An Update on AB 3 and the Plight of Isla Vista
What if unincorporated communities could get more local control without having to incorporate? Assembly Bill 3 (AB 3), working its way through the California Assembly, would give Isla Vista, an unincorporated community next to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, an enhanced version of a community service district (CSD), …
Cityhood Lost: California keeps Castro Valley unincorporated, new cities struggling
Back in 2012, as I passionately argued for an incorporated Castro Valley before a packed audience at the “Great Castro Valley Debate,” I had to concede that despite my dream for Castro Valley home rule, achieving municipal independence for our community was unlikely…all because of something called the “Vehicle License Fee …
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 …
The “Town Council” Movement of LA County
While researching the different ways unincorporated areas around California work with their Counties, I learned about the unique Town Councils of Los Angeles County. They act in an advisory role and are much like a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC,) but are not connected to the county government in any way. …
CVSan Board Tackles Canyonlands Annexation
The Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors meeting was held on Tuesday December 2nd. Melody Appleton and Ralph Johnson were given the oath of office after being elected to the board in November. Each of the CVSan board members nominated a person to serve the next term on the …
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 …
Waste Management vs. the Canyonlands
A large and unexpected rate increase by Waste Management for garbage collection is hitting rural Castro Valley.
Parent Perspective: Alma Pre-School Move to Marshall
The Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) made its decision to move and expand the Alma Pre-School to the lower Marshall baseball field without adequate prior notice to Alma or Marshall School parents, or to the impacted community around the Marshall campus. Given the impact to the schools and surrounding …