The Red Phone, ever wary and always listening, took more calls
and e-mails this week on issues facing residents. We heard from one
woman encouraging participation in local schools and a stab at the
good work Red Phone is trying to do in San Benito County.
The Red Phone, ever wary and always listening, took more calls and e-mails this week on issues facing residents. We heard from one woman encouraging participation in local schools and a stab at the good work Red Phone is trying to do in San Benito County.
Keep the kids safe
Though Red Phone calls are anonymous, Dorian Gonzales asked for our help and asked the Red Phone to print her name in hope of attracting volunteers to the Sober Grad Night for San Benito High School students.
“We would really like to invite any community members who would be available on June 11 to help put on the Sober Grad Night. If anyone is interested, we have a lot of openings for the 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. shift and 1:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. cleanup. We have openings for Black Jack dealers, Roulette dealers, tour guides and food prep. We have so many fun things planned and would love for the community to help make this a safe, sober event for the children. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders so we would love for the community to help. Call me at 637-0856 if you would like to help.”
If you have the time, lend a hand.
Darn you Red Phone, how do we take pot-shots now?
One resident sent an e-mail criticizing the Red Phone and the staff who collects the messages. He said the Red Phone will never have the effect of the now retired Citizens Voice.
“Are you guys really so stupid you don’t know why the phone calls have dried up? The Citizens Voice was ANONYMOUS – meaning you couldn’t be traced! You could drop a letter off at the Free Lance, or mail it in, WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISALS! You could dish the juicy gossip and let out insider information without fear that someone would find out it was you that sent the information. That’s not the case with the Red Phone, and don’t talk to me about you’ll keep the sources of your information quiet. A few court cases and you’d cough up the info in a heartbeat. Get real. Without that degree of anonymity – giving you information is like talking on the record, and no one wants to do that. Jobs could be lost, political futures ruined, lies exposed.
You might as well can the Red Phone. You torpedoed your supply line of insider information. You guys have a LOT to learn about conspiracies and how they work!”
The editorial staff at the Free Lance said they believe in the Red Phone as an adequate means for local residents to receive action on their complaints and promised the Citizens Voice and the vicious personal attacks on local officials it encouraged would remain dormant. They also pledged anonymity for Red Phone callers. Requiring callers to give their name and phone number, though they will never be published, is a commitment to the ethical journalism the Free Lance strives for. And, as this caller proved, the calls are coming.
