<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="MS Exchange Server version 6.0.6603.0"> <TITLE>FYI - reason to avoid YNP in late July</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY>  The following is an article that appears in today's Billings Gazette.  I, for one, plan to avoid the Park in late July because I dislike the noise that so many bikes create, assuming that many of them will travel through the Park before and after the rally.  Sad that Cody is so desperate for $$ that they are actually welcoming a gang with a long history of criminal activity to the city.  And I'm terribly sorry if I am encroaching on anyone else's curmudgeon status.  (c:) Hell's Angels welcome, say Cody merchants By RUFFIN PREVOST Gazette Wyoming Bureau CODY - After an announcement Monday by Gov. Dave Freudenthal of increased funding for Park County law enforcement during a planned Hell's Angels rally this summer in Cody, many local merchants want to make sure the town is still perceived as biker-friendly. Local law enforcement officials said the Hell's Angels 2006 World Run, with 500 to 1,200 bikers, is scheduled for July 26-30 in Cody. Some Cody business owners say that while the Hell's Angels may have a reputation for lawlessness and outrageous behavior, most motorcyclists are friendly, free-spending and an economic plus to the area. "I understand law enforcement wanting to make sure they're prepared for anything," said Brad Constantine, owner of the Beartooth Inn. "But people shouldn't scrutinize every person that rides a motorcycle just because of an image or namesake." Constantine said he has seen a steady increase in the number of bikers visiting Cody during the summer, with last year being the biggest yet. "We have some of the most scenic riding and driving trips there are in the country," he said. "And of course, that's going to attract specific groups such as motorcyclists." Constantine said that while he understands singling out Hell's Angels for special scrutiny, most bikers are "typically the type of person willing to spend money, shop, stay and dine in our community." Cody Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gene Bryan also touted the economic benefit of bikers to the area. "There are certain phrases in this world that you say and you automatically have a perception, and I would put the Hell's Angels in that category," said Bryan. "But I would hope that all of us here don't rush to judgment. It's not a group we would have invited, nor did we. But if they are in fact coming, we want to do everything we can to assure people we'll make them feel welcome." Bryan said he was happy to "leave law enforcement to the professionals and encourage our tourism industry to take good care of all our visitors." "I agree with those merchants," said Park County Sheriff Scott Steward. "By no means do I think anyone who jumps on a Harley is a problem." Steward said there was a stigma surrounding groups like the Hell's Angels, and the best approach for law enforcement is to be as prepared as possible to deal with any problems that might arise. Steward said conflicts are likely to occur when any large groups gather. "I think at this point, people shouldn't be alarmed," Steward said. "We'll be very well prepared for them and make it as peaceful as possible." Freudenthal directed Attorney General Pat Crank to provide at least $250,000 to Park County law enforcement agencies, as well as any needed support from the Division of Criminal Investigation. Most of that money is likely to be spent on extra police presence and overtime hours, Steward said. Money will also be spent on additional emergency service and first-response personnel. "If you look at the road rallies and other events, the most successful ones are the ones that have the largest law enforcement presence," Steward said. "We're not out there to harass anyone, just to take care of issues that come up." Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of <A HREF="http://www.leeenterprises.com">Lee Enterprises</A>. Thanks, Udo Freund </BODY> </HTML>