Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, January 20 , 1999

Release #024-99

Contact: Colleen Roche/Matthew Higgins (212) 788-2958
David V. Hind (TLC) 212-676-1177


MAYOR GIULIANI HELPS PUT SAM GOLDSTEIN, VETERAN CABBIE, BACK ON THE ROAD AFTER GARAGE COLLAPSE

Car Dealership to Provide New Cab

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that New York City taxi driver Sam Goldstein, whose yellow medallion taxi was crushed when a residential garage collapsed last Friday in lower Manhattan, will soon be back on the road. After the Mayor vowed to help the 40-year veteran taxi driver, La Fres Ford, a Queens car dealership, agreed to provide Goldstein with a brand new 1999 Ford Crown Victoria and to wait for payment until Mr. Goldstein receives the insurance settlement. At a City Hall ceremony today, the Mayor presented Mr. Goldstein with the keys to his brand new yellow medallion taxicab.

"This is a prime example of how New Yorkers are truly compassionate people," the Mayor said. "When a member of our community suffers a tragedy, the private and public sectors often come together to lend the helping hand needed to keep a New Yorker like Sam Goldstein on his feet - or behind the wheel. I especially want to thank La Fres Ford for accommodating Sam and enabling him to return to his livelihood."

Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairperson Diane McGrath-McKechnie said, "Sam Goldstein is an outstanding example of the professional, courteous and conscientious New York City taxicab driver and we are dedicated to doing all that we can to keep him behind the wheel of his taxi."

Sam Goldstein was recently honored by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission for his outstanding service as a taxi driver and for his community service as a volunteer CABWATCH member. He is considered to be one of the most experienced and admired taxi-drivers in the City.

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