My complaint is with the gopher infestation at Miller Park.
They’ve just made it really difficult to have activities there.
Gophers are not an endangered species
“My complaint is with the gopher infestation at Miller Park. They’ve just made it really difficult to have activities there. The park department seems to treat the gophers as endangered species. It concerns me they’re letting the park become such a mess. It’s hard to walk across the grounds without the fear of hurting myself. Can anything be done?”
& Red Phone: Dear Infested, there is no truth to the rumor that Gilroy has added gophers to the endangered species act. In fact, Operation Services Manager Carla Ruigh agreed that the little critters can inflict considerable damage to parks.
“In an area such as Gilroy with so much open space nearby, it is very difficult to control these pests,” she said. “Even in parks like Miller Park, which seems surrounded by urban development, these critters are able to make their way to the park to dine on the delicacies that our parks offer these herbivorous rodents. The city of Gilroy does have a regular rodent control program, however the city and it’s contractors are limited as to what products and methods can be used in gopher control. Typically in the winter time their activity slows down, although this can vary from site to site. Our landscape maintenance contractors just did a treatment for gophers last week. Staff will monitor Miller Park closely and increase our gopher abatement efforts as needed.”
Marks on levee leave resident wondering what they’re for
“I was wondering why all of those – I think they’re survey marks – are on the levee? They’re red, orange, green, blue, white, yellow. Why are they there and why so many colors? Thank you.”
& Red Phone: Dear Wondering, Red Phone again contacted Carla Ruigh, who said without knowing the exact location of the markings, she can only surmise that they are USA locate markings.
“These are the markings that are made by utility agencies to identify the location of utilities such as water lines, cable television and sewers,” she said. “Typically, the markings are made before any type of underground digging is conducted. If the caller wishes to contact Operations at (408) 846-0444 and provide a more exact location, we can check and confirm that the markings they observed are USA (markings). The paint used … is temporary paint, and it will wear/wash off in a few months.” So good reader, give Ruigh a call if you want to learn more.
Closing of club irks parent
“Calling about the Morgan Hill gymnastics club closing. As a parent with two boys on the team. Just wanted to see if you’re going to print something in the paper or not?”
& Red Phone: Dear Mistreated, the story of the closing of the Morgan Hill Gymnastics Club on Masten Avenue ran Feb. 12 in the Morgan Hill Times, our sister paper. At the time, it left quite a few families holding the bag, with no refunds offered by owner Tharien Bramhall. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is taking complaints from people who had paid the tuition fees upfront. If you feel you were wrongly treated, call the district attorney’s office at (408) 299-7400.
