1) ABATE of SC BOD Meeting, Helmet Law Rally, and Camping
2) CBA/ABATE of NC Committee Meetings/State Executive Council Meeting
3) Bikers Plan Park-In Demonstration in Greensboro NC
4) Blind people say noiseless hybrid cars pose safety risk
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1) ABATE of SC BOD Meeting, Helmet Law Rally, and Camping
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ABATE of SC BOD Meeting, Helmet Law Rally, and Camping
The BOD Meeting will be held 1:00 PM Saturday October 7th at Sesquicentennial State Park.
Sesquicentennial State Park, situated in the middle of the Sandhills region, features a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. The park’s proximity to downtown Columbia and interstate highways attracts both local residents and travelers.
Sesqui, as it’s affectionately known, is heavily used for family reunions and group campouts. It also features dog park and well-attended interpretive nature programs, as well as a dormitory, meeting facility and ropes course popular for corporate retreats and team-building.
Once a drive out to the country but now a green space in the Columbia suburbs, the park was originally built by the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Evidence of their craftsmanship remains today, including in the distinctive white stone blocks that mark the front gate.
GENERAL
* Designation: Sesquicentennial State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal Program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The program was designed to provide employment during the Great Depression while addressing national needs in conservation and recreation. The CCC was instrumental in the development of many of South Carolina’s state parks. A number of buildings built by the CCC in the 1930's are still in use at this park.
* Counties: Richland
* Acreage: 1419
* When & How PRT Acquired: Donated in 1937 from the Sesquicentennial Commission
* Pets: Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. There is also a new dog park available at Sesquicentennial State Park. The dog park is a 2-acre, fenced-in area for dogs to run off-leash.
* A permit is required for each dog, available at the park office. Permits are $25/year, and are pro-rated depending on the date of purchase. Permits expire on July 1 of each year. Daily permits are available for $4. Owners must provide current vaccination records showing proof of spayed/neutered, rabies, parvo and kennel cough. Dog permit fees do not include admission into the park.
* Tour and Programs Information: Sesquicentennial is a "DiscoverCarolina Site", which provides curriculum-based science education programs for South Carolina school children.
* Pay Phone on Site: Yes
HOURS
* Admissions: $2 adults; $1.25 SC seniors; age 15 & younger free
* Office Hours: 11 am-noon & 4-5pm
* Days and Hours of Operation: M-Su 8am-6pm (extended from 7am to 9pm during Daylight Savings Time)
LOCATION Driving Directions:
From I-20: Take exit 74. Turn left onto Hwy 1 (Two Notch Rd.), travel N 3 mi, park will be on the right.
From I-77: Take exit 17. Go N. on Hwy 1 (Two Notch Rd.), for 2 mi. Park will be on the right. (turn left if traveling I-77 Southbound turn left onto Hwy 1; or turn right if traveling I-77 northbound)
* Lake Location: Yes
* Miles to Nearest Hospital: 12
* Miles to Nearest Town: 13
* Miles to Nearest Grocery Store: 1
MILES TO:
* Charleston, SC: 120
* Columbia, SC: 13
* Florence, SC: 72
* Greenville, SC: 115
* Charlotte, NC: 85
* Raleigh, NC: 195
* Atlanta, GA: 220
* Augusta, GA: 80
CAMPING at esquicentennial State Park:
* Camping Information: Each site is packed sand and has individual water and electrical hookups. The campground is convenient to restroom facilities with hot showers.
* Tent and RV Camping: Yes
* Camping Reservations Accepted: To make a camping reservation, call toll-free 1-866-345-PARK or make it online by visiting http://tinyurl.com/3csy7e
* Camping reservations must be made for a minimum of two nights. Reservations requested less than one (1) day in advance of check-in must be made directly through the park.
* #Sites with Elec. & Water: 87 sites rent for $16-18/site/night plus applicable taxes. Discounted rates are available for seasons of lower demand. Note: Rates listed do not include applicable sales tax and nonrefundable transaction fee.
* Group Camping Area: A primitive group camping area is ideal for organized groups up to 50 people. (An organized group is defined as “a group that holds regular meetings and has a lead officer or elected/appointed officials”.)
* Central water is available. Walking distant to restrooms. Showers not available.
* Reservations are accepted. To make a primitive group camping reservation, contact the park directly. Minimum rate is $10 -$12.50 which allows up to ten campers. The rate increases by $5-$6.50 increments for each additional five campers.
* Dump Station Available: Yes
* Park quiet hours are from 10PM - 7 AM. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to register for a campsite. Please contact the park to reserve ADA (Disabled Access) Standard and Full Service sites.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
* If you cannot find it at
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/469.aspx
then write sesquicentennial@scprt.com
SC 2007 Helmet Law Rally
* Sunday, Oct 7th - 12 Noon!
* Parade starting location is the Triple Crown Restaurant located at 103 North 12th Street in West Columbia.
* Police escorted parade to Capital will leave at 1:00 PM
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2) CBA/ABATE of NC Committee Meetings/State Executive Council Meeting
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http://www.cba-abatenc.org/coming_events.htm
Committee Meetings <- THIS EVENT IS WORTH 5 CBA POINTS!
October 6, 2007
Randolph County CBA Meeting Hall
620 Veterans Loop Rd, Asheboro, NC 27203
State Executive Council Meeting
October 7, 2007
Randolph County CBA Meeting Hall
620 Veterans Loop Rd, Asheboro, NC 27203
What are CBA Points?
http://www.cba-abatenc.org/cba_points_program.htm
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3) Bikers Plan Park-In Demonstration in Greensboro NC
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Bikers Plan Park-In Demonstration in Greensboro NC
If you would like to participate consider meeting during the afternoon at the Randolph County CBA Meeting Hall located at 620 Veterans Loop Rd, Asheboro, NC 27203.
The following message is from the CBA/ABATE of NC Legislative Director in response to a request for more information and background:
Yo FF:
I intend to attend the Park-In on Saturday night if I am able..
RE: my thought on the Issue... You may use these comments at your discretion...
On the one hand... I can understand the City Council's need to react to the concerns of the businesses in the area. If I were a business owner, and the accusations of harassment are true, even I would be voicing concerns. I certainly wouldn't want my wife or girlfriend to be harassed by the groups who have created the problem, nor would I want to experience it myself. However, I believe there is an alternative method for resolving the problem of reported citizen harassment.
It is readily apparent that this ordinance is simply a knee-jerk reaction to a difficult situation; one which does not require additional regulation. There are existing laws prohibiting loitering. Law enforcement officials should be enforcing the current laws (anti-loitering). If the threat of "loitering citations" is not enough to reduce the situation, how effective will "parking citations" be in resolving the problem?
As you know, I am inherently opposed to any law that blatantly discriminates against a minority group of citizens (especially tax-paying biker-citizens). In this case, although the resultant ordinance is discriminatory, the intentions and motives of the elected body may be otherwise. Am I the only one who thinks the council is trying to give the appearance of doing something about the problem, when in reality they are simply pandering to special interests, and the public, immediately prior to a scheduled election?
I am appalled by the demonstrated attitude of the elected officials who have imposed this dictatorial regulation with little or no input from the community. I know the individuals who testified before the council, and am familiar with the arguments they presented. This ordinance is not a solution. Biker's rights advocates who testified before the council offered to work with the council to identify an appropriate alternative. Their offer was ignored. The council chose to continue to portray motorcyclists in a negative light, as a politically expedient method for illustrating their feigned concern for the good citizens of Greensboro.
I find it most distressing that elected officials feel they can discriminate against, and/or ignore the concerns of, any group of constituents. Recently, elected officials in other parts of the nation have imposed regulations restricting the freedoms of a few, in order to satisfy the majority (i.e., Noise ordinances in Denver, CO). I'm not comfortable with that, but feel the legality of those ordinances will be determined by the courts.
But, the Greensboro parking restriction on motorcycles is not one of those cases. The parked motorcycles are not creating a risk to others, nor are they creating an environmental hazard.... "the riders" are making the environment uncomfortable for certain citizens. Motorcycles are legal, taxed, and regulated, just like any other form of personal transportation. One of the advantages of motorcycles as a form of transportation is they reduce congestion on the road and in parking situations. This ordinance appears to be a case of blanket discrimination against a select community of citizens, because of a problem created by a sub-group of the community.
This ordinance can be compared to going around your ass to get to your elbow. If the council feels the need to impose regulations, let the ordinance be levied against the actions of "specific behaviors" manifested by the individuals. If another law is needed to reduce the behavioral problems of the identified sub-group, the law needs to focus on the behavior... not the mode of transportation used by the offenders.
Although the situation in Greensboro is different, I remember your fight against a similar ordinance in Charleston. As I recall, you succeeded in having the ordinance overturned. When a citizens rights are being ignored, they have the Constitutionally guaranteed right, and a moral obligation, to address these issues with representatives of their government.
In conclusion... Greensboro has lauded their illustrious history as a "Mecca of civil rights," for years in an attempt to attract tourism to the city . However, the Sit-in at Woolworth would not have occurred if discrimination were not occurring. These situations are similar in the sense that they are both - blatant discrimination perpetrated in violation of the US and NC Constitutional right of citizens to equal treatment under the law.
I say, "Let the demonstrations begin."
doc ski
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4) Blind people say noiseless hybrid cars pose safety risk
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http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/america/NA-GEN-US-Hybrid-Cars-Blind.php
Blind people say noiseless hybrid cars pose safety risk
BALTIMORE: Gas-electric hybrid vehicles, the status symbol for the environmentally conscientious, are coming under attack from a group that does not drive: the blind.
Because hybrids make virtually no noise at lower speeds when they run on electric power, blind people say they pose a hazard to those who rely on their ears to determine whether it is safe to cross the street or walk through a parking lot.
"I'm used to being able to get sound cues from my environment and negotiate accordingly. I hadn't imagined there was anything I really wouldn't be able to hear," said Deborah Kent Stein, who chairs the National Federation of the Blind's Committee on Automotive and Pedestrian Safety. "We did a test, and I discovered, to my great dismay, that I couldn't hear it."
The tests, admittedly unscientific, involved people standing in parking lots or on sidewalks and being asked to signal when they heard several different hybrid models drive by.
"People were making comments like, 'When are they going to start the test?' And it would turn out that the vehicle had already done two or three laps around the parking lot," Stein said.
As gas prices continue to rise, along with concern about harmful emissions, hybrid cars are increasing in popularity. New hybrid vehicle registrations grew more than 49 percent across the United States in the first seven months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, according to R.L. Polk & Co., an automotive research firm. Toyota has sold nearly 460,000 of the most popular hybrid model, the Prius, since it hit the market in 2000, according to the company, which pegs total hybrid sales at just over 900,000.
Officials with the National Federation of the Blind are quick to point out that they are not advocating a return to non-hybrid vehicles. They just want the fuel-efficient hybrids to make some noise.
NFB president Marc Maurer said he received an e-mail from an environmentalist who suggested that the members of his group should be the first to drown when sea levels rise from global warming.
"I don't want to pick that way of going, but I don't want to get run over by a quiet car, either," Maurer said.
NFB, the leading advocacy group for 1.3 million legally blind people in the United States, made pleas to the auto industry and to federal and state agencies, with little concrete success so far.
Manufacturers are aware of the problem but have made no promises. Toyota is studying the issue, said Bill Kwong, a spokesman for Toyota Motor Sales USA.
The Association of International Auto Manufacturers, Inc., a trade group, is also studying the problem, along with a committee established by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The groups are considering "the possibility of setting a minimum noise level standard for hybrid vehicles," said Mike Camissa, the safety director for the manufacturers' association.
Officials with two separate arms of the U.S. Department of Transportation — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration — said they are aware of the problem but have not studied it.
Both sides agree that it would not be prohibitively expensive to outfit cars with an adequate noisemaking device.
"It's cheaper than an airbag or other safety devices," Kwong said. "Any kind of audio device is going to be relatively inexpensive."
The blind, however, will have to win over some hybrid owners, as well as advocates for reduced noise pollution.
"To further expose millions of people to excessive noise pollution by making vehicles artificially loud is neither logical nor practical nor in the public interest," said Richard Tur, founder of NoiseOFF, a group that raises awareness of noise pollution.
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