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May/June
2004 GCCA Newsletter
CHAIR’S CHIT-CHAT It’s time to reveal the truth! Earlier this year, the Glen Cove Community Association Board opted to forego the services of a paid editor in the production of the bi-monthly G.C.C.A. Newsletter. This is the year’s third issue that has been assembled entirely through the efforts of an all-volunteer team that comprises the Newsletter Committee. The budget-minded decision has significantly cut the expenses for the G.C.C.A. publication which had been running $3,000 per issue, according to a 2003 year-end analysis by Treasurer Barbara Hooker. Focused on a break-even goal, the Newsletter Committee has expanded sales endeavors to entice area businesses by providing free advertising design layouts, streamlining the advertising packages, and making a more concerted effort to approach more establishments. As a non-profit organization, the G.C.C.A. Newsletter format is limited to 50 percent ad space. Even though two major expenses persist—printing fees and postage rates—the January/February issue cost $800, the March/April issue actually resulted in a $2 profit, and the red ink for this issue is anticipated to flow toward a $300 mark. It is imperative that this communication tool not continue to drain the G.C.C.A. reserve funds each time it’s mailed out to the more than 3,000 households in our Vallejo neighborhood. As evidenced by accompanying articles, belt-tightening budgets are also prevalent at City Hall, Greater Vallejo Recreation District, and Vallejo Unified School District. The Glen Cove School has long been a key concern to the G.C.C.A. which has often provided funding for specific needs/general uses. That’s why the Application Form offers residents and businesses when joining the G.C.C.A. the option to donate to the neighborhood school. Treasurer Barbara Hooker recently determined that about l7% of the submitted membership forms designate the $5 donation. In anticipation of the fall session, a silent auction benefiting the elementary institution netted $60 at the April 29th G.C.C.A. General Meeting. No doubt, those tasty bakery treats furnished by the local Safeway put the attendees in a generous mood. It is expected that additional summer fundraising monies will be added to that base for a gift presentation later in the year. Along with a note of appreciation to the residents who attended the G.C.C.A. General Meeting, special thanks goes out to Glen Cove resident Robert Noyes (who introduced his neighbors to the invaluable Crime Stoppers Program) and to G.V.R.D. Park Planner Hew Hesterman (who detailed a new concept for the High Glen Park site which borders the Clearpointe and Westpointe Developments.) Neighborhood residents may have noticed that the Glen Cove Parkway bus stops have not yet been outfitted with refuse containers…like they say on a daytime soap, “Tune in next time.” Savor summer! CITY STREETS ARE NOT PLAYGROUNDS By Barbara Hooker, California Lighthouse Development Representative The weather is getting nice. The daylight hours are getting longer. Our kids are playing outdoors more. Sounds healthy, doesn’t it? Well, think again. It’s not healthy or safe or legal if kids are playing in the streets. I’m getting more and more complaints about the placement of basketball hoops in our residential streets. In addition, complaints are now coming in about skateboard ramps there, too! One of our residents recently related that when he tried to talk to the adolescents blocking access to his driveway, the participants responded in a very disrespectful manner. The youthful offenders seem to be quite reluctant to even yield to traffic. It is against City of Vallejo ordinances for children and adults to play in the streets. If this is causing a problem in your area, please notify your GCCA Development Representative. They can advise you of the appropriate city authorities to contact. Imposed fines can range from $200 - $750. Parents, please help us to eliminate this practice of playing in the streets before one of our children is hit by a car!
SUMMER SEASON REQUIRES FIRE
PREVENTION MEASURES Whenever a Glen Cove resident or business is notified that weed abatement efforts are inadequate, the letter is submitted by Leina Morris, Fire Prevention Division Senior Code Enforcement Officer. One of her primary duties is to respond to concerns about dried brush in private yards and open spaces near structures. Homeowners are responsible for removal of weeds, litter, and trimmings in front yards and back yards and side yards. If a neglected yard is reported, the Vallejo Fire Department Officer goes to the location to verify the poor maintenance and to photograph the site. “It must be plainly seen from the street or sidewalk or from a neighbor’s home or yard,” Morris cautioned in a recent phone interview. In order to investigate the complaint, she is not legally permitted to move a ladder next to a homeowner’s fence and look over it. However, she can go into a neighboring residence and view the infraction from an upper level floor and take a picture from there. “The reporting party must allow access to their property,” Morris added, if necessary, in order for her to view the offending neighbor’s yard. At this time of year, it is
apparent that precautions are necessary to avoid outdoor fires. The Glen
Cove neighborhood is filled with Landscape Maintenance District (L.M.D.) Residents, concerned about
a particular yard, are advised to notify V.F.D. Fire Prevention at 648-4565.
In order to determine whether this year’s proactive efforts are successful
in reducing the number of complaints, please also contact the appropriate
G.C.C.A. Representative. SERIES OF DOG MISHAPS In April, while working in a Landscape Maintenance District (L.M.D.) area behind Yachtsman Drive, a TruGreen Land Care employee was bitten by a dog and suffered deep puncture wounds to his arm. The Labrador, owned by a Glen Cove resident, had a history of vicious behavior, according to Ron Mayfield, Executive Director of the Benicia-Vallejo Humane Society. In a recent conversation with Mayfield, I learned that this attack could easily have been prevented. More than a year ago, when an animal shelter employee was walking two dogs on leash they were attacked by the free-running Labrador. No formal report was made because no human was harmed; but it should have been an indicator that this dog’s owner should control the animal and keep it on leash, as required by City of Vallejo ordinances. A second episode involving the Labrador occurred when a 7 year-old child was bitten. The attack was reported, the child was treated for deep puncture bites on the arm, Animal Control investigated the incident, and the dog’s owner was sued. That lawsuit is still pending. The third attack was a few months later when an adult male was bitten. The victim reported the attack; but when Animal Control went to the home of the dog’s owner he indicated that the dog was not there and that he didn’t know where his dog might be located. Further investigation uncovered the fact that the dog’s owner had hidden his dog in another county to avoid prosecution. The Labrador was recovered and held in quarantine to be sure no rabies treatment was necessary. The victim also filed a lawsuit which has been settled by the homeowner’s insurance policy. When a hearing was ultimately held, the Hearing Officer returned the dog to its owner although it was designated as a “Dangerous Dog.” The owner was required to obey certain rules: a special kennel was built to house the dog when it was in the yard; the dog was never to be loose in the yard or in public areas; and the dog was to be harnessed, on a leash, and wear a muzzle whenever out of the house or yard. The dog’s owner had to pay approximately $1,100 in fines and kennel fees. During the custody period at the animal shelter, staff reported having trouble even feeding the Labrador because its behavior was so out-of-control. The animal was reunited with its owner, who allegedly allowed the animal, neither leashed nor muzzled, to enter the L.M.D. area where the TruGreen employee encountered the dog. Following that incident, it was reported that the dog’s owner refused, for a number of days, to turn the animal over to authorities. Eventually, the dog was surrendered to Animal Control, again watched for rabies, and was finally put down by officials late in April. FINAL BLURBS... GLEN COVE SCHOOL NIGHTS AT CHEVY’S The dates shown below have been designated as fund-raising nights at Chevy’s Restaurant to benefit the Glen Cove Elementary School. Residents are asked to remind the servers about the program. June 8 & 24
As reported in the Times-Herald, the City of Vallejo has shortened the customer service hours for the Planning Division and the Public Works Division. The Monday-Friday operating hours for public assistance (counter help/phone calls) in the two departments are 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:30-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Some permits are available online at www.ci.vallejo.ca.us.
Area residents, interested in joining the Board of Directors for Vallejo Crime Stoppers, may phone the Tip Line, 644-STOP, for further information about eligibility. According to the National Crime Stoppers Program, its guidelines determine the local policy for reward payments.
Waterview resident Julie Parker has agreed to head the newly-formed Community Beautification Committee. Two recruits have already joined the Glen Cove effort to improve upon our neighborhood’s appearance. Area residents, interested in participating either through membership or suggestions, are encouraged to phone 644-3058.
Skateboarders have been observed using the school’s front steps at night, routinely using a spotlight to aid their destructive activity. Neighborhood residents who notice any vandalism at the Glen Cove School, day or night, are asked to immediately report it to the Vallejo Police Department, 648-4321.
The 2004 calendar has already been blemished by the fatality of a Vallejo boy who was riding a friend’s motorized scooter. According to a Vallejo Police Department spokesperson, parents should be aware that no one under the age of 16 is permitted to operate a motorized scooter on City streets--residential or commercial. Sidewalks are prohibited for the use of such “toys.” Helmets are required to be worn by all motorized scooter users. The advent of summer is likely to bring an increase in the number of sightings of elementary-aged children zipping up and down our Glen Cove roadways. Any neighborhood resident who observes underage motorized scooter operators, is asked to phone the Vallejo Police Department, 648-432l. If possible, be prepared to identify the offender and/or provide the residential address to the dispatch operator.
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