posted September 4, 2008
The operator of All American Taxi has filed suit in Circuit Court asking for a ruling on whether members of the transportation industry should be allowed to sit on the city Taxi Board.
The suit filed by Randy VanHooser questions whether that is a conflict of interest.
Because of the pending lawsuit, the Taxi Board on Thursday afternoon did not act on a pending matter involving All American Taxi.
Taxi inspector Jim Hedrick has asked Mr. VanHooser to show cause why his taxi license should not be revoked for not revealing he had a felony conviction at the time of filing to go into business.
Bart Quinn, chairman, said the matter could not be heard unless current members of the board who are in the transportation industry agreed to recuse themselves.
The case was deferred after Tim Duckett, a taxi operator, did not volunteer to recuse himself, and Bruce Rollins, who is in the horse carriage business, wondered why the recusal should apply to him since "I have absolutely no interest in any taxi company."
Floyd Kilpatrick, saying he was speaking for a taxi driver, said he was concerned that the case involving All American Taxi was going to be continually postponed while the case stayed in court.
He said the firm "continues to operate with impunity" though it has been two months since the Hedrick letter was filed.
The board also deferred action on a request by All American Taxi for five more tax licenses and a request by Leonard Jackson for one more.
Chairman Quinn said he understands that Judge Neil Thomas is going to rule in the lawsuit prior to the next meeting of the Taxi Board in a month.
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