His Last Twenty Dollars
Dennis was well known, famous even, for his donation activities for Children's Hospital. Going through his belongings one last time, I found $20.00. Thinking it the most appropriate gesture, his twenty dollars was donated to the hospital. It wasn't my money. I couldn't keep it. If Dennis is watching, I hope it made him happy.
P-91 Shenanigans
KOMO News reported that "rogue" or "gypsy" operators are grabbing cruise ship fares at P-91. It is only news to those unfamiliar with the practice, something occurring for years at Coleman Dock, King Street Station, and Piers 66, 69 and 91. Drivers were complaining they are losing their customers to these "eager beaver" operators. While that isn't good, the real issue is the transportation of passengers minus insurance, endangering every one involved. Of course regulators and enforcement officers have long been aware of this practice but what have they done to stop it? Exactly zero is the answer. They might protest but it's completely true. The "gypsies" are not hiding in plain sight. In fact they instead make themselves well known and visible, fully aware there is no one around to stop them. When you don't care, you don't care. Only thing stopping all this will be a fatality accident. Short of that, nothing will change, blood on the highway perhaps gaining everyone's attention. I can hear the wailing now but it will be too late. Someone will die and the Port of Seattle and King County will be to blame. Will these officials lose any sleep over it? Hand them a pillow because we all know the answer.
Post Script 06/20/ 2024 7:12 PM
Sorting through boxes I found a subpoena request, # 100069126, for Bellevue, Washington Police Chief Steve Mylett, dated 11/11/2020. The subpoena was denied. I can't remember what bullshit excuse I was provided. The situation I was asking explanation for was the parking ticket I received for having a taxi parked on a Bellevue Street. I remember writing about this when it happened because Bellevue has a truly outrageous law regarding taxis. Bellevue outlaws anyone from parking their taxicab within the city limits. Even if you own a house in Bellevue, you can not park your cab in front of the house without risk of the car being ticketed. And insult to injury, I was dozing off in the cab, waiting for a bell when the parking enforcement officer ticketed me. What a chickenshit act!
Ah yes, those wonderful days driving cab! As I wrote recently, no one told me that simply by stepping behind a cab's steering wheel, I was deemed a criminal and dalit (Untouchable). Bellevue that autumn day underlined that, telling, minus any doubt, what I and every other cabbie are: pure garbage to be tossed away in society's rubbish bin. Ain't it nice, not so culturally sweet sugar and spice!
The law, the City of Bellevue City code is 11.23.026:
"The operator of a for-hire vehicle shall not stop. stand, or park such vehicle upon any street at any place other than a designated taxicab stand. This provision shall not prevent the operator of a for-hire vehicle from temporarily stopping in accordance with other stopping, standing, and parking regulations at place for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious loading and unloading of passengers. This provision does not apply to vehicles or companies that have leases or other such agreements with the city for use of its right of way."
Who wrote this crap! Nice to know that they will let the cab driver drop off their passengers. This is so insulting that it is beyond belief.
And by the way, the City of Bellevue does not have any designated taxicab stands. Isn't that funny?
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