ERGENT PRESS RELEASE

URGENT PRESS RELEASE
January 16, 2011.

Community activists in Dallas are asking you kindly to support the ATO/independent drivers for most part are Africans US. Citizen.

Actress Yeharer (Yeharerwerk) Gashaw an International Ethiopian Humanitarian and long time community activist in Dallas and founder of Dallas-area Independent Taxi Owners/Drivers Rights Support Organizing Group, Ms. Marilyn Clark a asks for the public support for the Independent taxi drivers and Association of Taxicab Operators in Dallas. In 2010, Ms. Gashaw was one of the community leaders who organized the "Poor People's March for Dallas” that included speakers such as Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, city council members Carolyn Davis and Tennell Atkins, as well as
activists, students, and Christian and Muslim leaders from around the community.

In a move designed to resolve the on-going conflict between the City and the independent taxi operators, the Association of Taxicab Operators (ATO) has submitted a Four Point Plan to Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. The plan recommends eliminating the current city initiative that allows Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered cab to move to the head of the line at taxi queues. In its place, ATO recommends a staggered replacement schedule that will permit taxi operators to purchase any vehicle that meets aggressive pollution and efficiency guidelines. Vehicles in this category include
diesel, bio-fuel, hybrid, fuel cell and electric.

ATO advocates clean energy and energy independence that needs not sacrifice values of fairness that are embodied in a first come first serve culture. ATO is currently challenging the City’s head of the line initiative in court. The Four Point Plan is an attempt to avoid further litigation and to establish a cooperative working relationship with the City. Drivers at Dallas Love Field Airport are going out of business.

To bolster this cooperative working relationship, ATO has proposed that the City recognize the independent taxi operators as the City’s goodwill ambassadors. In this capacity the independent taxi operators can help to create and reinforce the perception that Dallas is a visitor friendly city as well as international culture oriented due to 95 % naturalized US citizens taxi drivers in Dallas.

Without a resolution of these issues, the independent taxi operators will be forced out of business. This will leave Yellow Cab Company that has over 51% of market share, with an absolute monopoly. It would also send a disconcerting message to other small business owners in the city who are competing against legacy companies. All the above stated information was sent to the Mayor Leppert and city council members, but unfortunately no answer has been forthcoming. We are asking you kindly to
support ATO by calling City Hall, Mayor Leppert and your council members on hour behalf. Thank you in advance for your support !

For more information contacts organizing group:
Ms. Yeharerwerk (Yeharer) Gashaw (214) 642- 0394,
Ms. Marilyn Clark 214-426-1683
Ms. Linda Anuku 214-542-9610 or
Dr. Al-Fatih Ameen (817) 521-3012
ATO Chairman.