Who’s Moving In?
“I am so happy to see our city leaders meeting the needs of our residents by opening the new library. It is absolutely beautiful. My question is, Red Phone, now that the books, shelves and employees have moved out, what are the city’s plans for the library’s old building?”
RED PHONEÂ
Great question, caller. The Red Phone has received more than one inquiry about the fate of the old library building at 17575 Peak Ave.
We contacted Brian Stott, assistant to Morgan Hill City Manager Ed Tewes, to clear this up for us. Stott informed the Red Phone that the building is slated to become the city’s Development Services Center and should be ready for use in September of 2008. These offices will include Business Assistance and Housing Services, Building Planning and the engineering division of the Public Works Department.
The city has no immediate plans or funds for refurbishing the exterior of the old library or its grounds, but will convert the inside to appropriate office and counter space during the coming year.
Patriotic Downtown
“I was wondering why all the American flags from the Fourth of July celebration are still up along Monterey Road in the downtown area. I like the look, but some of the flags are torn and getting pretty ratty-looking. That is not a patriotic way to display our flag. They really need to be maintained or taken down.”
RED PHONEÂ Â
We agree, caller. The flags need to be flown proudly and correctly. At our count, there are 41 American flags flying on both sides of Monterey Road and of these, four are getting badly worn and are in need of replacement or removal.
The Kiwanis Club of Morgan Hill put up the flags as it has done in years past.
The Public Works Department, as a favor to make things right, took down the three or four haggard flags in question and delivered them to their owner.
Ernie Rusconi of the Kiwanis Club told the Red Phone that even though the club is not actively seeking donations to help with the cost of purchasing new flags, they would certainly be welcome. Donations can be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce, 90 E. Second St. Their phone number is 779-9444. BookSmart, 80 E. Second St., will also accept donations and they can be reached at 778-6467.
By the way, all the flags along Monterey Road between Main and E. Dunne avenues will be taken down by the Kiwanis this weekend and replaced with banners advertising the chamber’s 18th annual Taste of Morgan Hill, due to hit the downtown area Sept. 29-30. Like the old saying goes, change is the only constant in the world.
Blot Out the Blotter?
“I would like to know what purpose it serves to post names in the police blotter. These people are prematurely judged in the community and become a gossip topic especially for those young people who have found themselves in an unfortunate situation. This has to be a humiliating experience for many even if their name never appears in print. I’m sure not every incident is written, so what criteria determines what is put in and what is not and who holds that kind of power to do so. Let the law serve the punishment not the newspaper. These people have not not been convicted and are innocent until proven so. We are glad the police are keeping us safe, but better discretion should be used. It might just be your loved one’s name we read, or would that be conveniently omitted?”
RED PHONEÂ
Informing our readers about what is happening in our community is why the newspaper exists. Burying our heads in the sand and not wanting to know about criminals and the crimes they commit and are responsible for before the law is not the best approach to keeping ourselves safe and informed. In reading the blotter, our readers can determine who is involved, when and where crimes are taking place and, in turn, raise their own level of alertness.
The incidents and arrests listed in the Police Blotter come from the Morgan Hill Police Department.
As a matter of policy, The Times does not print the names of minors, but does print the charge that the suspect is arrested under. However, not all the charges are listed if there are more than one.
If the District Attorney’s Office does not file charges, or if charges are dropped, a clarification is immediately printed.
The California Public Records Act makes all the information printed in the blotter available to anyone. The Times does not pick and choose who is listed in the blotter and who isn’t. Caller, please remember that the information included in the blotter comes from the MHPD who is attributed as the source of the information.
When something gets your goat and you need to some answers, remember the Red Phone is here to help.
Contact us at (408) 779-4106,
ext. 206, or e-mail redphone@
morganhilltimes.com. Remember to leave a name and phone number when you call or e-mail. The Red Phone will not publish this information and will only use it for verification purposes.
