Stinky situation: “I’m seeing red right now, calling the Red Phone. I just read ‘Potential for stinky traffic snarl’ (July 28). I live off of Thomas Road and now I read the paper and they’re going to leave the light green at Santa Teresa longer so traffic can keep flowing. Well I want to know what the hell those of us that live out in this pocket here off of Thomas and Santa Teresa are supposed to do for three days. They used to provide permits for us as neighbors, so we could get out and move and do our business and whatever we need to do for the three days. But now they do nothing for us. I’m really upset by this article because they don’t even give a darn about us and we’re within walking distance and the potential for what we could contribute … I’m just really angry and wanted to call. I don’t know if you’ll put it in the paper, but I just had to let off steam because I’m seeing red right now.”
The Red Phone can understand the annual festival might create a tough situation for those who live nearby and contacted the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association office manager Chris Filice.
“In the past we used to issue permits to those who live close to the festival – but we haven’t done that in five or six years,” she said. “We block off streets as a courtesy to residents so that they don’t have traffic running up and down their streets. It was a resident’s pass that let them get through to their house.”
But, good – and irritated – caller, Filice said that although permits are no longer issued, residents should not have difficulty driving to and from their home during the Garlic Festival. Simply flash traffic officers your license indicating your residency, and traveling should not be a problem.
For further information, contact the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association at 842-1625.
No tick tock: “I don’t know how much the city paid to get the clock at Old City Hall working, but they should get a refund because once again it does not work.”
• “Just wanted to let the Red Phone know that the Old City Hall clock is again not working.”
What a surprising couple of calls, as the Red Phone thought it had helped rectify the broken clock not too long ago. Callers, it took your concerns to Joe Kline, public information officer for Gilroy, who got in touch with the city’s own Mike Dorn.
According to Dorn, the clock is fine, but because it’s quite old, it needs to be wound the old-fashioned way.
“The clock has been repaired and runs accurately,” Dorn said. “However, since the restaurant is not open yet, Lynn Meader has not been able to get in to wind it. I will try to get access to wind it myself.”
Clean up needed: “Hello, I just want to know when they are going to clean up the debris, trees that have fallen, here on 10th and Miller along the roadway. It’s been there for years now and I think with the Garlic Festival coming up they should clean up all the trees that have fallen over. Thank you very much.”
Thanks for the heads up, caller. The Red Phone left a message with the city’s Operations Department regarding the tree debris you mentioned, but unfortunately, didn’t receive any return phone calls. Often, when it contacts the city about tree problems, it is told that trees are the responsibility of the property owners. Though the Garlic Festival is in full swing, it will keep you posted should it find out further information.
Have your say: Do you have a comment, complaint or compliment about an issue that affects Gilroy and its residents? Perhaps you’d like to suggest a turn signal at a troubled intersection? Or maybe offer up a compliment for a good job done by city workers? Just let the Red Phone know. But remember to leave a name and number. Contact the Red Phone at 842-9070 or re******@************ch.com.
