PG&E threatens to blast population of gnomes

January 28, 2013

gnomesPacific Gas & Electric is threatening to exterminate gnome dwellings in Oakland. [SF Gate]

The frequent presence of little men with pointy, red hats and large, white beards helps keep Oakland residents’ minds off crime while walking the city streets. But, PG&E says the gnomes are invading their property and setting a dangerous precedent.

Hand-painted gnomes on 6-inch brown wooden boards appear in seemingly random places all over Oakland. The gnomes are also finding homes on PG&E utility poles, often nailed to the bases.

But, the little, happy figures have become too big of a problem for PG&E.

“We’ll be dispatching a crew to remove them,” PG&E spokesman Jason King said. “The concern is that the gnomes could inspire additional people to place things on our property.”

King said the gnomes “compromise the integrity” of PG&E equipment.

Many Oakland residents say otherwise, and gnome hunting expeditions have become a common form of recreation in the city. Residents have also created photo essays and websites pertaining to Oakland’s gnomes.

One gnome appeared on the window sill of an Oakland café, and the owner did not take issue with its presence.

“They’re cool to have around,” Haddon Hill Café owner Isaac Lim said. “They’re totally welcome here.”

 


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If somebody put one of those foolish looking gnomes on my property, I would remove it too.


Well, I hat to be the voice of dissension here, but I have no problems with this whatsoever. How would you feel if people starting leaving random mementos on your private property without your permission?

Further, PG&E isn’t stupid, they know the laws of this state and how sue-happy we are. All it takes is one person to get injured by one of these things falling off a electric pole and then all of a sudden y’all’ll be up in arms about PG&E’s negligence, or someone trips in a pothole on their way to put one of these things up and y’all’ll be screaming about how poorly PG&E maintains their property.

PG&E has deep pockets and know how much lawyer’s mouths salivate if someone wants to sue them.

While I agree this is a “fun” thing to do, if PG&E wants no part of it, that’s their prerogative. They’re not party poopers, they are just looking out for their pockets and the pockets of their shareholders.


Put them on top of a stove and they will be “gnome on the range”.


… and if you don’t charge them, they would be “free-range” gnomes ….


Gnomes or no gnomes, I think I’ll just stay out of Oakland.


PG and E’s property was acquired with our money. Bit deal, this cute exercize of frivolity is fun and harmless. We need much more of that in life, and less of wires and gray metal boxes.


The Coastal Commission does not have jurisdiction over gnomes.


Taking a pre-emptive devils advocate on this one. I’m sure PG&E is going to take a beating on this but I can see the flipside. The first time someone is on PG&E’s property and trips over one of these, who do you think they will want to sue?


In today’s sue happy world I don’t blame those with deep pockets for being concerned with the little things. I don’t blame them in this case, I blame the lawyers who have taken frivilous cases.


Don’t blame the lawyers, blame our politicians, who are elected to protect the voters, for not putting an end to the sue happy practice.


I agree but also what field predominately makes up politicians? Same problem there to with why our system is broken.


That’s why I didn’t say blame judges for not throwing out these stupid cases, Judges who were once and may be again lawyers and we expect them to control their own, not hardly


I find this statement interesting, ‘“We’ll be dispatching a crew to remove them,” PG&E spokesman Jason King said. “The concern is that the gnomes could inspire additional people to place things on our property.”’


Makes me wonder by PG&E has the right to install smart meters on our homes, even if we don’t want them there.


Hmmmm…..


PG&E will probably ask the PUC for a rate increase to recover their expense to remove the gnomes, and since the PUC has forgotten who the are supported to work to protect, the ratepayers, they will likely grant the rate increase


Right on KNut!