What’s with drivers and school busses?
We need to educate people about the rules of red lights on school buses. I was following a school bus today and I stopped for their red lights, and I had people passing around me and the bus. We need to bring these parents up to speed on the laws.
& Dear Alert: We contacted Sgt. Jim Gillio of the Gilroy Police Department, who provided everything you ever wanted to know about stopping for school buses. Drivers need to stop when red lights are flashing on a school bus per CVC 22454 (a) that states “The driver of any vehicle, upon meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any schoolbus equipped with signs as required in this code, that is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading any schoolchildren and displays a flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 25257, if equipped with a stop signal arm, visible from front or rear, shall bring the vehicle to a stop immediately before passing the schoolbus and shall not proceed past the schoolbus until the flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, if equipped with a stop signal arm, cease operation.”
There. If red lights are flashing, turn up your music and wait until they stop.
Pssst. How much does the mayor make?
Please, oh please do some homework for us and tell us what exactly are the benefits of being on Council and/or Mayor. Like, how much do they get paid and what about the PERS/retirement credit they earn and all that juicy stuff. Are there free trips to Sister Cities? I know, it’s not done for the money but inquiring minds still want to know. Thank you!
& Dear Juicer: Red Phone contacted LeeAnn McPhillips, the human resources director for Gilroy, who told us the mayor earns $1,094 per month, and council members earn $729 per month – which is why they are all off vacationing on their yachts. Of course there are benefits as well, but they can get somewhat complex. We are talking about health insurance, after all. Here is what she said: “Cafeteria Plan Health Coverage for medical and dental benefits. Maximum contribution from the City is currently $1,193.24 per month. This amount is if they qualify for family level coverage. If they do not qualify for family level coverage, then the City contribution is lower for the employee plus one person and employee-only level coverage. If employee has other coverage, they may waive our medical coverage and receive a cash benefit at the employee only contribution level less the dental premium and less the mandatory medical contribution required by the CalPERS health plan.
Council members receive a $20,000 life insurance benefit at a cost of $5.10 per month, an Employee Assistance Program benefit at a cost of $5.20 per month, a CalPERS retirement program based on earnings – the city pays employer contribution of 13.816 percent of salary and employee pays 8 percent of salary as a deduction. Option to have same dollar amount contributed to a 457 deferred comp plan if not able to participate in CalPERS program. And finally, a Medicare benefit as required at a cost of 1.45 percent of salary. Both and employer and employee matching contribution on payroll to Medicare.
Slut chic must be ‘in’
I found the tattoo coverage obscene. Showing someone pulling down someones pants to get a better look is at the very least inpropriate.
Why not take her pants all the way off so we can get a clear look. Give me a break, I guess slut chic is in.
& Good (but angry) caller: We’ve had a few comments on the Gilroy High School tattoo pictures (see today’s opinion page). Perhaps the caller should ask the school’s principal why the school soliciting/promoting this for the yearbook?” Red phone wouldn’t call the pictures obscene, and finds the harshness of the comment regrettable.
