Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter to the Peekskill City Council

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PEEKSKILL CITY COUNCIL:

Item: Taxi cab fees have jumped from $260.00 a year to 335.00 a year per car. The hack licence went from $125.00 to $150.00 per year. That money does not go to the Police Department for enforcement, but to the general fund. Now you may be told that these monies are earmarked and allocated when the police budget is allocated. However like the lottery where those monies are said to go to education, it is not in addition to what would be allocated, but in lieu of monies allocated.

Item: The original intent of the taxi code review was to get a handle on cars and drivers. Part of that intent was a moratorium on new cars and drivers. It was allowed to expire. I was told be elected officials that there was not time for another public hearing to extend it. Who’s fault is that? The moratorium extended thru August, September and October. Instead of keeping track and updated on the status, these politicians were TOO busy running for office to give a darn. Their desire for power superceded the needs of these small business owners. It was easier to let the moratorium expire and raise fees. Bottom line is that the council made it more expensive to do business and harder to make up those increased costs by allowing more cars and drivers on the road. Everything for their convenience.

Item: All new codes treat everyone at the lowest common denominator. We are to be treated like the worst among us. We are all potential drug addicts, reckless drivers and possible criminals. Those whose records shows excellent driving, no criminal convictions, or even allegations, are not rewarded for their efforts, but treated like crap. Being a law abiding citizen is a negative, you are lumped in with all the rest. Playing by the rules means nothing. Yet because when you read the papers, you see everyday another corrupt official in the federal cross hairs, if I were to lump all elected officials as corrupt, they would scream like stuck pigs saying that is not fair, look at my record. Take that into consideration. Well, I am saying the same thing, look at my record and take that into consideration. Why are my costs increasing (fingerprinting and drug testing) to pay for the sins of others. Why are my taxi fees increasing because you were so busy looking out for your self interest, you neglected mine.

Item: Like I wrote before, the council is hell bent on raising our liability, and therefore our insurance costs by thousands of dollars. This despite the fact they must have state approval. This despite the fact that we are in a recession and it is not projected to end anytime soon. Again, the lowest common denominator. No matter how long you have driven with a good record, you must be punished. By God you will be punished.

There is something inherently wrong with a mind set that believes you treat everyone like garbage just to be fair. There is nothing fair about that. It is no way to treat law abiding small business owners.

Anthony J. Bazzo 11/17/11

Writer is a part owner of a taxi company licensed out of Peekskill 

P.S. BTW: I have been told by unofficial sources that there is an upcoming meeting about the liability issue. Why have I nor other taxi owners been notified. Is it because you do not want us there when you shaft us?

a.b.

P.P.S.: Total Increases:

Car:

Lic: $75.00

Inspection: Was $40.00 Now: $50.0 $10.00 increase

Hack Licence:

Licence: $25.00
Finger Print:$84.00 plus gas and time to Mahopac
Drug test: $48.00 plus time

Normal time to renew: Was 45 minutes

Now:3 days—45 minutes per day

a.b.