At last week’s Village of Mineola board of trustees meeting, village clerk Joseph Scalero reported that the enforcement arm of the county Taxi and Limousine Commission has issued 1,600 citations over the past several months, primarily to “gypsy” cabs and other unlicensed vehicles seen dropping off riders at the Long Island Rail Road station in Mineola.
Scalero, who is a member of the commission, said unlicensed taxi operators in Mineola drew 40 percent of the citations the county taxi commission issued this year.
“It’s unfair to our cabs because they take away business from them,” Scalero said.
He said the commission’s enforcement agents also caught offenders dropping off teenaged customers attending prom parties at Jericho Terrace.
Scalero noted that the illicit taxis represent a threat to public safety since they are not properly insured against injury to their passengers. “The families would have no recourse,” Scalero said.
At the Nov. 9 meeting, the board of trustees also unanimously approved a special use permit for a new discount store on Jericho Turnpike.
Jason Guo, manager of the Good Luck Discount Store at 155 Jericho Tpke. in Mineola, said he was eager to secure the permit for his store, which will now carry cookies, candy and water in addition to party goods, school supplies, hardware and housewares.
“People have been asking me where are the snacks and beverages. They don’t understand why I don’t have those items,” Guo said during a public hearing on the permit application. “If I am granted a special use permit we will be able to serve the community better.”
Guo said the store has been open for two months. He plans to maintain hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, closing at 7 p.m. on Sundays. He said he has three employees in the store.
Trustee Paul Cusato expressed concern about a scrolling electric sign in the store window of the store, a feature not allowed by local ordinance. Mineola Buildings Superintendent Daniel Whalen said the local ordinance prohibits “anything that scrolls, flashes or may be a distraction to motor vehicle operations.”
Guo said he would immediately install a sign with non-flashing LED lights.
After the hearing Guo, a Queens resident, said he has been operating a 99 cent store in Valley Stream for the past six years. He said he had conducted his own informal market research before selecting the 4,600-square foot building for his store in Mineola.
“I think people need something like this in this area,” he said, adding that customers have told him they’re pleased the store is there.
