“Red Phone, I see the new hybrid buses around and was wondering what the gas mileage is compared to the old diesel buses?”
Red Phone: Dear Wondering, Red Phone contacted Jennie Hwang, communications and outreach manager for the Valley Transportation Authority, who said: “We are finding that the fuel economy for the VTA hybrid bus in regular service is approximately 5 mpg as compared to approximately 4 mpg for the standard diesel buses; this is a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy.”
There you have it, good caller. While one mile per gallon may not seem like a huge savings, considering the tens of thousands of miles buses travel each year, it is significant.
File a complaint to stop barking dog
“Red Phone, a neighbor just got a new dog and myself and several other neighbors have been putting up with the incessant barking dog for some time now. We’ve informed them of the city’s policy and asked them to keep them quiet, but it only works for a short time. It goes right back to barking. We’ve had enough.”
Red Phone: Dear Tired of The Noise, Red Phone got a similar question last year and contacted Sgt. Jerry Neumayer, who said MHPD will respond to barking dogs if the reporting party is willing to sign a citizen complaint against the owner for Morgan Hill Municipal Code violation 6.24.020, which is considered a misdemeanor.
“The complaint is essentially a citation where the complaining party signs the citation as the arresting person (citizens arrest),” Neumayer said. The officer then has the dog owner sign the complaint and is given a court date. This is just the beginning process of dealing with habitual barking dogs.”
As a possible alternate solution, MHMC 6.08.30 states the following in regards to violation-penalties: As an alternative to all other available remedies, including penalties available pursuant to this section, any person violating or causing or permitting to be violated any provision of Chapters 6.12, 6.24, 6.28, 6.32 or 6.36 shall be subject to the following penalties and fines pursuant to the authorities and procedures set forth:
– First Violation: The City of Morgan Hill will issue a written warning and deliver a copy of this ordinance by mail.
– Second Violation: A second violation within any consecutive twelve months period is punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.
– Third Violation: A third violation within any consecutive twelve months period is punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.
– Subsequent Violations: Any subsequent violations within any consecutive twelve months period are punishable by a fine not to exceed $500
The Morgan Hill municipal code can be accessed online via the city of Morgan Hill’s web site at http://www.morgan-hill.ca.gov/.
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