Linda Tangren 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.

Forty-Four years ago our family moved to Castro Valley. Our eldest daughter started elementary school that year and thus began my journey into community service. It began as a parent volunteer in the classroom and later leads to my election to the Castro Valley School Board for two terms. Immediately following the school board, I served two terms on the Chabot-Las Positas Community College Board.

As a CV School Board member, we dealt with school closures and made decisions to retain a majority of the schools. Closures forced by declining enrollment, but we anticipated that it could change. We were right. As Community College Board member, it was during my Board Presidency that we addressed an ongoing accreditation issue. It was also a period when the build out of Las Positas Community College began.

I, also, served as an officer with the NWPC (National Women’s Political Caucus). These offices included: The California State President and, then the National Vice President.

My last position in community service was as a member of the Alameda County Redevelopment Agency Citizens Advisory Committee. The Redevelopment agency was dissolved in 2012 and therefore ended all CACs in the state of California. Despite my disapproval of the Governor’s action to eliminate all Redevelopment Agencies, I decided it was time to take a break and travel. I made good use of my self-imposed hiatus. I converted my love of travel into an opportunity to examine how other communities manage the challenges we face in our community.

I recognize that Castro Valley is a great place to live. It is well positioned geographically. The easy access to freeways and public transportation place Castro Valley in an enviable position. It has great schools that attract families who know education is important. We have a variety of retail food markets. We offer a dining experience that satisfies some, but leaves others looking for more. Castro Valley has grown from a sleepy bedroom community to an unincorporated area of 61,000 plus residents. From my perspective Castro Valley does not take advantage of its geographical significance to the larger surrounding communities.

The challenge for Castro Valley is to preserve its rural atmosphere, but continue to develop the downtown area into an inviting place to shop, dine and live. This challenge must be met with thoughtful application of land use decisions to make Castro Valley a more livable community. It must all be done while relying on the benevolence of the County Supervisors for monies to maintain and fund Castro Valley’s infrastructure.

As a merchant, my business was located in the midst of the first renovation of Castro Valley Blvd. I understand the impact these decisions create for local merchants. I understand the need for easy access and adequate parking for their businesses to be successful.

As a resident of Castro Valley, I served as a board member and Board President of my homeowners association. I understand the concerns that residents express when they feel they have no voice in the decision-making. Some may disagree with that statement, but we should not dismiss or discount that this is how they feel.

I am well aware that MAC is advisory to the Board of Supervisors. I believe my experience as elected official and my work on the Redevelopment Agency CAC gives me the knowledge and understanding to help find and facilitate solutions to ongoing concerns.

As a MAC member, I would view my role as a link for Castro Valley to the Board of Supervisors and all other agencies. I would implement my role with what I call the three L’s…..Listen, Learn, and then Leap. It begins with Listening actively to what people say; learn what is available to help them resolve their concern or issue. Leap when you have the tools to assist members of the community find solutions to their concerns.

I bring fresh eyes to the ever-changing landscape of Castro Valley. My service with the Redevelopment Agency’s CAC gave me an opportunity to improve a small section of Castro Valley. Now I would like to use that knowledge to make Castro Valley a model of the livable community. A community where people not only live, but work, shop, dine and play.