Previously on Red Phone … Torches were lit and pitchforks were sharpened as angry townfolk called in, fuming over "roaming rummagers" digging through their recycling and carting it off to the recycling plant in exchange for hard currency.
And with Hollister Code Enforcement Officer Mike Chambless explaining that Hollister Disposal has no intention of prosecuting the Dumpster divers, bereaved recyclers were left to cry alone with no hope of protecting their adored aluminum and preferred polymers.
This week, resident John Wolgamott, a homeless man, called in to defend his and his family's rights to go through the trash.
"We're not thieves," said Wolgamott, a homeless Hollister resident. "This is how we make our income. It's how we eat. This stuff is being thrown away anyway, so what difference does it make if we take it or the waste company takes it?"
Wolgamott assured local trash tossers he and his "clan" may make a big splash when they cannonball into a pool of debris but that they always mop up afterward.
"We always try to respect the Dumpster and never make a mess," he said. "We carry brooms and cleaning supplies wherever we go."
The Crimson Crusader Got a question or a comment? Send us an email.
Although the Hollister Free Lance does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Hollister Free Lance reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Hollister Free Lance in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Hollister Free Lance also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.