Annoying taxis discussed at Village Council meeting

Last night Village Council member Michelle Niemeyer brought up the many taxis that hover on Virginia Street. A couple of weeks ago, Michelle was driving on the street and she was in an auto accident caused by a taxi cab driver driving backwards at a fast rate of speed. Apparently he was in a rush (backwards) to get to the Mayfair Hotel for a fare.

In his rush, he slammed into Michelle's car, causing injuries, which caused her to be taken to Mercy Hospital. She is doing fine now, but now her quest is to have the taxi cabs removed from Virginia Street all together. They race around as if they own that street and they double park, take up metered spots and are a nuisance according to neighbors.

Another concern is that they take up parking spaces on Virginia and don't pay for parking. The spaces are earmarked for the public and taxis are prohibited from using them but they do use them. I have seen them eating there, waiting there, sleeping there, and never paying for parking. When the police ask them to move, they do move, but that is hardly ever.

There are two dedicated taxi stands near the Mayfair Hotel, in front of Angelo and Maxie's.

Ron Nelson, Comm. Marc Sarnoff's Chief of Staff, spoke with the County about moving the taxis from the dedicated parking stands and having them banned from parking anywhere on Virginia Street. According to him, it an easy process to have them moved.

Of course we need taxis in the Grove. But just not there. Florida Avenue was suggested as an alternative for two taxi spots. And when hotel guests need a cab, they can easily be summoned by the valets or doormen at the Mayfair.

Angelo and Maxie's would love those two taxi stand spots on Virginia Street for outdoor tables if the taxis are assigned to spaces around the corner.

Of course the old Parking Authority was then dragged in, because if you take some spots elsewhere, they would have to be rented or purchased from the Parking Authority, and of course, ironically, Angelo and Maxie's would have to pay the Parking Authority for the right to have tables out on the street.