Friday, September 24, 2010

A Plea from Terry Kunto's Family, An Apology, A Thank You and an Interesting study or two

Rick Kunto from Ontario emailed me yesterday to thank me for writing about the travesty of a sentence that was handed down to the woman who killed his brother Terry last year. Rick has expressed that the family needs help with the justice system as their pleas for assistance have fallen on deaf ears. Apparently the crown and defence have not provided them with any of the transcripts or documents and have not taken the families wishes into account at all. They are asking everyone possible to help them find some justice for their brother by sending letters to the Justice Minister and the Solicitor General. They want the judges decision appealed or over turned and criminal charges of driving with undo care and attention and or negligence sought.

Rick and his family will be writing about their situation and the dissatisfaction and frustration that they feel over this sad affair. When they do I will be sure to pass it on to you.  Here is the link to my blog post with the letter I send out and information on how to contact the Justice Minister & Solicitor General - it's about half way in the post: http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.com/2010/09/road-side-justicebeing-human-balancing.html

The original article about the sentence handed to the woman who killed Terry is here: http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.com/2010/09/fines-why-dont-they-ever-match-crime.html

Now then - it appears that an apology is in order to the Canadian Lonewolves - although I did not write the article or attend the event and in fact only ran the article through a word processor for spelling mistakes I still feel badly for Steve and the Canadian Lonewolves for the faux pas in the article - even though I am positive it was not done with any malice as I think the writer is a member of both the Canadian & the Alberta Lonewolves - even though they are two separate entities completely. I know personally how hard these guys and dolls work and how disappointing it must be to have another group get credit for all of their hard work. Sorry Steve....

Here is Steve aka Panther's letter to the paper...
I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed and upset when I read the newest edition of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles this week.
In there was a write up about the Rocking the Valley event in Drayton Valley, where based upon what I read, a "colors coat check" was done by the "Alberta lone wolve's" and along with them came the Sundance Canine rescue.

The part that bothers me the most I guess is the fact that I helped set up the tent for the "colors coat check" and we had some of our members work the tent for the afternoon to help the event be more "family" based and not once did I see a "Alberta Lone wolf". What was there and in a good showing of members was the CANADIAN LONEWOLVES. My wife Tracy runs the Sundance Canine Rescue and I am almost positive she came with me, and I am a CANADIAN LONEWOLVES members. It really sucks from my point of view to see the "Alberta lone wolve's" get credit for helping out and doing something good when they in fact did not. I do not mean to sound like a pissed off old man, but a whole lot of members have put a whole lot of effort into making a good name for the CANADIAN LONEWOLVES , it sucks to see their efforts get passed onto another group.

We, the CANADIAN LONEWOLVES have more members involved in F.I.R.R.E. than any other organization out there (that I know of). We built a bike during the winter and raised over $7000, split between two charities, we have adopted a section of highway to help protect the roads we ride on, we have been outriders at many events, so that others may enjoy themselves better. We are a community minded group that work hard, play hard and take pride in who we are. We are the CANADIAN LONEWOLVES.

Steve Penrod(Panther)
CANADIAN LONEWOLVES
INDEPENDENT RIDERS

Again - my apologies go out to Steve and all of the Canadian Lonewolves - your hard work and efforts for the motorcycling community do not go unnoticed - contrary to what you may feel at the moment.

A huge thank you goes out to Liane Langlois of the Edmonton Motorcycle Club. After all of her hard work on the Edmonton Motorcycle Noise Bylaw, Liane was in touch with Saskatoon's powers that be and had successfully convinced them to revisit the bylaw they want to pass to include all vehicles - after I got that information I mentioned to Liane that Caledon ON could use some sage advice and guidance. Well - this human dynamo got involved - wrote some letters, provided them - the counsellors - with some solid info and they have all agreed to take what she supplied to their meeting on October 5th. Who says one person can't make a difference? Way to go Lianne! From every rider in Canada who despises discrimination - thank you!

Now - an interesting study came out of the US with regards to accidents and mortality rates. And guess what - according to the study - if you are black - you are more likely to die in a motorcycle accident even if you are wearing a helmet.  The study by Johns Hopkins researchers states that black people are 1.5 times more likely to die in an accident on their motorcycle - the study compared accidents of similar nature and injuries - similar safety equipment and have determined that although they do not yet understand why this might be that current injury prevention programs may not be sufficient to protect all riders equally.

Another study out of Manitoba has some eye brows being raised...
Red Light Cameras - depending on who you believe - the police services or the Manitoba Insurance Company - either reduce accidents or cause more...

The debate is heated and probably more so since it is an election year!

In other news:
In the US another survey says that 16,000 people have been killed by texting and driving since 2001.

In New Brunswick - a court case about a motorcycle that was out of control and killed a jogger sees the rider of the motorcycle cleared of wrong doing.

In the Windsor/Essex County region of ON there is going to be a party this weekend - The Ambassadors Motorcycle Ride and Street Party

And lastly - in Kitchener ON a courier who stabbed a motorcyclist has been found guilty of aggravated assault.

For all of your news updates across Canada - visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where we work hard to connect riders from coast to coast to coast.

I hope and pray that if you are riding today you will Ride defensively, ride your own ride - do NOT let peer pressure get the best of you...Ride like everyone around you is BLIND, has an UNSAFE load and IS out to get you and please - ride Proud not Loud - invest in a 140 DB Air horn instead! AND CHECK YOUR TIRES AGE - AND YOUR TIRE PRESSURES DAILY!!!!


Belt Drive Betty
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