Hi Red Phone: Long time reader, first time writer. What is up
with our post office? Our population is larger than Morgan Hill’s
yet they have this huge post office while I have to circle the
block to even find parking at ours.
“Hi Red Phone: Long time reader, first time writer. What is up with our post office? Our population is larger than Morgan Hill’s yet they have this huge post office while I have to circle the block to even find parking at ours. I have had a P.O. box there for three years and have been a customer there for six and recently noticed that they removed the two self-service machines in the lobby that allowed you to buy stamps. Are there any plans to replace them?”
Red Phone: Dear Snail Mail, First of all, thanks for being a loyal reader. We appreciate your comments. The size and condition of Gilroy’s post office have been a concern for many years. In addition to the lack of parking on a busy afternoon, people have also complained about the tight drive-through area in the alley to drop off a letter.
But based on the capacity of the current post office and the growth rate allowed by the city, a new post office could be more than 10 years away (see www.gilroydispatch.com/
news/94296-new-post-office–maybe-in-15-years).
As for the self-service machines, these were removed at several post offices throughout the country as they were no longer practical, said Rosemary Lemos, a supervisor at the Gilroy post office.
“They took them out because they were very old machines and they could no longer get parts for them,” she said. “It was not our decision. As you know, the post office doesn’t have any money, so we couldn’t afford to keep them.”
Lemos said that when things start to turn around, she hopes the post office will be able to get some machines again. But until then you can purchase stamps at Nob Hill, Longs Drugs and the UPS store if you don’t want to wait in line.
Follow-up on Sixth Street bridge
“On the wall they were talking about on Sixth Street, they put the wall up so bicycles and pedestrians could be safe. But the bicycle lane is on the side of the car lanes, so I’m wondering about that.”
and…
“If the wall is there to protect bicyclists and pedestrians, then why is the bike lane on the same side as the motorists?”
Red Phone: Dear Confused Crossers, Bicyclists actually have a choice of which side they want to cross on. There are two types of bike trails along roads – Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 trails such as the one on the right while heading east are designed to be separated by distance or by a barrier. The one one on the left is a Class 2 trail, meaning it is next to the road. Either one can be used by cyclists depending on their preference, said City Engineer Don Dey.
“This is only a portion of the trail system,” Dey said. “But it was a very difficult one to design and get constructed. The city has plans to continue the trail section along the creek.”
Toner scam warning
“I want to let people know about a toner scam that is once again happening. A person calls you on the phone and asks for the model number of your copier, often pretending to be the company you contract with. They will then send you toner and bill you for it, sometimes taking you to collections if you don’t pay because most people don’t realize that they don’t have to pay for it. I have had four of these calls since last Thursday. All you have to do is ask what company they are with and they usually hang up. Sometimes they don’t, so I follow it up with a request that everything be put in writing before I will release any information. That has always worked.”
Red Phone: Dear Toned Up, Thanks for the heads-up. Red Phone is always particularly upset when it hears about people abusing the sacred phone lines. Readers, feel free to give the Red Phone a call if you notice any suspicious scams going on.
