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CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022
YEAR 34
INSIDE YOUR
FORUM
NEWS
NO. 9
Coffee on The Hill: Public Takes In the Valley’s Views at New Park By Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
In Remembrance
Former CVHS teacher and coach, Peter Brewer, remembered
Page 2 LIVING
Beer Essentials
Many people forget that beer is one of the world’s best seasoning agents
Page 4 SENIORS
Senior Strength
Many of us feel that we’ve lost muscle strength during the pandemic
Page 7
INDEX Agents in Action ....... 10 Classified Ads .......... 12 Crosswords ............. 13 Homes ....................... 8 Horoscope ................. 7 Legal Notices ........... 14 Obituaries ................ 15 Opinions .................. 15 Our Town .................... 3 Weather ....................... 2 PHONE: (510) 614-1560
P01 FRONT 03-02.indd 1
Castro Valley is getting a new park, almost across the street from Lake Chabot Park, and the views from the aptly named “Valley View Park” are fabulous. The public got a look on Saturday morning at a “Coffee on The Hill” event, more officially called Community Meeting #1. Besides the views, just what will go in that park and exactly when it will open are just starting to be determined, according to Hayward Area Recreation and Parks District (HARD), which bought the land from East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in 2014. “The first thing to know is that there’s no plan yet,” said see PARK on page 10
By Michael Singer
Long-time Castro Valley resident, Joe Grcar says he is tired of the way politicians have taken advantage of people who live in San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, and the unincorporated areas including Castro Valley. The retired US Department of Energy scientist says it’s time to put, “Southern Alameda County First.” “Because we are the center of the Bay Area, our highways become parking lots as soon as they are built, and most of the cars come from outside the district,” Grcar says. “Why spend our money on them? Instead, use our infrastructure money to build new schools. If we are
Housing Plan Gets Approval By Amy Sylvestri
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
PHOTOS BY MIKE MCGUIRE
One of many breathtaking views from the aptly named “Valley View Park”.
State Assembly Candidate Wants ‘Southern Alameda County First’ CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
MAC MEETING
going to build back better, then we must do things differently.” To instigate that different way of thinking, Grcar (pronounced GER-chur) announced last month he is running for California State Assembly District 20, a 2-year seat currently occupied since 2012 by another scientist, Dr. Bill Quirk of Hayward. Grcar ran against Quirk in 2018 and lost in the General Election. This time around, Grcar says his ideas will only benefit the southern areas of Alameda County and not the general Bay Area. His 12-point plan proposes creating jobs and encouraging more businesses to open up or stay here instead of sending them to San Francisco or Silicon Valley. He is also in
“Our sales taxes are highest in the state, in part because local politicians raised our taxes to build highways here— an example of old thinking,” Grcar said. Yet, our county has the lowest average income per person in the Bay Area. If California needs more money for anything, let it raise taxes in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.” Grcar says he is critical of some of the recent spendings within District 20 including Joe Grcar $500 million on dumping even favor of abolishing the Public more broken concrete and Utilities Commission (PUC), asphalt along the Hayward shoreline. Instead, Grcar would supporting big construction projects including a toll tunnel rather the area be developed as directly linking the San Mateo a public beach like the manmade shoreline along AlameBridge to West Dublin, and see CANDIDATE on page 6 lowering taxes.
At their Monday night meeting, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) approved a plan for a large mixed-use residential and commercial multi-building development at 3765 and 3789 Castro Valley Boulevard at the corner of the Boulevard and Norbridge Avenue. Developer City Ventures plans to build 47 townhomes and 4,890-square-feet of retail space on the former site of a mobile home park, and within walking distance of the Castro Valley Library. Adjustments to the proposed project recommended by the MAC included turning a fence into a wall that matches the surrounding area, moving the trash enclosure, including office space, and moving and adjusting a grass and games area. “We really appreciate all the effort you guys have put into this project and we look forward to something different in the area than what we’ve had,” said MAC Chair Ken Carbone. On Monday, the MAC also heard an update on a new state law that will make it easier for people to subdivide and build on their single-family properties while removing some local controls. State Senate Bill 9 (SB9) was signed into law in Fall 2021 and applies to most single-family urban and suburban properties should the property owner choose to develop additional units. Depending on the size of the lot, up to four units could be built where only one was permitted before. Increased density in residential zones is the bottom line, see MAC on page 5
3/1/22 7:05 PM
