Cell concerns:
”
Red Phone, I’m driving down Santa Teresa, following a City of
Gilroy white sedan with state license plates on it and the guy in
front of me is driving 35 mph, talking on a cell phone. It’s my
understanding that you’re not supposed to talk on the phone while
driving a state vehicle and a car with state license plates. Could
you find out what the policy is and let this guy know? Bye.
”
Cell concerns: “Red Phone, I’m driving down Santa Teresa, following a City of Gilroy white sedan with state license plates on it and the guy in front of me is driving 35 mph, talking on a cell phone. It’s my understanding that you’re not supposed to talk on the phone while driving a state vehicle and a car with state license plates. Could you find out what the policy is and let this guy know? Bye.”
The Red Phone contacted Gilroy Police Department Captain Jack Robinson who said, “The only statute I could find in the Vehicle Code regarding the use of wireless telephones regulated their use by bus drivers.”
That law is as follows:
(a) A person may not drive a schoolbus or transit vehicle, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 99247 of the Public Utilities Code, while using a wireless telephone.
(b) This section does not apply to a driver using a wireless telephone for work-related purposes, or for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency service agency or entity.
The Red Phone also got in touch with the City of Gilroy’s Leann McPhillips, who added her two cents.
“The city does not have a specific policy prohibiting that,” she said. “We often have police officers and others working out in the field, so they, at times, need to utilize their cell phone. But of course we want them to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and follow the speed limit and be safe when they’re operating any of our vehicles.”
McPhillips added that if anyone observes an employee driving a city vehicle in an unsafe manner, get the vehicle ID number on the back of the vehicle, note the time and location of the vehicle and call the city at 846-0460.
“Then I can follow up with a supervisor and make sure the employee is reminded of the safe operation of a city vehicle,” she said.
Festival fanatic: “I can’t believe people are complaining about the wonderful, classy Garlic Festival. That is the greatest festival. I’m a Gilroyan and I’m so proud to say I’m from Gilroy. This festival is done in such good class. So the neighbors have to put up with a little parking for three days and lights being left on a little longer so that we can get the traffic flowing. What’s wrong with people? These are probably transplants, they probably haven’t lived in Gilroy their whole lives. And they’re complaining. That Garlic Festival is number one, it goes for a great cause. I wish people would put all that other griping aside and think about all the good things about it. There’s nothing wrong with it, they can’t find anything wrong except for the parking that some neighbors have to put up with for three days. So what. Give them a ticket and send them out of town for three days so they’ll shut up. This festival is wonderful. It’s the best.”
The Dispatch loves the annual Garlic Festival too, as you may have noted with its continuous coverage. Unfortunately, some people like to nit-pick and complain about the little things. But the Red Phone is here to listen to all and only occasionally show bias to one side or the other. (You’re right, caller.)
Who are they?: “I would like it to be published in the paper the 26 individuals representing the various factions within the community and the Gilroy Unified School District who will determine the principal of Gilroy High School. Thank you.”
A Dispatch reporter is on it, caller. However, to this date, the administration has refused to disclose that information. The Dispatch will file a Public Records Act should it continue to hit a wall on this one. Stay tuned.
Have your say: An idea being batted around regarding the Garlic Festival is paid VIP parking. What do you readers think? Is this an idea you would support? Let the Red Phone know. Contact it at 842-9070 or re******@************ch.com.
