Do you think this taxi driver looks scruffy?
The former Mayor of Wigan, Coun John Hilton certainly thinks so – much to the anger of the town's taxi drivers.
In last week's Wigan Obsrver, veteran Coun John Hilton slammed a suggestion that the Metro should replace the reserve Mayoral car with journeys by taxi as "impractical nonsense."
He said that the borough's 'First Citizen' could end up a laughing stock if he ended up being driven to prestigious appointments by taxi drivers in dressed in "tatty tee shirt, trainers and baggy shorts."
His outburst has incensed loacl cabbies who have demanded the ex-Mayor
apologise.
Hackney T and G Union branch shop steward Ronnie Melling described his comments as "uncalled for and extreme" and claimed they demonstrated a lack of knowledge of the subject.
But Coun Hilton, a former train driver, today said he stood by his comments.
He said in the past he had castigated Mr Melling, personally, over his standard of dress when, as Chairman of the Licensing Committee, the cab chief appeared before them to argue for an increase in fare levels – dressed in sandals and shorts.
Mr Melling, who lives in Bryn, said: "Councillor Hilton sits on committees that make decisions relating to the taxi trade but by his comments he shows a total lack of knowledge on the subject.
"The vast majority of drivers from both sides of the trade dress appropriately for the job they do.
"His comments are uncalled for and extreme and if that is the best he can do to justify his case then it isn't a very good one.
"He says he wants to promote Wigan yet he starts off by saying taxi drivers of Wigan are a bunch of scruffs and not fit to drive the Mayor around.
"I think an apology is in order and he should have a proper thinks about what he says in the public domain."
The cab leader is backing independent Coun Gary Wilkes' "more practical and appropriate" solution of selling off the reserve Mayoral car and using cabs.
Mr Melling added: "The council need to show ordinary people who are finding times hard that they can make sacrifices too and, if that means taking a taxi now and again, then so be it."
However, former Mayor Coun Hilton isn't backing down.
He hit back: "I use cabs regularly here in Wigan and when we are abroad on holiday and I have seen a big difference.
"In Spain the drivers usually look immaculate in their smart slacks and shirts as are there vehicles, but some, not all, drivers in Wigan do dress scruffily, theres no getting away from it and they are letting the taxi trade down.
"I could point fingers and name names but I don't think that would be appropriate.
"When I was chairman of the Licensing Committee I did propose trying to introduce some kind of minimum standards of dress, but it never happened, which is a shame.
In fact, I can well remember Mr Melling himself appearing before us to argue his cause for a raise in fares, dressed in shorts and desert wellies and both myself and the lead officer warning him that he wouldn't be able to address the committee if he ever turned up dressed in this inappropriate fashion again."
Coun Hilton pointed out the historic Wigan Mayoral chain was worth "thousands and thousands" and having the Mayor "on a street corner waiting for a taxi" was a security risk, aswell as an insult to this ancient, prestigious civic office
Metro chiefs say their sleek black 13 year old Mercedes 190E – the Mayor's reserve car – is no longer cost-effective to maintain because of mounting repair bills, and they are considering spending £27,000 on newer replacement.
source: http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/
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