Red Phone, talk about a Friday the 13th. There were way too many
people at the Gilroy High School graduation that night. Apparently,
the principal decided not to limit the number of tickets. It was
unsafe. It took people hours to get out. Parking was bad, but the
traffic was worse. Had someone gotten sick or injured I don’t think
emergency medical teams could have responded quick enough. How
about we talk about safety. It’s an unbelievably bad situation.
Something needs to get better for next year because the crowds
aren’t going away until Christopher High School graduates its first
class. Thanks.
Supporter overload
“Red Phone, talk about a Friday the 13th. There were way too many people at the Gilroy High School graduation that night. Apparently, the principal decided not to limit the number of tickets. It was unsafe. It took people hours to get out. Parking was bad, but the traffic was worse. Had someone gotten sick or injured I don’t think emergency medical teams could have responded quick enough. How about we talk about safety. It’s an unbelievably bad situation. Something needs to get better for next year because the crowds aren’t going away until Christopher High School graduates its first class. Thanks.”
Dear Something Needs to Get Better,
Red Phone contacted Principal James Maxwell, who said he too noticed the size of the crowd and said he and his administration team has met several times and are discussing ways to improve next year’s ceremony, starting with a better sound system.
“I certainly noticed the size of the crowd from the stage,” he said. “There is no way of knowing for sure, but it seemed larger. We had a larger graduating class due to the size of the class and our alternative program, Advanced Path, which added approximately 40 students to the ceremony. As far as I know, tickets have never been used at a GHS graduation. As someone coming from outside Gilroy, I have been hesitant to change long term traditions. Using tickets comes with many, many problems as I have seen at other schools. Several of our football games and band shows have had similar crowds and we have used the same amount of security. We will also discuss this issue with the Gilroy police department. Thanks for your concern.”
So good caller, here’s to a better, more efficient ceremony next year. Stay tuned as the day approaches for stories on any changes to the day.
Rolling back into town
“Hello Red Phone, the RV that was illegally parked on Colony Way is back. It reappeared last Monday (June 16) and we called Gary Muroaka last Thursday to report it. Gary is out of the office for a couple of weeks, so we left a detailed message as instructed. In the meantime, what can be done?”
Dear It’s Baaaack,
Red Phone contacted Sgt. Jim Gillio, who said Muroaka has returned and sent your complaint to him to look at.
Then Muroaka sent an e-mail explaining what he’d done.
“I went back out to Colony (Way) (Tuesday) morning and I red tagged the RV advising the owner that he has two days before his RV is cited. So, the clock is started once again on the RV on Colony and I will be back out Friday to issue daily citations if it’s not removed. The city ordinance allows you to park an RV for two days out of a two week period. This allows you one day to load, go on your trip, and one day to unload. If he uses his two days together he cannot be on the city street for two weeks. So I hope he moves the RV by Friday. A day later, It’s Baaaack e-mailed Red Phone to advise the RV on Colony Way has been red tagged.
Thank you Jim and Gary, and good caller, good luck.
Cockroaches, mice and vermin – oh, my!
“Is there a department in Gilroy that handles a filthy restaurant? If so, I’d like to report it one.”
Dear Disgusted,
Red Phone suggests calling the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, where complaints can be filed. Check
