The City of San Francisco is notorious for its liberalism towards homosexuality. Like Las Vegas, Nevada it also bears the title "sin city". Some would appreciate that label and it can be what it be . I have several issues with the Mayor, Gavin Newson. If he would be as dedicated about issues that affect everyone as he does the former mentioned, the city might not be in "trouble" or whatever they are calling the status of the city now days.
If you have followed what I write and you are observant, the fact that I do not attack stereotypes or anything else is visible. I point out liberal in my world. Giving my view about dramas that plague society with problems minus solutions.
I happen to possess 05 State of California business licenses and 01 City of San Francisco. Attempting to remain independent and be a vital asset to communities and society. I'm trying to catch up for the many years of life abandonment and mental stupidity. Words contribute to our experiences by assisting to identify and accept circumstance and relativity. Education is a tool to usher the abilities of communicating and coexisting. It is boot camp for life along with Biblical knowledge and comprehensive execution of nature and science.
A native San Franciscan, I have not lived in the city since 1984 which was a short time after returning from Texas for almost 03 years. During High School at Lincoln in the Sunset District, I grew up in the Bay view. I learned that diverse was a natural effect. It separates and identifies to allow growth from learning not the arrogance and turmoil that we engage ourselves with.
San Francisco has always been beautiful and full of variety. It has been the template for many agreements and policies.
Tony Bennett left his heart there. The Haight/Ashbury is there. Diane Feinstein, Willie Brown, George Moscone, Nancy Pelosi, Maya Angelou, O. J. Simpson, Danny Glover, The Golden Gate Bridge and The Westin St. Francis Hotel are a few to have called this city home.
The Arts, culture, dining, sight seeing and music are also births of the city. It has controversy and acceptance. It is classified by the diverse and significant cultures that reside in and or around the city of lights and action.
I remember Third Street before AT & T Park, prior to the T-rail system and before Providence Baptist Church became the mega structure it now is. I witnessed the 60's through the 90's. I feel that though he assisted in the Glamour and Popularity of the city, Willie Brown sold the city to Corporate America and its change has disabled natives the benefits many were hoping to achieve. Not everyone was lost in the transfer just those that were merely adopters by association rather than prominence. Prices of life in the city changed and continued to escalate off of marketing and politics not life and the living.
It began to dapple-gray in the mid eighties and express to black with the election of Gavin Newson. Good looks and the prospect of fame excelled his introduction to a city that was reformed by Willie Brown with potential for those that refused to kick over and play dead.
Since everything that once praised the city now rests in yellow tape or abandonment and deteriorating there is little to add success to the Mayor who now threatens to become Governor.
This is only an opinion, but "what has he done lately?" Crime, murder, Muni and The Taxicab Industry are out of control. With the election of the agency SFMTA, initiated by the cities Supervisors and Mr. Newson in 1999. Transportation in the city is declining into embarrassment.
I've associated with this industry almost 17 years, fourteen of which my husband had paid a fee $120. to be added to a waiting lists for ownership of a medallion(what permits driver business operations), the fee is currently $350+ you must drive 02 years prior to applying. I've witnessed the failed structure and questioned my husband about the voice for the drivers that dedicate their lives and time to the functioning of the cities transportation but receive only heart attacks, failed kidneys and stress related disabilities.
There are no medical, dental, mental, pension or housing benefits. While awaiting your turn to operate your own business. You apply and drive for a company which is nothing more than dispatchers. You become a pawn for their survival and then hopefully a major player perhaps the queen who gets to make a number of fancy moves and assassinate others but never really gain control and always in danger of being assassinated.
Though I followed the rules in May of 2006, went to school obtained the "intent letter" and applied for an "A-card" and paid the permit fee, if my husband dies the medallion that was issued to him last June reverts to the city to re-issue. It does not transfer to me though I've been driving for him since 2006. He was a long-term lease holder before he received his issued medallion. I never drove for the company even though the company's name rests on the vehicle I drive. When my husband had a heart attack last Thanksgiving, it was difficult trying to function not knowing what my status would be if he did not survive. Not to mention Kaiser demanded $1500. for the 05 days at $300. a day for his stay. We pay close to $900. a month for coverage for the 02 of us. Had to pay Desoto $1050. for the "color scheme" basically dispatching which I do not get to enjoy because I do not drive a company car and pay the dispatchers to answer when I'm bidding for a fare. Another $800 for car insurance and $600 car note(had to get brand new car when medallion issued). Not to mention the rent and household expenses. I was lonely, frightened and in panic mode. GOD bought me through it husband survived and I hired another driver while he was in the hospital.
Last month when they began to propose the selling of medallions to help the SFMTA pay its debts. I was appalled and ignited to rage. How could an agency that has only had 01 month of managing us have us pay their bill? Who would have authorized this proposal?
I recently did some research, there are web sites, http://taxi-library.org/ founded by Terry Smythe represents a variety of contributions from drivers, media, company's and family members. The site is maintained by Charles Rathbone who began as a driver in 1975 paid his fee and became an "owner" and now an Asst. Mgr. of a company with a fleet of 200.
There was an article in the S.F. Examiner last November 11, 2008 by staff writer Joshua Sabatini explaining the controversy and sale of medallions. Another writer Melissa Griffin also of the examiner wrote, "all's fare in taxi-medallion flight", http://www.sfgov.org/site/taxicommission .
I viewed comments about company's and drivers and would like to the records straight about drivers.
1. It is not in our interest to high jack you and drive you around. Our goal is to drop the flag not tour you($3.10 flag and .45 for driving per mile) you do the math.
2. We do not regulate the fare the city does. We pay gate $80-$130 per 10 hour shifts(if you work for company) that is what we pay to operate after all the fees(licenses and permits), taxes and insurance we already pay. Pay for our meals while driving. We buy gas and car maintenance(owners and leasers) and that's just to drive not to survive.
3. It does not benefit us to have you waiting for order or pick up. This is a tactic by the company's to hold good fares for those that are paying dispatchers or dispatchers that are angry at drivers. Get the names and numbers of drivers you like riding with and call them direct. We are struggling and would appreciate your business.
4. Most of us care about our jobs and do not want to argue or get into conflict, we are trying to pay bills and customer service pays not fights. If we give attitude it may be because you gave one when you interred the vehicle. And many of you do, talking on phone before telling us where you are going, navigating the drive thinking we want to cheat you. Let us do our jobs.
5. We dirty our vehicles. We sit in one seat. The driver's seat and if the car is dirty passengers are leaving the trash, ripping into the seats and spilling on the seats and floors.
6. We are not illiterate or uneducated many of us are highly educated and drive as an additional income to meet the high cost of living.
We pay parking fees, struggle with Limosine drivers(who are suppose to have pre-arranged orders, not flags) Muni, D.P.T. and SFPD and irate drivers on a daily basis. In addition to the previous fees, we must pay Hotel doormen to get them to assist the clients to a taxi rather than coax them into a limo not provided by the Hotel, which by the way is always more expensive than the taxi. The limos are robbing our industry and has been for years and SFPD does not do their job regulating them. They rather harass us parked at Hotel's(usually as a last resort to collect fares) and tempt us into arguments and false allegations for violations that affect our records.
We are driving to meet the criteria for independence and community services, we do it for survival and because we like what we do and would appreciate someone noticing our efforts and expertise, not just criticism and desecration. Let everyone do there part and respect a driver not discourage him or her.
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