FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MMA UPDATE - Lynnfield EPA Bylaw defeated!
The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) was alerted to a town warrant to be heard Monday, April 26th in the Town of Lynnfield which would create a $300 fine for Motorcycle Exhaust not bearing an EPA stamp. With the support of MMA Members in the town leveraging MMA testimony as well as their own, the Town voted to defeat “Article 17” voting instead on what’s right and fair towards all.
Leveraging significant knowledge gained from combating the fallacy of the “EPA Stamp”, MMA Chairman Dave Condon and MMA Safety & Education Director Doc D’Errico worked closely with riders from the Town of Lynnfield who approached the MMA at a recent District Meeting through MMA District Manager Richard Schofield. Because of Lynnfield town bylaws, the MMA was not allowed to attend, much less speak at the annual town meeting, but was allowed to submit testimony via one of the town’s registered voters.
Of specific concern was that this specific bylaw was modeled very much after the Boston noise ordinance which remains unenforced since its implementation almost a year ago. To make matters worse, this issue, titled “Article 17” carried a $300 fine and was followed immediately by another “noise” article which addresses other sources by only carries a $25 fine! This discrimination cannot and will not stand!
Riders and MMA Members were briefed on the MMA history with this issue and were provided with 5 pages of MMA testimony on this issue. Armed for battle, several of the riders as town registered voters presented the MMA documentation and their own testimony; these riders included MMA and Cruiser Club Boston Members: Keven Raiche (CCB President), Karlene Kiddy (CCB Secretary), Mark Smallenberger (CCB Road Captain), and testimony was delivered by MMA Members, Jim Slatterly, Christine Smallenberger, and Gene Dipaolo (CCB Road Captain).
While many spoke on both sides of the issue, with some other riders and Lynnfield residents also speaking in support of Motorcyclists of Massachusetts, the voters of Lynnfield opted to avoid costly mistakes and instead support a more fair and just course of “education, not legislation”.
Rider Mark A. Smallenberger wrote, “With the tremendous support and assistance of the MMA we were able to successfully shoot down EPA Article 17; although a little heated, we ultimately won!” With support from Jim, Christine, and Gene, other town residents also spoke on behalf of the riders. Mark continued, “Thanks so much to the MMA for your support, as I have said before, without people like you the motorcycling community would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we have. I wish more people understood what you guys are doing behind the scenes for them and join up.”Chairman Condon wrote the riders, “You should all be very proud for standing up and defending the rights of all riders not just in Lynnfield but across the state.” Safety & Education Director D’Errico added, “while the MMA provided the tools, it was the vigilance and dedication of our members in Lynnfield who carried the day!”
