How long have you been driving for Vern’s Taxi
I started in ’13 after closing my own business, Leonard’s Bait Shop at the marina on the Petaluma River. I had a shrimp boat, too; called her “Queen”. It was a 1941 U.S. Navy net tender with plenty of torque. I guess I was a “shrimper.” Anyway, Vern is a fisherman and used to come in to buy bait. When he found out I was closing he offered me a job.
Why’d you close the bait shop?
The marina has essentially been put out of business due to environmental regulations. The owner gave up. All the docks and infrastructure will be removed over time, and the location returned to being a wetland, maybe owned by the Land Trust.
How’s life as a cabbie?
Well, Vern just retired after 16 years and has sold the business to Marc Gardella and it’s managed now by Edie Titus. Most people don’t know how helpful Vern has been to so many people. He’s given them jobs, loaned them money, “lifted” folks off the ground and given them a chance to get back to a productive life. He’s a wonderful person.
And do you enjoy driving a cab?
I’m a people person. I have the gift of gab, I’m funny, and my tips are good because of it. When I had the boat and bait shop people called me Captain Joel. I sent out newsletters, made fishing videos and posted them on YouTube under “Captain Joel’s Fishing Minute.” I still pick up people who get excited when they find out I am Captain Joel.
Do you drive nights or days?
I used to work nights, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. It’s much busier at night than during the day. The tips are better too; we call them “drunk tips.” The bars close at 2 a.m., and people stand on the street waiting for a cab. This town is filled with food and drink and taxis get used a lot by drinkers. That’s good! We’re still too small a town for Uber, a good thing for Vern’s.
There must be a negative side to picking up drinkers.
Yeah, well Sonoma’s kind of like a college party town for adults. People do drink too much and get sick. People pass out, sometimes before you even get an address where they want to go! In that case I check their wallet for a phone number or address. We don’t charge a “vomit-clean-up-fee”… yet.
So now you are driving days?
I like the day shift better, though the tips are lower. Night tips used to make up 30-50% of my take home pay; day tips are more like 15-40%. We drive a lot of seniors during the day, and many need to watch their pennies. We pick up prescriptions, give rides to physical therapy, haircuts, doctor appointments…we have a special “seniors” rate. Cabs are a real asset to the community.
And Sonoma…how do you like it?
I live in Calistoga, and I can tell you Sonoma is friendlier than Napa by far. It has a great small-town feel with its size and the Plaza. Driving a cab is fun and even exciting job. Most people are very nice and I rarely have a problem.
Interview by Larry Barnett
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