Mark Peterson is a finalist for a seat on the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) in 2015. Castro Valley Matters reached out to each finalist, asking them to provide a statement.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve the residents of Castro Valley as a member of the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (CV MAC). My experience as a construction inspector and in construction management coupled with my commitment to this community will be a tremendous asset to the CV MAC during its decision‐making processes. I am a lifelong Castro Valley resident, local business owner, husband and father. My family and I are firmly planted in Castro Valley and enjoy all it has to offer. My twin daughters attend Proctor Elementary, where my wife serves as PTA President, and we are both actively involved in volunteering. Our daughters also play in the Castro Valley Girls Softball League on a team that is sponsored by our family business.

Work Experience is Best Matched for MAC— Recently I was involved in a two billion dollar project integrating a new state of the art medical center into the thriving and expanding Mission Bay district of San Francisco. This project also provided the community with walking and biking paths, an amphitheater, and access to world‐renowned medical services, all while maintaining the same look and feel of the existing neighborhood. A project of this scale requires expertise in:

• City planning and permitting.
• Building code compliance and accessibility.
• Seismic safety and energy efficiency.
• Navigating state, city, and county building authorities.
• Keeping the broad vision of the final deliverable in mind.

Vision for Castro Valley— My long‐term vision for Castro Valley is to see that its residents have access to everything they need, including support and encouragement for keeping their business in our town. Castro Valley is currently positioned for enormous success if it is managed and developed correctly. Our public library is a prime example of planning and execution at its best: it is environmentally friendly, architecturally attractive, and geographically integrated into the downtown area, which enabled it to quickly become a community hub for families and businesses. I have firsthand knowledge and considerable professional experience with similar projects, which provide me with the tools necessary to help the CV MAC and Castro Valley’s residents realize this vision. I can offer a solid understanding of the planning, design, approval, and building phases necessary to develop Castro Valley effectively.

Castro Valley is a wonderful place to live, and there are great opportunities ahead of us. As part of CV MAC I would use my professional expertise, and passion for Castro Valley, to evaluate each request brought to the council to ensure that it benefits Castro Valley as a whole, while addressing related planning and regulatory requirements. I want Castro Valley to continue to thrive as great place to live, work and raise a family. If appointed to the CV MAC I would look forward to giving back to the community that has given so much to me.