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Hearing Held on UTW Appeal

UTW’s appeal of a Taxi Commission decision awarding eight taxicab permits to children of deceased Yellow Cab shareholder Georgette Welch had a hearing Nov. 2 in San Francisco Superior Court before Judge Ronald Quidachay. Although Quidachay did not make an immediate ruling, he indicated he was strongly leaning in favor of Amy and Philip Welch.

The Welches claim they are entitled to the permits because the police misinformed Georgette in 1977 about her right to place her children’s names on her permits. The commission bought the argument, and the Board of Appeals affirmed the decision.

In its appeal, UTW argued that Georgette was not misinformed, and even if she had been, Proposition K of 1978 prohibits the commission from transferring the permits. UTW also argued that the commission’s decision was tainted by conflicts of interest and efforts by a lobbyist for the Welches to influence the commission’s decision. The Welches paid the firm of Barnes, Mosher, Whitehurst, Lauter & Partners $30,000 to lobby the commission and Board of Appeals.
At the hearing, the Welches’ attorney, Philip Ward, argued that even if the judge thought the commission reached the wrong decision, the law required him to decide in favor of the Welches as long as there was any credible evidence in the record supporting their claim.

In addition to UTW, Yellow driver Zareh Soghikian was a petitioner in the case. Soghikian and a passenger were killed in early October when an allegedly drunk driver demolished his cab. In a ghoulish move, the Welches tried to have the petition dismissed on account of Soghikian’s death.
Quidachay indicated he was likely to rule in favor of the Welches, but said he would first reexamine the record. A decision is expected shortly.
If it is not favorable, UTW plans to appeal.