Lights Shine On
”
I’d like to know what’s up with the lights shining on the new
trees in the middle of Santa Teresa Boulevard between Sunrise and
Mantelli.
Lights Shine On
“I’d like to know what’s up with the lights shining on the new trees in the middle of Santa Teresa Boulevard between Sunrise and Mantelli. Considering PG&E is asking everyone to conserve both gas and electric, these accent lights are a waste of money being paid by the residents of Gilroy. Not only is it a waste of money, but the accent lights can hardly be seen due to all the street lights that have been put up. Let’s turn the accent lights off and be energy conscious. Thank you.”
Red Phone:
In contacting the city about your concern, Red Phone learned that your city council members made the executive decision several years ago to include this lighting feature along Santa Teresa Boulevard, according to City Transportation Engineer Don Dey.
“It goes beyond the utilitarian nature of just providing light,” he said. “There’s the whole environment of Santa Teresa, trying to make it a nice attractive corridor.”
And as far as energy consumption is concerned, Dey admitted that “obviously the lights are on, but I don’t see a huge spike in our energy bill to accommodate them.”
Making Gilroy look bad
“I’m calling because I’m the one who sent that article into the Tonight Show. I know Jay Leno likes to feature dumb criminals … But I want to voice my objections to having that (Gilroy’s Most Wanted) page in the paper. I don’t think it sheds very good light on our town. To outsiders, it makes up look like a haven for criminal activity. I’d like to know, in addition to that one idiot who was carrying the page around in his pocket, how many criminals have actually been arrested and taken off the street as a result of being on the Most Wanted page? Thanks.”
Red Phone:
So you’re owning up to sending in that piece to Leno, eh? Join the crowd. Many have called or e-mailed to take credit for the act. Apparently lots of locals had the same idea and sent in the article – Red Phone included. It can only imagine Leno’s staff sorting through the clips and coming across the same piece over and over and over … read on for more.
But on to your inquiry. Apparently you don’t take much time to look over Gilroy’s Most Wanted page – because your answer is included on the top right hand corner of the page each publication. As of Friday, 16 of the most wanted the Dispatch has featured on the page have been arrested. And police give credit to the page for helping bring in the ‘bad guys.’ Some have been turned in and some have turned themselves in after seeing their face in the local paper. Crime is everywhere, good caller. But with Gilroy Police Department’s blessing, the Dispatch is attempting – and finding success – in making a difference.
– “I think what you are doing with the Most Wanted page is great. I wanted to call and at least let the Red Phone know that I was the person who sent the Tonight Show that story about the guy basically turning himself in. When I read that, I knew it had Jay Leno ‘Headlines’ written all over it. But when I saw him talk about it the other night, it was even funnier. Thanks, Dispatch for providing such great material. Thanks.”
– “So our local paper made it to Jay Leno. I deserve a big thanks for taking the time to look up his address and send it in. You’re welcome, Dispatch. You guys do a nice job, by the way, in putting together that Most Wanted page. That’s a great idea and for people to be able to look at it and maybe see local people and be able to call in. And just think about it, in doing that, you get stories about not-so-smart criminals and get featured on Jay Leno. And I like that you also have an anonymous number on it. That’s a good idea too. It’s a great addition to the local paper.”
Red Phone:
On behalf of the Dispatch staff, the Red Phone thanks everyone who took time to send the amusing article to Leno. To view a slide show of the ‘appearance,’ go to www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/headlines/.