WANNABE CABBIE SPRAYS PROTEST ON LIMO

It's not a fare, yet.

But Jason Knock hopes the spray-painted message he drives around on his
limo will eventually win him a taxi licence.

The 20-year-old Bridgewater man wants to work in his family's taxi
business. On Wednesday, he spray-painted "No Justice: Town of Bridgewater
denies young entrepreneur chance to suceed (sic)" on his Cadillac stretch limo.

Knock says the town clerk denied him a taxi licence because he was fined
this year for possessing marijuana.

He said he wants to be a cabbie in Bridgewater, in part to turn over a new
leaf after his conviction earlier this summer.

Knock said he paid a $100 fine for the conviction. He has already paid $50
in two unsuccessful applications to become a cabbie.

"I think I am being stereotyped because I am a young guy," he said.

Knock said all he wants to do is join his grandfather's business as a
driver. His grandfather is ill and leaving family-owned Plaza Taxi, and
fully supports the protest, Knock said.

"He's all game for it; he's on my side."

Knock has also started a petition on his own behalf. More than 80 people
have signed a statement, which says, "Would you let me drive you place to
place?"

Knock said the public seems supportive of his rolling billboard.

"I've got a lot of beeps -- a lot of thumbs-up," he said.

Knock said he'll take the paint off once he gets his licence, by buffing it
off in his family's autobody shop.