If you attended the June 15th G.C.C.A. General Meeting, thanks for your participation, and you already know that Mayor Intintoli wasn't one of the featured speakers although his scheduled appearance was promoted in my last column. The two-week cancellation notice was attributed to "City budget discussions."

However, our neighborhood is very fortunate that the invited guests accepted short-notice invitations to address the audience at this year's second meeting. The on-going effort to permanently berth the battleship U.S.S. Iowa in Vallejo was discussed by Elaine Wong, President of the Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square. Vallejo Garbage Service Recycling Coordinator Lisa LeFebvre, accompanied by Operations Supervisor Nathan Robinson, entertained and provided advance notice on an automated arm trash collection system-set for implementation in 2007.

The City of Vallejo was represented by the evening's other two key speakers. Sam Gonzales, Assistant Maintenance Superintendent, oversees the Landscaping Maintenance District program and detailed annual budgetary elements. (See Cover Page) Code Enforcement Manager Nimat Shakoor-Grantham focused on property maintenance issues that warrant City intervention in terms of citations and fines. Gratitude is extended to each of the informational speakers. Appreciation goes out to Safeway for the goodies.

There have been some out-of-the-ordinary incidents this summer. When a 2.6 magnitude earthquake-two miles S.S.E. of Benicia-occurred at 7:53 a.m. on Friday, June 9th, some Glen Cove residents experienced "a couple of quick jolts." An air ambulance landed twice in Glen Cove to airlift victims, one injured in an auto collision and another in a bicycle accident. Thanks to the efforts of the Vallejo Police Department Cadets, the speed radar unit has been positioned on the Glen Cove Parkway three times. Indeed, numerous drivers slowed down, carefully passed the device, and promptly resumed driving faster than the posted limit!

See Glen Cove…Take a stroll!

When a North Regatta resident was recently questioned by a credit card company regarding some unusual purchases, he realized that his most recent statement had been removed from his private mailbox. He notified the Vallejo Police Department and alerted neighbors.

All homeowners are encouraged to consider the installation of locked mailboxes to protect personal mail. A V.P.D. spokesperson also cautions residents to not put outgoing bill payments in mailboxes as they are sometimes stolen for personal identity theft purposes-particularly to access checking account numbers.

L.M.D. Trimming and Weed Control

L.M.D. areas are Landscape Maintenance District properties maintained by the City of Vallejo by contract and funded by assessments that we all pay along with our property taxes. I have been contacted by many of you recently regarding overgrown landscaping and weeds in the L.M.D. common areas located behind residences that abut open land areas.

Although the contractor is working hard with this trimming and weed control, from time to time there will be specific areas that are overlooked or have to be trimmed more than once a year if there have been protracted spring rains.

These problems, as well as any instances of illegal dumping in L.M.D. open areas or significant slope erosion should be reported to our new City L.M.D. Inspector, Mr. Dennis McCarty, who can be contacted at 553-7219, a number that is listed in the directory (Page 11) of the Glen Cove Community Association Newsletter. Messages are normally promptly returned and addressed. If you experience difficulty in getting these issues addressed, contact me at 554-3589.

L.M.D. Assessment Increase

Those of you who attended the June 15th G.C.C.A. General Meeting held at Glen Cove Elementary School heard a presentation by Sam Gonzales, City of Vallejo Assistant Maintenance Superintendent, who is also responsible for L.M.D. operations.

He stated that the most recent financial reports indicated it would be necessary to increase our annual L.M.D. assessment, probably in the next fiscal year that will begin July 1, 2007. Accordingly, the G.C.C.A. Board of Directors has formally requested the City of Vallejo to provide us direction as to how this assessment increase will be presented for approval vote by the residents and how the community can provide input for any additional improvements desired that will be considered when determining the amount of an increase.

The time line for this process is expected to be six to eight months to support a vote that would be effective for the next fiscal year. When we have received this information, it will be provided to all residents via this G.C.C.A. Newsletter format, the G.C.C.A. Website (www.glencovevallejo.com), and at future G.C.C.A. General Meetings.

Next Phase L.M.D. Rehabilitation Work

During the remainder of the summer, the Glen Cove Parkway median between the Saybrook Way/Bermuda Lane intersection and the North Regatta intersection will be rehabilitated.

Because of the seriously degraded state of the existing plant material in this area, it was determined that the entire area should be leveled and completely replanted. The existing trees will remain, with the exception of the black acacias which do not support any plant growth beneath them and also have destructive root systems.

The existing landscaping on the Parkway/North Regatta corners will be augmented and extended further along and up North Regatta. Other smaller minor enhancements at various areas will be accomplished which will complete this year's planned improvements. Of course, we expect the contractor to continue routine maintenance of all existing L.M.D. areas in a professional manner.

Personal Property Landscaping

If your front yard has suffered degradation over the winter season, now is an excellent time to join the many Glen Cove residents who can be seen taking advantage of the good weather to restore their yards and make those long-anticipated improvements which contribute to making Glen Cove the Clean, Safe and Beautiful place that it is.

I am personally enjoying driving, walking and bicycling by the many beautifully landscaped and well maintained yards and homes in this great community of ours. Keep up the good work.

Greater Vallejo Recreation District staff members recently spread new bark in our playground at the little Glen Cove Park. Hooray!!

In October, the trees in the middle of the benches will be removed due to pavement upheaval, and the bricks will be reinstalled. The water fountain plumbing will be retrenched at that time, and a new fountain should be in place and operating by next Spring.

Just a reminder, the bathrooms are locked at 2 p.m. daily due to maintenance workers having to end their work day at 2:30 p.m. The Glen Cove Community Association Board is working on having a private citizen take responsibility for locking the bathrooms up at a later time of day.

All G.V.R.D. Glen Cove Park improvements are appreciated!

Dear CC&R Advisor,

Driving home recently from work a kid ran into the street while playing basketball. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting him. It was so close to being a tragedy. I couldn't see the kids at first because of parked cars. And the basketball hoop is actually in the street. Is this legal? Can't something be done?

Save Me From A Tragedy

Dear Save Me,

Basketball hoops in the streets are unsightly and dangerous. That's why the City of Vallejo does not allow basketball hoops on the street or the sidewalk. Contact Code Enforcement at 648-4469. With the information you give to Code Enforcement, they will verify that the hoop is illegally placed and send a letter to the resident requiring its removal. Your development representative may also be able to leave a door hanger reminding the hoop owner that they are not allowed on the street or sidewalk. If you don't have a representative, consider becoming one. For additional rules regarding where basketball hoops may be located, refer to your CC&R's that are specific to your development.
Kids should be able to have fun and exercise. They also should be doing so in a safe place! Perhaps you could talk with the parents and encourage them to place the hoop in the back yard, or better yet, make use of the hoops at the Glen Cove Elementary School playground.

G.C.C.A. CC&R Advisory Committee