La Quinta Cove

THANKS TO JANE FOR AMPLILFYING THE INFO ABOUT TAX HELP:

I’d like to clarify your announcement about AARP tax help at the LQ senior center. I am one of the volunteers in this program, which has been offered for a number of years across the country.
Two clarifications:
1) we assemble complete tax returns for qualifying individuals, using computer software similar to Turbo-tax, and e-file the returns. We do not typically offer “assistance” to individuals preparing their own tax returns, although we are happy to answer straightforward questions in such cases if time allows. Volunteers have all received IRS training.
2) “qualifying individuals” include those with simple tax circumstances–no rental income, no sales of business assets such as rental properties, no K-1 forms, no state returns other than Calif, no partnership income, no self-employment income with expenses over $10,000 or depreciation…and the list goes on.
What we do offer should be sufficient to complete the tax returns of most seniors and low-income taxpayers. These are the individuals whom the AARP program is intended to assist.

Starting today, the Cove Neighborhood Associaton website will feature one code per month, giving some detail and rationale why the code exists.  Many of us are aware of the municipal  codes, but don’t understand why we have them or how they help maintain safe and healthy neighborhoods. We hope this feature will clear that up.

 The first “Code of the Month”:   Trash container storage –

Trash containers will be stored out of public view in a side or rear yard or an enclosed garage except on pick up day.” (This is from the cities website http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=78.)  Further, the code itself  (Section 6.04.050 Containers) states that containers may not be on the street “more than twenty-four hours prior to the normal collection time, and all containers so placed shall be removed from the street or right-of-way within twelve hours after collection.”  http://qcode.us/codes/laquinta/

Reasons -

1. Trash containers are unsightly. (Why should our neighbors have to look at your garbage receptacle?)
2. Trash containers attract pests. (i.e.:  coyotes, rats, insects)
3.  Trash containers can be dangerous obstacles when driving in the cove at night, and they can also be dangerous “flying objects” that spread debris through the neighborhood during heavy windstorms.
4. Trash containers get in the way of the street cleaners.
5. Trash containers left on the street too long can attract the criminal element. (i.e. identity thieves)

 The Cove Neighborhood Association would like to express our appreciation for our code enforcement officers. These are the City employees who ensure that we are the good neighbors we all want to be. In a civilized society we must take care of others as well as ourselves. It is the good people of code enforcement who remind us that we are all in this together.  No one would doubt that the efforts of the Code Enforcement department have contributed GREATLY to the gradual improvement of the appearance and quality of life in the Cove.

In a marathon interview session, the four-member council selected a replacement for the seat vacated by the death of Stanley Sniff, Sr., who served for 25 years.  After eleven interviews and two ballots, former council member, Lee Osborne, was selected to fill the vacant seat until the November election, after which he is eligible to run for election.  Osborne heads a local CPA firm and has been active on the LQ Chamber of Commerce.

The final edition of “The La Quinta Sun” was published last Thursday, according to a credible source.  The new version next Thursday (I believe),  will be “The Indio – La Quinta Sun” or the La Quinta – Indio Sun”.  Bummer!!!!!

Yes, the City is doing the planning for a “modern” roundabout to be constructed at the intersection of Eisenhower and Sinaloa.  The traffic and safety issues merit either a signal or a roundabout.  The City has opted for the latter.  What’s the advantage of a roundabout?  Safer (no broadside hits when someone runs the light), prettier (who wants glaring lights day and night?), you don’t have to stop, usually (just yield to the vehicle already in the circle), saves gas (less stopping and starting) and slows down traffic without installing speed bumps.  It costs a bit more to install, but a lot less to maintain and repair.  There have been several public discussions on this, and the neighbors are all involved in the planning and design, and support it, from what we hear. 

Here’s a link to the City Public Works website that shows what the tentative design looks like, in that very neighborhood, with the streets narrowing to one lane and a typical traffic flow around the oval/ellipse (not quite round).  North is on the left, and ease is at the top.  If you look closely you can see a bicycle approaching from the south on a bike path, however, bicycles will have the option of staying in the street or using their special lanes.

http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=26

Robert asks:

What is the status of the upper cove cleanup that was initiated last year, addressing the 50-year-old dump along Boohoff Trail? It seems to be no better now than prior to the efforts started last year, just from walking up the cove along Boohof Trail.

ANSWER? It’s a huge expanse, as you’ve probably noticed, and even with the tons of trash that has been hauled out by inmates last spring and volunteer groups just recently, hardly a dets has been made in the mass.  A work in progress….  Here’s a link to a recent BLM newsletter report: 

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2011/509xtra_srsjmnm_npld.html

Remember Andrew Davis, the Cove Boy Scout who is working on his Eagle Scout badge?  He’s raising money to build a sculpture in the Civic Center Campus park that holds the piece of the World Trade Center ruins, remember?  Well, right now is the perfect time to make a donation if you’re going to: a) income tax deduction for 2011, and b) Andrew will be reporting on his fund-raising success to the city in early January. 

If you are inclined to donate to this wonderful La Quinta project, you can send your contribution to Andrew Davis, 54-785 Rubio, and make your check payable to Boy Scouts of America Troop 50.  The tax ID number is 33-0765686.  Personal contributions to the 9/11 memorial are being matched, so your $10 dontation will be worth #20 to Andrew.

Council member for over 25 years, Stanley Sniff passed away this week.  He was a force to be reckoned with, and a proud Cove dweller.  Our condolences to his family and friends. 

Here’s a very nice article from the Desert Sun, thanks to our own reporter, Nicole Brambila: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20111130/NEWS01/111300305/Longtime-La-Quinta-councilman-Stan-Sniff-dies-85

Our November 11 posting has a photograph of the monument to him in Civic Center Park, a dedication event that was attended by many dignitaries, family and friends.

Tom Genovese, our City Manager for many years, died while hiking on the Bump and Grinds Trail in Palm Desert Sunday morning, in the company of other city staff members and frieds.  This is a tragic loss to the community and his family.  He always strove to improve the City in general, and the Cove in particular.  We have lost a friend.

Here’s Andrew Davis, Cove resident and Eagle Scout, who is working on his Scout project to bring a beam from the World Trade Center ruins to a park in La Quinta.  Step one: he OBTAINED the beam for the City.

Now he’s asking for funds to pay for the construction of a sculpture to hold the beam and the cost to install it.  The La Quinta Red Robin will sponsor a fund-raiser for Andrew’s project on November 21 (details later) and the Indio Elks Club will hold a spaghetti dinner on November 13.  For information on how to donate (tax deductable) call Andrew’s family at 760-985-6939.  If you want to send a check, make it payable to The Boy Scouts of America Troop 50 and mail to Andrew Davis, 54-785 Avenida Rubio.  The tax ID number for the Boy Scouts is 33-0765686.

Let’s all get behind Andrew and his project to put La Quinta on the map with an actual piece of the World Trade Center as a public art piece.  Hurry.  The target completion date is March 2012.  Here’s Andrew himself:

http://youtu.be/CwZCdM8lhPg