Dear Editor,
Drive east or west along Welburn Avenue from Church Street to
Santa Teresa Boulevard on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and
you’ll see garage/yard sales repeatedly at the same houses time
after time after time.
It appears that Gilroy’s city law regarding garage/yard sales is
not being enforced, and has become a joke for any kind of
meaningful application. The city law basically states that only one
garage or yard sale may be held (at a home) per calendar year, and
a permit must be obtained from the city for the sale, which cannot
exceed seven consecutive calendar days in length.
‘Permanent’ garage sales all over, what’s the point of having a city law?
Dear Editor,
Drive east or west along Welburn Avenue from Church Street to Santa Teresa Boulevard on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and you’ll see garage/yard sales repeatedly at the same houses time after time after time.
It appears that Gilroy’s city law regarding garage/yard sales is not being enforced, and has become a joke for any kind of meaningful application. The city law basically states that only one garage or yard sale may be held (at a home) per calendar year, and a permit must be obtained from the city for the sale, which cannot exceed seven consecutive calendar days in length.
This law goes even further into the realm of non-enforceability regarding yard sales: “yard sale items may only consist of property you have owned for at least one year.”
Obviously the police have better things to do than to check for sale permits and that for-sale items have been “owned for at least one year.”
Since the code enforcers in City Hall who should be checking do not work on weekends, it appears that this law is useless. I suggest the city either rewrite the law into the realm of reality and enforce it, or get rid of it altogether. Unenforceable law is in effect no law.
James Fennell, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
Community picnic could replace the funds made on fireworks sales
Dear Editor,
I have been reading about the fireworks debate for the past few weeks and am personally disappointed in our City Council this year for allowing the sale of safe and sane fireworks. I think our fire fighters need a break and if canceling the sale for one year might help them and save Gilroy some property, I am all for it.
I have an idea for how our town could celebrate this holiday in a safe and fun way. I read in the Dispatch that this will be Gilroy’s last year providing a citywide fireworks show due to budget cuts. My suggestion may sound old-fashioned, but I think our town should put on a picnic at Christmas Hill Park put together by our city/fire department or a committee like our Garlic Festival.
Clubs that now sell fireworks for fundraising could have booths to sell food, drinks, souvenirs, T-shirts, etc. A cover charge could help pay for entertainment such as music and jump houses. Families could come with blankets and sit on the lawn and enjoy a picnic with entertainment.
It would be nice to also put on a short program of fireworks as we do now at the high school but if the budget doesn’t permit, then we do without. If Gilroy can afford a shorter version of the show, that would be a benefit for the day.
A parade to start the day would be nice. Businesses, clubs and schools could build Fourth of July floats and a parade could escort the people into the park for the start of the picnic where the floats can remain for viewing throughout the day.
Only Gilroy residents/businesses are allowed to participate in the selling of products and floats but the rest is for all to enjoy our day and spend their money at our booths. I am sure others may have more suggestions if this goes any further. It’s a nice idea to bring our city community together and to celebrate this holiday in a safe way which does not take away from our fund-raising clubs.
Lori Toste, Gilroy
There’s a simple answer – if you don’t want fireworks, don’t buy ’em
Dear Editor,
It amuses me how so many people can take the wrong approach concerning the fireworks issue in Gilroy. All that wasted effort directed toward the seller and nothing was accomplished.
If you don’t want fireworks in Gilroy, DON’T BUY THEM! When the laws of supply and demand take effect the vendors will go away. Those who light off the fireworks will be the ones who will be held responsible for any potential fire damage and for all the (added) smoke in the air.
Have a safe Fourth!
Bob Sutton, Gilroy
Gilroy affirming it’s reputation as the ‘little outlaw city’ – too bad!
Dear Editor,
I’m having a chuckle over the question of whether or not to ban fireworks this year. We have a very dry year and the potential for fire is very high. Do “individuals” NEED fireworks to set off in the streets? Obviously not.
We have a great public fireworks show in Gilroy to celebrate our Fourth of July. Nonprofit groups should think of a more intelligent way to raise money. As someone already pointed out, the Girl Scouts are doing a fantastic job every year.
Banning the fireworks would also enable the Gilroy police to more quickly find illegal fireworks shows that go on EVERY YEAR near and around Las Animas Veterans Park area, between Mantelli Drive and Farrell Avenue off Leavesly (HINT, HINT!).
I have lived here 10 years and without fail we get an illegal fireworks show that rivals the city’s. But if Gilroy wants to preserve it’s reputation as the little outlaw city below San Jose, then by all means lets just ignore the dangers of the potential fires and injury and the illegal fireworks shows.
John Underwood, Gilroy
