Real reasons bike event was canceled

The arrogance of Grayslake Mayor Tim Perry has surfaced again. This time around he has angered motorcyclists who planned to attend the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Sunday.

In typical Perry fashion, he announced the cancellation of the show at the eleventh-hour Friday, leaving sponsors, vendors, exhibitors and hundreds of bikers in the lurch for this fourth annual event.

Perry and police chief Larry Herzog cited cryptic circumstances that "threatened the health and public safety of those attending the event and the people of Grayslake." Those of us who own motorcycles know better-- the village didn't want any mean biker types polluting his town! Fear of rival motorcycle groups causing trouble at the event is a bunch of hogwash (no Harley pun intended).

We have been to motorcycle events all over Illinois and Wisconsin, including Harley's 100th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee that attracted over 10,000 motorcyclists nationwide. Not once have there been reports of threatening circumstances or rival gang fights at those events. Quite the contrary, the townspeople eagerly lined the streets to watch the parade of bikes, cheering and waving. They didn't hide in their houses because "bikers" were coming to town.

Despite the fearful stereotype, most bikers would give someone the shirt off of their back - many charities depend on motorcycle event fundraisers. The Marine's Toys for Tots; the Maryville Academy Home for Children in Niles; the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation; St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital; Ride for the Cure (breast cancer); and Ride for Life (muscular dystrophy) are just a few of the hundreds of organizations that benefit from the open hearts and deep pockets of motorcyclists.

Shame on Mayor Perry for thumbing his stuck-up nose at an event that would have brought much needed revenue to this town, and helped Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities (C.A.M.O.), a charitable organization that helps wounded veterans with cognitive or physical disabilities. We hope those of you who traveled far, and didn't get the last minute press release, took the time to ride past Mayor Perry's home to give him a heartfelt biker's salute!

Ken and Sandy Hartogh

Unincorporated Grayslake