Council approves city taxi service

Way 2 Go Taxi received the unanimous approval of the Waynesboro City Council Monday to operate its taxi service in the city, but it still has hurdles to overcome to provide a full service.

The council gave its approval to grant Tina Mae Bickley, who currently operates the taxi service in Staunton and Augusta County, a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate in the city.

However, Waynesboro code prohibits the city’s police department from issuing Bickley, who was convicted more than three years ago of assault and battery, a driver’s permit to pick up passengers in the city, as the department is not authorized to issue the permits to those found guilty of a felony or a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Bickley is authorized only to drop off passengers in the city, though she is allowed to both drop off and pick up passengers in both Augusta County and Staunton.

Bickley, who said she has been operating her business for six weeks, said the conviction was an aberration and she had not been in trouble with the law before or since.

City Manager Mike Hamp and the City Council supported her request. The council asked City Attorney Todd Patrick to look at the code and see where it needs to be updated.

Hamp said Bickley “presents a worthy application” and has a satisfactory driving record and all the other necessary permits to operate her business.

Bickley said she has a CDL Class A license and feels she can offer area residents a cheaper alternative to getting around. She says she has picked up intoxicated residents and given them free rides at the request of area police departments.

“I appreciate your charitable attitude,” said Councilwoman Lorie Smith.

Al’s Radio Cabs currently is the only taxi service serving city residents.

In other action:

n Waynesboro City Council on Monday introduced an ordinance to rezone the 41-acre former Crompton Mills property along the South River for a mixed-use, planned-unit development that would represent one of the largest brownfield redevelopments in Virginia. The council will take up the matter at its Sept. 14 meeting.

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approving South River Inc.’s rezoning request of the $2.5 million Crompton property, to be called The Mill at South River, which is valued at $40 million to $48 million. It is expected to take several years to complete.

The council also approved the developer’s request to vacate and close portions of 12th and 13th streets, Race Avenue and an adjoining alley.

n The council appointed retired Blue Ridge Community College president Jim Perkins and reappointed Tom Reider to four-year terms on the Economic Development Authority board of directors. Reider is expected to be named its chairman, succeeding Carl Rosberg, former nTelos president, who is ineligible for reappointment after serving two consecutive terms on the board.

Augusta Free Press publisher Chris Graham and James Hyson, First Bank & Trust senior vice president, had also sought seats on the board.

n David Bihl and Jeanie McCutcheon received reappointment to the Planning Commission. Bihl, however, said he is not seeking to be reappointed its chairman.