Vineyard Press

Every property owner in Rancho Cucamonga pays into one of the city’s 11 Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMD’s). The districts have been able to cover the cost of water, mowing, weeding, and trimming without a raise in rates since 1992. Well, all good things must come to an end. Many of the LMD’s are running out of money. The city has tried to stretch your dollars by reducing the level of service in the districts that are low on cash. In case you haven’t noticed, some parts of our city are looking a bit shabby when it comes to weeds and overgrown shrubs. Your editor has been dwarfed by weeds, as shown in the attached photo, taken on a median near Baseline and Rochester.
Very roughly speaking, if you live above the 210 Freeway and west of Day Creek Boulevard, then you are going to see a lot of weeds. Furthermore, if you live south of the 210 and west of Etiwanda Avenue, you too will see a lower level of service. Watering will not stop, but everything else will suffer. Properties in the affected areas have gone from level “A” landscape maintenance to level “C.” That means that weeding and pest control will not be done constantly, but once every six months. Mowing, edging, trash and debris removal will be done bi-weekly instead of weekly. Pruning and trimming of shrubs will take place semi-annually, instead of on a “consistent” basis as before. Before long, property owners will need to consider whether to allow landscape maintenance fees to go up. This is not a good time for increased fees, so this will be an extremely tough decision.
One of my council colleagues suggested that I go out with some gloves and do some weeding myself. You know, she’s right. Even though I pay my LMD assessment like everyone else, I would be a total hypocrite to complain about the sorry state of our public areas and do nothing about it. I walk my dog almost daily down Rochester Avenue. I simply can’t wait for the semi-annual weeding. I refuse to walk by that mess every morning and turn a blind eye. I want to thank my colleague for her fine suggestion. Until election day comes, and we decide whether or not to increase our taxes, I will keep a portion of my city weed and trash free. I will even trim the shrubs. Would anyone like to help? If you and your family would like to join me in keeping a certain sidewalk or parkway neat, please let me know. Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call me at (909) 615-1144. Some of you have already taken matters into your own hands. A woman was spotted near Day Creek and Highland pulling tall weeds. Wouldn’t it be great to have an army of volunteers doing their part to maintain the beautiful aspects of our city? What better way to develop a sense of community and bring our residents together? We can make it happen if we want. Please let us know of your interest!