”
I love how the city has no money to do pretty much anything that
the residents want to do. But oh dolly look out! They sure don’t
have a problem buying up property like crazy
… hmmm, wonder where that money comes from? OH RIGHT! Lay off as
many city workers as possible, then go buy some more property. If
memory serves me right, as recently as just after November 2008.
Does anyone else see this?
”
“I love how the city has no money to do pretty much anything that the residents want to do. But oh dolly look out! They sure don’t have a problem buying up property like crazy … hmmm, wonder where that money comes from? OH RIGHT! Lay off as many city workers as possible, then go buy some more property. If memory serves me right, as recently as just after November 2008. Does anyone else see this?”
Dear Oh Dolly, it is a conundrum of a sorts. Yes, the city has spent millions buying up downtown property, more than $19 million at last count. But, and here’s the but, that money comes from the Redevelopment Agency, which cannot legally pay for city salaries.
So, the city buys up land and builds facilities such as the Community and Cultural Center, Centennial Recreation Center and Aquatic Center to foster economic development and create a better quality of life for residents. But, again, the Redevelopment Agency can only pay to buy the land and build the facility.
So, funds to run and maintain them must come out of the city’s general fund, which is used to pay city salaries. You see the dilemma? In the case of the downtown land, the city will someday, hopefully, sell to a developer who will build what the city envisions, creating jobs and economic activity.
In the meantime, we have beautiful recreation facilities that make it a great place to live, but the city is in a financial quandary and service cutbacks and layoffs go on.
Forlorn phone booths are eyesores
“There are several empty and forlorn telephone booths around town which are an eyesore and only accumulate clutter. One example is the one at the donut place across from Britton School. These have been there, unused, for years now. Why can’t they be removed?”
Dear New Technology, Red Phone contacted Code Enforcement Officer John Amos, who said many of these types of phone booths were independently owned and outfitted with phone company hardware.
“When they became defunct, the phone company did not remove the booths,” he said. “This phone booth appears to be on private property; however, I just need to verify that before contacting the owner. Regardless, I will research this and have it removed. Also, if you know of any others that need to be addressed, please let me know.”
So good caller, it appears that phone will soon be removed. Perhaps one should be saved and moved to the Morgan Hill Museum for posterity. Heck, anyone younger than 12 or 13 probably doesn’t even know what a phone booth is. Maybe it can go next to the typewriter, record player and transistor radio. Ahh, just allow Red Phone to reminisce a bit. Anyway, if you know of others, call John at 779-2101.
Did Red Phone get bamboozled?
“Dear Red Phone, do you normally just let officials bamboozle you? I read your recent article about leaving the lights on at the new courthouse facility. You accepted the ‘security’ answer without question. I’m very disappointed that you didn’t ask the follow-up question – EXACTLY what risk does leaving ALL the lights on reduce? It may be customary, that doesn’t make it necessary.”
Dear Disappointed, no Red Phone doesn’t get bamboozled, and in fact asked that exact follow-up question.
The answer is quite simple. When it’s dark outside and the building is all lit up, anyone walking or driving by can see the person inside quite easily.
Just as you can see someone in their home at night and they can’t see you outside in the dark, the same holds true at the courthouse. Anyone prowling around the facility at night should be easily spotted.
