Taxi Mark's Life on the Road

(520) 269-2441!
Based in Tucson, Arizona.

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Oh Geezus!

Arizona lawmakers are considering a series of measures to protect people from themselves this week. Most of the proposals have passed out of committee but still need approval from one or both houses of the Legislature.

Full Article with proposed new laws

I don't want to be protected from myself, just from other people.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Letcher promotes 3, hires new aide

A week after transferring two top aides to work for a private organization at taxpayer expense, City Manager Mike Letcher announced Wednesday he hired a new assistant manager for $143,000 and promoted three others to fill the void in his office.

Read the comments

Tucson really sucks. Vote all these clowns out. Email complaints.

mcweb@tucsonaz.gov
Regina Romero -ward1@tucsonaz.gov
Randy Glassman - ward2@tucsonaz.gov
Karen Uhlich - ward3@tucsonaz.gov
Shirley Scott - ward4@tucsonaz.gov
steve.leal@tucsonaz.gov
Nina Trasoff - ward6@tucsonaz.gov

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Bad Tucson Cops ?

Expanded version for the record.

While driving east down Grant Rd. early Sunday morning (2:30 am 5/31/09), I was traveling behind two police cars. Without benefit of emergency lights or even a turn signal, both cars braked and made an illegal u-turn just east of Oracle Rd. right at the no u-turn sign at the end of the raised median in front of the Jack-in-the-box. Not being enough room there for two cars, one stuck out and caused me to slow. I beeped my horn as I drove by sliding a bit into the right lane as the second cruiser continued after the first. Both cruisers then proceeded west back towards Oracle Rd. making another u-turn at oracle and came up fast behind me passing three other cars. Then the lead car turned on his emergency lights and pulled me over around Grant and 4th Ave. I rolled down my window. As Officer Kidd (49555) approached with another Officer trailing behind on the other side of the car, I asked...
"So, what could I have done wrong?"
His response was,
"Illegal use of a horn."
I said, "Illegal? Like that u-turn you guys just made?"
His response,
"You don't know shit!"
I repeated what he said and then told him to call his Sargent, that I couldn't
talk to him. He asked me for my license and registration. I dug out my registration and insurance card, handed them to Officer Kidd, and informed him my drivers license was in the trunk. Asking if he wanted me to get it, he said yes, to get out. I opened the trunk and got my license out of my backpack. After handing it to him, I asked if he was going to call his Sargent. He said no, and went back to his car. Officer Morales (47531) told me to get back in the car. I asked him if he was going to call his Sargent, he did not respond. Getting back into the car, I pulled out my cell phone and called 911. Sitting in the car talking to the 911 operator, Officer Morales told me to put my hands on the wheel. I put one hand on the wheel and continued to hold my phone with my right talking to 911, requesting a Supervisor. After concluding the call, I went to put my phone back into my pocket. Officer Morales reached in and grabbed my left arm aggressively, the phone being in my right, and told me to put both hands on the wheel. I did so. While waiting, Officer Morales asked random questions...
"Are there any weapons in the car?"
"Are you a diabetic on the way to the hospital?"
I answered the questions and asked him,
"What happened to protect and serve, you know I pay your salary."
He told me,
"No you don't, the Mayor does."
I asked where do you think the Mayor gets the money.
He replied,
"I don't know."
I said, "you don't know?"
He replied,
"No."
I leaned my head back with both hands on the wheel and waited.

Sargent Flores (42397) arrived. Talked to both officers and then came up to my window. Asked me if I wanted to get out to talk, I said yes. And asked if I could take my hands off the wheel. He said yes. I told my side of the story, he listened. Kept asking me if I had anything against cops. But listened and gave his opinions and explanation that police cars are not required to use emergency lights unless running a red light. That I was wrong to use the horn. He said this wasn't his traffic stop and the rest was up to the other officers.

I was issued a fix it ticket for not having a license plate light (an add on, not sure, never noticed. Will check tomorrow) and a citation for unreasonable use of a horn. Unreasonable?

ARS 28-954 (b)
If reasonably necessary to ensure the safe operation of a motor vehicle, the driver shall give an audible warning with the driver's horn but shall not otherwise use the horn when on a highway.
A $171 ticket. What? So if you beep your horn for any other reason that a policemen can say is not necessary, that's illegal. A one hundred and seventy-one dollar ticket!

I believe I was reasonable, I gave an audible warning that the police cruiser was blocking the left lane. I believe the Police Officers were unreasonable, I believe the letter of the law to be unreasonable.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Green arrows have to go after 9 pm!

What is the point of green arrows coming on after the regular green light late at night? Anyone that was in the turn lane has already gone! It is just slowing down the light change for the other direction. As a topper - at Grant/CrayCroft where they are doing construction and reduced it to one lane in each direction with no left turns - the green arrow was still coming on! Unbelievable. Tucson is run sooooo poorly!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

T W I T T E R

Gonna try and do this a bit from my phone...

TaxiMark twitter profile

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Accident!!!

Had my first car crash in a cab yesterday night! Taking a guy out to the fairgrounds. Was driving down Houghton, and as it got to within a 1/2 mile of the entrance, it became stop and go traffic. And on one of the stop and go's, I stopped, and the girl behind me go'ed. She wasn't going that fast, maybe 10 mph. The cab only had slight bumper damage, old cop car has that metal inside bumper, but her front end was smashed. Had to waste 3 hours there waiting on the sheriff and taxi investigator, so my Friday night was ruined. Thought I was ok at the time, but today my neck and shoulders are hurting! WHIPLASH! I am in need of a serious massage, if there are any volunteers!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Another new experience

Just after I thought I had seen it all...

5 college girls singing at full volume Boys II Men's "End of the Road" as I was taking them down to O'Malley's. Quite a few amused looks from the guys on 4th Ave. Now the problem is I was more annoyed then I should have been with a coed hottie squeezed up against me in a car full of girls having a good time. Boy, I am getting old.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Baby on the way

Had my first rush to the hospital with a pregnant woman.
Good times!
I was busy making cracks until the Dad joined in. I had to set him straight...
"It's not your job to be annoying or funny. Only I can get away with it. It is your job to be supportive and sympathetic."
HAHA
You ladies are welcome :)

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

TUSD is a Joke!

Schools faulted for handling of money

Latest TUSD scandal

Enrollment drop reflects lack of trust in TUSD

Sample of some good comments...

"The real reason people are leaving is because we are teaching kids to pass a test... WE are not teaching them how to suceed in life. We are not giving them the skills they need to find a job. WE are not teaching them any trades, especially for those who will not attend college. We are catering to a union who is creating a generation of peopel who will want entitlements. The dumbing down of our future must stop..."

Monday, March 30, 2009

Be careful out there

Unprovoked stabbing is third on East Side

Tucson police have intensified the manhunt for a person believed to have stabbed three people on the East Side without provocation.
The latest stabbing of a man who was with his wife and baby occurred early Thursday.
The department has now assigned more than 65 officers to the case in an effort to catch the man, who is possibly homeless.

Full story and sketch