http://66.225.205.104/JR20110607.mp3
A Charlotte cab company owned by convicted felons lost a court battle Monday in its effort to secure a lucrative airport taxi contract. King Cab is suing the City of Charlotte for disqualifying it from a competitive process to serve the airport because two of its owners have felony convictions. A Mecklenburg County judge today refused King Cab's request for an injunction. King Cab was originally chosen as one of three companies that would serve the airport under a new contract system. But then the city manager found out about those felony convictions from 2006 for attempting to get false driver licenses. King Cab was then disqualified from the process. King Cab says that's unfair because the city never said "felons need not apply." Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge Lane Williamson pretty much agreed with that argument. "I am sympathetic with your client - I think they have been dealt with unfairly, but that doesn't matter," said Williamson. "It doesn't matter" because the city council hadn't actually approved a contract with King Cab and nothing had been signed, said Williamson. The process may be unfair and even arbitrary, but when it comes to business contracts like this, Williamson says the city council can pretty much do whatever it wants. He wasn't very complimentary of the city though, in this exchange with King Cab attorney Monroe Whitesides. "Your honor, I'm not asking for sympathy, I'm asking for common sense," said Whitesides. "Well, the city's involved!" quipped Williamson with a chuckle. "Common sense follows the law," continued Whitesides. "Not necessarily," replied Williamson, with another laugh. "Well, in this case it should," said Whitesides. Judge Williamson denied a preliminary injunction to stop the city council from approving the airport taxi contracts, but King Cab's lawsuit remains intact. The company hopes ultimately to have the entire airport taxi contract process overturned by a judge or jury. Meantime, contracts with three companies - Yellow Cab, Crown Cab and City Cab - are on the city council's agenda for approval next Monday. They would take effect in July.