Nov./Dec. 2004 GCCA Newsletter

CHAIR’S CHIT-CHAT

By Ruth O. Fisher, G.C.C.A. Chair

As 2005 rapidly approaches, it’s time to catch up on unfinished matters for this year.

It was nice to see fresh faces and meet new neighbors at the recent G.C.C.A. General Meetings. Based on the favorable reactions at the September 9th gathering, sincere thanks go to City Council Member Gary Cloutier and Solano County Ridge Trail Committee Co-Chair Kathy Hoffman for their presentations. In opposition to the current Vallejo Waterfront Development Project plan, Cloutier discussed a “smart growth/open space” consideration as an alternative approach. Hoffman not only enticed trekkers with ample hiking locations but also mapped future links to a more complete trail system within our County.

Special thanks is extended to the three keynote speakers who accepted the invitations to address the audience at the October 21st G.C.C.A. General Meeting. The half-cent sales tax proposal, identified on the Nov. 2nd Ballot as “Measure A,” was described and endorsed by Suisun City Mayor Jim Spering who also serves as the Solano Transportation Improvement Authority Chair. City Council Member Joanne Schivley added to the “Measure A” discussion by highlighting the positive impacts on Vallejo that would result from voter approval. Local Attorney Osby Davis, in his capacity as a spokesperson for the Pleasanton-and-Dublin-based developer Callahan/DeSilva Vallejo L.L.C., presented a proponent’s viewpoint of the proposed plan for the Vallejo Waterfront Development Project.

The silent auctions benefiting Glen Cove Elementary School garnered $41 and $52 at the respective neighborhood meetings. This money was added to the year-long fundraising proceeds for a fall gift presentation—the school’s office staff and G.C.C.A. Board members will work together to determine a suitable gift. The Safeway contribution of the tempting food items and refreshment beverages add a welcoming touch to these community sessions and are, as always, appreciated.

Happy, Happy 2005!

DUMPING DISCOURAGED IN COMMON AREAS

By Dennis Albright, Headlands Representative

Our City of Vallejo Landscape Maintenance District (L.M.D.) Inspector reported that several residents on Bermuda Lane and Eastham Court have been dumping yard waste and debris onto the common area beyond their back yard fences.

This observation came about while investigating a complaint that weeds and shrubs needed to be trimmed in the L.M.D. sections behind the private properties. It is appreciated when Glen Cove residents identify such areas that sometimes get overlooked by the L.M.D. contractor. The required maintenance work in this particular section has been completed.

When it becomes apparent that waste has been dumped in such areas, the L.M.D. contractor must remove it. This is an unacceptable expense that all of us end up paying for through our annual L.M.D. assessment paid with our property tax bill. These funds could better be spent for ongoing rehabilitation and maintenance work.

Any residents who are guilty of this practice are encouraged to remove this material from L.M.D. areas and dispose of it properly. Our L.M.D. Inspector advises that she may present a bill to the involved owners for such clean-up operations in order to cover the contractor’s expenses for this work. This could prove to be very expensive for the involved residents.

It is also periodically noted that some residents with open areas behind their yards have directed yard drainage out into the open areas which are generally sloped hillsides where soil erosion is a concern. Such drainage contributes to erosion and will be identified as to the responsible owner(s) for correction or corrected by the contractor at the owner’s expense. Most of our Glen Cove C.C.&R.s have language requiring that all drainage from residential lots be directed only to the street in front of the lots.

Please help us eliminate these unnecessary problems by properly controlling drainage from your lots, properly disposing of waste and debris, and by reporting violations to our L.M.D. Inspector at 553-7219 so corrective steps may be taken.

G.C.C.A. BOARD VACANCIES FOR 2005

As a resident in one of the following developments, would you please consider participating in the Glen Cove Community Association?

CALIFORNIA LIGHTHOUSE

CALIFORNIA VIEW

CLEARPOINTE

GLEN COVE LANDING

HARBOUR TOWNE

Representative and Alternate positions are available for these neighborhood locations. To volunteer, phone any G.C.C.A. Officer (Page 11).

If you are interested in neighborhood involvement as a G.C.C.A. Alternate, the developments shown below have current openings.

GLEN COVE HILLS

GLEN COVE MARINA

MARINA VISTA

THE SHORES

Please contact your Development Representative (Page 11) to sign up.

RECYCLING THEFTS REPORTED BY GLEN COVE RESIDENTS

By Ruth O. Fisher, G.C.C.A. Chair

Two incidents involving stolen recyclable bin items were reported in mid-September by Glen Cove residents who live in different neighborhood developments.

One of the residents observed a two-person team rummaging through the recyclable bins and selectively gathering desired items and tossing unwanted discards into the street and onto front yards. Another Glen Cove neighbor notified the Vallejo Police Department to report someone stealing from the curbside recyclable bins while a truck filled with recyclables was parked nearby.

When one of the concerned residents phoned the Vallejo Garbage Service (V.G.S.), the employee indicated that recyclable theft is a problem that diminishes the effort to accumulate minimum requirement collections, based on the City’s size. Incredibly, the employee added that some drivers actually have to sit and wait for recyclable thieves to finish their hunt-and-sort maneuvers before proceeding with the routine collection efforts.

Aluminum cans seem to be the most sought after treasure, but other recyclable materials are also being “cashed in” by the thieves. Any financial gain made from local recyclable collections is intended to benefit the V.G.S. and ultimately help defray the high costs to Vallejo residents for trash collection services.

Trash cans and recyclable bins should not be set out until the early morning of the scheduled pick-up day. However, that will not stop determined thieves who will brazenly sort through the bins as a V.G.S. driver approaches.

To report any recyclable theft activity, phone the Vallejo Police Department, 648-4321.

THANK YOU, GLEN COVE AND AREA VOLUNTEERS!

By Wendy Dugan, Harbor Homes Alternate

The California Coastal Commission and Greater Vallejo Recreation District (G.V.R.D.) are particularly appreciative of your hard work and devoted time.

On Saturday, September 18th, from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon, we had a total of 40 Glen Cove and nearby Vallejo residents who volunteered their morning to help pick up trash along the shoreline of Glen Cove Waterfront Park. Afterwards, an appreciation picnic lunch was held at the Vallejo Marina for all the Coastal Cleanup volunteers.

The total collection effort resulted in 40 bags of disposable trash, 25 bags of recycling items, and about 12 tires (some, quite large) that were hauled away from the site. Some of the unusual items included a broken water ski, a three-step staircase, an old bicycle, and some wooden crates.

Nearly 12,000 pounds of trash was collected by the Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District from all the Vallejo locations designated for the annual California Coastal Cleanup effort.

Because of the Glen Cove and other area volunteers, we have a cleaner and safer Waterfront Park than ever before. Coastal Cleanup Day is always the third Saturday of September. For more information about the California program, visit www.coast4u.org for their website.

See you next year!

THE G.C.C.A. 2005 ELECTION RESULTS

By Ruth O. Fisher, G.C.C.A. Chair

The annual Glen Cove Community Association’s election was held at the October 2lst General Meeting. Along with the Vice-Chair and Secretary, I will resume my current position, Chair, for the upcoming 2005 year. The attending members also voted to extend the terms of Brita von Rechendorff as Vice-Chair and Stacey Kennington as Secretary.

Long-time Glen Cove resident, Barbara Hooker, has announced her year-end resignation from the Treasurer’s post and the California Lighthouse Representative position. Discussions are underway with a couple of neighborhood residents who have expressed interest in the Treasurer’s duties. Pending Board approval, the selected candidate will be identified in the January/February G.C.C.A. Newsletter.

The 2005 G.C.C.A. Board of Directors will also include the Development Representatives and Alternates listed below.

THE CREST - Phillip Johnson, Rep., Pat Johnson, Alt.

THE ESTATES - Zee Magee, Rep., Rosiana Tamsil, Alt.

GLEN COVE HILLS - Bob Mintzer, Rep.

HARBOR HOMES - Janet Laine, Rep., Wendy Dugan, Alt.

HEADLANDS - Dennis Albright, Rep., Mike Grivett, Alt.

MARINA VISTA - Wendell Quigley, Rep.

OLDE TOWNE I & II - Stacey Kennington, Rep., Kathryn Marocchio, Alt.

GLEN COVE MARINA - LeAnn Langford, Rep.

THE POINTE - Ward Stewart, Rep., Brita von Rechendorff, Alt.

QUIET HARBOR - Barbara Erick, Rep.. Alexander Lyman, Alt.

THE RIDGE - Trish Blair, Rep., Linda Bowens, Alt.

SEASCAPE - Victoria Gray, Rep., Justin Ackmann, Alt.

SHIPWATCH - Marsha Duffy Roos, Rep., Cardenas Shakelford, Alt.

THE SHORES - Bobbi Khan, Rep.

SPYGLASS - Lonette Rincon, Rep., Lu Harrison, Alt.

VISTA DEL MAR - Ruth O. Fisher, Rep., Barbara Sizelove, Alt.

WATERVIEW - Russ Turnbull, Rep., Julie Parker, Alt.

WESTPOINTE - Esam Amso, Rep., Gabrielle Woodhurst, Alt.

These community-minded volunteers are to be commended for taking time from their personal and professional lives to participate in the enhancement of the Glen Cove neighborhood.