Meetings: 1st Sunday of every month.1 pm at NV Corners, 2710 Hwy V, Sun Prairie WI 53590​

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What a crazy couple of weeks it has been for ABATE 8B and 8E. We started the month with our monthly meeting at NV Corners. We received notification of a public hearing being held on Tuesday February 3rd. Yes, short notice. But our presence was definitely noticeable. 18 members re-organized their daily lives to make the meeting. We thank everyone who was there in person and spirit to help get our point across in regard to the potential allowing of AB848. If you would like to watch how this public hearing went, you can go to Wiseye.org and find it in the published videos. It was a fantastic turnout of members and non-members.

 

Further topics of our monthly meeting. Lobby Day and Officers training. Officers training was held in Marshfield Wisconsin February 6-8th. This year we had the pleasure of having 2 of our dedicated members with us. I’m sure it was a fire hose of information as always. Seems every time we attend, we gain more knowledge of this organization. We introduced Todd and Kate Ward to as many people in this organization as we could. Every corner we turned, it was smiles, hugs and laughs. Such a warm inviting way to bring new members into this amazing organization.

 

Another call to action for a public hearing made its presence. Thursday, February 12th for SB831. Our members turned out in full force, taking up half of the room. I'd guesstimate at least 50 people in attendance. We truly hope our words of opposition to being part of a statistical study for their equipment testing was heard loud and clear. You meet people in some of the strangest places at the strangest times. Two local uniformed officers took the two seats next to me at this hearing. I asked why they were in attendance, and they asked why I was in attendance. They did not appear happy when I showed them the information. It’s a small world; the officer himself is also a proud ABATE member and stated he definitely needs to start coming to meetings again. You could literally feel the power of this amazing organization gathering in one small space. We left the public hearing with our heads held high even after around 4 hours of sitting silently waiting to be heard. I’m very proud of everyone that sacrificed time away from their day to help protect our brothers and sisters.

 

Lobby Day was fast approaching, Tuesday, February 17th. An opportunity for we as members and even some non-members to have our voices heard in regard to the things we have been diligently asking about. This is a very busy time of the year for these people. We were able to set up meetings with Alex Joers Assembly 81 / staff member Sophie Coronelli, Joan Fitzgerald 46th Assembly / staff member, Katherine Morgan ( this was combined region meeting with Stan (Stash) Rygh 1E Jefferson County), Kelda Roys Assembly 26 / staff member Emily Duernberger, Dianne Hesselbein / staff member Corbin Baldwin and an impromptu meeting with Renuka Mayadev Assembly 77. In all the meetings we were met with open ears in regard to our concerns. Thank you to everyone that joined our region that day. Your dedication to this organization is outstanding.

 

Next meeting will be held March 1st at the Capitol City Riders Clubhouse, 1325 Parkside Dr., Madison, WI. This will be a Chili Cook-Off and Pool Tournament. April 12th 1 pm NV Corners, May 3rd will be a meet and greet at the Slimy Crud Run at Schellter Bar, E7428 County Road C, June 7th 1 pm will be at NV Corners 2710 County Highway V, Sun Prairie WI.