyers a tax break. But the definitions of “first-time home buyer” in this case are more complicated and different than most people imagine, he said. It also deals with other tax-related matters that can have unexpected consequences; while parts may sound like a tax break, he said, local governments would lose hundreds of millions. “If this passes, we will still need things like police and fire protection, and schools,” he said. “Those things will still have to be paid for, and local governments will find some other way to pay for them.” He predicted a host of new taxes if it passes, because the deficit created will be so large even basic services would be in trouble. Amendment 5, which deals with judicial reform, “is terribly bad legislation,” he said; it’s little more than a personality squabble between lawmakers and judges after the courts ruled against some legislative leaders’ pet bills. He urged a no vote to send lawmakers a message that voters believe in America’s traditional separation of power. Amendment 11, which lets counties give low-income seniors a property tax break, is a classic example of something that sounds good on a campaign brochure for its sponsors, Mazurkiewicz said. In fact, the definition of which seniors would qualify for that break, even if counties grant it, is so narrow that very few meet the criteria, he said. But the most unbelievable proposal, he said, might be Amendment 12, whose explanation is more complicated than its action. It deals with a problem faced by Florida State University, which — because of its decision not to join a student association with other state schools — can’t participate in some student-related boards that require membership in the association. “They could just join” the larger group, Mazurkiewicz said. “Why do we have to amend the Constitution for something like this? It’s such a load of horse hockey.” No Amendment 7 Two other ballot matters Lee County elections officials said they get constant questions on: • There is no Amendment 7. It was struck down by the courts, but legal restrictions prevent renumbering other amendments. Many lists may appear to have omitted Amendment 7, but in fact, Amendment 7 no longer exists. • The ballot question about allowing slot machines at the Bonita Springs dog track is not a constitutional amendment; it will not be found in any compilation of amendment explanations. It’s a separate matter, solely for Lee County, and appears on ballots after the amendments, which puts it at or near the end of most ballots. Regardless of confusion, as of Friday morning 39,900 mail-in, or absentee, ballots had been returned in Lee County. That’s almost half the 86,000 requested. Republicans requested about 42,000 mail-in ballots and almost half those have been returned. Democrats asked for 18,600 and returned 12,600; about 18,600 others requested with 7,770 returned. Traditionally, Republicans outperform Democrats in absentee voting. But this year Democrats pursued those who vote by mail, sending as many as three request applications to frequent Democratic voters. Bottom line: For almost 40,000 Lee County voters, the election is over. Fundraising Another incumbent who’s gotten attention for successful fundraising is state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers. She faces a Democratic challenger, Debbie Jordan, in a GOP stronghold. Jordan has raised about $7,000; Benacquisto reports $647,000. Voters often ask, in races like these, why a candidate continues raising money. Reasons exist, especially for legislative candidates who tap into donations from businesses and interest groups involved with making laws. If the candidates don’t use all the money in their own race, they can use it to assist other candidates, creating relationships that can be helpful for things like gathering votes on a bill or a cause. They also can donate almost unlimited amounts to their political party, or to charities, both of which also can help solidify relationships. Amendment 1: IN BRIEF: Amendment 1 prohibits laws or rules compelling anyone to buy health insurance. ANALYSIS: Amendment 1 is essentially a referendum on the Affordable Care Act. If you favored the ACA, you would want to vote against Amendment 1. If you opposed the ACA, you would want to vote for Amendment 1. RECOMMENDATION: Vote Yes. Amendment 2: IN BRIEF: Under Amendment 2, about 74,000 more veterans disabled in combat would qualify for a property tax break prorated based on their percentage of disability. ANALYSIS: This amendment corrects an inequity. Veterans who are now Florida residents and who suffered disabling injuries during combat while in service to our country deserve a break on their property taxes, even if they were not Florida residents when they entered the service. (A previous amendment allowed veterans who were already Florida residents when they entered the military to be eligible for this property tax break.) RECOMMENDATION: Vote Yes. Amendment 3: IN BRIEF: Amendment 3 caps growth in state spending at no more than the rate of inflation and population growth instead of the current cap, which is based on growth in personal income.

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT (Cont.) November 2012
RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. Amendment 4: IN BRIEF: Amendment 4 includes several elements. One caps the rate of increase in the assessed value of non-homestead property such as businesses and rental properties. Another deals with a situation caused by the “recapture rule,” in which the assessed (taxable) value of a home could increase even if the home’s actual market value has declined. The third provision provides new homebuyers with a large additional homestead exemption that is gradually phased out. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. Amendment 5: IN BRIEF: Amendment 5’s main features include Senate confirmation of the Governor’s nominees for the Florida Supreme Court and more legislative oversight over judicial rules. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. Amendment 6: IN BRIEF: Amendment 6 would address a situation complicated by previous court rulings and would clarify that the state Constitution’s privacy provision should not be construed to allow taxpayer funding of abortions. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. Amendment 8: IN BRIEF: Amendment 8 repeals the so-called “Blaine Amendment,” which prohibits the appropriation of public funds, directly or indirectly, in aid of religion. Repeal would allow faith-based entities to receive public funds for providing public services. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. Amendment 9: IN BRIEF: Amendment 9 would grant an additional tax exemption to the surviving spouses of veterans and of first responders such as police officers and firefighters. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. Amendment 10: IN BRIEF: Amendment 10 would grant approximately 150,000 Florida businesses, many of them small, an increase in the tax exemption on “tangible personal property” (machinery, office equipment, furniture, etc.) to $50,000 from the current $25,000. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. Amendment 11: IN BRIEF: Amendment 11 would allow local governments to grant a substantial property tax break to low-income seniors — currently defined as those earning less than $27,030 a year — and residing for at least 25 years in homes whose values have risen as high as $250,000, thereby making their tax bills beyond their means. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No: Amendment 12: IN BRIEF: Amendment 12 changes the procedure the state Constitution currently provides for selecting the student representative on the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System. Instead of designating the head of the Florida Student Association (a group that not all state universities join) the representative would be chosen by a council comprising the student body presidents. RECOMMENDATION: Vote No. “If the provisions of the Constitution can be set aside by an Act of Congress, where is the course of usurpation to end? The present assault upon capital is but the beginning. It will be but the stepping-stone to others, larger and more sweeping, till our political contests will become a war of the poor against the rich; a war growing in intensity and bitterness.” JUSTICE STEPHEN J. FIELD The ballot question about allowing slot machines at the Bonita Springs dog track. My Recommendation: Vote No. Even if this referendum gets voter approval, it will most likely not be approved by the state of Florida. Local slots can’t be installed without a state law or constitutional amendment. Attorney General Pam Bondi ruled that local referendums are illegtimate because voters in 2004 approved a statewide constitutional amendment allowing just Broward and Miami-Dade counties to conduct slot referendums. Also, the Seminole Tribe has a 20-year, $1 billion contract with the state that would give them a slots monopoly outside Miami-Dade and Broward through 2030. If slots are installed anywhere in Florida outside Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the Seminole Tribe would stop payments to the state for breach of contract. Lee County Mosquito Control District, Area 1: Lawrence Murphy, (incumbent) Melissa Dortch My Pick: Lawrence Murphy

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT (Cont.) November 2012
From ABATE of Florida, Inc.: Hey Everyone, The state highway safety agency is pushing for a new license plate that's easier for cameras to read to save money on lost tolls and fines. In its proposed budget for the coming year, released Monday and set for approval by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet later this month, the agency says it wants lawmakers to approve the use of more than $23 million in various existing fees to buy new plates with a goal of replacing all plates within two years. The agency will present its budget proposal at the Oct. 23 Cabinet meeting. Agencies had to make their budget requests public by Monday. The request wouldn't include any new spending – the money already comes into the agency's trust fund through tag renewals and other fees, but legislative approval is needed to change how it is spent. One of the key reasons the state wants to replace the plates is to reduce lost tolls, which are increasingly collected by mail after cameras read plates. The redesign is expected to increase collection of tolls by $4.8 million, according to the agency's agenda for the next Cabinet meeting. "This number is expected to grow as open road tolling expands," the agency's agenda says. In the first three months of this year more than 600,000 vehicles per month went through toll booths and couldn't be billed because a camera couldn't read the plate number. That's about 10 percent of the vehicles going through the booths. The state also has to spend money for people to read the plates the cameras can't read. Public safety is also part of the equation. "The improved fonts and the simplistic graphic will also improve readability for the human eye, thereby improving the accuracy of information provided to and used by law enforcement," the agency's recently-released study on the redesign idea says. "These changes improve toll enforcement and red light enforcement, but also serve as an important safety initiative for law enforcement and all drivers on Florida’s roads." The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles last week released proposed designs for the new plate. Little noticed when they did: the new plate has seven characters instead of the current six. The reason? Math – more plates means we need more numbers. "Due to limitations in design and manufacturing methods, Florida is within a few years of running out of unique six character combinations on its license plates," the DHSMV says in its legislative budget request documents. "A redesign that results in a different manufacturing method … could result in the ability to use character configurations not currently available as well as the addition of a seventh character, thus resulting in millions of new configurations." If the plan moves forward as expected, it would mean replacing more than 10 million plates. In its budget documents, the department says it has begun developing information to go out to possible bidders for creating the plate, and that actual project costs could vary after bids come in. License Plate Overhaul Slows Down State highway safety officials are putting on hold for at least a short time a plan to redesign state license plates, and to privatize their distribution following objections from tax collectors. The proposal to redesign the state's license plate to make it more legible by toll booth cameras and police was originally scheduled for a vote by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet on Tuesday, but the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles pulled the proposal from the agenda.

Battle Takes Shape About Local Gun Law This is from the News Service of Florida by Jim Saunders..... A Leon County circuit judge Wednesday said two South Florida counties can pursue a legal challenge against Gov. Rick Scott about a state crackdown on local gun restrictions, though the House and Senate will be dropped from the case. Palm Beach County commissioners late last year filed a constitutional challenge to a 2011 law that subjects city and county officials to personal fines and possible removal from office if they try to stiffen gun regulations. Broward County was allowed to formally intervene in the case Wednesday. Circuit Judge John Cooper said during a hearing that the counties can continue suing Scott over part of the law that would give the governor the power to remove local officials for violations --- a provision that Palm Beach and Broward say exceeds the governor's constitutional authority. But Cooper went along with state requests to dismiss other parts of the case, including the House, Senate and Attorney General Pam Bondi as defendants. That decision also would effectively prevent a challenge to the constitutionality of the fines that could be imposed on local officials. Cooper said Scott should remain a defendant because the law would give him enforcement power, while the Legislature or Bondi wouldn't have such authority. Courts would assess the fines, which could be up to $5,000. Cooper said local officials could later challenge the constitutionality of the fines if they have to defend themselves against alleged violations of the law. Palm Beach County attorney Amy Taylor Petrick raised the possibility of appealing Cooper's decision to dismiss parts of the case, though she said county commissioners ultimately would have to make such a decision. Petrick said the law was intended as a "political threat" to prevent gun restrictions and that the prospect of fines could stop local officials from considering gun-related measures. "No one can be expected to put themselves on the line in such a fashion,'' she said. Jason Vail, an attorney for the state, asked Cooper to also dismiss Scott as a defendant, saying there is no "immediate threat of injury to the county commissioners." But Cooper pointed to what he described as a potential "chilling effect" on the duties and rights of local elected officials. "I think the nature of the statute invites heightened scrutiny for what it attempts to regulate,'' he said. The case is rooted in a longstanding state law --- known as a "preemption" law --- that is designed to prevent local governments from passing gun ordinances that are stricter than what the Legislature has approved. With gun-rights advocates arguing that cities and counties were not complying with the preemption law, the Republicancontrolled Legislature approved the measure last year to penalize local officials who try to impose tougher regulations.

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT (Cont.) November 2012
The lawsuit filed by Palm Beach County commissioners argues that the threat of personal fines and removal from office violate the "legislative immunity" that local officials typically have when they pass ordinances. Also, it says counties have some authority to make decisions about gun issues, such as in part of the state constitution that allows them to require criminal records checks and waiting periods when firearms are sold to people who do not have concealed-weapon permits. This is the latest from The AMA on the 4 gallon fuel issue. Four-gallon minimum fuel mandate: EPA fails to meet deadline in response to congressional letter seeking answers Take Action! Please urge the EPA to respond! On Sept. 10, the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency addressed to Administrator Lisa Jackson. The congressional letter is seeking answers from the EPA on its recent decision to mandate consumers purchase at least four gallons of fuel from certain blender pumps that dispense both E15 and E10 gasoline-ethanol blends. To date, no manufacturer has introduced a mass production motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle designed to operate on E15 fuel. The letter had a Sept. 24 deadline to respond. To date, the EPA has not responded to the congressional letter. As the American Motorcyclist Association previously reported, the EPA revealed the requirement to the AMA in a letter dated Aug. 1, responding to AMA concerns that E15 -- a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume – could be put in motorcycle and ATV fuel tanks inadvertently when consumers use blender pumps. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose. “With E15 gasoline, our members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less gasoline may be unknowingly refueling with residual fuel left in the hose,” Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, wrote in a June 20 letter to Jackson. “Unlike an automobile or SUV with a large fuel tank, the residual fuel left in a fueling hose could be detrimental to the performance of motorcycle or ATV engines due to the small size of their fuel tanks and the higher concentration of ethanol that would, therefore, be present in the fuel,” Allard wrote. “In addition, the use of E15 will lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure,” he wrote. “Use of E15 fuel voids many manufacturer warranties. In off-road engines, the effects can even be dangerous for users.” Byron Bunker of the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory responded to the AMA on behalf of Jackson. “EPA requires that retail stations that own or operate blender pumps either dispense E15 from a dedicated hose and nozzle if able or, in the case of E15 and E10 being dispensed from the same hose, require that at least four gallons of fuel be purchased to prevent vehicles and engines with smaller fuel tanks from being exposed to gasoline-ethanol blended fuels containing greater than 10 volume percent ethanol,” Bunker wrote. “Additionally, EPA is requiring that retail stations that offer E10 and E15 from the same hose and nozzle use additional labeling to inform consumers about the minimum purchase requirement,” Bunker wrote. “Since motorcyclists and ATV users, as you suggest, have relatively small fuel tanks, they should pay careful attention to the labeling of blender pumps to ensure that an appropriate fuel is chosen, in this case E10 or E0,” he wrote. The problem with the new EPA policy is that not all motorcycle and ATV gas tanks hold four or more gallons. “Not only do we find it unacceptable for the EPA to mandate that our members buy minimum amounts of gas, but the EPA answer simply won’t work because of the sizes of many motorcycle and ATV gas tanks,” said Allard. “Furthermore, off-highway riders take containers of gas with them on their trips, and most times those containers are much smaller than four gallons. “The EPA needs to come up with a better solution,” he said. “The EPA also needs to back an independent study to determine whether E15 is safe for motorcycle and ATV engines.” The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available, and has asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15. In October 2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-2006 light-duty vehicles to the approved list. Riders should pay attention to this list because no motorcycles or ATVs are currently listed. The AMA is concerned about E15 because it burns hotter than gasoline that contains a lesser amount of ethanol. In engines not designed to dissipate that extra heat, damage in the form of premature wear can result. Although this is a concern in all motorcycles, it's particularly problematic for air-cooled engines found in many motorcycles and ATVs. Moreover, use of E15 may even void the manufacturer warranty. Since the approved list includes many light-duty vehicles in use today, refineries, distributors, and fueling stations may choose to offer primarily E15 gasoline because of this action by the EPA. The new EPA policy should concern all motorcyclists and off-highway enthusiasts because this can affect the availability of gasoline with less or no ethanol (E10 or E0). See you in the wind,

‘TEDDYBEAR’

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ELECTION CANIDATES
President and vice president Mitt Romney Paul Ryan Barack Obama Joe Biden Thomas Robert Stevens Alden Link Gary Johnson James P. Gray Virgil H. Goode, Jr. James N. Clymer Jill Stein Cheri Honkala Andre Barnett Kenneth Cross Stewart Alexander Alex Mendoza Peta Lindsay Yari Osorio Roseanne Barr Cindy Sheehan Tom Hoefling Jonathan D. Ellis Ross C. “Rocky” Anderson Luis J. Rodriguez REP DEM Bill Gaylor OBJ LBT LEE COUNTY SHERIFF CPF GRE REF SOC PSL PFP AIP JPF Mike Scott Lee Bushong REP NPA Chris Borgia NPA NPA UNITED STATES SENATOR Connie Mack Bill Nelson REP DEM

Write-in____________________________

LEE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR Larry Hart James P. Chandler REP NPA

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 1 John E. Manning REP

Write-in___________________________ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 2 Cecil L. Pendergrass John W. Sawyer III REP NPA

Write-in___________________________ REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, DISTRICT 19 Trey Radel Jim Roach Brandon M. Smith PG 18 REP DEM NPA

Write-in___________________________ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 3 Larry Kiker Charlie Whitehead REP NPA

BLUE or GREY TEXT = BIKER FRIENDLY

ELECTION CANIDATES
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 5 Frank Mann Matt Miller REP NPA JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT Shall Justice Barbara J. Pariente of the Supreme Court be retained in office? YES NO JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT Shall Justice Peggy A. Quince of the Supreme Court be retained in office? YES NO DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL Shall Judge Anthony K. Black of the 2nd District Court of Appeal be retained in office? YES NO DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL Shall Judge Darryl C. Casanueva of the 2nd District Court of Appeal be retained in office? YES NO DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL Shall Judge Charles A. Davis Jr. of the 2nd District Court of Appeal be retained in office? YES NO

LEE MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM, DISTRICT 1 Frank Antos Jr. Steve Brown Marilyn Stout LEE MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM, DISTRICT 3 Sandy Cohen David F. Collins Kenneth James Morris Lewis Robinson Bob “Smitty” Smith LEE MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM, DISTRICT 5 Donald A. Brown Jessica Carter William L. Glover James Green Stephanie Meyer JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT Shall Justice R. Fred Lewis of the Supreme Court be retained in office? YES NO

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ELECTION CANIDATES
DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL Shall Judge Edward C. LaRose of the 2nd District Court of Appeal be retained in office? YES Joseph L. Whalen NO MEMBER SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 2 Robert “Bob” Chilmonik Jeanne S. Dozier EAST COUNTY WATER CONTROL DISTRICT, SEAT 1 Neal Horrom Dewey A. Tyler Michael J. Welch EAST COUNTY WATER CONTROL DISTRICT, SEAT 5 Nathan Stout Edward “Edd” Terry Weiner LEE COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT, AREA 1 Melissa Dortch Lawrence J. Murphy EAST COUNTY WATER CONTROL DISTRICT, SEAT 3 Frank T. LaRosa Kenneth K. Thompson

Our military men & women fought and died for your rights! Honor their sacrifice by VOTING TODAY!

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AMENDMENTS
NO 1 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENMENT ARTICLE 1, SECTION 28
Health Care Services Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to prohibit laws or rules from compelling any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for healthcare coverage; permit a person or an employer to purchase lawful healthcare services directly from a healthcare provider; permit a healthcare provider to accept direct payment from a person or an employer for lawful healthcare services; exempt persons, employers and healthcare providers from penalties and taxes for paying directly or accepting direct payments for lawful health care services; and prohibit laws or rules from abolishing the private market for health care coverage of any lawful health care services. Specifies that the amendment does not affect which healthcare services a healthcare provider is required to perform or provide; affect which health care services are permitted by law; prohibit care provided pursuant to general law relating to workers’ compensation; affect laws or rules in effect March 1, 2010; affect the terms or conditions of any health care system to the extent that those terms and conditions do not have the effect of punishing a person or an employer for directly for lawful health care services or a healthcare provider for accepting direct payment from a person or an employer for lawful healthcare services; or affect any general law passed by two-thirds vote of the membership of each house of the Legislature, passed after the effective date of the amendment, provided such law states which specificity the public necessity justifying the exceptions from the provisions of the amendment. The amendment expressly provides that it may not be construed to prohibit negotiated provisions in insurance contracts, network agreements, or other provider agreements contractually limiting copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other patient charges.

NO 2 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTION 6 Article XII, Section 32 Veterans Disabled Due to Combat Injury; Homestead Property Tax Discount Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article VII and the creation of Section 32 of Article XII of the State Constitution to expand the availability of the property discount on the homesteads of veterans who became disabled as the result of a combat injury to include those who were not Florida residents when they entered the military and schedule the amendment to take effect January 1, 2013.

NO 3 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTION 1 AND 19 Article XII, Section 32
State Government Revenue Limitations This proposed amendment to the State Constitution replaces the existing state revenue limitations based on Florida personal income growth with a new state revenue limitations based on inflation and population changes. Under the amendment, state revenues, as defined in the amendment, collected in excess of the revenue limitation must be deposited into the budget stabilization fund until the fund reaches its maximum balance , and thereafter shall be used for the support and maintenance of public schools by reducing from school districts for participation in a state funded education finance program, or, if the minimum financial effort is no longer required, returned to the tax payers. The Legislature may increase the state revenue limitation through a bill approved by a super majority vote of each house of the Legislature. The Legislature may also submit a proposed increase in the state revenue limitation to the voters. The Legislature must implement this proposed amendment by general law. The amendment will take effect upon approval by the electors and will apply to the 2014-2015 state fiscal year.

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AMENDMENTS
NO 4 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE VII , SECTION 4 AND 6 ARTICLE XIII, SECTIONS 27, 32, AND 33
Property Tax Limitations; Property Value Decline; Reduction for No homestead Assessment Increases; Delay of Scheduled Repeal 1) This would amend Florida Constitution Article VII, Section 4 (Taxation; assessment) and Section 6 (Homestead exemptions). It would also amend Article XII, Section 27, and add Sections 32 and 33, relating to the Schedule for the Amendments. 2) In certain circumstances, the law requires the assessed value of homestead and specified non homestead property to increase when the just value of the property decreases. Therefore, this amendment proves that the Legislature may, by general law, provide that the assessment of homestead and specified non homestead property may not increase if the just value of that property is less than the just value of the property on the preceding January 1, subject to any adjustment in the assessed value due o the changes, additions reductions or improvements to such property which are assessed as provided for by general law. This amendment takes effect upon approval by the voters. If approved at a special election held on the date of the 2012 presidential preference primary, it shall operate retroactively to January 1, 2012, or if approved at the 2012 general election, shall take effect January 1, 2013. 3) This amendment reduces from 10 percent to 5 percent the limitation on annual changes in assessments of no homestead real presidential preference primary, it shall operate retroactively to January 1, 2012 or, if approved at the 2012 general election, takes effect January 1, 2013. 4) This amendment also authorizes general law to provide, subject to conditions specified in such law, an additional homestead exemption to every person who establishes the right to receive the homestead exemption provided in the Florida Constitution within 1 year after purchasing the homestead property and who has not owned property in the previous 3 calendar years to which the Florida homestead exemption applied. The additional homestead exemption shall apply to all levies expect school district levies. The additional exemption is an equal to 50 percent of the homestead property's just value on January 1 of the year the homestead is established. The additional homestead exemption may not exceed an amount equal to the median just value of all homestead property within the county where the property at issue is located for the calendar year immediately preceding January 1 of the year the homestead is established. The additional exemption shall apply for the shorter of 5 years or the year of sale of the property. The amount of the additional exemption shall be reduced in each subsequent year by an amount equal to 20 percent of the amount of the additional exemption received in the year the homestead was established or by an amount equal to the difference between the just value of the property and the assessed value of the property determined under Article VII, Section4(d), whichever is greater. Not more than one such exemption shall be allowed per homestead was established at one time. The additional exemption applies to property purchased on or after January 1, 2011, if approved by the voters at a special election held on the date of the 2012 presidential preference primary, or to property purchased on or after January 1, 2012, if approved by the voters at the 2012 general election. The additional exemption is not available in the sixth and subsequent years after it is first received. The amendment shall take effect upon approval by the voters. If approved at a special election held on the date of presidential preference primary, it shall operate retroactively to January1, 2012, or if approved at a special election held on the date of the 2012 general election, takes effect January 1, 2013. 5) This amendment also delays until 2023, the repeal, currently scheduled to take effect in 2019, of constitutional amendments adopted in 2008 which limit annual assessment increases for specified non homestead real property. This amendment delays until 2022 the submission of an amendment proposing the abrogation of such appeals to the voters.

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AD EXPIRES: TRADE

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SOUTHWEST CHAPTER LIFE MEMBERS

Keith Baker Darrell Barnett Denee Bartels Scott Blink Chet Butz James Burkholder Nora Burkholder Don Campbell Frances Cazes Wayne Cerra Jonathan Conant Terry Covington Audrey Cran Maggie Cran Rick Cran Rob Cran Robert “Cruz” Crusan Jim Crystal Dan Curry Ginny D’Asti Biffle Davis Mary Dicenzo-Porter Al Diagiaco Frank Disomma Cindy Doak

Randy Eck Brian Galvin Sonny Gartrell Lynnda Gray Larry Gullia Bob Hall Harry Hoover Jeff Hoover George Huttman Susan “Red” Huttman Dan Jackson Cindy “CJ” Jordan Frankie Kennedy John Kennedy Ed LaCombe Julio Lopez Mary Ann Rivera-Lopez “KD” Marlowe Russell May Rev.Rea Means Don Meredith Jr. Jo Ann Miller Kenneth Miller John Mitchell Jim Mozeleski Taylor Musburger Terry Padilla Bob Penn

Asuncsion Peppers Richard Peppers Victor Piorkowski Kathleen Provenzano Rev. Thomas Provenzano Bill Robinson Janet Rolfe Tabitha Rossi Roland Salsberry Jencye Schmitt Jerry Schmitt Bruce Scheiner Elsie Seif Robert Simon Kelly Smith Randall Spivey Richard Stergulz Sandy Stergulz Grandpa Stewart Lynda Stewart Russell Sullivan Scott Turner Ruth Vorys Teresa Webster D. Payton Wells Michael Wieland Jama Wyatt Steve Wyatt

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AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

Looking for a FEW GOOD MEN!!
The SWFL Chapter of Leathernecks Motorcycle Club Intl., Inc. We welcome Marine Veterans, FMF Corpsmen And Active Duty Men and Women Marines If you love riding a motorcycle and want the Brotherhood/Sisterhood you had in the Corps, then we are what you want!
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AD EXPIRES: TRADE

For further information contact RailRoad at: 239-321-3298 Or visit our website at: www.leathernecks-swfl.com

4120 Hancock Bridge Parkway, North Fort Myers, FL 33903

239-995-0340

AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

VerDow Motorcycle Repair, Inc.

(239) 332-1477 2531 Katherine St. Ft. Myers, FL 33901 All ABATE Members Receive a 10% Discount
AD EXPIRES: 01 Sep. 2013

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Mon 1 LAMA Ride @ Harley @ 6 PM 2 3 Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 The Joint’s Bike Night @ Cape Harbor 6-10 PM 7 8 9 Peace River Toy & Food Run 10 Nov 12 10 LAMA Chapter 4th Annual Birthday Bash @ Sun Sports Fort Myers Bike Night 14 15 16 13 The Joint’s Bike Night @ Cape Harbor 6-10 PM 20 The Joint’s Bike Night @ Cape Harbor 6-10 PM 27 The Joint’s Bike Night @ Cape Harbor 6-10 PM 21 LAMA Ride @ Harley @ 6 PM 17 LAMA Chapter Meeting @ HD Of Ft. Myers @ 10 AM 22 23 24 28 29 30

November 2012

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VETRANS DAY

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December 2012
Mon 1 Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 The Joint’s Bike Night @ Cape Harbor 6-10PM 5 6 LAMA Ride @ Harley @ 6 PM 7 8 ABATE STATE MEETING Duval Chapter Jacksonville, FL. 14 15 LAMA Chapter Meeting @ HD Of Ft. Myers @ 10 AM 20 21 22

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Ride to FLHRH Event 11 The Joint’s Bike Night @ Cape Harbor 6-10PM 18 The Joint’s Bike Night @ Cape Harbor 25 26 19 LAMA Ride @ Harley @ 6 PM 12 13

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Christmas

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New Years Eve

 Hooters Ride to Nowhere o When: Every Thursday at Hooters in Fort Myers o Time:7:30 – kickstands up at 9:30

SPORT BIKE COMMUNITY
Do you ride a sport bike? We are your source for information on rides and events that are geared towards your particular style. Check with us on a monthly basis regarding times and places for rides, events, and riding safety. ABATE of Florida is a non-profit organization that fights for your rights as a biker and advocates safety and awareness of bikers, for bikers. We are your voice in Tallahassee to change laws and get stiffer penalties for people that kill bikers in auto crashes. We also do special rides and events all year long. We look forward to making the sport bike community apart of our growing family. Membership is only $20 a year or $150 for a lifetime, and you also receive a FREE $4,000 life insurance policy. As a member, you also receive this newsletter via email every month, so you can keep informed on what’s going on around your area. Join us and help fight to change to general populations opinion of bikers. “Ride Hard but Ride Smart” UPCOMMING EVENTS
 Hooter Ride to Nowhere When: Every Thursday Where: Hooters of Fort Myers on US-41 Time: 7:30 - kickstands up at 9:30 Local Toys 4 Tots Toy Run When: Saturday November, 10th Where: Gatorz Bar and Grill, Port Charlotte, FL. Time: Registration 9-11, Kickstands up at 11AM. Everything ending around 4PM. Stops: Black Widow HD, Beef O Brady’s, Buffalo Wings and Rings, down to Tilley’s Tap in Punta Gorda and back to Gatorz. Details: $10 per hand and one unwrapped toy. There will be auctions, 50/50’s, drawings, and more. SO, come on out and lets give these kids a good Christmas. Florida Great Teddy Bear Run - 15th Annual When: Sunday November, 18th Where: At the Mall Parking Lot at the Shoppes of University. Ending at the Twin Lakes Park, Sarasota, FL. Time: 9:30-11:30 Kickstands up at 11:30. Event ending around 5 or 6PM.





Safety tips 1. Save your brain and wear a lid. 2. Never Expect that vehicles see you, always expect that they don’t and be prepared for a way out. 3. Take the “Stunting” to a secluded spot where no one else can get hurt. Recommendation to Beginner Riders Book: “How to Ride a Motor Cycle” by Pat Hahn It will teach the reader what to expect on the road in the first two years of riding. Name: Eddie “Crash” Mix Number: 239-440-4064 Name: David ”Flip” Johnston Number: 239-281-3419

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MEETING MINUTES
ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. SOUTHWEST CHAPTER GENERAL MEETING @ Harley Davidson
OCTOBER, 2012 THERE WAS NO MEETING IN OCTOBER Do to the changing of our scheduled general meetings from the 3rd Sunday of every month to the 1st Sunday.

CLASSIFIEDS


Our friend and Membership guy for the Caloosahatchee Chapter is a handyman and needs work really bad. f anyone needs a handyman or maintenance guy to call Rusty Pettifor at 239-265-4711. He does really good work and it would be great to be able to help out a fellow Abate member. No hand outs...just a job. Alpine Stars winter gauntlets $30.00 More info call Brett @ 623 414 9956



POST YOUR CLASSIFIED ADS HERE FOR FREE! Please, send all ads, w/contact info and description to: Kevin Barfield ABATE of Florida, Inc., SW Chapter Newsletter Editor [email protected]
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MEEMBERSHIP REPORT
Membership report: Welcome to October new members: Jerry Barnett Larry Patitucci Steve Goldstein Marva Savanick November Renewals: Elizabeth Barfield Gene Cerra Joe Cannizaro Lynn Davis Tracy Davis Tom Deere Renewing Members: Pete Agnello Dale Conrad Janise Turner Roger Miller Kevin Barfield Jimmie Dennis Alaina Dempsey William Clay Engh Wendy Mangina Eddie Mix Moe Moser Charles Robb Mike Sterling Ray Walters Phil West Paul Woytik

Renewals expire last day of your month Membership is $20.00 per year and includes a $4,000.00 Accidental death or dismemberment Policy Membership applications can be picked up at Bike Night weekly at the Joint in Cape Harbor on Tuesday’s from 6 – 9:30 pm Also at all your local motorcycle shops throughout Lee County where many offer discounts to ABATE card holders
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Editor’s Note

Hello Bothers and Sisters, We are looking for more members to step up and show support for the chapter by coming out to Bike Nights every Tuesday night at The Joint from 6-10. We aren’t looking for someone to stay the entire time, just an hour or so of your time would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance. Don’t forget our Veterans and Active Duty Military this Veterans Day (November, 11th)! We should thank a vet EVERY chance we get year-round! Without them, we would have much bigger concerns than our economy or unemployment. Thanksgiving is coming up and we ALL should give thanks for what we have. It’s easy to forget the small things we take for granted these days. Take pride in your achievements and not dwell on the things that have made life hard. We have all made poor decisions in life, but every thing happens for a reason. We wouldn’t be the people we are today without making a few mistakes. We would love to see you all around bike nights and all events in the future, so be safe, God bless, and... STAY ALERT...STAY ALIVE!!! Kevin

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SISTER CHAPTER INFORMATION
CALOOSAHATCHEE Meetings: every 3rd Friday at 7:00 PM Place: American Legion Post 90 4720 SE 15th Ave., Cape Coral, FL. GATOR ALLEY Meetings: every 4th Sunday at 11:00 AM Place: VFW Pine Ridge Rd., Naples, FL. (no meeting in Dec.) SOUTHWEST Meetings: every 4th Sunday at 10:00 AM Place: Harley Davidson of Ft. Myers 2160 Colonial Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL. NO MEETING IN OCTOBER (Meeting will be changed to the 1st weekend of every month starting 04 November 2012) ESTERO RIVER Meetings: every 3rd Sunday at 10:00 AM Place: San Carlos Country Club 19137 S. Tamiami Trail, Ft. Myers, FL. PEACE RIVER Meetings: every 4th Sunday at 11:00 AM Place: 4940 Pan American Blvd., North Port, FL.

WEST COAST Meetings: every 4th Sunday at 11:00 AM Place: Fruitville Park 5151 Richardson Rd., Sarasota, FL.

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THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS, ADVERTISERS AND SUPPORTERS OF OUR MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION
A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT AND THANKS TO OUR LOCAL EVENT PROMOTERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF OUR MRO
AD EXPIRES: TRADE

Place your COMPANY AD HERE Business Card, Half Page, or Full Page. Email to Chapter President for Approval
This newsletter is distributed by email and printed monthly.

Our Caring Circle Lets keep all of our Brothers & Sisters Safe and in our prayers This season! RIDE SAFE And just care for one another!

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AD EXPIRES: 01 Oct. 2012

Southwest Chapter Meeting Schedule This months Chapter Meeting Will be on November 4th @ 10:00 AM @ Harley Davidson of Fort Myers
Located at: 2160 Colonial Dr. Fort Myers, FL 33907 239-275-4647

southwest.abateflorida.com

KEEP UP TO DATE ON THE STATE WEB SITE
PRESS RELEASES, EVENTS, SAFETY www.abateflorida.com BRING A NEW MEMBER TO JOIN THE VOICES OF FLORIDA MOTORCYCLISTS
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AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

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AD EXPIRES: 31 Jul. 2013

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AD EXPIRES: 01 Oct. 2012

111 ~ Suite 1 Del Prado North Cape Coral ~ Florida 33909 239.574.2745 Douglas & Gina Holland, Owners

AD EXPIRES: 01 Nov. 2012

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AD EXPIRES: 01 Oct. 2012

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AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

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AD EXPIRES: TRADE

CHRIS PROFFITT
AD EXPIRES: TRADE

[email protected]

AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

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AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

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COME VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION LOCATED ON FORT MYERS BEACH!
Paradise Tropical Wine 159 Old San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL. 33931 (239) 233-8025

“Where it's all good, all the time!”
AD EXPIRES: 31 Jul. 2013 AD EXPIRES: 01 Sep. 2013

AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

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Florida’s Lee County Legislative Delegation
Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-74, Chairman 3501 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 305 Cape Coral, Fl. 33904-7223 Phone: (239) 344-4900 E-Mail: [email protected] Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-27 17595 S. Tamiami Trail Ft. Myers, Fl. 33967 Phone: (561) 753-2440 E-Mail: [email protected] Sen. Mike Bennett, R-21, Senate President Pro-Tem 3653 Cortez Road West, Suite 90, Bradenton, Fl. 34210 Phone: (941) 727-6349 E-Mail: [email protected] Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-73 2120 Main St., Suite 208 Fort Myers, Fl. 33901-3010 Phone: (239) 533-2411 E-Mail: [email protected] Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-72 410 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, Fl. 33950-4832 Phone: (941) 575-5820 E-Mail: [email protected] Sen. Garrett Richter, R-37 3299 E. Tamiami Trail, Suite 203, Naples, Fl. 34112-4961 Phone: (239) 417-6205 E-Mail: [email protected] Rep. Ken Roberson, R-71 17825 Murdock Circle, Suite B, Port Charlotte, Fl. 33948-4090 Phone: (941) 613-0914 E-Mail: [email protected]
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Rep. Trudi Williams, R-75 12811 Kenwood Lane, Suite 212, Fort Myers, Fl. 33907-5648 Phone: (239) 433-6775 E-Mail: [email protected] Office of Governor Rick Scott State of Florida The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 (850) 488-7146 E-Mail: www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott Office of Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll State of Florida The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St.. PL-05 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Telephone: (850) 488-4711 Facsimile: (850) 921-6114 E-Mail: www.ltgov.com/ContactUs.html Florida Senate Web site: www.flsenate.gov Office of Senate President Mike Haridopolos 404 S. Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 Phone: (850) 487-5229 E-Mail: [email protected]

Florida House of Representatives Web site:
www.myfloridahouse.gov The Honorable Dean Cannon, Speaker Florida House of Representatives 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 E-Mail: [email protected]

AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012

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ABATE MEMBERS RECEIVE A 10 % DISCOUNT WITH THEIR ABATE CARD

AD EXPIRES: 01 Dec. 2012 PG 48

11 12

ABATE of Florida, Inc., Southwest Chapter
PO BOX 60745 • Fort Myers, FL 33906

southwest.abateflorida.com

ADVERTISING APPLICATION
Name of Business: __________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________ Business Phone: _____________________________ Contact: ______________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ Phone:______________________ Cell: __________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________ Type of Ad: Business Card Quarter Page Half Page Full Page Duration of Ad: ____________________ Start Date of Ad: _____________________ Stop Date of Ad: ______________________ Authorized Signature: __________________________________________________ Print Name: ______________________________________________________ Type of Payment: Check _________ Check Number __________ Cash ___________

Advertisement Pricing
Business Card 6 Months 12 Months $55.00 $80.00 Quarter Page $85.00 $135.00 Half Page $145.00 $245.00 Full Page $200.00 $375.00

Full page 12 month advertisers will receive an additional 2 months FREE All advertisers will also receive a one year ABATE of Florida, Inc. membership which also includes a $4,000.00 accidental death policy All artwork must be submitted in PDF or JPEG format All advertising MUST be approved by the Southwest Chapter of Abate of Florida, Inc. For further information please contact

Wayne Cerra

239-989-3349 [email protected]
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AD EXPIRES: 01 Oct. 2012

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