November 6, 2007
Graham Schedules Taxi Forum in Middle of Day
Given his position as chairman of the committee that oversees transportation and the D.C. Taxicab Commission, we knew headline-loving Ward 1 D.C. Council member Jim Graham wouldn't pass up an opportunity to create his own spectacle in the wake of Mayor Adrian Fenty's announcement about the transition to taxi meters. But it seems as though Graham was only able to muster up the resources to put together a 2 p.m. public roundtable at the Wilson Building, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8 -- not exactly prime time when it comes to getting a big turnout and tons of exposure.
Graham's 2 p.m. public meeting on the taxi transition is a pretty big contrast to the six different public hearings Metro has scheduled to allow for public comment on their proposed fare hikes.
Anyone concerned enough to take a late lunch on Thursday to show up for the meeting? Something tells us the taxi drivers will be well represented.
Photo by Ian Buckwalter
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I've heard directly from Jim Graham on this. He expects the event to run "well into the evening." You don't have to show up at 2 PM to participate. Come when you get off work, sign up to testify and make your voice heard. And bring a snack.
All the cab drivers will be at the meeting at 2PM and leave by 4PM, when the Rush Hour Surcharge starts.
Will Graham comment on the nastygram (heh) he sent out this morning about gang violence?
That's a great pic. Always heartening to see an old white gay dude stand in a crowd of brothers and give the Black Power salute. Dude's a regular Stokely Carmichael, only, like, out of the closet and ready to yank your liquor license.
Is there any requirement for folks who appear before the council to be, like, ya know, actual DC residents?
Cuz lots of cabbies live in MD or VA, and I find it ridiculous that the city (or at least the Taxi commission) even bothers to listen to what those folks say.
why is it ridiculous for the city to listen to the cab drivers? even if they don't live here, they provide a pretty important service here. they should have a say.
Since everyone knows the majority of DC cab riders are unemployeed wards of the state, this makes perfect sense to me-they don't really ahve anything better to do, right?
It's ridiculous to listen to the cab drivers because they will all have variations on the same theme: "we don't want meters, we don't want to clean up our cabs, we like ripping off tourists and folks who don't understand zones, leave us alone and let us continue to run our near-criminal enterprises." I am sure the hearing room will be packed with drivers, giving passengers no voice in the process, yet again.
Honestly, given how little representation the citizenry of DC has had in the taxi debate until Fenty finally stood up for riders, it should be payback time for the cabbies.
No one is forcing cabbies to be cabbies...if they don't like the regulatory structure of their industry, they should find new jobs.
Graham didn't issue a "nastygram" as monkeyrotica implies. What Graham did send around was an email to his constituents about a dramatic increase in shootings that appeared to be connected to Af-Am crews. Graham mentioned specific crews and other detail. The full text is at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ustreetnews/message/9565
Graham regularly emails constitutents, and posts blurbs on neighborhood listservs, about crime incidents and trends. If there is something nasty about a councilman keeping us informed about 100 shootings in a short time frame, I'd like to know what it is.
People love to snark at Jim for his constant activity, but I live here, work here, own a home here, contribute time and energy to my neighborhood, and I love the info.
Also, considering that the majority of concerned/voting DC residents get their local news from TV and radio, 2pm is not a bad time at all for Graham to start this discussion. Local TV and radio can put a package together for the 5, 6 and 11 broadcasts, and a morning repeat. So, plenty of exposure for the discussion.
I'm betting that if this event doesn't go well Graham is going to attempt to ban all taxis from the streets of DC.
Mayor Fenty last week revealed that DC cabs will have the highest fares in the country. We are working to urge the Mayor to reconsider this plan and institute a more reasonable rate, in line with other cities around the country. If you agree that a $4 initial charge is too high and should be no more than the $2.50 rate most other cities have, please take action!
1) Sign an online petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/DCTaxiRates/
2) Email the DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC@dc.gov) and CC: Mayor (Adrian.fenty@dc.gov), Chairman Jim Graham (Jim@grahamwone.com)
3) Attend the Public meeting on Thursday
WHAT: Public Roundtable on Mayor's Proposed Rules for Taxicab Meters
WHERE: Council Chambers, Historic John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
WHEN: 2:00pm TO 8:00pm Thursday, November 8, 2007
Call 202-724-8181 if you would like to testify
With your help, we can help ensure that DC residents pay a fare rate when hailing a cab. Please pass this on to anyone you know who may be interested. We CAN make a difference!
Please sign our online petition opposing the high fares! Under the Mayor's proposal taking a DC cab ONE BLOCK will cost MORE THAN TAKING AN ARLINGTON,VA CAB FOR A WHOLE MILE!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/DCTaxiRates/
Wait, there is a make your own petition website? You really CAN do anything on the internets!
Oh, Monkey.
You need to get back in with the Mos.
Graham is obviously using the Fisting Power callout.
If that's the case, good thing he's wearing a leather watch band.