I warned about legislation, Senate No. 2017 filed by the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, that would drastically increase fines up to $125.00 and add further penalties, including probation, for motorcyclists operating in Massachusetts wearing so-called “unapproved” or “novelty helmets,” or not wearing a helmet at all, and/or not wearing “approved” eye protection. Portions of those fines would be appropriated for the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund.
Senate #2017 also calls for motorcyclists to carry $50,000 in Medical Payments insurance with the trade-off being that motorcyclists over 21 years-old who have also passed a rider education course would be allowed to make their own choice about helmet use. That Medical Payments coverage would cost up to $400 more per year in your insurance premiums.
A $400 annual insurance increase seems pretty absorbent to buy freedoms that should be ours anyhow.
Fear not— REAL Helmet Law “Repeal” Legislation was also re-filed for the 2009-2010 legislative session.
Senate #1944, filed by Senator Michael W. Morrissey (D-Norfolk) entitled “An Act Relative To The Modification Of The Helmet Law,” has been sent to the Joint Committee on Transportation for initial consideration.
Senate #1944 allows motorcyclists over the age of twenty to make their own choice on helmet use. Senate #1944 also allows motorcyclists over the age of seventeen to make their own choice after passing the Motorcycle Safety Course.
Understand that this is re-filed legislation— not new language. I initially authored this legislation in 1996 and Senator Morrissey has been gracious enough to file it each session since.
Senator Morrissey has been one of Massachusetts Motorcycling’s biggest supporters since the 1980s when he first came to the Massachusetts Legislature in the House of Representatives. He has built-up a lifetime of respect amongst his legislative colleagues as a Representative and then with his election to the Massachusetts Senate. Motorcycling has always benefited from that respect.
During the 2007-2008 Massachusetts Legislative Session, this same language (then entitled Senate #2076) was the ONLY helmet law “repeal” language that stayed alive throughout the entire legislation session— unlike all other “repeal bills” killed in committee early in that session.
Last session this bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Transportation January 10th, 2007 and had a Public Hearing on June 26th.
Intense lobbying commenced. Having of the Senate’s most well-respected colleagues as the bill sponsor was a big plus. On March 26th, 2008 the bill was reported favorably from the Transportation Committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ethics and Rules .
Unfortunately no further action taken and the bill stayed alive in the ethics committee until the session ended on January 6th, 2009.
After being diagnosed with throat cancer on May 17th, 2007, fighting cancer became my priority. I became too ill for activism.
A.M.A. stalwart Paul Cote` really deserves the credit for the bill’s positive movement last session. With me being too ill, Paul did most of the work lobbying on it. Yet Paul had other priorities also. And Paul was working that bill ALONE! No one was helping him.
Even I have to admit that I did little to help Paul lobby that bill. Although I wrote the bill and filed it through Senator Morrissey, I can’t take credit for it’s positive movement. I wasn’t well enough. Paul Cote` and Senator Morrissey’s office deserve all the credit.
You may be wondering what happened last year WHY only Paul and Senator Morrissey’s staff worked on that bill?
Since all other helmet “repeal bills” died early on in the Transportation Committee, you’re probably wondering WHY the persons involved with the killed bills didn’t come help Paul and Senator Morrissey lobby for the “repeal bill” that did pass the committee?
I wondered about that myself. Even while bed-confined, I was in touch, somewhat, in being informed with it’s progress. Paul was more interested in my health progress and helping my family and I— yet he still kept me updated when he visited.
So what happened? Where were the so-called “grassroots motorcycling activists?”
Well, from the reports that I have received, they all went away on trips. Ego trips.
Some former members of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association’s (MMA) Board of Directors as well as visitors and guests at MMA Board of Directors meetings report to me that the MMA’s policy was NOT to support any legislation authored by Bill Gannon or filed by Senator Morrissey. This is reliable information from trust-worthy motorcyclists.
The above-mentioned individuals say that my name and this column are often a topic of discussion prior to (if not during) MMA Board Meetings. I appreciate their being loyal readers of my column.
The reason given to me for that policy is that MMA “leaders” were concerned that they wouldn’t get any positive recognition if the bill passed. They were equally concerned I would get positive recognition if the bill passed. That concern was also presented in a January 10th 2009 Internet Submission by the MMA’s District 2 Manager. I’m told they don’t like me— even though they’re always so very congenial to my face.
Apparently their noses got a little out of joint in the 2003-04 Legislative Session when MMA forgot to file a “helmet repeal bill” and it was revealed that the only “helmet repeal” language filed that session was mine. They made a mistake and forgot to file— yet they now disfavor me because I was vigilant and filed the only “repeal” bill in play that session.
So what?!?!?!!! The bill stalled in Senate Ways and Means that session. There was no credit due anyone, including me, because the bill was unsuccessful!!!
What is this stupid concern over who gets credit and who doesn’t?!?!?!???
When did motorcyclists’ freedom of choice become contingent on the MMA Board of Directors’ respective egos?!?!?!
When did credit become more important than results?!?!?!?!
It’s about FREEDOM of CHOICE people— not about getting your name in the newspaper!!! Massachusetts helmet law will NEVER be repealed if Massachusetts activists put their egos and personal feelings ahead of real issues!!!!
Let’s get it together people!!!
together— or even like each other. We only need to get the job done.
Pennsylvania set a wonderful example for us all with their repeal in 2003. If we follow their example, we can have it too. Pennsylvania didn’t get there by infighting, back-biting and sniping at people behind their backs. Pennsylvania did it by working in a united effort.
And how should the MMA explain this to their members that they chose against lobbying for a “repeal bill” that moved successfully through committee because they have personal issues with Senator Morrissey and myself? I would be interested in hearing that one.
MMA consistently asks their members, and the motorcycling community, for their hard-earned money to “advocate for and protect the rights of all riders.” MMA consistently asks their members to volunteer their free time to sell raffle tickets and promote fundraising at trade shows and events.
Yet MMA “leaders” put personal issues and ego ahead of legislative priority?!?!!!
Is that behavior considered “advocating for and protecting the rights of all riders” or being the “the voice of all Massachusetts Motorcyclists”— as they proclaim in their marketing promotions?
Please understand that, for the most part, MMA Officials are good people who have the best of intentions. Granted, every group always seems to have one or two weenies that can make the others look bad. Still we must admire and respect their volunteerism. At least they are doing something (I hope) in the legislative arena. Without MMA, there would be damn few of us representing motorcycling in the legislative arena.
But come on guys! Ignoring a successfully-moving “repeal bill” because you have personal issues with Senator Morrissey and I— plus your concerns that we might get the credit for it? That’s just plain stupid! You consistently ask the motorcycling community for their hard-earned dollars— they deserve much better than that stupid policy.
I have no concern about credit. My name is in this paper every month. So I get plenty of “credit” and I will gladly credit anyone else who volunteers and works hard to pass responsible motorcycling legislation. Just like this:
Thank You Mike Longtin!
Thank You Bruce Arsenault!
Thank You Doc Direcco!
Thank You Paul Cote`!
Thank You Karl Thober!
I’ve seen and appreciate your work for motorcyclists.
And that list can go on and on of good people I see making a difference in the legislative arena. Do something guys— I will gladly recognize your efforts and give you ALL of the credit for it. I get plenty; I don’t need yours. But you’ll learn that, even with well-deserved commendations, a cup of coffee will still cost you $1.
Because of this column, my readers are aware of Senate #1944. My readers know this as language I have authored and filed over the years, amongst other legislation. They see pictures of other activists and I with legislators lobbying on behalf of motorcycling. It’s well-documented is past editions over the years and in my own files. Thus, we can separate reality from the fiction that others may assert about my activism because they believe they’re smarter and can convince others of bullsh-t.
MMA’s District 2 Manager Gleason presented two Internet Offerings on January 10th and 12th, respectively, attacking Senate #1944, Paul Cote` and myself— while he also apparently applauded cancer, as a representative of MMA members. This type of bullsh-t MUST END if Massachusetts’ Motorcycling is to be legislatively successful.
Gleason doesn’t know me. I’m told we may have met but he’s apparently such an insignificant individual that it is understandable that I wouldn’t recall him. In all the years I’ve lobbied up to Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill, I don’t recall ever meeting him. However, in the last paragraph of his January 12th Internet Submission he admits to being “a weenie”— so, in that respect, I admire his honesty.
In his January 10th Internet Submission Gleason wrote that Senate #1944 was “a competing Helmet Bill.”
In competition with what?!! That stupid, pansy-assed bill that raises fines and insurance premiums for motorcyclists???!!!! But, using his silly logic, as I’ve been filing this legislation since I authored it in 1996 (and other “repeal bills” since 1985)— then I would say it is they who filed the “a competing Helmet Bill.” Massachusetts is one of the few states in this country that allows Constituent Petition— although mine is actually filed by a legislator and thus does not fall under protocol for Constituent Petition. None-the-less the fact that I get involved and file legislation as a concerned citizen and motorcyclist should be applauded— not looked upon as competition.
Gleason goes on to write that “(Gannon) is attempting to de-rail the MMA and Paul Cote` is there hand-in-hand with him” although he offers no evidence of how we’re “derailing” them. That’s just foolishness. Paul and I are good friends and meet socially more often than politically. I know few MMA “leaders” or members (it’s a small group) and only desire to derail that pansy-assed bill that raises fines and insurance premiums for motorcyclists— but not the clique itself. Hell, a few paragraphs ago I complimented their volunteerism.
Gleason writes about Senate #1944 (formerly Senate #2076), “The bill he mentions was an ABATE Bill; Condon was Chairman, I was Secretary: yet Gannon takes all of the credit!” and there is their concern about lost credit. Of course, regular readers of this column realize that he’s full of sh-t as my authorship of this legislation is well-documented and there was NO ABATE in Massachusetts until 2000— Senate #1944 (formerly Senate #2076) was first filed in 1996. I knew the ABATE Founders & officers at their inception and don’t recall any Gleason or Condon when ABATE initially asked me to sign on and present my legislative language which they would lobby for and support.
Furthermore, it also begs the question— if MMA’s policy is NOT to support legislation from Senator Morrissey and I— then why then does he even write about “Gannon taking the credit.” Of course, you just read my denying credit for Senate #2076’s positive movement; giving the credit to Paul Cote` and Senator Morrissey’s staff as my priority was fighting my cancer.
Yet the real measure of this man character comes from Gleason’s January 12th 2009 Internet Submission. As an official representing the MMA, he writes, “He (Gannon) IS a cancer, and the solution to cancer is to cut it out.” Real class, huh?
And I thought the MMA’s aims included supporting charities seeking cures for horrific diseases — not applauding same. What an extremely heartless comment to write insulting cancer victims and their families.
I can tell you first-hand how difficult it is for the friends and family members who must undergo the horrific strain of watching their loved ones dealing with daily torturous treatments that rob them physically and mentally while depriving them of their dignity. And sometimes they are small children. And sometimes they die.
With such a response, I would encourage the MMA to visit oncology centers on any given day and survey the tragedy therein. They should view fearful cancer victims, of all ages, with oppugn in their eyes but courage in their hearts. And view the families/ friends there to support their loved ones— holding their hands, eternally hopeful while their hearts are breaking watching the agony their loved one endures once their name is called from a roster of some nurse’s clipboard.
Perhaps, if MMA “leaders” to make such visits and observe the daily agony first-hand, they might understand what a heartless, classless comment their representative chose to present over the Internet.
I would never, ever, wish the horror of cancer and those debilitating, agonizing treatments on them or their families. As for Weenie Gleason, anytime he believes he is man enough to “cut this cancer out”— he is more than welcome. I’m easy to find. Come find me tough guy— and you can bring your choice of scalpels.
This type of bullsh-t MUST END if Massachusetts’ Motorcycling is to be legislatively successful. So much positive movement towards helmet choice has occurred in the past decade. The biggest obsticle standing in our way, apparently, is ourselves. We must get past the ego trips, personal animosities and unwarranted attacks to stand together with a untied purpose.
If MMA “leaders” can’t see that, then their membership must demand it or else stop handing their hard-earned dollars to an organization who’s leaders put their personal issues ahead of their members goals. I’m extending an olive branch for unity. Let’s hope it’s accepted and we can move together towards our comparable legislative goals.
In the meantime please contact your legislator. Ask your legislator to contact the Chairpersons of the Joint Committee on Transportation and ask to PASS Senate #1944 as responsible legislation for genuine helmet law modification.
It’s your bike, it’s your choice. Unite and Fight!!! WRITE!!!!!!!!!!
