March/April 2004 GCCA Newsletter

GLEN COVE WATERFRONT PARK SITE . . . A NEIGHBOR’S VIEWPOINT
By Janet Laine, Harbor Homes Representative

For several months, Vallejo Inter-Tribal Council members and proponents have been actively campaigning for custodianship of the acreage which has long been designated as the Glen Cove Waterfront Park.

Their desire is to take control of the land and to use the Stremmel Mansion as a tribal meeting center and office space. Their request is based on documents indicating the existence of archeologically important areas. The artifacts collected at this site are no longer in Glen Cove; they were meticulously archived and relocated to local universities.

In contrast to the Inter-Tribal Council’s plan to use the land for its own agenda, the Glen Cove Community Association supports a peaceful, respectful park that welcomes all citizens -- not just a select few -- to enjoy the natural setting.

To allow the Inter-Tribal Council to have control of this land and structures would negatively impact Vallejo residents in several ways. As is, the 15-acre park site provides a beautiful, natural habitat for plants and wildlife. Any type of organized activity would destroy the peaceful, natural setting and would disturb the existing wildlife.

The Bay Area Ridge Trail -- a 400-mile connection linking hills, parks, mountains, and scenic regions -- surrounds the San Francisco Bay region. Uncompleted, it has been mapped from the Benicia State Park into Vallejo through the Glen Cove Waterfront Park site. The Inter-Tribal Council has not shown any support of the trail extension.

Any improvement in the Glen Cove Waterfront Park is opposed by the Inter-Tribal Council which has declared, “stopping any further development is of the utmost importance.” Yet, the group has contradicted its stop-any-and-all-progress demand by promoting “renovation of the Stremmel Mansion” to “use the building as a Memorial, Cultural Center and place of offices for and by Native Peoples.”

It appears that all uses designated for the Stremmel Mansion would be under the restrictive control of Inter-Tribal Council members. As well, they have been quite vocal about their opposition to the public being allowed on the land. In fact, they have even voiced objections to the sign that is currently posted at the park site entrance which simply lists rules and regulations to protect the land.

Ironically, the Glen Cove Community Association’s proposal for a natural park would provide a more respectful approach to this historic land than the Inter-Tribal Council’s desire for disruptive, exclusionary uses.

Don’t be misled into signing the Inter-Tribal Council’s non-definitive petition which actually promotes disturbance of this peaceful place. Please support the Glen Cove Community Association’s efforts to preserve this land in its natural setting to be appreciated by all of Vallejo’s diverse citizens.

April Fools’ Jokes in February?!? Some of you astute residents may have thought so when you phoned City of Vallejo offices in mid-February to question those road closure signs which had been posted along the Glen Cove Parkway. A special note of thanks goes, in particular, to City of Vallejo employees Mark Mazzaferro, James Gajkowski, and Shellyne Darst for their efficient efforts in getting the alarming notices removed the next day. Assurance has been given that any road repair on the Glen Cove Parkway will be restricted to one side at a time as was the case in the March 8-10th repaving job between the South Regatta and Glen Cove Marina Road intersections.

Unfortunately, not all City personnel are as quick to respond to Glen Cove matters.
The September/October, 2003, G.C.C.A. Newsletter reported Jim Pagtakhan’s idea to install refuse containers at the Glen Cove Parkway bus stops. In spite of numerous phone calls, the proposal continues to linger. Another City of Vallejo staff member’s name and number was suggested in mid-March. Perhaps a clear answer will appear in the May/June, 2004, G.C.C.A. Newsletter. P-e-r-h-a-p-s.

The demands made by Vallejo Inter-Tribal Council (V.I.C.) spokespersons to the Vallejo City Council and to the Greater Vallejo Recreation District Board to halt development at the Glen Cove Waterfront Park site were addressed by officials in a March 10th meeting. Held in the City Manager’s Conference Room, the Wednesday night session was attended by Public Information Officer Mark Mazzaferro, Associate City Planner Bill Tuikka, G.V.R.D. Park Planner Hew Hesterman, G.C.C.A. Board Member Janet Laine, and me. The invitation—extended to G.C.C.A. and V.I.C.—stipulated that only two representatives from each group could attend. Despite the conspicuous absence of any V.I.C. member, the special meeting was conducted as planned.

The hour-long gathering focused on the decision that the Glen Cove Waterfront Park site will remain under the auspices of G.V.R.D. The agency will continue to be responsible for current management and future development. The G.C.C.A. will actively participate in the process.

Enjoy Spring!

POSTAL THEFT IN GLEN COVE
By Stacey Kennington, Olde Towne II Representative

The Glen Cove neighborhood has once again been the target of mail thieves intent to perpetrate identity fraud. As reported in the February 20th Times-Herald, the Vallejo Police Department made arrests of identity theft ring members who had targeted area mail. This is one of the largest identity theft cases in Vallejo’s history.

Most of the pertinent mail items were stolen from mailboxes; however, vital information was also obtained by burglarizing vehicles. One of the suspects was captured about 5:30 a.m. outside potential victims’ residences.

Residents are reminded that tax refund season is a popular time with mail thieves. As a safeguard against identity theft, Glen Cove residents are urged to collect mail as a daily routine. If unable to do so, designate a neighbor to empty your mailbox as a precaution in protecting personal information.

To report a missing check or bill, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection office at (800) 488-9383. An informational guide sheet will be submitted to aid a victim of identity theft. The packet will also include a questionnaire and a report to be filed.

An eyewitness was the key to catching this recent group of thieves. A concerned resident, looking out for the welfare of neighbors, took the time to report suspicious activity. Such concern for one’s neighborhood is the foundation of the GCCA which ultimately benefits our Vallejo community.

SQUEALING TIRES & BURNING RUBBER INVADE THE NIGHT
By Stacey Kennington, Olde Towne II Representative

Glen Cove residents are urged to immediately phone Vallejo Police Department dispatch, 648-4321, to report incidents of drivers engaging in “donuts” or “burn-outs” on our neighborhood streets. The more we report these activities, the more V.P.D. will give such calls a higher priority. Please be alert and help protect our community.

LMD CREWS VARY

By Dennis Albright, Headlands Development Representative

Some Glen Cove residents have questioned why there are different Landscaping Maintenance District (LMD) contractors working in our area.

While the LMD maintenance contract is assigned to TrueGreen Landscaping Company, the City has made the decision to combine the irrigation work for most of Vallejo’s 20+
LMDs. In order to gain efficient improvements, D&H Landscaping has been selected as the sole contractor. The company has also been used for some LMD rehabilitation work whenever TrueGreen Landscaping Company is unable to perform additional work due to staff limitations.

It is also possible that other landscaping contractors will be seen in our LMD when the scope of improvement projects require them to be put out for bid.

COMMENTS TO THE NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

(The following letter, submitted by Glen Cove resident Elke Delago, was
in reference to MAINTAINING PROPERTY VALUES, by Phil Johnson,
featured in the Jan./Feb. issue.)

At last! There is someone out there who feels the same way as I do and has come from a similar situation.

I wanted to thank you for publishing the article on keeping your neighborhood looking great. My family and I just moved to Glen Cove from the Beverly Hills area where we had lived for l5 years only to see it deteriorate over the years. If we don’t take pride in our neighborhood and stimulate others to do the same, everyone suffers.

After speaking to my neighbor, I was informed that when they purchased their home they paid extra for a view. What view? My view is being obstructed by bushes and trees.

Having such articles printed might just help others realize.

Thank you, again, for putting your thoughts on paper.

Extra Money for Glen Cove Elementary

According to the project coordinator for General Mills’ Box Tops and Campbell Soups’ Label for Education programs garnered just over $300.00 last year for the Glen Cove School. We would like to continue this success and raise even more money for 2004. Please clip Box Tops from General Mills products such as cereals to Pillsbury and Campbell Soup, Franco-American and Pettridge Farms Labels for Education and send them to the G.C.C.A, c/o Stacey Kennington, 164 Robles Drive # 254, Vallejo 94591.
Tyson’s A+ program is also being collected. A special thanks goes to the Hamamura Family for their unfailing loyalty to this fund-raiser and to Glen Cove parent Tammi Madison for coordinating the effort.

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM FIRE

Install smoke alarms in bedrooms and on every level of the home

Do not install an alarm between an air duct and a door

Test alarms monthly

Replace batteries twice a year (Daylight Savings Time Changes)

Replace smoke alarms every seven to ten years based on manufacturer’s instructions

Especially when there are family members who cannot escape unassisted, consider a residential sprinkler system

Make an escape plan with two ways out of every room and practice it with your family

Select a safe meeting place outside for your family members to gather

Do not re-enter the house—a person can die of smoke inhalation in less than a minute

Use a neighbor’s phone to call 9-l-l