As the Pink Floyd song goes,
and as we all know, these are tough economic times. Our family budgets
are pulled so tight they look like a bad face lift, and we trudge to work
each day not knowing where the next layoff's going to hit. Its our
obligation, as motorcyclists, to make sure that each and every penny
allotted to motorcycle safety in New York State, is, indeed used for
safety,
and not
harassment.
The money is in, ladies and
gentlemen! The
Governor's Traffic and Safety Committee Grant Award
listing has been posted at
www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/HS-Forms/grant-final2010.pdf
. I'd like to take this month's column to analyze and assess what the
law enforcement agencies in our great state may do with this money so
generously allotted for “motorcycle safety.”
The New York State Troopers come in (again) as this
year's big winner- $158, 853 for motorcycle safety. Gosh, I hope they
use that money to enforce the hand held cell phone law on the books.
We all know how unsafe that is for riders, and surely, the NYS Troopers are
concerned for our safety in that regard, right? Yeah. This money
will, most undoubtedly, supplement the federal grant money Lt. Halverson has
locked in for the continuation of motorcycle only roadblocks in New York
State.
I feel your pain, people!
I can only imagine
the pain of a great lady, Jean Aldus, who organized the fabulous AM-JAM at
the Cobleskill Fairgrounds each May for 25 years.
The Trooper roadblocks ruined that event, and many others. For the
sake of events like AM-JAM, and the many biker-friendly charities we ride
for, we must continue to let our representatives know how we feel about this
wolf called harassment wearing the sheep's clothing guise of safety.
Write the State Troopers and let them know they are not keeping us safe this
way. They're getting over $150 grand of your tax and tag money,
brothers and sisters... no harm in giving them suggestions on how to use it
more effectively.
That's what I did last year. As I got the
information on the GTSC grants last year, I realized that the suburb I was
about to move to had $8 grand or something awarded for “motorcycle
enforcement.” Zoinks; I looked into that fast... I think I told the
story here a few months ago- I asked Senator Joe Robach's office to look
into it since Greece Police Department was in their district, and jinkies,
come to find out, the GPD was using the money to train cops on motorcycles.
Cool. A few phone calls, a bit of the check and balance by John Q.
Public (Suzi Q Public), and shazam- accountability.
According to the
GTSC 2010 Awards for
Motorcycle Safety,
the following law enforcement agencies have been awarded the following
amounts:
Herkimer
Village Police Department: $7,200
Corning
City Police Department: $6,000
Suffolk County
Police Department: $30,000
Warren County
Sheriff's Department: $30,000
If you live in any of these areas, please contact the
officials, and tell them that you are curious what the money is going to be
used for, and if they ask you why you want to know, you tell them, (ever so
sweetly, and with a smile) “Because I pay my taxes and I have a right to
know what they are going for.” If you need any help, just contact me
here on my link, and we'll make a plan...
In the meantime, since the cops in my area got no
money this year, I shall continue my efforts with
ABATE to provide ideas to the DMV for the use of
their grant award ($27,500), and work with Mitch Proner in collecting
testimony to continue the civil lawsuit against the NYS Troopers for
harassment and discrimination.
“Good men are bound by conscience and liberated by
accountability.” (Wes Fessler)
Ride on!
Suzi Q
