Saturday, October 4, 2014

Overhaul in Anchorage Transportation Operations first step eliminate bureaucracy

Last year in 2013 the Anchorage Assembly past the Anchorage Taxicab Permit Owner Association version of lousy taxi service ordinance called Anchorage Ordinance 2013-109 with a 11-1 vote with three votes in slight favor.  Since this ordinance has been enacted two of those positions have not been filled the current mayor is more interest in want to be Lt Gov instead of doing his mayoral duties except to get a beer at the bar then say hi to staff about once a month kind of like the previous mayor current US Senator Mark Begich while having entertain bistros with every municipal union who to foot the taxpayers with the bill we are still paying for today for the top heavy union contracts against the cities voters and taxpayers who pay them.  That is why Anchorage need to vote Yes on Anchorage Proposition to show who is in charge.  

First thing we need to do eliminate the transportation inspector position replace it with a supervisor from the Anchorage Police Department with 4-8 officers who report to the supervisor has the ability to arrest vehicle for hire drivers who break criminal law and issue civil citations which require a once a month appearance in front of the Anchorage Transportation Commission which the participant may bring legal representation if they wish.  The charges from the Anchorage Police Department civil infraction will be laid out.  Driver will get to his time to explain his action if he admits he was wrong the commission can issue a penalty or dismiss citation if they felt the citation is not warranted or recommend it go to the City hearing examiner for additional recommendation.  

Suggestion 2 replace municipal vehicle for hire examination with a certified mechanics throughout Anchorage which must have a state or industry certification at a B rating or better with the state better business bureau and good standing with Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  

Suggestion 3-Driver training will be the responsibility of the vehicle for hire driver and classes will be established by the vehicle for hire industry not by municipal standards and policies saving over half of million dollars in cost to the Anchorage taxpayers.  Allow industry to decide this not a government

Suggestion 4-Eliminate all transportation inspection department clerks all vehicle for hire files can be done by current Anchorage Police Department file clerks who are municipal employees.  Savings to taxpayer about 70,000 dollars.  

Suggestion Five-Give more power to actual citizens by having the Anchorage Transportation Commission meet twice a month.  One meeting can deal with civil citations the Anchorage Police Department through it Vehicle for Hire Enforcement division and second meeting can deal with suggestions and policy to deal with the Vehicle for hire industry rules and regulation the policy meeting would be open to the public the civil citation meeting would be by invitation only kind of like an executive session.  

Suggestion Six-Make all permits under the vehicle for hire including taxi cab permits under an administrative fee end all public auctions of taxicab permits immediately since all taxicab permits belong to the municipality not the permit owner this bring Anchorage in lines with Spokane which has been doing this since 1980 under their title 10 which awesome success.  Spokane and Anchorage are the same size in population.

Please support Anchorage Ordinance 2014-127 written by Dick Traini which will actually bring a balance to the vehicle for hire industry.  

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