The Red Phone sounds off Saturdays in The Times. We invite you
to call us 24/7 to ask questions, report a complaint, give us a
tip, offer an amusing tale of the short variety or just want people
to know about something to do with Morgan Hill and the surrounding
territory. We
’ll check it out and have the answer in an upcoming column.
The Red Phone sounds off Saturdays in The Times.
We invite you to call us 24/7 to ask questions, report a complaint, give us a tip, offer an amusing tale of the short variety or just want people to know about something to do with Morgan Hill and the surrounding territory. We’ll check it out and have the answer in an upcoming column.
Leave us a message on the Red Phone. We won’t print your name or share it with others. However, we do need your name and phone number for verification purposes.
Nordstrom park bark: A story about the city’s water conservation methods prompted this complaint.
“The city is saving water by replacing grass with tan bark,” the caller said. “But the bark they installed – especially at Nordstrom – is most horrendous.”
Instead of the tan bark expected, she found a “shredded mess” full of leaves and sticks.
“They’ve turned this gem into garbage,” she said.
Deputy Public Works Director Mori Struve said he isn’t pleased with the stuff either and he is working to make it better. First, the cover isn’t commercial tan bark but shreddings from the city’s tree trimming firm, West Coast Arborist. The company provided the wood for free but brought more sticks and even a palm frond or two, than Struve planned on.
“This is unacceptable,” Struve said.
One volunteer has been removing the sticks by hand but more volunteers are needed – the city eliminated two groundskeeper positions to meet this year’s budget. When the layer is clean, Struve is topping it with a layer of commercial wood chips. One finished area is the northernmost part of the park, next to Murphy Avenue. The rest of the park’s edges should be finished in a week or two.
Once Nordstrom is satisfactory, the city will begin to give other parks the same treatment. Other cities have called Struve, wanting to know how his idea works out– they want to try it too, after the “bugs” are eliminated.
We should give Struve a break here, folks. He was trying to save the city money – remember the budget crunch? and save water at the same time. Neither crisis is the city’s fault. Olin Corp. is directly responsible for our water shortage and you know about the economy.
If your Scout troop or neighbors – especially Nordstrom neighbors – want to help, give Public Works a call – 776-7337.
Postal hazard: A pedestrian hazard at the Morgan Hill Post Office has one caller concerned.
The problem is a raised strip in the plastic “carpet” lining the lobby area. The caller said she almost tripped twice over the thing.
“One day I had to catch and elderly gentleman with a cane who did trip,” she said.
The caller said two post office employees were standing nearby and admitted it was a problem and that the powers that be would fix the hazard. But, here it is, two months later and nothing has been done.
We checked and, sure enough, there is a tricky ridge just waiting to snare unsuspecting residents who thought it was safe to enter the post office lobby again. Bollard/planters have been installed outside to ward off distracted motorists who have driven cars through the doors three times – the last time causing serious injury to an expectant mother.
Postmaster Darrell Stoke said a new mat is on order and should be here in a few weeks. He had put orange cones over the ridge, which he agrees is a hazard.
“But people kept moving them,” Stokes said.
He also reported that the planter/bollards will have drought resistant plants before the rains come but, in the meantime, asks people to please not dump their cigarette butts and trash in the potting soil.
In other Post Office news, check out the automated postal center in the lobby. With less money for staff, Stoke said, the center is about the only way he knows to cut down on the long lines.
