Our first Red Phone caller of the week, a Hollister woman, asked
the Crimson Crusader to get something done about a house on Howard
Court that had two-foot tall grass in the front yard. Our caller
also said the house appeared to be for sale.
Our first Red Phone caller of the week, a Hollister woman, asked the Crimson Crusader to get something done about a house on Howard Court that had two-foot tall grass in the front yard. Our caller also said the house appeared to be for sale.
The Crimson Crusader got on the phone with Hollister Code Enforcement Officer Mike Chambless to see what could be done about the problem. Chambless said he was on the case and would be stopping by the house at issue on Tuesday.
Now, before you get too excited, dearest caller, please note that these things take time – the grass may not get cut down this week. But take comfort in the fact that both Chambless and the Crimson Crusader are on the case.
Slave to the Third Street Traffic Light
Our next Red Phone caller, a Hollister man, said he consistently feels like a slave to the traffic light at the intersection of San Benito and Third streets.
The Crimson Crusader, despite previous assurances that the light was operating properly, called Caltrans Electrical Supervisor Dan Ryan to see what could be done. Ryan went out and inspected the light Tuesday and found a problem that could have been making the traffic light operate as if there was a car waiting at the light on Third Street even when there wasn’t. He said the problem was fixed Tuesday and the light should be in perfect working order.
Also, dearest caller, there is no need to blame the City of Hollister for this perceived problem. The city doesn’t operate and is not responsible for traffic lights on San Benito Street (which is actually State Route 25). Also, future problems with traffic lights on San Benito Street operated by Caltrans can be directed to the Salinas office at 831-753-0187. Or you can file a complaint or maintenance request online at the Caltrans Web site: www.dot.ca.gov.
Skate Park Graffiti Woes
Our next Red Phone caller, a Hollister woman, asked the Crimson Crusader to get something done about the growing graffiti problem at the Daniel Yetter Memorial Skate Park.
The Crimson Crusader cruised over to the park to check out the problem. After checking out the graffiti problem, our hero did a few spectacular 720s and a backflip in the bowl, then headed back to the office to call Hollister Parks Supervisor Marcello Orta to see what could be done.
Orta said the city doesn’t have the resources to keep cleaning up the graffiti at the park. City staffers have pressure-washed the park twice in recent months, but the graffiti seems to reappear almost the next day, Orta said. Orta is hoping dedicated skaters will volunteer to clean up the mess in the future. Anyone interested in helping to clean up the park should call Orta at the Hollister Parks Department. The number is 831-636-4370.
Broken Free Lance Newspaper Machine
Our next Red Phone caller, a local woman, informed the Crimson Crusader that she had lost $1.50 to the Free Lance newspaper rack trying to buy the Saturday paper.
Oh, dearest caller, this is a travesty. Upon hearing of this matter, the Crimson Crusader notified the Hollister Free Lance’s circulation department. So dry those eyes; the problem will be addressed posthaste. And as for your lost money, faithful reader, swing by the Free Lance when you get a chance and collect your refund from the Crimson Crusader.
Red Phone on Hold: Cross it off the List
The trash-filled front yard of the often complained about home on Airline Highway has been cleaned up. The Crimson Crusader personally inspected the yard over the weekend before heading out on the wine trail for Passport Weekend. Our hero would like to extend a hearty “thank you” to County Code Enforcement Officer Stacey Watson and all those who helped clean up the mess. So there you have it, dearest callers; you can cross this one off the Crusader’s “on hold” list.
Online Red Phone Questions on Hold
Our final Red Phone matter of the week comes right from the Crimson Crusader. Our hero would like to extend heartfelt apologies to all those readers who posted questions or comments on the Crusader’s Web page during the last two weeks. Our hero, trying to catch up after a trip to the nation’s capitol, forgot to check the Web site. But don’t worry; all your online questions will be answered. Fret not! The Crusader will make sure your questions don’t stay “on hold,” as it were, for too long.
