MUNICIPAL MOTORCYCLE OFFICER OF CALIFORNIA

The Siren 4th Quarter, 2008

Gene GrayPresidentPasadena P.D., LT., Retired

MMOC’s 80th year is coming to an end with a great futurein sight. The 2008 annual Convention and businessmeeting came to a close September 10th where the oldBoard of Directors waved goodbye and the newly electedBoard stepped up to the plate.

We wish the old Board well and a great thanks for theirefforts keeping MMOC on the right track. Those leavingthe Board are Lionel Hess (San Francisco P. D., Lt.Retired), Jim Davis (Los Angeles P. D., Sgt. Retired), andMike Oliveira (Oakland P. D., Retired). These men put alltheir effort into MMOC with many dynamic innovationscoming forth to bring MMOC into the 21st Century.There is no way to properly thank them for volunteeringthere time to MMOC, all I can say is we, and especiallyme, are extremely grateful.

The new 2009 Board of Directors representing the Northwill consist of Mike Rores (Alameda County SheriffsDept, Sgt. Retired), Tom Vlassis (Santa Cruz P. D., Lt.Retired) also Past-President of MMOC, plus Rich Bailey(San Jose, Retired). Down South your representation willbe J. J. Leonard (Los Angeles P. D., Retired) also PastPresident and me. During this term Rich Bailey wasappointed Vice-President and I was again appointedPresident.

There were no changes in the Secretary positionleaving Kim Wriht to continue manipulating the Englishlanguage. Our office staff also remains status quo withBruno Tonin (Los Angeles P. D., Sgt. Retired) asAdministrative Assistant and Ellen Tonin managing thefinancial issues. With those on board we look forward tohaving a very positive future.

To change the subject I would like to congratulate thewinners at our 08 Convention. At the end of our AnnualMeeting we had a drawing where Mack Rhodes (LosAngeles P. D.) won the Thomas Lofthouse award plusTom Bailey (Santa Cruz P. D. / Past-President) won$20.00, Robert Holland (Oakland P. D.) won $30.00, andlast but not least Baron Laetzsch (Los Angeles P. D.) won$50.00, Congratulations to all.

In closing I would like to personally thank all those thatattended our 08 Convention. This was an outstandingConvention with tons of fun, activity, and fellowship. Atthis point the Northern boys are investigating locations tohave our 2009 Convention. Please contact them withideas, their MMOC web site is in the making that’s to ourwebmaster Doug Wayne (Oakland P. D., Sgt. Retired).

NOTE:Vice-President Rich Bailey is up and running please useour web-site, www.mmoc.org to contact him or me forideas, questions, or comments on anything.

t

t INTO THE YEAR 2009

Outgoing Director - TreasurerLAPD, Sgt., Retired

Hello once again! I have just returned fromSolvang where the financial statement was pre-sented to the membership in attendance at the

2008 convention and I am happy to report we are 100%financially solvent, a very strong organization. We evenhave rainy day funds. We have already begun raisingfunds toward the 2009 Siren magazine and our web storeis up and running and selling product. MMOC is nowoperating more efficiently and professionally then it hasin many years.

I am proud and honored that since 2002 I have had theopportunity to represent you, the members of MMOC,as your Director/Treasurer and Past President(2004-2005). However, with the installation of the newboard of Directors for 2008-2009, I must now pass thebaton to those who will guide us into a new and brightfuture for MMOC.

I am also proud that I was able to contribute to theprogress of MMOC and of the accomplishmentsachieved during my terms of office. However, theprogress, accomplishments and goals achieved atMMOC cannot be attributed to any one individual. Ittakes a team of individuals working together toaccomplish what has been accomplished these past fouryears. Therefore, I would like to take the opportunity tothank the entire board of Directors, especially those whoaccepted the challenges during the difficult times whenwe had no staff, giving of their time, talent and energyabove and beyond. It is all of us; the Directors, Officersand Members, working together that make up the heartand soul of MMOC. I am sure that the future of MMOCis a very bright one as MMOC is under very ableleadership and the best is yet to come.

My last four years in office were tough, fulfilling andenlightening all at the same time. MMOC has come along way since that day in 2004 when, after acceptingthe Presidency, I walked into the office and foundMMOC operating in the RED. Cautiously, but opti-mistically, I accepted the challenge, and then foundmyself working many hours in the office with no paidstaff. However, I was fortunate to be supported with the hard work and dedication of those Directors and theOfficer (secretary) who remained true to MMOC andalso accepted the challenge of one arduous year, bringingMMOC back into the BLACK. The accomplishmentwas truly something we could all be proud of.

Since that time we have hired new office staff, totallyrevamped our computer programs, filing system andbookkeeping system, which has four layers of checksand balances; President, Treasurer, Staff and anIndependent bookkeeper, who is separate from ouraccounting firm of Kelly and Small. MMOC hired anew publisher for the “Siren” magazine and for thequarterly magazine. Along with our telemarketer, ProFund, who provides for our minimum operating expenses,we have been able to establish a relationship with KWSproduction that raises funds through the sale ofadvertising for the publishing of our magazine.Not yet satisfied, the following three years, guided byMark Murray and Gene Gray as Presidents, myself andthe other Directors and Officers continued to moveMMOC in a positive manner, launching MMOC securelyinto the 21st Century

May God bless and keep us all safe this new year ofMMOC, 2008 - 2009.

Semper Fi, “JJ”DirectorLos Angeles PD, Retired

I'm hoping I can use that title. Greetings! from yournew/old Director from the south.."JJ" Leonard. Yup ithappened. This last convention in Solvang, MMOConce again recruited me. Naturally, I'm looking forwardto serving you - you know, to protect and to serve! Wellhere I am. Please remember I am going to need all thehelp I can get. Any ideas etc. will be greatly appreciated.

This will be short but I hope interesting: On the eleventhhour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918,the First World War ended. Civilians wanted to rememberthe people who had given their lives for peace andfreedom. An American War Secretary, Moina Michael,inspired by John McCrae's poem, began selling poppiesto friends to raise money for the ex-service community.And so the tradition began. Here's the poem:"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, Wewill remember them."

So if you see somebody selling poppies, buy one, andwear it proudly!

t From the Desk ofJimDavis

t

t IRONHORSEMENSemper Fi, “JJ”DirectorLos Angeles PD, Retired

Yeah, its me again and I'm back on the Board. Iguess this will show me what happens to thosewho don't keep quiet at the Convention. HOS,

Dennis Brown, graciously stepped away from theDirector's spot that was bestowed on me. Thank youDennis.

While I'm on the topic of thank you's, I'd really like tothank LAPD's Jim Davis for all he had done while servingon the Board. He never hesitated to step up to the plate tohelp when ever he could and as much as he could.Hopefully, we will continue to see he and his bride atfuture MMOC functions.

Speaking of the Convention, what a great time! Solvangwas a major success and fun was had by one and all. Judiand I got to see old (pardon the pun) friends as well asmeet some really nice new folks. We had people comefrom Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, and even SouthernCalifornia. Heck, I even came in second in the golftournament. Santa Cruz's Tom Bailey won it whileOakland's Mike Olivera came in close behind. I'm sureothers will write about the Convention, but I do want togive my most sincerest thanks to Gene and Judy Gray.They worked their little butts off putting it together and itreally came out great.

The Board is looking at a couple of locations for nextyear's Convention in the North. Right now, Sacramentoand Lake Tahoe are leading the pack and aggressivelybeing explored. Let Rich Bailey or I know if you have anyother preferences. We'd really appreciate hearing fromyou as to if you plan to attend the 2009 Convention or not.That way we can get a rough idea on our "head count"when discussing the number of rooms we'll need. We allknow the more who attend, the cheaper the price.

As this is my first article, I haven't had the chance tocontact too many folks out there. Those I did speak withdidn't have any earth shattering news to report. I couldmake up some really great lies, but then again, its my firstarticle and I want to make nice.

Take care, stay safe and don't hesitate contacting Judi or Iif you have any needs, questions, or concerns. Remember,the MMOC belongs to all of us and its only as good as wemake it.

President Gene GrayPasadena P. D.Retired

Vice-President Rich BaileySan Jose P.D.Retired

Director J.J. LeonardPast-PresidentLos Angeles P.D.Retired

Director Tom VlassisPast-PresidentSanta Cruz P.D.Retired

Director Mike RoresAlameda CountySheriff’s DepartmentRetired

Secretary Kim WirhtSan Jose P.D.

Office Bruno ToninLos Angeles P.D.Retired

MUNICIPAL MOTORCYCLE

OFFICERS OF CALIFORNIA

P.O. Box 9903Canoga Park, CA 91303-5576

(818) 884-5576Fax: (818) 884-5485

2008 - 2009 OFFICERS

t SANTA CRUZ’NTom VlassisQuartermasterSanta Cruz P.D., Retired

t

Administrator

t15th

Annual MMOC Ride RecapDennis M. BrownExecutive Ride DirectorOakland P.D., Retired

On the appointed day, fifteenriders from two states repre-senting nine California juris-

dictions converged on the smoky yet“lovely” town of Willows, Californiato kick off our 15th Annual trekthrough scenic mountains of theNorthwest. The ongoing spate of forestfires to our north, south and east,combined with changing wind currentsrendered the sun barely visible attimes, air quality mostly lousy andsunglasses often unnecessary. Yet,joining Rhoda and me poolside satthe likes of Mike and Jeanie Rores,Bill Loveless, Mary Ann Mann, thefamous Heanes brothers duo of Cliffand Jeff, Mark Murray, MikeOliveira, Bob Holland, Mel and TamiD’Angelo, the father and son team ofChuck and Ted Nicolls, ReneLaPrevotte and Oregon transplantsSteve Armbruster and Doug Foss.Conspicuously absent were Bob andVi Hossfeld who were back home inArizona, he on the mend from ablood clot in his left leg, she doingher wifely duties by wiping his browwith a cool damp towel and consolingGrumpy with sips of Early Timeswhiskey. Of note, this marks the firsttime since 1994 when Bob and Iconvened the first ride that they’vefailed to show, now leaving MaryAnn Mann as the only person to haveattended all 15 events, yours trulyincluded!

Our 15th Annual ride would presentmany challenges over the next fourdays and poolside on the 8th of July,we knew, 1) reservations had beenmade for lodging months in advancein Susanville and Auburn, 2) HighDesert State Prison offered us a tourof their maximum security institutiontwo days henceforth and their schedulewas not flexible, 3) the State ofCalifornia was under siege with over2,000 forest fires, and 4) road closuresand detours in the weeks precedingthe ride had become as frequent asthe sight of Harleys in the bed of apickup! What to do you ask, Bunky?Caltrans website and their toll-freeroad closure phone number wouldprove invaluable for the next fewdays and, as the assembled leathergods fueled their guttural tanks withliquid refreshments, there was nolack of suggestions on the appropriateroute to take! And things were changingby the minute too, Reggie. Two hoursafter we arrived, Chuck Nicollsreceived the phone call no one wantsto hear. With Phyllis on the other endof Ma Bell’s invention, he learned hishome town of Junction City in theShasta-Trinity National Forest, perhaps100 air miles away, was in the path ofa very fast moving fire, and he mightconsider coming home! Caltransverified that all routes from the eastand south were closed so he and Tedplotted a circuitous route from the

west they would take at sunrise onthe 9th.

With ash raining on us at the pool, itwas time to adjourn indoors to theon-property Casa Ramos MexicanRestaurant and enjoy a feast of south-of-the-border delicacies and thirstquenching margaritas. It is an excellent,modern eatery, favored by locals andtravelers alike, and the deliciouslibations concocted from the agaveplant flowed almost as fast as the BSspewing from certain mouths! Youcan infer from that statement wewere not a quiet group, more likeriotous and raucous, with belly achinglaughter!

Early to bed, early to rise, makes aman healthy, wealthy and…….hungover! 7:30 on the morning of July9th would prove to be too early for ariders’ meeting with a bunch of fatheads, yet we persevered, discussedmileage we were going to lop off thenew route to Susanville in order tosteer clear of smoke and fire, yet stillallow our sightseeing sojournthrough Lassen Volcanic NationalPark. Substitute 50 miles of IS 5freeway and 46 miles of fairly scenicCa36 for 120 miles of motorcyclingnirvana north east of Chico and wewere at the portal of Lassen Park onCa89. Ms. Rangerette at theSouthwest Entrance Station was so

continued…

officious and thorough, it requiredmore than 20 minutes to pass 13bikes and one chase vehicle through“her” quagmire. Competency andtenacity notwithstanding, 30 minuteslater we stood at the Bumpass HellOverlook at the park roads high pointof 8512’ and were once again remind-ed why rural America can be soenchanting. With snow cappedmajestic Lassen Peak looming twomiles to our rear flank and 2,000 feethigher into the clouds than our foot-ing, the view of the valley floor southand east was mesmerizing. Far off inthe distance we could see columns ofsmoke from multiple fires pollutingthe region we just vacated, yet wewere offered a temporary high altituderespite, and all enjoyed a breath offresh air and the prospect of pollutant-free riding for a few hours. A lunchbreak within the park and 25 moremiles of saw-tooth shaped, curvy andpristine roadway would allow us exitto Sr44 and our 2 hour leisurelyscenic trek to Susanville.

Perfect high 80, low 90 degreeweather greeted us mid-afternoon atHigh Country Inn and beckoned ourpresence poolside……..with icechests in tow, of course! Our twonight stay at this great hotel wouldprovide relief from the grind ofrepacking all our gear daily, and theincessant smoke of the day before,too. Within a stone’s throw of thewestern border of Nevada wherethere is nothing to burn—read bar-ren—prevailing winds allowed us toonce again see blue skies, contrailsfrom airliners in the jet stream 35,000above and Billy Joe Bob passing byour abode repetively in his jacked uphooptie replete with Confederateflag. Strategic planning was in orderas tomorrow; Thursday, July 10thwas scheduled to be our morning tourof High Desert State Prison and after-

wards, a four hour ride through rusticcountryside unfamiliar to this scribe.Enter Helen Clark, a cherubic formerReserve Police Officer at OPD, who8 years ago decided her love of allthings equestrian and rural outweighedbig city life and moved to theboonies. As a Dispatcher for theSusanville office of the CHP, shefound her niche, but more importantly,knew all the back roads of the regionas she plied her other love: ridingmotorcycles. While others frolickingin cool water persisted in embarrassingthose of us sedate in demeanor, Helenand I mapped out our route, sippedPerrier and threw peanuts at the buf-foons on liquid encouragement! Withthe sun threatening to set before weabandoned our water enclave, it wastime to weave the 200 or so feet to themotel restaurant soooooo far off inthe distance. Wait staff often makegood money when they can adapt toloud and boisterous groups, and tendto the needs of the needy, and wereally needed help this night. Seatedin a private room (I wonder why?) ata looooong table that reminded me ofMichelangelo’s Last Supper, we 17clowns, 1) declared the winner of thenext Presidential election, 2) declaredthe winner of the next Presidentialelection will not be from Florida andtherefore pregnant chads and“Electile Dysfunction” will not be anissue and, 3) the next President willnot be a female and therefore, noteligible for maternity leave on thetaxpayer dime! And this rhetoric wasjust for starters. The Three Stooges,who shall remain anonymous…., buttheir initials are LaPrevotte, Hollandand Rores were yammering on abouttheir ancestors’ contribution to WWIIafter I, innocently of course,maligned the French and suffered thewrath of The Perve. The cocktailwaitress was trying to take drinkorders, the waiter likewise trying to

take dinner orders, Holland was makingfaces at both of them with his GeneSimmons of “KISS” fame tonguewaving in the breeze, Rores wasgoing on about the Greeks bringingup the rear of many campaigns inEurope and Herr Foss was heardmuttering that the loss by NaziGermany was not Germane to thisevent as it wasn’t Oktoberfest yet!Wow: dinner, drinks and an ongoingcomedy club routine that lasted for anhour or more. Very little of that rhetoricis printable in this publication, but itwas HILARIOUS, our guts achedand the restaurant patrons seatedoutside our room looked mortifiedeach time the staffers opened the doorto tend to our every need. Early tobed, early to rise, makes a manhealthy, wealthy and…….hung over!High Desert State Prison awaited usat 0900 hrs, and as Mike and JeanieRores, Bob Holland, Mel and TamiD’Angelo, Mike Oliveira and Itraveled the12 miles to that barbedwire city and approached from thewest, I think we all wondered whatwe were getting ourselves into. I hadbeen forewarned months ago that Imay be asked not to discuss or printcertain aspects of the prison’s operationalprocedures as the California PenalSystem has been under scrutiny fromthe United States District Court,Northern California and the ACLU—two notoriously liberal bastions ofpower—for more than two years.Suffice it to say; HDSP is an expansive“level 4” institution, spread out overperhaps 200 or more acres and housesapproximately 4500 prisoners. Thereare but a hand full of such maximumsecurity institutions in California,San Quentin and Pelican Bay comereadily to mind. With more than 2,000staff personnel, there is seemingly ahigh ratio of Correctional Officers toinmates; but when you factor in theseare all lifers with slim chance of

…continued

parole—the majority of which havegang affiliations—that ratio is not soappealing. Passing through entrancesecurity, we are given control badgesand gingerly escorted past the lethalhigh voltage, high amperage perimeterfence bounded on four corners-square by gun towers.

It had been “leaked” to the generalpopulation days earlier that “dignitaries”from Sacramento would be touringthe grounds this morning. While myego says I should feel honored, mybubble was burst when remindedprisoners don’t like LEO’s, retired ornot! With the seven of us closelyescorted by a like number of CO’sinto the first of four segregatedexercise yards slightly smaller than afootball field, the cold reality sweptover me; we, the good guys and gals,walking amongst the male dregs ofsociety and separated by no morethan 20 feet verbally mandated by ourescorts, were outnumbered by morethan 30 to 1, including the substantialcompliment of Correctional Officersnormally assigned to that area! “Ifyou see or hear a fight, hit the deckand freeze because there’s a goodchance bullets will fly”, we were told.“Understand, in the yard or cell-blockareas, no one is armed, for our ownprotection—but look at that elevated

and heavily fortified gun turretshaped tower over there; I’ll guaranteehe’s got our back.” Indeed, cameras,eyeballs and spotting scopes monitorour every move for the next 3 hoursas we progress through several cell-blocks and yards to the fourth andhighest-security exercise yard. Thecell blocks were spooky, and I’m notto discuss them at length, but outsidein the yard, we could really feel thetension amongst the prisoners, allwith gang affiliations. Blacks on onequadrant, whites on another, and thetwo different factions of Mexicans:northern and southern, staking outtheir turf apart from each other. Aswe meander amongst the convicts,their gaze constantly shifts from us toCorrectional Officers in the yard andoverhead on cat-walks and, to theirfellow inmate enemies. This tensionis surreal, spooky and not to be takenlightly and as we exit, a wave of reliefhits this scribe and my cohorts! Backat the administration building, we bidadieu to our guests and to a person,are in awe of what we just witnessedand our new-found respect forCorrectional Officers within theCalifornia Penal system.Within minutes we’re back at thehotel, meet up with Helen Clark andare off on our 3 and a 1/2 hour ridevia Forest Route 172, past Antelope

Lake to the tiny hamlet ofTaylorsville. The General Store is asource of sundry items for this bergof perhaps 20 families and moreimportantly, great home cooked foodfor our palettes. County route A22delivers us to Ca89 and the peripheryof the Plumas National Forest fire.Skirting the smoke, we take Ca147past Lake Almanor to Ca36 and backto the hotel. Beautiful scenery, notraffic and great rural America!As our last night in Susanvilleloomed ever closer, what to do for anencore? Back to the pool’s refreshingwater, of course! Oakland PD’s PaulPabon, a retired Motor Cop of thefirst order, paid us a day visit andjoined in the ongoing bashing. Dinnerthis night was to be a repeat of yesterday,just slightly more subdued. Many ofus adjourned back to the pool toenjoy the cool, clear evening breezebefore saying goodnight.

Friday morning, July 11th, it wastime to head to Auburn and our lastnight’s abode. Lopping off 4 hours ofvery rural back roads inaccessibledue to multiple fires, we detouredonto boring super slab US395 andIS80, visited the new Cabela’s superstore in Verdi and then had animpromptu lunch stop and Kodakmoment at historic old-town Truckee.

continued …

We arrived at our Super 8 in shortorder, but only after numerousserpentine traffic defiles due toyear’s long road construction in theIS80 corridor of the Sierra Nevadamountain range. Mid 90’s, ice chestsfull of cold drinks and shade umbrellasaround the pool provided perfectrelief from the relentless sun. Enterlocal residents Mike and Rita Stevensand Bob Glover who graced ourpresence long enough to judge ourongoing aquatic maneuvers andtomfoolery sufficiently to pronouncemany of us unfit for H2O aerobics.As has been the norm for years now,MMOC chipped in and bought ourfinal night’s pizza which washeddown very well with ice cold brews,thank you. A lengthy discussion onlocations for next year’s 16th AnnualRide brought a consensus of far

northern California with perhaps atouch of Oregon thrown in for goodmeasure. As we reflected back on thisadventure, it became apparent fortunewas with us. No traffic delays,minimal smoke intrusion after thefirst night’s stay and wonderful, veryscenic country from the perch of ouriron steeds.

I want to thank all that participatedthis year and continue to support ourMMOC touring endeavors. You arespecial to me! We have tremendousfun, somehow seem to solve all theproblems of the world nightly andmore importantly, are a cohesivegroup with great camaraderie. And,we all owe a huge debt of thanks tomy lovely wife Rhoda who wasrelegated to chase vehicle driver atthe eleventh hour. Just days before

our departure and after months ofdiscussions, Rho learned the previousdriver desired to back out due tobusiness concerns. Understand, formany reasons, I will not put on a ridewithout a chase vehicle and for this tosurface at the last minute REALLYput a ton of pressure on the collective“we”. Rho loves the pillion perch andall that goes with those sensations,but that was not to be this year. Shestepped up to the plate, never bitchedonce and guess what, we’re stillmarried! As you read this, we’ve justfinished the 3rd Annual SouthwesternRide, and reserve July 14th, 15th,16th and 17th, 2009 for the 16thAnnual MMOC Ride, the details ofwhich will be posted atwww.mmoc.org soon.

…continued

t

The MMOC regrets to announce:The ultimely passing of Active member John Chargin in August 2008.

John was 65 years old.John was an 8 year member of the MMOC joining in March 2000.

John retired from Oakland P.D. having worked over 30 years. He is survived by his wife Connie.

We are extremely sad to have received word of the passing of Active member,Everette “Blackie” Wittmayer, on September 4, 2008 at the age of 74.

“Blackie” was a member of the MMOC for over 42 years, joining in March 1966. He rode Motors for LAPD and retired in 1975.

“Blackie” is survived by his wife of over 53 years, Norma Jo and numerous family members.

[]

Municipal MotorcycleOfficers of California

Post Office Box 9903Canoga Park, CA 91309-9903(818) 884-5576

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The 2008 Convention is over and we all had agreat time in Solvang. Gene Gray did an out-standing job in putting on one of our betterConventions in MMOC history.

I have taken on the task of putting together our2009 Convention with the assistance of ournewly elected Northern Board members, Past-President Tom Vlassis and Mike Rores, whatan opportunity! Finding a suitable hotel thatfits our needs is the biggest challenge. At thispoint we are putting our heads together to createa great venue with plenty of activities for nextyear. At this point we are looking at OldSacramento or Lake Tahoe. Both sites offerfine hotels, restaurants and plenty to do. Wewelcome any and all input from the membershipas to their desires on an adequate location. Moreinformation to follow…

In addition to the Convention Kim and I arewell into the planning stages of next year’sCioppino Feed. Again, the Feed will be inMarch and it will be at the San Jose PoliceOfficers Association Hall, San Jose, CA.Tickets will go on sale in January as in the past.Many Police Departments have already beguninquiring about the event pretty muchguaranteeing a sell out. MMOC members willhave the first shot at purchasing tickets beforeit’s opened to the outside world.We have a new board with some new faces andnew blood. I see new excitement and newideas within MMOC for next year.

t80 Years of Existence CelebratedRich BaileyDirectorSan Jose P.D., Retired