Editorial
Friday, November 01, 2002 - 2:57:05 AM MST

Vote 'yes' on Q for Castro Valley cityhood

CASTRO Valley is no Shangri-La, although its canyons and ranchlands have wondrous and restorative aspects valued by East Bay residents from miles around.

And it's no Brigadoon, although it does possess certain misty, ephemeral qualities -- not including the smog generated by commuters along Castro Valley Boulevard.

So, as much as opponents of Measure Q wish that the state's most populous unincorporated urban community had mythical qualities allowing it to remain apart as the East Bay gets more congested and urban survival gets harder, Castro Valley needs a city government to control its destiny.

We're not saying that Alameda County has failed the community. Although the stewardship of serial supervisors has been uneven, the system has worked, more or less. Besides, this is no time to quibble over who's done what to whom.

And while the community has immersed itself in -- and divided itself over -- the question of incorporation, including lamentable comments and surreptitious sign stealing, it's high time for voters to make a choice.

Castro Valley citizens must don the mantle of responsibility for determining the future of their beloved and beautiful home.

The United States was founded and remains based on the principles of self-determination and self-government. Measure Q ensures both.

Citizens require responsive, accessible, accountable government agencies. The Castro Valley City Council would realize each of those ideals much more effectively than a single representative on the county board.

And there's another rock on which our nation's founders based their sacrifices in the harbors and battlefields of the 13 colonies: No taxation without representation.

How on Earth -- or anywhere else in the universe -- is it conscionable for citizens in a democracy to decide what's right for other citizens? That's just what will happen on Election Day when all residents of Alameda County vote to add or extend taxes just for unincorporated areas.

Not that it will be easy for the five people elected to the first City Council. There will be mountains of information to gather and analyze, myriad phone calls from constituents and a plethora of financial data to decipher before the city is properly and responsibly launched.

The much-debated, seemingly flawed and often-maligned incorporation study is only a proposal, an idea, an educated guess, a starting point.

Intelligent people will differ and we agree with the Local Agency Formation Commission that the city will be viable. And, to address those who differ, if some level of government has to invite in the big boxes, better to have it be the level most responsive to the voters.

We believe Castro Valley will grow and prosper and endure as a municipality that reflects and serves its people. And so the uniquely American dream will be realized. It may never be Shangri-La, but we'd rather have a city that works.

Daily Review
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