Sorry for the delay, Gina — I only just had a chance to drive by that area today, and you are correct — the weeds were in fact recently cut all along that area. It looks a thousand times better than the abandoned wasteland it looked like before — although the parkway strip still looks pretty bad with weeds that are now much shorter.

I am still interested in getting answers to my earlier questions when you have a moment.

Again, thank you for your service,

Keith Sharward
Co-founder and Board Member, Witter Ranch Community Alliance – http://www.WitterRanchCommunity.org
Member, Natomas Crime & Safety Leadership Team
Supporter, Angelique Ashby for City Council 2010 – http://www.AngeliqueAshby.com

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Re: Weed Abatement Needed: 4000 Block of Truxel Road
From: “311 Call Center” [ 311 -at- cityofsacramento -dot- org
Date: Thu, June 11, 2009 8:10 am
To: "Keith Sharward (WRCA)" [ Keith -at- WitterRanchCommunity -dot- org ]

Hello -

We have had tremendous difficulty out in this area. The city (Fire Prevention with subcontractors) has been out abating some lots, however there have been others (Prosper and Innovator is a perfect example), that took us nearly 6 weeks to identify and contact the responsible party. I was advised yesterday coincidentally that this area was disced. I am not sure if you have been by there in the past 24 hours. If you drive by and I do not have accurate information, please let me know. The original tracking number for this is: 1-14520072 (date opened 4/21/09).

Again, if my information from yesterday is not accurate, let me know

Thank you,

Gina

I lived in the San Diego area in my teen years — I visit the area often and I’m always impressed with the look of things — so much so that I’m often so deeply disappointed by the contrast between there and here.

Hey, speaking of fugly roads — this post inspired me to finally get around to sending the following:

From: Keith Sharward (WRCA)
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 6:11 AM
To: City Operator, City Of Sacramento
Subject: Weed Abatement Needed: 4000 Block of Truxel Road

I have noticed tremendous weed growth on the west side of Truxel Road between Prosper Road and Natomas Crossing Drive, including the landscaped parkway between the curb and sidewalk, and between the sidewalk and property line of the condominium development off Innovator Drive.

Not only is it a horrible eyesore, I believe it is a fire hazard.

The wide swath between the sidewalk and condominiums is the right of way for light rail in the future.

Interestingly, the area south of the condominium complex — adjacent to the neighborhood commercial village that includes Schools Federal Credit Union, Oshima Sushi, Starbucks, etc., is completely clear of weeds. The contrast is stunning!

The parkway in question is lined with trees and bushes, but the weeds are now taller than the bushes.

Who is responsible for the landscape maintenance of this area? Is there a landscaping district assessment being levied on nearby property owners for these features? Is the commercial village perhaps voluntarily landscaping the area fronting their property?

I realize I have asked a number of questions… The priority is obvously the abatement of the fire hazard, so please tend to that first, followed by the more curious questions that I have expressed. I would like to hold the responsible party/parties accountable — please don’t close my case until all of my questions are answered, and I would appreciate a case number so that I can track progress.

Thank you for your service.

Respectfully,

Keith Sharward
Co-Founder and Board Member, Witter Ranch Community Alliance (http://www.WitterRanchCommunity.org)
Member, Natomas Crime & Safety Leadership Team
Supporter, Angelique Ashby for City Council 2010 (http://www.AngeliqueAshby.com)