Benefit for Cin
Scootergoods Magazine Writers Gwen & Charlie K. Scootergoods Homepage
Benefit for Cin
CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF
DROPS THE BALL ON TOY RUN
Two weeks ago I wrote a short letter to the commentary section of the
Citrus County Chronicle. It was to help make the people of Citrus County
aware that the motorcycle toy run for Citrus United Basket was to be on
December 7th(the letter was printed). The reason for the letter was to
help three hundred plus motorcycles have a safe trip from Inverness to
Crystal River. I did not know at the time that the danger was not from
the residents but the Sheriffs Department. They refused to provide
traffic control for the one hour it took the ride to happen. Other than
deputies at the start and finish the group was left to fend for
themselves. This was not a Harley Davidson event but a large group of
motorcycle enthusiasts donating there time and many toys to a nonprofit
charity (C.U.B.) to make Christmas a little better for kids in these
tough economic times.This toy run has been happing in Citrus County for
thirty years and is the only group ride some motorcyclists attend.The
Sheriffs Department dropped the ball during the one hour they were
needed for public safety.
Charlie Klaiber, Inverness
As submitted to the Citrus County Chronicle
The BILLY LANE Saga
Cont. By Gwen K.
On September 5, 2006 Park Ranger Gerald Morelock, 56 years old, was
driving his motor scooter down Route A1A in Melbourne, Florida minding his
own business. He was no match for the Dodge Ram pickup truck that
crossed
the double yellow line and hit him head on. He died as a result of this
collision. That truck was on promotional loan to celebrity bike builder
Billy Lane. Billy lives and works in Melbourne and is reported to have
had a blood-alcohol level of .192, far above the Florida legal limit of
.08. He was also driving on a suspended license due to a DUI arrest in
North Carolina that had not been settled yet. Mr. Morelock’s family
sued Billy, received a settlement, and has publicly stated that they
forgive him for what has happened. Twenty months later…passenger Erin
Derrick (Billy’s date) filed a lawsuit against Billy and Chrysler LLC
for injuries she sustained in the crash. A trial had been scheduled for
the week of December 12th but has now been postponed until February 9,
2009. One of the main issues is the blood-alcohol testing. Defense
attorneys argue that the test was tainted so they had the test re-run by
an independent Georgia lab. They are now not releasing the results of
the Georgia test. If or when this case goes to trial Billy Lane could be
sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter. Of course he could
make a plea deal, but that hasn’t happened yet. These are the basic
facts of the story, what I find really interesting are all the websites
and BLOGS I found discussing whether or not Billy should go to jail or
not. People are on both sides of the fence. Some opinions state he
should pay a fine and get community service and others want him to get
the full 15 years. There are lawyers, bikers, friends and foes all
talking about his punishment. It seems to me that I see many
advertisements and bumper stickers that say "Kill a Biker Go to
Jail. "It seems to me that I see many advertisements and bumper
stickers that say "Kill a Biker Go to Jail." Or we go to fund
raisers to help someone who was "Whacked by a Cager."
Sometimes these accidents involve alcohol and sometimes they don’t,
but the theme is the same. If you do the crime you should do the time.
Mr. Morelock wasn’t riding a big fancy bike, but he was in his own
lane, doing his own, safe riding when he got "whacked. "I
really enjoy watching Billy Lane build bikes on TV. I saw him in person
in Daytona few years ago (He’s hot) but I don’t believe he should
get off with just a fine and community service. I agree with some of the
Bloggers that going to jail would be wasting a great talent, but I guess
he should have chosen a designated driver. Driving drunk is a stupid
thing to do. I’m not saying people won’t do it, I’m just saying it’s
stupid. I’ve been really lucky and hope that my smarts or my luck hold
out for a long, long time. I also hope that the luck I have had avoiding
others who drive drunk holds out. But…God forbid anything like this
ever happens to me while I’m driving…I’m sure that I would already
have been convicted and sentenced to the max. I have no money to fight
with. I have no celebrity status to protect me.
And I’m just a biker.
CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF
DROPS THE BALL ON TOY RUN
Two weeks ago I wrote a short letter to the commentary section of the Citrus
County Chronicle. It was to help make the people of Citrus County aware that the
motorcycle toy run for Citrus United Basket was to be on December 7th(the letter
was printed). The reason for the letter was to help three hundred plus
motorcycles have a safe trip from Inverness to Crystal River. I did not know at
the time that the danger was not from the residents but the Sheriffs Department.
They refused to provide traffic control for the one hour it took the ride to
happen. Other than deputies at the start and finish the group was left to fend
for themselves. This was not a Harley Davidson event but a large group of
motorcycle enthusiasts donating there time and many toys to a nonprofit charity
(C.U.B.) to make Christmas a little better for kids in these tough economic
times. This toy run has been happing in Citrus County for
thirty years and is the only group ride some motorcyclists attend. The Sheriffs
Department dropped the ball during the one hour they were needed for public
safety.
Charlie Klaiber, Inverness
As submitted to the Citrus County Chronicle
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