Portsmouth Cab Driver ‘Crabby Cabbie’ Called Out By Chamber Of Commerce Tourism Director

A Portsmouth city cab driver was recently called out in a letter to the Taxi Commission for saying some not so flattering things about the city and it's landmarks. Oh, and by the way, he said these things to some visiting tourism professionals who were in his cab.

Who's better at knowing the vibe of a town than it's bartenders, waiters and waitresses, and of course , it's cab drivers? Nobody.

Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director Valerie Rochon was the one who wrote the letter complaining about 'Crabby Cabbie' (Merle White) because apparently he was giving his opinion on various subjects relating to the city.

'She wrote that White drove her group from the Port Inn to Strawbery Banke Museum, "all the while making disparaging comments about the Port Inn's deal with taxis, the city itself, the waste of money for Puddle Duck Pond, etc.. etc... etc..." ' -Seacoast Online

Also in the cab at the time were some international tourism community professionals and other marketing reps who for 20 years have been promoting Portsmouth and the region.

Oops. But then again, oh well. You can't silence 'Crabby Cabbie'. He's entitled to his opinion. Perhaps he was asked his impression and he gave his honest answer.

Here's what I want from a cab ride. To get from point A to point B in the quickest and safest way. That's all anyone should ask. They don't work for the Chamber of Commerce. A little chit chat is nice on occasion, and if 'Crabby Cabbie' can tell me something I don't already know about the area, that's nice as well.

'Crabby Cabbie' sounds like a character to me. Every city and town needs them, and the local Chambers of Commerce should be promoting them, not trying to put a muzzle on them.