Editor:
This letter responds to those who question whether a legal democratic route has been taken to get Castro Valley's incorporation on the ballot. There are two ways to initiate an incorporation process: 1) by  petition of residents; or 2) by application by the county. 

The petition route was taken in the early 90's when more than 5,900 residents of Castro Valley asked the Board of Supervisors to place the issue of incorporation on the ballot. The Board chose not to do so.

The subject of incorporation was one of the main issues during the last campaign for Castro Valley's Supervisor. In that campaign, Nate Miley supported the citizens' right to vote ON (not FOR or AGAINST) cityhood for Castro Valley. He listened to Castro Valley residents then, and continues listening now.

Right now no one knows if a majority of Castro Valley residents want incorporation -- that is what a vote will reveal. This is where the democratic process takes place -- not in how the issue got on the ballot. 

I agree with anti-incorporation voices on one thing, "Don't be fooled" ... by them and those who would deny you your constitutionally-provided right of self-government! Vote YES for incorporation. Local control is a fundamental tenet of good government.

Sara Conner
Castro Valley resident since 1962

"Democracy, the practice of self-government, is a covenant among free men to respect the rights and liberties of their fellows." --Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves—and the only way they could do this is by not voting."  --Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945), U.S. president. The Wit and Wisdom of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Government and Democracy, p. 38, eds. Peter and Helen Beilenson, Peter Pauper Press (1982)