Sick of signs:
”
A couple of days ago I saw an officer cleaning a light pole here
in Gilroy because somebody left their garage sale sign on the pole.
I feel the city should start fining people for leaving their signs
up week after week after week.
Sick of signs: “A couple of days ago I saw an officer cleaning a light pole here in Gilroy because somebody left their garage sale sign on the pole. I feel the city should start fining people for leaving their signs up week after week after week. That should also apply to our great politicians who leave their signs up months after elections. People should be made to pay for making our city look like a slum.”
To get to scoop on city law and fines, your Red Phone contacted Gilroy’s Public Information Officer Joe Kline, who referred it to Scott Barron, with City of Gilroy. Barron cited Gilroy Zoning Ordinance 37.31: Prohibited Signs:
“Placards, posters, announcements and similar signs attached to any fence, pole, tree or any other object in a public thoroughfare, except those of an official nature authorized by a City Ordinance. Any sign which conflicts with any rule, regulation or order of the California Public Utility Commission pertaining to the construction, operation and maintenance of public utility facilities.”
Barron said that violators of Zoning Ordinance requirements can be enforced as a violation of the Municipal Code.
To gather further information on the fines involved, the Red Phone went to www.municode.com, which explains municipal codes and penalties.
Regarding fines, “Any person … who violates any of the provisions of this Code or who fails to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this Code is guilty of an infraction, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as set forth below. Except as otherwise provided, every such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation is committed, continued or permitted by such person, and shall be punishable accordingly. Any violation of this title or of the codes incorporated thereunder, following three prior convictions therefor, shall constitute a misdemeanor.
(a) For a first violation, the violator shall be charged with an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $100.
(b) For a second violation within one year, the violator shall be charged with an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $200.
(c) For a third violation within one year, the violator shall be charged with an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.
(d) For each additional violation, the violator shall be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both.”
Costco rocks: “Hello Red Phone! I have been meaning to call in and sing the praises of our local Gilroy Costco. I am there two to three times a week with my four children and they have an incredible management staff over there or something. The workers over there are so friendly and helpful and what I love most about going there is that it is so clean. They refold the clothes, there’s no trash, there’s no spills. It’s immaculately kept. I think it’s just a standard that should be matched by all of our wonderful businesses here in Gilroy.”
Thanks for sharing, caller. When businesses and their employees conduct themselves in a customer-friendly way, everyone should hear about it and support them. Take note, readers. Next time you need to shop, patronize Costco and stock up.
A happy medium?: “I’ve been reading the brooh-ha-ha about the bark and sand. Here’s an idea that might be crazy enough to work. How about you put the bark underneath where the little dollies might fall on their bums and build a separate sandbox – a couple 2x6s, a 10×10 area and there you go! Everybody’s happy.”
Interesting idea, caller.
Poll concerns: “I’m concerned about the votes that you have for the Indian casino investors. I think it’s ridiculous to have 116 votes, when we have this town so big. Not everybody has a computer. I think you should have this voting thing in a different way.”
For those who don’t know, this caller is commenting on the Dispatch’s Web site poll which asked, “Should the city of Gilroy negotiate with investors and the Indians to bring a casino here for a price?” The Red Phone wants to remind folks that these are not scientific polls – they’re simply questions to get residents discussing issues, and perhaps prompt some to write letters to the editor or call in to the Red Phone.
Visit the Dispatch Web site each week for a new question and offer your two cents.
