Should you be fired because your spouse is a clubber?

That is the question being asked by a woman who was fired from her job as a human resources technician in Kingman AZ.

According to the article:
The termination notice stated that the city had "great concern" Summerson was associated with an "Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMG)" that works as a "support club of the Hells Angels."

"Your association with an OMG coupled with your access to sensitive employee information has our law enforcement, legal, dispatch and judicial system employees very concerned with regard to their personal information," the notice said. End Quote

Should someone be fired because the police claim that a club is affiliated with one of the "Big Clubs"?  I wished articles like this expressed what the employee's work record was like and whether or not they were good at their job.  Sometimes I wonder at the people who do the reporting...how did the police come into play in her firing?  Has she ever done anything to cause concern?

I wonder...what say you on this topic?

In other news:

KTM's CEO just bought Husqvarna from BMW

Author Alex Caine claims that there is a turf war brewing in BC

In Ontario, the driver involved in a fatal crash is found not guilty

Want to use your smart phone without taking your gloves off?

You help is urgently needed - there are over 120 suggestions for names for my Beaver Mascot!  Help us find the RIGHT ONE!!!

We here in Grande Prairie have a couple of things to celebrate...
New Owners and New Name for our Harley-Davidson dealership! Mighty Peace Halrey-Davidson will be opening it's doors soon!!!!

David Wilcox is coming to town on February 22nd and we are going to be giving away some VIP Tickets!  Watch our web site: www.beltdrivebetty.com and our Facebook Pages for more information!!!!

I wonder how many riders think this is a great invention?

I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Belt drive Betty
Editor & Rider

LAPD not amused by marriage proposal

Somewhere between 100 and 400 sport bikes, depending on the report you read, shut down Highway 10 in the LA area so that a rider could propose to his girlfriend.

The police are calling it a stupid stunt, others are calling it an epic proposal.

In the Your Tube video of the proposal you can see riders doing wheelies and riding in all lanes of the freeway.  They didn't shut traffic down for long, but long enough that charges are pending.

Watch the video and then share your thoughts with me....

I wonder if the cops are upset because they didn't realize what was going down?

In other crazy news, check out this motorcycle, a jet turbine powered motorcycle by MTT called Y2K

There is a ton of news in the feeds today and I want to invite you to check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

I don't feel the need to share any funnies today - the news has enough bat shit crazy stuff in it!

Have a fabulous hump day everyone...

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor &; Rider

The Double Edged Sword

After the various articles that have surfaced on the Sturgis North Event that is taking place in August on the Indian Reserve outside of Chase, I spoke with some of the key people who are owed money and there is one reoccurring theme happening that has me highly disturbed.

Joan Hansen, the "new" president of the company has apparently expressed that if the 2013 event does not go ahead then there will be no way of paying those still left owing from 2011 and 2012. So, the people who are owed money all want to see the event go ahead.

So here I am feeling like I am walking on the knife blade.  I do not want to promote this event or the people who are running it. I have learned far too much about their way of conducting business to want to see them make one penny and yet, here are all of these business people who are left out of pocket.

They would all like to get some of the money that is owed to them. They all feel that if Sturgis North is run properly it would be a great benefit to the interior of BC's economy.

I for one can not support something that has hurt so many people and yet...

What are your thoughts? Should Sturgis North be given one final kick at the cat in an attempt to pay those creditors of the North Okanagan who have been hurt financially or should they, the business people who have not been paid, take their lumps and move on?  I don't know how to feel...what say you?

In other news:
Sad news out f the UK that moto journalist Kevin Ash has died during a launch for the new BMW in South Africa.

In Ontario, the retrial of a police officer charged with leaking confidential documents to the Hells Angels continues. Constable Rudge's fingerprints were found on the four key documents at the centre of the retrial.

In Vancouver, part three of the Michael Plante informant story continues.

For riders, finding great roads to ride is a must and the newly revamped Open Road Journey Web Site has lots of information to offer.

There is a ton of information in the news feeds today, check it our at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

You have three days left to submit a name for my Beaver mascot and three days left to enter your motorcycle in our 6th annual Beat the PMS Blue on line show 'n' shine....don't wait till the last minute - last year you crashed our web site by waiting!

Have a great day everyone,
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The MIC is opposed to minimum noise levels from electric motorcycles? Seriously?

In today's news feeds comes an article out of the US that has me scratching my head.

MIC opposes minimum noise levels for electric motorcycles

According to the article: The NHTSA has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for FMVSS No. 141, Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The rule would set minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles, including but not limited to, motorcycles. Pursuant to the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act in 2010, FMVSS No. 141 is designed to ensure that blind, visually impaired and other pedestrians are able to detect nearby hybrid and electric vehicles in a range of ambient environments. End quote.

It seems reasonable that in today's noisy world there should be some noise emitted from all vehicles in order that person's who are visually impaired and blind be able to detect the presence of a vehicle.

Why would the manufacturers be opposed to a minimum noise requirement from electric motorcycles?

According to the article the manufactures are concerned that the addition of a stereo system to an electric motorcycle would shorten the range of the motorcycle and that riders are better at detecting danger than the average motorist:

In the MIC’s comments, the organization argued that because of the unique attributes of motorcycles, the NHTSA should not need to require a minimum sound for them. The MIC says that motorcycle riders are better able to see and avoid pedestrians because their sight is unobstructed, and motorcyclists are more alert because of their vulnerability. The MIC also stated that electric motorcycles are not quiet, so they shouldn’t need to be subject to minimum sound requirements.

The MIC stated further that adding a speaker system to electric motorcycles to emit sounds would be an issue because motorcycles have less space to add such a system, the weight of the system would have a large effect on the motorcycle’s low-speed stability, energy consumption of the speaker system would have a greater impact on a motorcycle’s range and the price of installing the system would be higher than with automobiles. End Quote.

I am confused - I get that the electric motorcycle's range might be shortened - but seriously - motorcycles have less space for a sound system? I guess the MIC has never ridden a full dressed H-D or many of the other motorcycles that have onboard stereos.  And what's this idea of holding the motorcyclists responsible for the safety of others?

I sometimes wonder at the wisdom of the Manufacturers Industry Council - these are the same people who brought us the J2825 SAE test...

What are your thoughts on this topic? I'd dearly love to know.

There are numerous articles in the news feeds today that may have interest to you, check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

We are getting some great name suggestions for my Beaver Mascot - have you recommended a name yet?

We have a week left for you to get your machine entered in our online show 'n' shine - it's free to enter and we have some great prizes up for grabs!

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends from Facebook and via emails...

Have a great day everyone.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Here we go again....

Sturgis North was in the headlines again and it breaks my heart.  (The story begins at 2:05 into the newscast)

I resent having to give these people any airtime at all - but we have to.

Is there a way to prevent the people who run Sturgis North from hurting anyone else in our community? How about the businesses and regions they move to?

If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them.

The latest is the saga of Sturgis North involves a group of Salmon Arm businesses who would dearly love to get the money owing to them but according to the TV report, President - Joan Hansen, says it could take 5 years for those people to get their money back. I personally don't understand why these people who are owed so much money don't band together and just shut them down.  A lawsuit is what is needed here - something that will shut Sturgis North down for good. But that's only my opinion - I do not believe that anyone is going to get their money - call me a pessimist - but I just don't see it happening.

In the research I did on Ray Sasseville, I had uncovered a series of what appears to be fraudulent activities and what appears to be smoke and mirrors that have been put up by naming Joan Hansen President of Sturgis North...the last time I did a search, Ray Sasseville was still very much the CEO of the event company.

It's not bad enough that people are left owing money from the 2011 show or that there is also - from what I have been able to learn, a boat load of debt from the 2012 show but they are going to try it again and this time the people with the largest potential to be hurt? The poorest first nations band in all of BC.

The more people talk about this event and the experiences that have devastated so many, the greater the ability there is to prevent the devastation of the previous two years from repeating itself.

The protection of our community is now in your hands....

There is a ton of news in the feeds today that might affect your day and or life as a rider...check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider



Disclaimer:
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Dealing with the loss of some community members

I apologize that I have not been blogging of late - the flu has had me flat on my back for the past week and while I am not 100% better I am defintley feeling human again.

Our community has lost a couple of really good people recently - tomorrow night is a fundraiser for the Soroka Family. Underground Performance is a member business of the Rider Friendly Business Association.

Soroka Family Fundraiser

Sun Jan 20 Strathmore

1400 Sunday, 20 January 2013  13:00 until 18:00

The Strathmore Hotel - strathmore alberta

Trevor Soroka  RIP   July 11, 1968 – Jan 6, 2013

On January 6 Trevor tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident. Trevor was a long-time resident of Strathmore and Co-owner of Underground Performance in Strathmore. He was a devoted father and Husband and leaves behind a loving wife and two young children.

There will be a fundraiser to help his family during this very difficult time.

Soroka Family Fundraiser

Sunday January 20 1:00-6:00PM

The Strathmore Hotel

A silent auction is planned and the Hotel will be donating proceeds from any sales to the cause. 

The staff will be working for free and any tips will be donated as well. 

We are seeking Silent auction Items and any cash donations would be appreciated.

All monies raised will go directly to Audrey and the Children.

If you would like to help in ANY way please contact:

Brenda 403-934-6388 brendadecker1970@hotmail.com

Tanya 403-512-6974 403-901-1100 spawnshp@telus.net

Silent auction items can be brought to Strathmore Pawn and collectables or to The Strathmore Hotel

Another family that our newspaper and community is connected to has also lost their father - William Perry, our columnist who wrote travel features and our "Cop's Perspective" column, lost his battle with cancer on Monday. 

There are no words to express my sympathy for both families - loss of someone you love is so tough to deal with.

I have a favour to ask all of you - look at your children (if you have any) and your significant other and remember to say three little words - I LOVE YOU...

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Texting while riding

Bikers constantly complain about distracted drivers.

What about you - when you drive your vehicle?
Do you grab your phone? Do you text and drive?

And on your bike? Do you use your phone? Text?  An article out of Orlando Florida this morning has me asking this question. A rider was texting while rounding a curve and crossed the center line hitting another motorist. The rider is dead.

I would love to know what your thoughts are on this topic - we are all addicted to our technology it seems. I have been making it a habit to shut my phone off when I drive - If I forget to and the phone does ring - I find a place to pull over and just ignore the alerts for texts and emails and then I shut the damned thing off.

I am human - I have slipped when in my car and answered the phone that I had forgotten to shut off - I get so angry with myself.  How about you? Have you ever slipped?

What can we do to get the message across?
What do we humans need to do to eliminate our absolute addiction to our phones?

And what do we have to do to get riders to not text and ride?

I am saddened and scared by this story - our phones are going to be the death of us literally...

I would love your feedback on this topic...

There is a TON of news in the feeds at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed. I guess the holidays are really over because the feeds are FULL!!!

I leave you with a few funnies - after the article of the day - I need to laugh...thanks to my friends on Facebook and who send these to me by email!

Have a fantastic Wednesday...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider