Dear Staff, friends & family, It is with deep regret, many sleepless nights and numerous discussions with my partner, Debbie Johnson, that I write this letter. Most of you know what a financial struggle it has been to produce our motorcycle rally – forget the politics. I have a large sum of money invested, but more important, our freedom-loving biker-hearts are deeply rooted in spirit of the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally. Debbie and I love bikers. We love the biker lifestyle. Presenting LtC. Don Allen’s magnificent AVTT 2 years in a row was an honor and a privilege. The Wall and the Cost of Freedom sacred displays were open 24 hrs./day, free to the public, throughout the duration of our events. What a site it was to see! Over 3 ½ years a team of people grew in numbers and we came together with a common goal. Watching outstanding individuals (bikers) pulling together to make the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally successful means everything to us. Without your help, we could not have accomplished what we did.
There are always ways to beat ourselves up over what we may not have done correctly. The motorcycle rally business certainly contains a list of unknown factors a mile long; from the poor economy, to members of law enforcement with negative views of bikers, to liquor licensing issues - the list goes on. (It only takes 1 individual to ruin an event for everyone.) All in all though, we know we produced a real motorcycle rally, and there are very few left. Each of you played a role in helping us keep biker traditions alive. We produced a rally where bikers could meet old friends and make new ones. Inside the Rally grounds there was an atmosphere where everyone knew they could just relax, smile and be bikers (real people). We heard so many great stories and met so many incredible people. This was a real accomplishment in times when much of America is obsessed with political correctness. Along this journey, we proved (again) that bikers are some of the most respectful, patriotic and law-abiding folks a tourist driven economy could ask for.
Unfortunately for us it has come down to money and time. Even though the economic impact of the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally exceeded $1,000,000.00 in the region, we have been unable to convince the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairground to work with us on costs and we were given a deadline of January 15, 2010 to give them our decision. There is also a new protocol for law enforcement’s role with our liquor permit – that protocol has yet to be finalized. We feel it is not fair to keep all of you aiming toward a goal that has too many unknown factors with the event being just 5 ½ months away.
Besides our great Staff and supporters, I want to acknowledge Debbie. No one works harder than my girl. I am so proud of her and feel so privileged that the good Lord has blessed my stubborn ass with a loyal patient angel who works harder and more effectively than any human being I have ever met. I will always remember her smile when she rode her motorcycle into her Wings2Fly Saloon and then, danced on her bar with her friends!
Here is just portion of what we accomplished:
1. 2 feature stories in Thunder Press – August 2009 cover story (largest national Harley Davidson monthly publication) – “glowing review.” 2. May ’09 Cover & endorsement of the Pacific North West Editor, Quick Throttle Magazine 3. Numerous feature articles & full sponsorship, Keith Ball & Nyla Olsen, Bikernet.com (“Bandit” is the former Editor-in-Chief of Easyriders magazine) 4. Numerous letters and editorial endorsements from National Best Selling Author (“The Original Wild Ones”) & Thunder Press Reporter, Bill “Press” Hayes, 5. Numerous feature stories, written endorsements and personal attendance @ SS2AMCR ’08 & ’09 & 100% online editorial support + in-person participation for Operation Gratitude, Jack & Sue Lawford’s, Biker Hot Line 6. Numerous interviews and endorsements, the Charlie Brechtel Band, “Good Time” & Sabrina Brechtel (House Band at the Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, SD) 7. Numerous articles in regional newspapers including: Siskiyou Daily News & Klamath Falls Herald & News 8. Arlen Ness’ rig & “stable” (Polaris Industries/Victory Motorcycles) committed to appear ’08 SS2AMCR (Yreka venue) 9. ’08 (indoor) & ’09 (outdoor) AVTT – American Veterans Traveling Tributes – The Wall & Cost of Freedom Sacred Display panels, Escort ’08-‘09, Display ’08 Honker– ‘09 TBV Fairground entrance& Dedication Ceremony - featured speakers, Siskiyou County Veterans Commissioner/Under Sheriff, Mike Murphy, USA, ret, SGM Ron Ballard, Commander, Klamath Falls, OR VFW, Ernie Brace, USMC, ret & former cellmate of John McCain – author “A Code to Keep,” Klamath Falls native-son & Afghanistan veteran, Purple Heart recipient, SGM Michael Campbell & Mrs. Carolyn Blashek & SSG Elizabeth Cowie, 2x Invitees to the White House & founders Operation Gratitude (glass floral award presentations created by Karen Ladd Design, Mt Shasta, CA – ( www.karenladddesigns.com ) 10. Air National Guard 173rd dual F-15s’ Fly-over, Main St, Tulelake, 1000 hrs, Saturday, July 4, 2009 11. Founder(s) of Operation Gratitude(2X Invitees to the White House) attended, led AVTT Escort from Klamath Falls Home Depot, exhibit/inform SS2AMCR patrons of OPGrat’s mission & are recognized ’08 & ’09 by South Bay Biker Productions 12. National Act entertainment including: Curb Asylum recording artist/multiple CMA award winner – Ms. Heidi Newfield (former lead singer, “Trick Pony,” performed CMA nominated Best Song ‘08/hit single “Johnny & June”- tribute to Johnny Cash & June Carter-Cash, Ms. Newfield met OPGrat co-founder SSG Elizabeth Cowie before her performance), Grass Roots, Pat Travers, Charlie Brechtel, James Intveld – all acts appeared at their scheduled time with perfect production in place. 13. National Act Covers- Wild Child, Skynnyn Lynnyrd, ThundHerStruck – all acts appeared at their scheduled times with perfect production in place. 14. National Dust – SS2AMCR “House Band” ’08 & ’09 –always at their scheduled times with perfect production in place. 15. Appearances in ’08 & ’09 by ’09 “Artistry In Iron” 1st Place/Champion, Las Vegas, NV, Mark Daley/Thunderstruck Custom Bikes – entire Daley family @ SS2AMCR each year. (Mr. Daley is recognized by his peers as one of the top custom motorcycle builders in the world.) 16. Exhibits of Boss Hoss line of production motorcycles, Wild Rose Boss Hoss, Tigard, OR ‘09 17. Appearance by Dave Haze, Haze Custom Choppers ’08 & ’09 18. Appearance by John Bartevian, Perfect Past Custom Motorcycles (Mr. Bartevian is a representative of Du Pont Paint.) ‘09 19. Wings2Fly Saloon 12K sq ft of air-conditioned biker-bar heaven (Main Exhibit Building), staffed with the best lookin friendliest folks in the business” - ’08 & ’09 – full liquor permit recommended to ABC by Siskiyou County Sheriff Rick Riggins. 20. Boogieman Bike Games – Managed by the finest motorcycle rodeo athlete in the Western Region of the USA - ’08 & ’09 21. Professional Photography by, Henry “Photoshooter” Aparicio benefitting all SS2AMCR business, Operation Gratitude & FARSIDE RUN ‘09 22. Motorcycle stunt teams performing throughout ’08 & ’09 events – (’08 free performance for the Tulelake Grammar School & High School) 23. “Pink & Sluggo’s Crusin 4 Ca$h” (organized by: Mr. Douglas Brown & Mrs. Christina Brown) ’09 : raised $365.00 for Operation Gratitude - 100 mile loop ride through Siskiyou and Klamath County’s exposed SS2AMCR patrons to the region – riders patronized sponsoring businesses along the route. (perfect safety record) 24. Eric Petersen’s Oregon State Arm Wrestling Tournament (men & women) ’08 - ’09 (perfect safety record) 25. Employment for 100 local people ’08 – ‘09 26. Parade in honor of former Tulelake Mayor, Mike Bunch – “Bunch-A-Thunder” ’08 – ‘09 27. Successful interface with over 70 vendors ’08 & ‘09 28. Perfect safety record ’08 – ’09 29. Perfect law enforcement record ’08-‘09 30. 40 minute professional documentary on ’08 SS2AMCR – “Ain’t No Sin to Ride” – Produced by Jeff Kraus & Debbie Johnson, screened 01/09, Tulelake High School & 02/09, Mr. Pockets, Manhattan Beach, CA & all over hostile regions where American service members are deployed > 500 copies donated to Operation Gratitude. 31. 10 minute professional documentary on ’09 SS2AMCR & 4 professional video clips highlighting facets of ‘09’s event 32. The finest Logo T-shirts featuring regional custom motorcycle builders – Kevin Brooks/Thunder Mountain Motor Sports, Mt. Shasta, CA ’08, Mark Daley/Thunderstruck Custom Motorcycles, Phoenix, OR 33. Full hotels (with affordable rates) in Klamath Falls, OR 34. Winema Lodge, Tulelake, CA booked in full ’08 – ‘09 35. 3 ½ years of tourism publicity FREE to the region through South Bay Biker Productions & our Staff attending over 60 major national motorcycle events over 3 years promoting SS2AMCR 36. $1,000,000.00 + >positive economic impact on Klamath Basin, Siskiyou County & Modoc County 37. All suppliers, staff, security team, liquor partner & fairgrounds paid timely and in full ’08 & ‘09 38. Successful interface & full cooperation by South Bay Biker Productions with all regional law enforcement agencies in Klamath Basin (KFPD, OSP), Siskiyou County Sheriff, CHP, Modoc County Sheriff, Lava Beds Nat’l Monument Head Park Ranger, Merrill, OR PD, Maelin, OR PD & Tulelake, CA PD ’08 – ’09 39. 3 years support to Siskiyou County Veterans Commissioner & Representative for FARSIDERUN, including 30 minute professional documentary film advertising Siskiyou County – 700 copies donated to Operation Gratitude & mailed in OPGrat Care packages to service members deployed in hostile regions. 40. Interface with all Klamath County Commissioners ’09 – resulting in their full endorsement, speeches & attendance of the AVTT Escort & Dedication ‘09 41. Written endorsements from: Christian Motorcyclists Association (Anderson & Redding Chapters), Klamath Falls VFW Commander-SGM Ronald Ballard, Siskiyou County Supervisor/Jim Cook, Tulelake City Council, Tulelake Chief of Police/Tony Ross, Siskiyou County Sheriff/Rick Riggins, Klamath Falls Home Depot/Steve Johnson - Manager, KLAD radio & the Rock, Operation Gratitude/SSG Elizabeth Cowie & Mrs. Carolyn Blashek, Yreka Chamber of Commerce/Executive Director & Siskiyou County Veterans Representative-Mark Dean, USN, ret., Siskiyou County Veterans Commissioner & Siskiyou County Under Sheriff/Mike Murphy, USA, ret & Kevin Brooks/Thundermountain Motor Sports 42. Interface with Klamath Falls Mayor, Honorable Todd Kellstrom – speech at AVTT Escort ‘09 43. Interface with Tulelake Mayor, Honorable Jennifer Cooney ’08 & ‘09 44. Interface Tulelake City Council ’08 & ’09 – several meetings 45. Ongoing interface with Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair Board & CEO ’08 & ’09 46. Presenting American Veterans Traveling Tributes – The Wall & Cost of Freedom over Independence Day weekend @ no charge to the public, promoting Operation Gratitude, working side-by-side with our friends & living our dreams in America – priceless!
As most of you know Debbie and I started a new business marketing a fabulous product - Playfield Turf ( www.playfieldturf.com). We have decided to take advantage of this opportunity and use our business experience and talent to grow this endeavor. This being said, not producing the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally for 2010 is one of the hardest decisions we have ever made.
Don’t forget to support America’s service members – they are there for us every step of the way! Thank you again.
Yours truly, Jeff Kraus & Debbie Johnson
South Bay Biker Productions 877-688-4229
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