"The drivers still support him no matter what personal crisis he's going through. But [the PPA] refuses to give him an audience."
Cab driver Patrick Anamah, vice president of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance
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"The drivers still support him no matter what personal crisis he's going through. But [the PPA] refuses to give him an audience."
CENTER CITY. Controversial cabbie union leader Ron Blount led another protest outside the Philadelphia Parking Authority yesterday, snarling traffic throughout Center City as the rallies in opposition to growing fees usually do.
Don't think the PPA was listening, though.
Whatever Blount says these days fall on deaf ears at the PPA, as officials say they haven't acknowledged Blount in meetings since he was arrested in March 2008 for allegedly choking a female passenger who wanted to pay with her credit card.
"We essentially have not really recognized him or welcomed him as such," said James Ney, the PPA's director of the taxi and limousine division. "We have welcomed his associates, the other officers of his organization when discussing issues and concerns."
According to Blount, being shunned by the PPA is just another example of the agency's attempt to control all aspects of the city taxi industry. Protests yesterday in Center City that tied up traffic around noon were over an increase in the fee for drivers who get a new cab. They now have to pay $200, up from $65.
"Drivers have to choose their own leader and the PPA doesn't want that," Blount said. "Who are they to choose the union reps?"
His trial on aggravated assault and false imprisonment charges in the alleged March 2008 attack is set to begin Tuesday.
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In the July MMMpod, Young Veins talk about breaking away from Panic! at the Disco, Keith Lockhart talks about Buckwheat Zydeco throwing the Boston Pops for a loop, Zooey Deschanel talks about how Roy Orbison inspired a She & Him song, Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells talks about how awesome Funkadelic is, and we talk about how awesome Jimmy Cliff is, who in turn talks about Sam Cooke and divine intervention. An explosive show for July! Oh yeah, and we also test your knowledge of America songs in the MMMPod medley.
