I’m wondering do you or does anyone know what the car
dealerships do with the big, beautiful flags when they get a little
tarnished and have to replace them?
“Hi Red Phone. I’m wondering do you or does anyone know what the car dealerships do with the big, beautiful flags when they get a little tarnished and have to replace them? Our high school football field sure could use a nice, big, beautiful flag. I thought it would be just wonderful if one of the car dealerships could possibly donate one of those big flags they have over there as they start to take them down and replenish them. If Red Phone can help me out by getting the information out there and finding out what they do with them, it would be wonderful. Thank you.”
Red Phone: Dear Free Flying, Here’s to keeping Old Glory flying beyond its prime. So car dealers (those of you who are left), want to help beautify the field? If so, give Red Phone a call. And if anyone has a large flag they would like to donate, let us know. In the meantime, there are a couple local groups that handle the disposal of old flags – Boy Scout Troop 792 (www.gilroyscouting.org) and American Legion Posts #217 and #669 (842-8449). You may want to contact them and see if they have any flags that are still in somewhat good shape.
Jail is too costly an option
“I’d like to say thank you for posting my comment, but when I read your reply I thought, ‘What do you mean, get out of jail free?’ It’s not get out of jail free, it’s just that there’s other things. Jail isn’t the answer for everything. I think the community would benefit more for (the phone line vandals) to do community hours or work with nonprofit organizations. With all their electrical skills, they could be doing a lot of free work, helping companies out. I didn’t say they shouldn’t be punished for what they did, only that there’s other alternatives than jail.”
Red Phone: Dear Give Me a New Title, Thanks for being a loyal reader. It looks like the title we gave you didn’t accurately reflect your comments. Hope “Give Me a New Title” is an OK handle for now. The numbers truly are astounding. According to the Department of Justice, 2.3 million prisoners were held in federal or state prisons or in local jails last year – an increase of 0.8% from 2007. And an additional 5 million are on probation or parole. The Vera Institute of Justice, a New York think tank, issued a report in 2006 entitled “Confronting Confinement” that found that the United States spends $60 billion annually on corrections, and there are 750,000 men and women that work in correctional facilities. The full report can be downloaded at www.prisoncommission.org/ report.asp. You’re right, there’s a lot of potential work that can be done and perhaps there’s a better way to make that happen.
Where to get mulch
“Can you please tell me the name of the company that is currently trimming the trees in Gilroy? I’d like to get some mulch, if possible.”
Red Phone: Dear Gardener, The City of Gilroy contracts with a company named Trugreen for its landscaping. South Valley Disposal personnel were on hand to give out mulch during Earth Day week recently. However that was a one-time event. “There is not any that I know of that the city is giving out at this time,” said Public Information Officer Joe Kline. Other organizations who use different companies may be able to help out, Kline said. If anyone knows of a place to get mulch or has some they would like to get rid of, please let the Red Phone know.
