Shameful sign
”
Hi Red Phone. I just wanted to make a comment about the Gilroy
auto dealer’s sign that everybody talks about on 101.
Shameful sign
“Hi Red Phone. I just wanted to make a comment about the Gilroy auto dealer’s sign that everybody talks about on 101. For years it’s had the wrong temperature when the weather gets hot, probably because that thermometer is out in the sun or something. But now a lot of the lights are out on it and it’s telling us the wrong time. This is just a real bad impression that people from out of town might get when they see that thing. I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but boy, that thing sure is ugly. Somebody ought to stir the coals and wake them up and get that thing working right. Thanks a lot for listening.”
Red Phone:
The sign has been a headache for quite a while, not just for you, good caller, but the auto dealers responsible for maintaining it.
“Every time the sign goes bad it costs the Gilroy auto dealers $5,000 or more,” said Adam Sanchez, owner of Al Sanchez Volkswagen/Mazda. “It’s very expensive. We’re contemplating what we’re going to do with that sign, whether to shut it down altogether or replace it. I’m going to shut it off until we decide which way to go.”
In the meantime caller, feel free to consult one of the several other signs in Gilroy to stay abreast of the time and temperature.
Substations possible?
“Hi, I’m calling regarding all the gang activity. I’m not sure if this city’s too small to have any substations in locations where the activity is going on. … The officers are spending too much time out there at Starbucks, they seem to be concentrating out there on a daily basis. There seems to be two or three cars out there at anytime of the day. They really should patrol the areas a little more where its taking place. Thank you.”
Red Phone:
According to Gilroy Police Sgt. Kurt Svardal, the city is really too small for substations. Officers are able to respond to calls at acceptable response times without breaking down into substations. However, at night officers sometimes use a computer designated for police use at Sunrise Station.
“Officers are out in their cars patrolling the streets. Their offices are considered mobile,” he said.
There is also an added cost issue with substations.
As far as the coffee issue, officers are allowed to have coffee and take a break.
What’s the policy?:
“What is the Dispatch’s policy on printing a picture of a minor without the permission of the parents? It hasn’t happened to me, but I’ve always wondered that when I see photos of little kids on the front page. Thanks a lot.”
Red Phone:
The Dispatch’s policy is this: If a photo is taken in a public place, the photographer will approach the person – adult or minor – and ask for names. If the person, or if a parent is present, does not wish themselves or their child to be in the newspaper, generally the Dispatch will respect their wishes and not publish the photo.
However, in most cases, parents are more than happy to see their little one in the paper.
And note that it is perfectly legal for photographs to be taken on public property and published in the Dispatch. And many people order additional copies of the Dispatch or a copy of the photograph when a familiar face is seen. To get copies of a paper, call the circulation department at 842-2327 or for information on ordering a particular photo, contact Chief Photographer Chris Riley at 847-7228.
Readers:
Contact the Red Phone at 842-9070 or e-mail
re******@gi************.com
.
