Where to Save on Sales Tax
Note: This is the second post in a series about sales taxes and how they apply to unincorporated areas like Castro Valley. Click here for the first post. How far would you travel to save $20 when you purchase your next flat screen TV? If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to football …
MACs and “MAC Equivalents” Serve 1.4 Million Californians
In a blog post from last month, I asked “What is the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), Anyway?” After a recent Eden Area Livability Initiative Governance Planning Group Meeting, where Alameda County presented a short list of other Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs) around California, I started asking “How many …
What is the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), Anyway?
What is the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)? Many locals have been mystified about this group. Rumors abound as to their powers, motives, and how they come to power. What’s the real truth? But first, what exactly IS a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)? The State Legislature passed a law …
EALI Joint Leadership Meeting Report
On Wednesday, July 29, the Eden Area Livability Initiative (EALI) Joint Leadership met to give the community an update on the progress of each working group. Each update was followed by a chance for Q&A with the attendees. There were also updates on a few of the Phase I EALI …
MAC Land Use Meeting Recap
On Monday, July 28, a small crowd gathered at the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting to hear the MAC consider 3 issues. Here is a brief summary of the night. Item One: The MAC considered the issuance of a conditional use permit to Verizon Wireless, allowing them to …
Update on the Grovenor Gate
There has been informal access to East Bay Regional Parks (EBRPD) “Ten Hills Trails” at the end of Grovenor Drive for several decades. After a series of complaints, some local voices began questioning if this loose chain that effectively granted access to the park was appropriate for the neighborhood. Due …
What is the Alameda County Community Development Agency up to?
Chris Bazar, Director for the Alameda County Community Development Agency (CDA), presented on the goals and accomplishments of his agency at last night’s Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting. According to CDA’s Financial Statement in the 2014-2015 Alameda County budget, CDA’s appropriation for the 2014-2015 fiscal year is $69,264,745. …
EALI Governance Working Group: June 2014 Meeting Summary
On Thursday, June 26, the members of the EALI Governance Working Group met to discuss the proposed scenarios and have a straw poll to select scenarios to move forward. Staff from Alameda County and Supervisor Miley’s office had evaluated the legal, political, and economic feasibility of each scenario, as well …
EALI Environment/Agriculture Working Group: June Meeting Report
The Eden Area Livability Initiative (EALI) Environment/Agriculture working group held their third meeting of 2014 on June 5 at the Castro Valley Library. The meeting covered the progress of the “One Table” partnership, as well as potential fates of some “underused sites” (including the Daughtrey’s building). One Table The first …
The “Unqualified” Failure of my Write-In Campaign for Alameda County Sheriff
The notion of a “Qualified Write-In Candidate” is awkward – it’s not an intuitive concept. I suspect that few California voters know about it.