EDITORIAL
City of Castro Valley?

Friday, October 25, 2002

IT'S TIME the 58,000 residents of Castro Valleyhad a chance to take charge of their ownmunicipal affairs and convert their corner ofAlameda County into a city. Voters can do justthat by approving Measure Q on Nov. 5.

The mainly residential area south of ChabotRegional Park, along Interstate 580, currentlyreceives and pays for city-type services fromthe county government. In forming their owncity, Castro Valley residents would be servedmore effectively and democratically by retainingrevenues now going to the county and callingtheir own shots on streets and police coverage,planning and land-use issues.

Though opponents of Q worry that aninadequate tax base would force the new city toinvite "big-box" retail development, income fromsales and property taxes, motor vehicle feesand levies on hotel rooms and utilities looksufficient to cover an $18 million budget.Citizens of Castro Valley should take their ownmunicipal future in hand and vote yes.

San Francisco Chronicle Editoral
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/10/25/ED150841.DTL