FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK...

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

JUNE 2009

Will Louisiana Bikers Have a Choice?

Well readers,once again the helmet choice issue has come to the forefront

and based on Gov.Jindal ’s opinions on the matter and the influences in our

favor,this should pass the Senate with little resistance.2009 may be the year

for adult bikers to once again have the freedom to choose lids or no lids.

Of course this brings up all kinds of issues from the pro-helmet as well as

the pro-choice crowds.And do realize,they both exist in the motorcycling

community as there are many strong supporters of helmet use within our

community.And this is the beauty of the whole issue.

For me personally,(and I speak for myself only),I value the ability to choose.

And that ability to choose for oneself is of vital importance.We are all adults

and when we choose to fire up our scoots and hit the road for work or plea-

sure we understand and accept all the possibilities that exist when you mix

motorcycles with cages.For several years now,we ’ve been under the law

of helmet use and when you get right down to the verbiage that exists in the

current law,it is truly a weak and useless law requirement that contains the

bare minimum with little direction for specific helmet types.Such has always

been the rule of thumb with LA politics and our helmet law.But there still ex-

isted a sadly large amount of bikers killed while riding and statistics will prove

over time (cause it takes forever for the NHTSA to provide the numbers)that

most,if not all were killed wearing helmets.

But “choice ”is the key and becomes one of the few freedoms we will have

control over.And the debate will continue.We as riders will be scrutinized

over time for our choices but the question will still remain;“will there be stron-

ger enforcement of focused driving ahead for all people who travel on our

roads and highways?”Only time will tell.In the meantime,should the law

pass in our favor to choose,please ride aware and safe at all times!While

I believe in the right to choose,I also acknowledge awareness of the con-

sequences.Make “your own ”choice and don ’t base it on the influence of

others.It is your choice to make.

On another note,I recently had the opportunity to meet a woman who is

working dilligently on all our behalf,while pursuing justice for her own fam-

ily.Amy Pickholtz,the widow of Jim Pickholtz who was killed when Mayor

Brenda Melancon of Sorrento,LA violated Jim ’s right of way.We published

Amy ’s article and their daughter ’s article a few issues back to share with our

readers.In a recent article in the Gonzales Weekly Citizen,Mayor Melancon

was heard saying after the hearing “I ’m glad that it ’s over ”.This statement

was not only a blow to Amy and her family,but it is a blow to every motorcy-

clist ’s surviving family.It is never over for the survivors.Never!And to be a

public official and express this insensitive attitude openly is a disgrace to the

position.But then again,since when do public officials take their constituents

into consideration.

There is a scheduled Town Council Meeting on June 16th at 6:00pm on Main

Street in Sorrento,LA.This is the last official meeting that Mayor Brenda Mel-

ancon will be conducting.Amy has decided that she will attend the meeting

to let Mayor Melancon know that “It is NOT over ”.Amy has committed further

to investigating the case.She is a strong advocator for MAC and is looking

for support from the motorcycling community through attendance during this

meeting.If you can make it,your support will be deeply appreciated.You can

contact any MAC chapter

for more info.

Till next month,Ride

Safe,Ride Free,but just

Ride!God Bless America,

Our Troops and Their

Families!

Nappy

nappy69@bellsouth.net

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ARCHIVES

of LOUISIANA

Contents of this web site and all original works are copyright protected 2004 - 2009. Thunder Roads Magazine® logo is a registered trademark. No use of the contents of this website is granted without the express written consent of Thunder Roads Magazine LA. All rights reserved. Anyone using the information or materials on this web site do so at their own risk and shall not hold Thunder Roads Magazine LA, Thunder Roads Publishing or any of its affiliates responsible or liable in any way due to unauthorized use of the contents of this website or publication

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	FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK \| SUPPORT OUR TROOPS \| THE LATEST ISSUE \| MAGAZINE ARTICLES \| THUNDER OVER LOUISIANA \| LOUISIANA BIKER EVENTS \| EVENT PICTURES \| LEGISLATIVE NEWS \| BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY \| BIKE NIGHTS \| LINKS \| CELEBRITY & MASTER BUILDER LINKS \| CONTACT US FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK... LETTER FROM THE EDITOR JUNE 2009 Will Louisiana Bikers Have a Choice? Well readers,once again the helmet choice issue has come to the forefront and based on Gov.Jindal ’s opinions on the matter and the influences in our favor,this should pass the Senate with little resistance.2009 may be the year for adult bikers to once again have the freedom to choose lids or no lids. Of course this brings up all kinds of issues from the pro-helmet as well as the pro-choice crowds.And do realize,they both exist in the motorcycling community as there are many strong supporters of helmet use within our community.And this is the beauty of the whole issue. For me personally,(and I speak for myself only),I value the ability to choose. And that ability to choose for oneself is of vital importance.We are all adults and when we choose to fire up our scoots and hit the road for work or plea- sure we understand and accept all the possibilities that exist when you mix motorcycles with cages.For several years now,we ’ve been under the law of helmet use and when you get right down to the verbiage that exists in the current law,it is truly a weak and useless law requirement that contains the bare minimum with little direction for specific helmet types.Such has always been the rule of thumb with LA politics and our helmet law.But there still ex- isted a sadly large amount of bikers killed while riding and statistics will prove over time (cause it takes forever for the NHTSA to provide the numbers)that most,if not all were killed wearing helmets. But “choice ”is the key and becomes one of the few freedoms we will have control over.And the debate will continue.We as riders will be scrutinized over time for our choices but the question will still remain;“will there be stron- ger enforcement of focused driving ahead for all people who travel on our roads and highways?”Only time will tell.In the meantime,should the law pass in our favor to choose,please ride aware and safe at all times!While I believe in the right to choose,I also acknowledge awareness of the con- sequences.Make “your own ”choice and don ’t base it on the influence of others.It is your choice to make. On another note,I recently had the opportunity to meet a woman who is working dilligently on all our behalf,while pursuing justice for her own fam- ily.Amy Pickholtz,the widow of Jim Pickholtz who was killed when Mayor Brenda Melancon of Sorrento,LA violated Jim ’s right of way.We published Amy ’s article and their daughter ’s article a few issues back to share with our readers.In a recent article in the Gonzales Weekly Citizen,Mayor Melancon was heard saying after the hearing “I ’m glad that it ’s over ”.This statement was not only a blow to Amy and her family,but it is a blow to every motorcy- clist ’s surviving family.It is never over for the survivors.Never!And to be a public official and express this insensitive attitude openly is a disgrace to the position.But then again,since when do public officials take their constituents into consideration. There is a scheduled Town Council Meeting on June 16th at 6:00pm on Main Street in Sorrento,LA.This is the last official meeting that Mayor Brenda Mel- ancon will be conducting.Amy has decided that she will attend the meeting to let Mayor Melancon know that “It is NOT over ”.Amy has committed further to investigating the case.She is a strong advocator for MAC and is looking for support from the motorcycling community through attendance during this meeting.If you can make it,your support will be deeply appreciated.You can contact any MAC chapter for more info. Till next month,Ride Safe,Ride Free,but just Ride!God Bless America, Our Troops and Their Families! Nappy nappy69@bellsouth.net ARCHIVES CLICK HERE FOR LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ARCHIVES of LOUISIANA Contents of this web site and all original works are copyright protected 2004 - 2009. Thunder Roads Magazine® logo is a registered trademark. No use of the contents of this website is granted without the express written consent of Thunder Roads Magazine LA. All rights reserved. Anyone using the information or materials on this web site do so at their own risk and shall not hold Thunder Roads Magazine LA, Thunder Roads Publishing or any of its affiliates responsible or liable in any way due to unauthorized use of the contents of this website or publication PLEASE SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK! FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK \| SUPPORT OUR TROOPS \| THE LATEST ISSUE \| MAGAZINE ARTICLES \| THUNDER OVER LOUISIANA \| LOUISIANA BIKER EVENTS \| EVENT PICTURES \| LEGISLATIVE NEWS \| BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY \| BIKE NIGHTS \| LINKS \| CELEBRITY & MASTER BUILDER LINKS \| CONTACT US