by Anthony Rifilato
Only in Hollywood. According to George Verity, his very realistic taxi operation at the Baldwin LIRR station, Dawson Taxi, has the sort of problems that would seem unfair even to the unsympathetic Louie De Palma.
Ever since the MTA/LIRR and Town of Hempstead began renovations two years ago for improvements -- which included everything from new brick work and lighting to sidewalks -- Verity said he's lost the ample parking needed to handle his fleet of cabs earlier this year and has had his cab stand taken out from under the train station, an inconvenience, he said, for some passengers who now have to maneuver through traffic to get across the street in order to get a ride.
Often dressed in a navy blue t-shirt, blue pants, and a meshed cap, Verity cordially opens doors for his customers and sees them off. But it's getting difficult to do that he said.
"We're having a hard time staying here and keeping the business going," said Verity, who has been running Dawson Taxi for over 40 years. "What we want is what we had for years."
What he had was more than 10 spots and a cab stand under the
station, making it a cinch for passengers to walk off the train and into a Dawson taxi, which were on call 24 hours a day. After renovations, he's left with two spots under the station to pick up passengers.
Aside from the half hours he's given for the morning and evening rush, the two cabs could only "pick-up and discharge" for 15 minutes at a time. And because of the repaved walk-way, the lane is narrower, an inconvenience to him and others when the cabs idle there.
"I don't have the room to accommodate my customers," Verity said, who explained that his cabs are forced to move around the station, fueling the congestion around the lot.
He also had ample parking for the 22 cabs that come in and out of the station. Now, along with the four spots in front of his cab stand which he's had for years, he is designated eight parking spaces across the lot which can only be used between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
"The cars are too far away from where I can see them," said Verity, who said he's had four break-ins since he was given those spots.
Outside of the thefts, Verity said the restrictions aren't enforced, and commuters often park illegally in those spots. Often, he tells his drivers to hang tight in different parts of town until rush hour. "Its how I've been complying," he said.
Verity's problems mirror what many residents have voiced in recent years: the need for enough parking spaces for both commuters and local businesses, some clarity as to where they can park so they aren't ticketed, and proximity to the trains.
Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony Santino said that the parking renovations are an ongoing process, and the Town is doing what they can to alleviate parking problems.
"We're trying to balance the needs of commuters with the needs of businesses," Santino said.
The construction of a parking lot on the corner of Spruce Street and Brooklyn Avenue, which will be completed sometime next month, will add about 90 spaces, in addition to other lots in the area which have either been completed or are about to begin construction.
Santino said this is the first he's heard about the concerns of Verity and other businesses, but will look into the issues to see what can be done.
"When the new parking lot goes in we'll try to assess the situation and hope it will relieve pressure people have," Santino said.
Some commuters interviewed last week say the taxis are the burden.
"When people work at night there aren't enough spaces," said Mike
Weitman of Baldwin, who works as a stagehand for the television show 48 Hours. "They [the cabs] take up too many spaces."
Weitman said his wife was issued a $25 dollar parking ticket in the area. "I pay taxes and there should be more spots for people not businesses," he said.
While Verity understand commuters' complaints, he maintains he doesn't have much of a choice.
"Commuters expect us to move cars because my dispatcher can't keep all the cars in front," said Verity.
Verity is looking for answers. "I don't want to make any waves,
but I want a fair shake," he said. Ideally, he'd like to see his cab
stand back under the platform.
Riders who take cabs agreed.
"I work weekends, and there's always a long wait. There are no taxis available, so I have to go across the street to the [cab] stand and there's always 10-15 people waiting. Before the renovations it was much easier," said Nyree Francis of Baldwin.
Another commuter, Henriquez Verna, said that although getting a cab is pretty easy, when the weather is bad, she has to cross the street to catch a ride sometimes. "It was better before," said Verna. Other businesses in the area have also said parking is a head-ache. Avi Chender, who owns the QuickStop convenience store on the corner of Grand Avenue, across from the station, said he often gets ticketed for parking in front of his own store.
"When I bring deliveries I have to park close," said Chender, who noted that other cars block the spot designated to him. "I want
a parking sign that says Deli Only."
Verity said he has contacted various Town and County officials for help, but has gotten tepid responses. And as the "main cab service" in town, as Verity puts it, he said he wants to continue to supply good service to the people of Baldwin.
"It's at the point where we don't know what to do," Verity said.
