”
Red Phone, we like the new single stream pickup, but tell me why
we have an awful ugly smell of garbage in our area right before and
after the pickup? We have a lovely yard, but can only look out a
closed window many days of the week lately. Let’s fix it now. I
live on Stratford Place, and the smell I believe is from the trucks
or something. It is in the air most often I notice it after our
Tuesday morning pickup as the wind is from east to west and the
smell is recognizable as garbage.
”
Is the smell in the area on garbage days from the trucks?
“Red Phone, we like the new single stream pickup, but tell me why we have an awful ugly smell of garbage in our area right before and after the pickup? We have a lovely yard, but can only look out a closed window many days of the week lately. Let’s fix it now. I live on Stratford Place, and the smell I believe is from the trucks or something. It is in the air most often I notice it after our Tuesday morning pickup as the wind is from east to west and the smell is recognizable as garbage.
“Also, I noticed that right past the overpass on 10th Street are a bunch of garbage trucks now than there were before … so this may be the culprit if they leave the doors to the containers open. Additionally, the single stream container has a lid that closes, and I noticed that if I leave the lid open, the smell doesn’t collect in the container … don’t know but sure would like someone to investigate.”
Dear Stinks to High Heaven,
Red Phone contacted South Valley Disposal and Recycling General Manager Phil Couchee, who said he’d be glad to investigate, and you should expect a call soon. But, he said he doubts very much if it’s coming from the trucks because the garbage is not in the truck long enough. “I’d never say never, but it’s very unlikely that it’s one of our trucks,” he said. So good caller, expect a visit from someone. If you’re still not satisfied, let Red Phone know and it will get the city involved. Red Phone can’t imagine where the smell is coming from if it’s not the trucks. Perhaps you have a neighbor with a pile of garbage in the backyard.
Red Phone missed the boat
“You missed the boat Red Phone, I believe it was the March 7 Red Phone that you gave the incomplete gift card rules. Please educate the Gilroy businesses.”
And …
“Red Phone, your answer about gift cards is wrong. A brand new law took place Jan. 1. So, gift cards have to be refunded in cash if less than $10 left. Red Phone, put the power of the press to work.”
Dear Want a Refund,
You are both correct. Red Phone mistakenly cited an old law in the March 7 edition in which a caller said he had $3.50 remaining on a gift card and the Gilroy Theaters refused a cash refund. Well, a new law did in fact pass Jan. 1. Apparently State Senator Ellen Corbett got fed up watching the left over dollars here and there go to waste. So she authored the new law that says California retailers must give you cash back if you have less than $10 left on your gift cards. A couple dollars here and a few there, and it can really add up.
This is the latest state law to protect gift card buyers and users. Here’s some other restrictions for retailers:
They may not put expiration dates on their gift cards
They can’t charge service fees for use of the cards
They can’t deduct value from gift cards just because you haven’t used it, unless it’s worth less than $5 and it’s been dormant for at least two years.
Thank you alert Red Phone readers for the correction. Anyone with partially used gift cards containing less than $10, it is your right to a refund. So to the first Red Phone caller, take your card down to the theaters and ask for your refund.
Parking complaint, call police
“Dear Red Phone readers, if you have a vehicle complaint please drop me a message at 846-0320. I work by complaint, so if you have a problem vehicle please let me hear about it. I followed up on the RV on Fifth Street and it appears to be gone for now. Please remember to put your registration sticker on your license plate. I am currently checking for expired registration vehicles. Thank you, Gary Muraoka.”
Dear Gary,
Thanks for letting Red Phone readers know how to contact you and for the warning about expired registration tags. So readers, if you have a vehicle complaint call Gary. If you are not satisfied, let Red Phone know.
