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Matt Daus of Windels Marx on CNN
New York — Frequent Chauffeur Driven contributor Matthew W. Daus, a partner at the firm of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, shared his insight in a CNN in a piece entitled Thousands of Criminals Were Cleared to Be Uber Drivers. Here's How Rideshare Companies Fought Stronger Checks, which discusses how public safety is being put at risk daily by companies like Uber and Lyft.
The segment, which aired June 1, addressed the many failures of the self-governed TNC background check system. It revealed that a study in the three states—Maryland, Massuchussets, and California—found that 1000s of drivers with, what should be, “disqualifying criminal records” were still working for TNCs. One of these active drivers was currently on parole after serving time for a murder charge.
Drivers are said to have been vetted by rideshare companies but many disqualifying drivers are slipping through the cracks. The issue is that while traditional transporters follow specific guidelines in order to operate, TNCs are allowed to set their own rules in regards to background checks and fingerprinting.
Daus, former Commissioner/Chair of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission says their game plan in every single state is to get a law passed that's just for them. He also added, "Taxis and limos are still required to abide by the old, more stringent rules, but Uber and Lyft have a free for all. It's become the Wild West."
Visit cnn.it/2xAHecD to watch the video.
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L to R: L.A. Limousines & Transportation Services’ VP of Operations Kyara Kahakauwila, Operations Manager Gina Frey, and President Edison Kahakauwila
Vancouver, B.C. — When the sixth-annual Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Achievement Awards announced its winners in April, a familiar industry face was among the prestigious list: Kyara Kahakauwila of L.A. Limousines & Transportation Services.
A panel of judges, which included mayors, councillors of Vancouver Island cities and towns, and prominent businesspeople whittled down the original list of 110 nominees to the final 20, with Kahakauwila standing out for her multifaceted background in serving her community, company, and family:
“Kahakauwila became the youngest elected woman in Canadian politics, winning a seat on the District of Metchosin Council in 1999. She served three consecutive terms and was deputy mayor to two mayors. She was also elected chair of the WestShore Chamber in 2009. Kahakauwila was also elected to the B.C. Chamber board of directors, but resigned her position after re-entering politics in 2014 on Metchosin council. She has served on numerous community boards, including the Jeneece Edroff Society, Capital Region Music Awards Society, bringing the Western Canadian Music Awards to Victoria, Visions Gala and co-chairing the Tip A Fool steering committee. Kahakauwila helped to grow L.A. Limousines Inc. from six cars in 2000 to 20 cars today. She also developed Luxury Wine Tours Inc., adding another layer of client experience to the company she operates with her husband. She is a mom of two teenage boys and has been known to run soccer practice when the coach was unavailable.”
Roger McKinnon, the chairman and founder of the awards and longtime real estate developer on the island, said that winners are selected not only for their business successes but also on the merit of how nominees give back to their communities, such as through charitable work, time or money contributions, or programs they have developed through their businesses.
The winners—11 women and nine men—were recognized during an April 21 black-tie gala, which hosted a sold-out crowd of more than 400 attendees who gathered at Nanaimo’s Vancouver Island Conference Centre. The celebration was right on the heels of Kahakauwila’s 40th birthday.
Visit 20under40.ca for more information.
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John Critchett of Palm Beach Tours and Transportation
West Palm Beach, Fla. — Molly’s Trolleys, a noted operation that serves 450 annual events locally, was recently sold to a partnership between the family-owned Palm Beach Tours and Transportation (PBTT) and Kirkland Event & Destination Services (KEDS). Along with the fleet of 15 fully-air-conditioned charter trolleys, included in the sale is the company’s Northwood warehouse facility as well as the 21 team members of drivers, mechanics, cleaners, coordination, and auto body specialists who make Molly’s Trolleys run so smoothly throughout the year. Molly’s also manages the six downtown trolleys owned by the City of West Palm Beach.
PBTT President John Critchett and KEDS President Paget Kirkland are committed to maintaining the same family feel as they have nurtured in each of their businesses to date. Collectively, they will now lead more than 50 local employees across Molly’s Trolleys, Palm Beach Tours and Transportation, and Kirkland Events.
When describing what they appreciate most about Molly’s Trolleys, Critchett comments, “Mom and Pop quality, reliability and heart. These are values that Paget and I celebrate and we are thrilled to continue the tradition.”
Paget Kirkland of Kirkland Event & Destination Services
Paget adds, “If guests need to get from one place to another there’s nothing more fun than a trolley! It adds playfulness and joy to any event.” She adds, “We love this business in every way. It is the perfect next chapter of the professional journey we have enjoyed here in West Palm Beach!”
All three of the businesses will continue to operate independently. Molly Stahlman, who founded Molly’s Trolleys in 1996, admits that letting the business go is not easy, but she is overjoyed that Paget and John are Molly’s Trolleys new guardians. “The business has been ‘our baby’ and now we are are thrilled what great new parents are stepping in to care for it and our team here.”
Visit mollystrolleys.com for more information.
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