Nevada: A Bonanza for Unincorporated Communities
In California, either a county or a city produces the “local government” and municipal services you associate with a city hall and a mayor (unless you’re in San Francisco, which is both a city and a county). We’ve been exploring different models of local governance at Castro Valley Matters because …
Local and Regional Governance Vacancies: January 2015
There are many advisory and watchdog committees whose jurisdiction includes Castro Valley, Alameda County, or the broader Bay Area. As of January 2015, the following have vacancies, and we encourage you to learn more about each of these and consider applying for a position! Castro Valley The Castro Valley Municipal …
Long-time residents face drastic rent increases, address MAC with concerns
Facing rental increases of hundreds of dollars per month, long-term residents of the Park Towers apartment complex asked for help during public comment at Monday’s Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting. Four Park Towers residents spoke at the MAC meeting, and they were joined by about 20 of their neighbors. Vasona Management, which …
The Week Ahead: What matters for the week of January 26, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015 Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council Castro Valley Library, Chabot Room 3600 Norbridge Avenue Castro Valley Meeting starts at 6:00 p.m The CV MAC will discuss the proposed residential development in Palomares Hills of a long-vacant parcel, currently zoned as a commercial site and originally envisioned as a neighborhood …
Proposed Palomares Hills Housing Development Goes to MAC
At the Monday January 26th Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting a proposal will be up for review that has sparked a loud protest from Palomares Hills residents. The plan calls for development of the vacant parcel between the Palomares Hills Community Center and Fire Station #7 on Villareal …
New Federal rules void MAC cell phone tower ruling
One particular issue that the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council has been particularly passionate about over the past few years has been cell phone transmission towers. They have usually been successful at convincing companies to disguise their poles to avoid visual blight. In fact, at the October 13th MAC meeting, …
Is a comma keeping you from applying for the MAC?
Bad grammar on the FAQ page of the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) page may inadvertently keep new Castro Valley residents from applying to serve on the council. People interested in filling the impending vacancies on the Castro Valley MAC could easily misinterpret the FAQ, incorrectly thinking there is a five year residency requirement for eligibility. In fact, any resident of Castro …
Why Does the MAC Have Seven Members?
The recent announcement of the impending resignation of Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) member Matt Turner reminded me of why the MAC was increased to a membership of seven in the first place. When the MAC was established in 1981 it had five members, all appointed by Supervisor Joe Bort, …
Matt Turner resigns MAC seat, accepts position with Supervisor Nate Miley
Matt Turner, who has served on the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) since April 2011, will resign from the MAC effective February 1, 2015 to work for Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. Upon Turner’s resignation, the Board of Supervisors will need to confirm Miley’s appointment and/or reappointment of two people to …