The Aftermath of 4 Simple Words: Unsightly Presence of Motorcyclists

4 Simple Words

At the core of what became a hornets’ nest were 4 simple words included in an unauthorized flyer distributed on Port Jefferson Business Improvement District letterhead:  Unsightly Presence of Motorcyclists

With social media and motorcycle forums abuzz with the initial news of the flyer, the wheels began to turn and town officials began to take note and speak out.

Unofficial and Unauthorized

On Tuesday April 6, 2010 both Mayor Margot Garant and Port Jefferson Business Improvement District President Bruce Passarelli published statements denouncing the original “Food For Thought” anti-motorcycle points. It seems that there was a rogue member of the BID trying to further their own personal agenda.

Port Jefferson Village Center Port Jefferson Main St George Wallis' Steamroom Restaurant

BID Meeting – April 6, 2010 7pm

On Tuesday evening, the BID held its monthly meeting at the Port Jefferson Village Center. The floor was opened to discuss the offending flyer, the Village, and BID’s stance on motorcyclists in town. The Mayor again reiterated that any disparaging remarks made were not the feelings of the Village or the BID as a whole. She was very open and forthright and seemed to welcome further constructive communications with concerned motorcyclists.

Concerned Motorcyclists speak to George Wallis in Port Jefferson Concerned Motorcyclists at the Port Jefferson BID Meeting Port Jefferson Mayor Garant

The meeting was attended by about 100 motorcyclists, a small handful of business owners, law and code enforcement officers and the Mayor herself. As you might imagine there were moments when the audience was very passionate about having their voices heard, but overall those that wished to address the panel were able to do so.

Motorcycles Prohibited - The Steamroom Parking Lot

Will the Mystery Author Please Stand Up

At the center of much of the ire was George Wallis, a local business and property owner who supports a “Motorcycles Prohibited” sign in his privately owned parking lot. The anti-motorcyclist remarks on the flyer are widely attributed to Mr. Wallis.

During the meeting he made no effort to soften his anti-motorcycle stance as speaker after speaker questioned his rationale. As stakeholders spoke of taking their business elsewhere, he rebuffed them noting that he had “plenty of money,” and welcomed them to do just that.

When asked about his motorcycles prohibited parking sign, he stated that motorcycles parking in his lot bring the property value down. So, the man with plenty of money is worried about his bottom line after all.

I think that it is important for all motorcyclists to avoid spending money in George Wallis’ establishments. Mr. Wallis doesn’t “need” it, but there are plenty of other motorcyclist-friendly places in town that do.

Motorcycle Un-Friendly Businesses:

  • The Steamroom
  • The Frigate – Candy and Ice cream
  • Fish & Co.
  • The Martha Jefferson

The Village of Port Jefferson – Official Website and Social Media

The Village of Port Jefferson has been open and timely in responding to questions about their stance and policies. You can follow the village on Twitter and become a Fan on their official Facebook page.

A Personal Thanks

I’d like to personally thank Brad of the New York Motorcycle and Scooter Task Force for educating me on process, laws and for communicating with town and law officials regarding this issue. Please check out the NYMSTF on the web and Facebook.

Get involved in the community you care about.

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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38 Responses

  1. RascalKing403 says:

    Good Job Babe.

  2. wendy says:

    I was wondering if we would get to find out who the “rogue” businessman would turn-out to be.

    Thanks for being our “moto-crusader” … now go pick out your superheroine outfit 🙂

  3. wendy says:

    Wow . . . check out his quote in this 2001 article “Women and children were afraid of them” http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-new-york/1071589-1.html

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      Thanks for the link, Wendy.

      I’ve read similar things elsewhere. I find it silly, but there may be some truth to it. I think some folks are walking around thinking that every motorcyclist is an outlaw gang member or something. It’s just foolishness. I don’t know how or if it is possible to get people to look beyond those outdated stereotypes.

  4. Waz says:

    Do a bit of riding in Europe and in places that motorcyclists frequent you’ll find ‘bikers welcome’ signs – restaurants, hotels etc all rolling out the red carpet. Seems like this Wallis guy is a bit of a one-off nutter. Maybe a biker shagged his missus?

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      Hiya Waz
      There are plenty of other merchant who are rider friendly. I wish I knew what in particular set this guy off. He wasn’t saying last night. But, there will be no changing him so – we have to change our patronage and that’s fine by me.

  5. FuzzyGalore says:

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  7. rippinkitten says:

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  10. KT Did says:

    RT @rippinkitten: Wow what a jackass! RT @Fuzzygalore The Aftermath of 4 Simple Words: Unsightly Presence of Motorcyclists http://goo.gl/fb/4hZaF

  11. Great post Fuzzy! We motorcyclists should be careful to not write-off this Wallis character as an isolated nut-job — there are many in the US who feel the same, and every now and then one becomes more vocal or takes political action, often spurred by encounters with open-piped bikes. Educating the non-riding public and ambassadorship are the keys methinks.

  12. The Aftermath of 4 Simple Words: Unsightly Presence of Motorcyclists-> http://tinyurl.com/y9yx5w7

  13. The Aftermath of 4 Simple Words: Unsightly Presence of Motorcyclists-> http://tinyurl.com/y9yx5w7

  14. Wow what a jackass! The Aftermath of 4 Simple Words: Unsightly Presence of Motorcyclists http://goo.gl/fb/4hZaF (via @rippinkitten)

  15. Frank says:

    I agree…
    Very ‘outdated’ views, sounds like this individual has never moved on from watching ‘The Wild One’…….
    Motorcyclists ARE doctors, lawyers, nurses, business owners, we just choose a (relatively) environmentally friendly vehicle to ride around on, instead of a gas guzzling Car or Truck….
    although we DO have to effectively ‘police ourselves’ on the noise issue, and learn to compromise a little…otherwise, rather like the UK in the early 90’s, we will find those in power dealing with ‘noise’ rather heavy handedly!!!

    very good writeup, and also a bit scary..’the thin end of the wedge’ here, maybe….
    We have to be responsible too, but, I for one will not be frequenting those establishments listed, and I will NOT be sending my customers to The Frigate anymore, when they need a particular candy.
    Frank

  16. Frank says:

    PS How about printing up some “George Wallis Prohibited” signs……..I’ll fly one from my parking lot!!!!!!

  17. RT @fuzzygalore: The Aftermath of 4 Simple Words: Unsightly Presence of Motorcyclists http://goo.gl/fb/4hZaF

  18. On behalf of the Mayor and the Business Improvement District, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time last night to come out to the Village Center and share their views and opinions. The Mayor and the Parking Committee are continuing their work to increase the availability of motorcycle parking throughout the Village of Port Jefferson. If you have any questions on parking, or anything in the Village, please contact Port Jefferson Village Hall at (631) 473-4724.

  19. mb says:

    Fuzzy u rock, thanx for the info..I’ll know where NOT to go when visiting Port Jeff in the future….maybe a ladies ride there is in order soon 🙂

  20. Torch says:

    Looks like the bikes did thousands of dollars of improvements to me.

    Ride on,
    Torch

  21. John Ashford says:

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  27. Shybiker says:

    Good job, both in going and then getting the word out. Attacks on us need to be publicized so we can take appropriate action (as done here). Congrats.

  28. GLantern says:

    Great Job Fuzz glad to see there was such a big turnout!

  29. Brad says:

    Hey Fuzzy, great seeing you at the PJ BID non-meeting.

    I believe you can add Dockside to the list of motorcycle -unfriendly businesses.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      Hey Brad 🙂

      The Dockside changed their name a few years ago and then just recently again. I am not certain that restaurant is still owned by Wallis.

  30. byrd says:

    You poor bastards are on the wrong side of the Long Island Sound. EVERYONE on the mainland of New York and Connecticut have a great time riding the roads and stopping at anyone of the thousands of establishments who welcome our business (and money) all year round. Between the congestion and poorly maintained roads there is NO REASON for you not to cross over one of the bridges and into PARADISE.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      Hey Byrd-
      I’m not a native Long Islander, so I know what you mean. But the reality is – people are small minded everywhere. You just don’t always hear about it.

      Time is always the biggest deterrent for not heading across any one of the bridges~

  31. Joanne Hurd says:

    Wish I could have attended the meeting in Pt. Jeff!
    Dressed real nice, businesslike, homemaker-like, tasteful, professional, “June Cleaver-ish!”

    I would have loved to have had the floor and start out by stating:

    Years ago, when I lived in Selden, newly married, raising my three little boys, living the “American Dream” of owning a home, raising a family, being part of a community, I loved coming up to Pt. Jefferson in the early evenings with my children. We would stand near the dock and enjoy watching the Ferries come in and go out; we would walk pleasantly through the quaint town, shopping in all the wonderful shops, and enjoying a nice meal in one of the restaurants. Of course, we would always get ice cream afterwards! We spent quite a bit of time in Pt. Jeff, and quite a lot of money, also!

    Years later, after moving away from the area, no more kids in the house, Pt. Jeff has remained an exciting destination for me to head to on a sunny afternoon. Once again, to walk through the town, make purchases in the great shops, stand at the dock and watch the Ferries come in and out, and enjoy a nice dinner in one of the restaurants – and, yes, I would still enjoy an ice cream afterwards! And, yes, I spent quite a bit of money in one afternoon in this quaint little town.

    Of course, I would notice all the motorcycles – riding through the streets, parking in the lot – bikers walking along the streets of Pt. Jeff –

    And I was so PROUD to be one of them!
    Here I am, in my 50’s, enjoying my day, riding my motorcycle, purposely stopping in YOUR TOWN because of its charm & inviting businesses, and getting to meet and talk to so many people with the same interest as I have in motorcycling!

    “Unsightly?” Have you ever looked at these machines?
    They are beautiful!
    Such beautiful paint jobs – clean, shiny chrome –
    riders taking such pride in their bikes!

    Plenty of “regular” people (those who drive their cars to Pt. Jeff for the day) are constantly staring at all the motorcycles – talking about how pretty they are or how COOL they are –

    Grown men, awe struck by the big Iron Horse of his dreams!

    I don’t quite understand the business thinking of banning motorcycles from your town!
    They guy (or girl) on the motorcycle is more than likely middle-aged, employed in a manner that affords him to own an expensive “toy”, and is just like you or me once the horrible, unsightly, ugly motorcycle is taken out of the equation!!!

    How about banning ugly cars from your “better-than-thou” little town?
    Or banning lower income people from the precious Pt. Jefferson?

    Hey, I’ve got an idea –

    Why don’t you set up checkpoints at the “Entrances” to Pt. Jefferson World

    And you can have a Dress Code, Financial Application, and Form of Transportation Checklist

    In order to enter your World and spend OUR money!!!

    Need I say more?

  32. CT "Unsightly" Biker (Pat) says:

    This is funny stuff. Whoever published this “unauthorized” flier is either a genius, or a complete twit. This one has given Port Jefferson free national coverage that even a marketing or ad agency couldn’t have come up with.

    Seriously, this is the chatter on various forums that have national and international coverage. I first heard of it on Tuesday night on an internet tv show, KICKSTART TV.

    As far as Mr. Wallis goes, he is well within his right to prohibit motorcycles from his private property. I have no issue with that. I think he’s a lying sack of crap for claiming the the presence of motorcycles lower his property values, but so be it. What evidence does Mr. Wallis have to support this absurd claim? Why can’t he just be honest and simply say he doesn’t like motorcycles. I can respect a person for their honesty even if I don’t agree.

    I wonder if it ever occurred to the publisher of this flyer that prohibiting motorcycles from public roads is just plain illegal? How is that different then banning Blacks, Hispanics, or Pacific Islanders? Or fat chicks? I can only imagine what the screeching and whining would have been like had someone put up a poster “NO BLACKS” on the parking signs.

    Now if someone is really bent on banning something on the basis of being unsightly, may I suggest the Pontiac Aztek or the Chrysler 300?

    Ride on boys and girls.

    Pat from CT

  33. LJ James says:

    Hey this story was right on point! I was there and was proud to be a part of the solution! Fuzzy please contact me Id like to chat with you ! Also anyone who took pics or videos at the meeting please send them to me! AmericanBikerX@yahoo.com

    LJ James
    Biker Lowdown Radio Show
    BikerLowdown.com

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