Jan/Feb 2004 GCCA Newsletter

MAINTAINING PROPERTY VALUES
By Phil Johnson, Crest Development Representative

For most of us, our home is the most important financial investment. Therefore, it’s extremely important to maintain our homes in such a way so that the property is not devalued due to neglect or any other cause.

Before moving into the Glen Cove community in l989, my wife, Pat, and I had lived in what was once a nice middle class neighborhood in South Vallejo. By the time we moved out, it had gotten to the point where we had to move (at a great financial loss). My former neighborhood deteriorated for several reasons: lack of property maintenance (including landscaping), unlicensed and inoperable autos parked on the streets and in driveways, garbage cans left in front and side yards, debris in the streets, and social behavior problems.

Glen Cove is still a great place to live; but for those of us who have been here for a number of years, we know that it isn’t as beautiful as it once was. Changes I’ve seen are as follows:

*Trees, bushes, and flowers were not blocking views. You could see the water from many areas.
*Homes were all freshly painted, and properties were beautifully landscaped.
*Garbage cans and recycling bins were not visible except for pick-up days.
*Boats were not parked on streets and in driveways.
*Unregistered and unused autos were not so prevalent.

Most of the residents of Glen Cove are doing great jobs in maintaining their homes—houses have been repainted, and yards are beautifully landscaped. But there’s that small percentage of neighbors who have an adverse affect on property values. They are not only hurting themselves financially but lowering the property values throughout their neighborhood. It’s as if someone’s dipping into your bank account.

The Glen Cove Community Association’s main goal is to protect property values. Currently, we have 300+ members; but only about 20 are active volunteers. Our 3,000 households with 300 members results in only 10% supporting this neighborhood asset. We need the help of the whole community.
You can help by taking the following steps:

*If you haven’t already joined, please submit the membership form.
*Consider taking an active role.
*Take a look around your property and address any nuisance problem you may have; for example, remove visible garbage cans and recycling bins (except for pick-up day). Relocate boats from the streets and driveways.
*If you have a neighborhood problem, you take the first step by talking with your neighbor before calling the G.C.C.A. If it’s a Code Enforcement matter, i.e., building project, abandoned auto, visible junk or garbage, notify the appropriate City office. The appropriate phone numbers are listed in all G.C.C.A. Newsletters.
*Please remove all your Christmas decorations.

Thanks to all of you in the Glen Cove community who take pride in our neighborhood. Special thanks to the G.C.C.A. Board and members who are working hard at maintaining and improving property values.

I certainly hope you’ve all recovered from January’s PG&E bill!

The first formal recognition of my position as GCCA Chair came in a phone call from the previous office-holder, Mike Grivett. I’m still uncertain if it was a congratulatory expression or if he was breathing a sigh of relief knowing that his back-to-back terms had ended.

My community-minded spirit was thrown into overdrive on September l2, 2002, when I attended a neighborhood meeting in which the proposed 95-unit Glen Cove Marina Apartment Complex was introduced. Let’s just say that I did not agree with the developer’s plan. I became a regular “guest speaker” at the ensuing monthly GCCA Board meetings at which I agreed to head the effort in battling that re-zoning/apartment construction project. In my humble opinion, had it not been for the GCCA, its supportive Board Members, and so many similar-minded residents along with some supportive area businesses, the April 29, 2003, unanimous City Council vote against the project could not have been achieved.

Shortly after that successful outcome, I agreed to step into the vacant Vice-Chair slot.
At the October GCCA General Meeting, I was voted into the challenging position of Chair. Thus ends the history of how I got here -- now it’s time to look to the future.

The 2004 slate of GCCA Officers also includes Vice-Chair Brita von Rechendorff, Treasurer Barbara Hooker, and Secretary Stacey Kennington.

Since Marina Vista residents Bruce Jones, Dr. Willis Kirk, and Wendell Quigley
attended the mid-November, 2003, Vallejo Inter-Tribal Council gathering, the
Glen Cove Waterfront Park site has been the focus at Vallejo City Council sessions, at Greater Vallejo Recreation District Board meetings, and in the Vallejo Times-Herald.

GLEN COVE WATERFRONT PARK: TOPIC AT INTER-TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING
By Wendell Quigley, Marina Vista Development Rep.

The Glen Cove Waterfront Park was a topic of discussion at the November l2, 2003, Vallejo Inter-Tribal Council meeting which was attended by three Marina Vista residents — Bruce Jones, Dr. Willis Kirk, and myself.

The discussion concerned the Glen Cove Waterfront Park site which is controlled by the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD). Glen Cove residents endorse the principle missions of GVRD which are to provide recreational services and manage the parks throughout Vallejo. Although grateful for the management of existing parks by GVRD, there is little evidence that the acquisition and development of additional parks is being carried out. I say this from the perspective of one who has been trying to assist GVRD in the effort to carry out the l988 Glen Cove Master Plan which incorporates the implementation of the Glen Cove Waterfront Park into our community.

I have attended many GVRD meetings seeking answers and solutions to the Glen Cove Waterfront Park project. At this point in time, all efforts seem to have been to no avail. Little real progress has been accomplished. Do any of the GVRD Board Members, including two new appointees, have an answer to this ongoing problem in the struggle to achieve completion of this long-awaited park?
The GVRD Board must strive to accomplish its mission in serving the citizens of Vallejo.

I also question what role the Vallejo City Council plays in GVRDs seemingly sluggish performance in keeping pace with Vallejo’s growing population. Is the City Council perhaps not aware of the responsibility thrust onto the GVRD Board and staff? Is GVRD perhaps operating with insufficient funding to efficiently carry out its intended mission?

As reported in a December 2, 2003, Times-Herald article, Kenneth Brooks wrote, “GVRD loaned $200,000 of that agency’s funds to the CITIZENS HOUSING CORPORATION .” Certainly, this loan was unrelated to any parks and recreation matters. At this time, I am not aware of any repayment made on the $200,000 disposition of funding which had been issued in 2002.

My neighbors and I expressed concerns about the future development of the Glen Cove Waterfront Park, the Stremmel Mansion, the Indian artifacts and remains, and the deteriorating condition of the site. Agreement was made that all of us should work together in an effort to accomplish the common goal of creating a clean, beautiful, and environmentally safe Glen Cove Waterfront Park for all concerned Vallejo citizens.

I, along with my neighbors, again offer assistance to the GVRD and the citizens of Vallejo in order to carry out this worthwhile and much overdue mission in the Glen Cove Waterfront Park endeavor. Please express your interest and views about this goal by contacting GVRD, the Mayor, and City Council Members.

HEADLANDS RESIDENT EXPANDS CRIMESTOPPERS PROGRAM COUNTYWIDE

Headlands resident Robert Noyes has been an ardent supporter of Crime Stoppers for some time. Crime Stoppers is a Vallejo group that pays rewards for tips leading to arrests and convictions for local crimes. Since its inception ten years ago, Crime Stoppers has paid out more than $25,000 in rewards, according to Robert Noyes, the group’s president, who is a resident of the Headlands Development of Glen Cove.

Tips can provide information about crimes ranging in seriousness from drug sales to murder. When someone calls in with a tip, the group passes it to the police. If the case is solved with the tip, the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors meets to discuss payment. Rewards range from $200 to $1,000 and are paid directly to the tipsters who remain anonymous.

Crime Stoppers has helped reduce crime in Vallejo and could so the same for the county. Robert decided to spearhead the effort to spread the program throughout the cities of Solano County. He has already met with law enforcement officials from Benicia, Fairfield, Suisun and Vacaville to gain support for the expansion. He will soon be meeting with representatives from their city councils and the Solano County Board of Supervisors.

The expansion is also endorsed by Vallejo City Councilman Tony Pearsall, a former police captain who once served as liaison to the group. “Crime doesn’t stay within a city,” Pearsall said. “To go countywide would be absolutely wonderful advantage to share information. That’s what it’s all about. If you combine efforts countywide, the rewards can increase. If you increase the reward, the possibility of somebody coming forward (goes up).”

What can you do? If you witness a crime, call the Crime Stoppers tip line, 707 644-STOP any time of the day or night. If you are interested in getting involved, leave a message on this tip line and a Board member will contact you regarding the various committees and positions open on the Board of Directors.

We certainly appreciate Robert’s efforts and hope to arrange for him to provide a more detailed presentation on Crime Stoppers at one of the upcoming quarterly general meetings of the Glen Cove Community Association, to which all residents are invited. It should be noted that Robert Noyes also worked with Tanner Aksu, City of Vallejo Traffic Engineer, to install stop signs on Welfleet Drive at the intersections of Cape Elizabeth and Seawall Courts to help control speeding on this hilly and winding section of this Headlands street. We appreciate Mr. Aksu’s assistance and cooperation in helping to improve street safety in Glen Cove. And, of course, thanks for your all your hard work Robert on both these projects.

Glen Cove resident Wendy Yun wrote...

“…In regards to the paper newsletter, I think it should continue to reach those who are not members. Receiving it in the mail is a great reminder. I honestly couldn’t guarantee that I’d log onto the website…Make sure the website is complete and interesting and easy to navigate before advertising it to the community.”

(NOTE: The G.C.C.A Board took action at the February meeting to launch development of a neighbor-friendly website format.)

* * * * *

Glen Cove resident Jim Pagtakhan wrote to the G.C.C.A. Newsletter Committee (September/October, 2003, issue) suggesting that the City of Vallejo provide refuse containers at the bus stops. Vallejo Transit, in conjunction with the City, is now looking into the availability of 300# trash containers and economic impacts of the proposal.

WELLFLEET DRIVE STOP SIGNS INSTALLED

As reported in the July/August, 2003, G.C.C.A. Newsletter, Headlands resident Robert Noyes led his neighbors in requesting the City of Vallejo to install stop signs on Wellfleet Drive at the intersections of Cape Elizabeth and Seawell Courts. The new signs have been installed as an aid in controlling speeding drivers on the winding, hilly street.

CARTRIDGES FOR KIDS PROGRAM

Take your empty inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges, and old cell phones to the recycle box at Glen Cove Realty, 195 Glen Cove Marina Road, #104. The program allows the funds from the recycling effort to be earmarked to a particular school—Glen Cove Elementary benefits from this local effort. Further information is available at www.cartridgesforkids.com.

THE SEASONS OF CHRISTMAS: A DILEMMA

By Pat Johnson

Our neighbor put up his Christmas lights one cold December day.
The children were delighted to see them hanging there that way.

Today is Cinco de Mayo; his lights are still displayed.
We had no way of knowing he’d put them there to stay.

July has come and gone; those lights are far less pleasing.
Relatives who visit can’t leave without some teasing.

Our neighbor turned on his Christmas lights; they make a fine display.
The children were delighted; it’s almost Christmas Day.

Well, Christmas Day is over; and we can only pray
That this year he’ll resolve to put his Christmas lights away!