March 8, 2023

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Future Housing Tackled

By

Last Monday night’s meeting of the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) was the frst in-person meeting of the body since March 2020, when the pandemic sent public meetings online. This week’s meeting was a hybrid, with in-person attendance at the Castro Valley library and an option for teleconferencing.

The low elevation snow last Friday was the heaviest and most widespread since the frst week in February of 1976, nearly 50 years ago. Bay Area Meteorologist Mike Pechner says the current pattern of cold air fowing south on the jet stream is likely to continue for another week or so. Weather forecasters predict winter weather patterns should continue at least thru mid-March. That means you have more time to go up Mt. Diablo and play in the snow. The ski season in the High Sierra should go well into May.

CVSan Preps Site for Their New HQ

By Linda Sandsmark CASTRO

The corner of Center Street and Castro Valley Boulevard was busy last week as Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan) demolished and removed old buildings where its new headquarters will be located.

Excavators started work on March 1 on the former California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) maintenance facility structures that had been there since about 1984. CVSan acquired the property in 2013 for $1,500,000.

“The new building is expected to be completed in Spring 2024,” says Mike Nelson, Public Outreach Specialist for CVSan. “We received four bids and awarded it to the lowest bidder, DL Falk Construction, for $20,844,000.”

According to public documents prepared by CVSan, the property totals about two acres. The new CVSan operations facility will include an approximately 19,795-squarefoot, two-story building. It will house a see SITE on page 3

“This is a historic meetingthe frst in-person meeting in three years and the frst hybrid meeting,” said MAC Chair Bill Mulgrew.

And at the “historic” meeting on February 27, the MAC heard an update from Liz McElligott, the county’s assistant planning director, regarding the 2023-2032 County Housing Element.

State law requires each local jurisdiction to revise its Housing Element every eight years. The Housing Element is a document that includes current and projected housing needs and site inventories and addresses constraints on the development of housing and more.

McElligott explained that the County is working with consultants to see what housing will look like in Castro Valley over the next several years. And—as is true throughout the Bay Area—higher-density and more affordable housing is needed. An estimated 4,700 new housing units are needed in the 2023-2031 Housing Element, more than twice the 1,800 units in the previous 2015-2022 cycle.

Of those 4,700 units, 1,250 should be made available for see MAC on back page

Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

MAC MEETING

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRELL LAVIN/ WWW.LAVINPHOTOS.COM

Excavators demolished old Caltrans structures on the property where Castro Valley Sanitary District will build its new headquarters at the corner of Castro Valley Boulevard and Center Street.

VALLEY FORUM

PHOTO BY LINDA SANDSMARK

Rotary Club of Castro Valley Welcomes its New Members

On Tuesday, February 28, The Rotary Club of Castro Valley, welcomed four new members to its local community in ‘Service Above Self’, as part of the global community of more than 1.2 Million men and women dedicated to building a better world.

CHP Offcer Dan Jacowitz has been an offcer for more than 14 years and currently serves as the Public Information Offcer for the Castro Valley Area CHP. Dan’s sponsor was Dan Willits, owner of Direct Sales Floors Carpet One, and the Club’s 2024-2025 president-elect.

Cindy Cerrudo, a local realtor with Century 21 Real Estate, and is active in the community. Cindy’s sponsor was Chris Carr, the Club’s

current treasurer and the 20232024 president-elect. Dwight Speir is an agent with New York Life Insurance and active in the community. Dwight’s sponsor was Jim Negri, retired superintendent of the Castro Valley Unifed School District, and a past president of the Rotary Club of Castro Valley.

Tina Sachs is a local resident and fnance director of PlayCV Summer Enrichment, a non-proft organization that brings after-school and summer enrichment classes and activities to school campuses in Castro Valley. Tina’s sponsor was Gary Howard, president of the Castro Valley Unifed School District Board of Education, and a past president of the Rotary Club of Castro Valley.

The Castro Valley Rotary Club, chartered in 1953, is a non-political, non-religious humanitarian service organization that brings together individuals, business, and professional leaders, to provide community service, promote integrity and advance worldwide goodwill, peace and understanding. The Club welcomes individuals who want to make a positive impact locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Rotary Club of Castro Valley is currently providing hybrid meetings with both in-person luncheons at Redwood Canyon as well as online on Tuesdays at noon. Speakers and links to the meetings are posted online at: www. castrovalleyrotary.org under Upcoming Events.

Could Rank-Choice Voting be The County’s Future Method?

By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Is it time to rethink how we vote for offcials using a method called rank-choice voting?

A community forum held at the San Leandro Main Library this past Saturday, March 4, drew many detractors and a few defenders.

“You’ve got a great idea, it looks good on paper, but it’s not working,” said audience member John Guerrero, who

called for the voting system in Alameda County to be fxed. He likened it to Silicon Valley venture capital decisions, where ten startup companies might get funding, but only one ends up being successful.

Other speakers called the system unduly complicated and confusing, with some claiming seniors found it hard to navigate it.

Historically, a candidate receiving the most votes is elected to offce. Ranked-

choice voting allows voters to choose several candidates in order of preference. If no single candidate receives a majority of the votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and the second choice votes are added to the remaining candidates’ totals. This process continues until a single candidate receives a majority of the votes.

The process has been used in San Leandro and Oakland see VOTING on page 10

Front row (left to right): Misti Short (membership co-chair), Tina Sachs, Cindy Cerrudo, Dan Jacowitz, Dwight Speir. Back row (left to right): Dan Willits, Cliff Sherwood (CV Rotary past president), Chris Carr, Jim Negri.

PHOTO CREDIT: GARY BOSLEY

Celebrating Past and Present Of Women’s History Month

By Hailey Young SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Since 1987, March has been designated as Women’s History Month to acknowledge women’s contributions to American history and to honor the women who laid the framework for us to succeed in the future.

The road to Women’s History Month started with President Jimmy Carter, who declared the week of March 2-8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress took it a step further and designated the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

Diane Curry, the Executive Director and Curator for the Hayward Area Historical Society, is very passionate about helping others remember these contributions from local women in the form of stories. She works to uncover and reinterpret stories of women who may not have gotten the recognition and attention they deserved. She states that stories of the “frsts” aren’t the main focus but rather the stories of “average” women.

“I think people want to hear about the widow who took over the family’s salt production business, the woman who ran her own successful poultry farm, or the local women who started a landscaping school,” Curry said. “These stories are just as important to understanding and learning from the past.”

Sheriff’s Reports

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Intoxicated with Meth Pipe

Sunday, March 5: at 2:57 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 35-year-old woman with no permanent residence on suspicion of public intoxication and possessing illegal drug paraphernalia. The woman was hanging outside a gas station on Grove Way near Center Street when deputies approached her and smelled alcohol. The woman failed her feld sobriety test and was taken into custody.

Attempted Shoplifter

Throws Food at Deputies

Saturday, March 4: at 12:54 p.m., a 29-year-old woman with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, resisting arrest, and destroying private property. Deputies responded to a report of a shoplifter threatening employees with scissors at the Ross department store in Castro Village. The suspect was later spotted entering the

Neighbors around the Malabar Avenue and Brickell Way area called to report that the man was attempting to steal packages delivered on porches. Deputies stopped the man for questioning before taking him into custody.

Nighttime Bicyclist

Caught with Drugs

Wednesday, March 1: at 11:00 p.m., a 23-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of possessing an illegal narcotic and related drug paraphernalia. Deputies report stopping the man for questioning as he was on a bicycle at night without the proper lighting outside a fast food restaurant on Village Drive

near Redwood Road. The man was found with the drugs in his pocket and was taken into custody.

Warrant Served on Wanted Car Thief

Wednesday, March 1: at 8:29 p.m., deputies arrested a 53-year-old man from Castro Valley as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man had been previously convicted of auto theft. Deputies served the warrant in the front yard of a home on Emerald Court near Gem Street. The man was also found to possess stolen property, illegal narcotics, and related drug paraphernalia. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail pending $100,000 in bail.

Site: CVSan Demolishes

Buildings for its New HQ

Stories of past local women, including Kimiko “Kimi” Fujii Kitayama, Rachel Hayward, and Ruth Rodgers are shared on the Society’s webpage.

Fujii Kitayama was one of six children from Hayward’s

famous Fuji Nursery. Her family was sent to internment camps during WWII. She used her passion for the community see WOMEN on page 4

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Kimiko “Kimi” Fujii Kitayama

Rachel Hayward Ruth Rodgers

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAYWARD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

FREE SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAM: Instrumental musicians currently in the 8th grade or higher are welcomed to join the String Orchestra or Symphonic Band; students currently in 7th grade and up may register for the Choir.

Jenny Lin Foundation Ofers Free Summer Music Program

Castro Valley-based Jenny Lin Foundation is again offering a summer music program free of charge to young people in the Bay Area. Instrumental musicians currently in 8th grade or higher are welcomed to join the String Orchestra or Symphonic Band; students currently in 7th grade and up may register for the Choir. Participants meet Mondays, Wednesdays and some Thursdays (6:45 to 9 p.m.) for fve weeks starting June 12. Rehearsals take place at

Women: Past and Present

continued from page 3 by becoming a leader in the state’s Democratic Committee. She was the frst woman and frst Japanese-American to serve on the Alameda-Contra Costa District Transit Board and was later elected president for two terms.

Hayward was the wife of city founder William Hayward. She oversaw the major renovations and expansions and cultivated a welcoming atmosphere. She is lovingly considered the “Mother of Hayward.”

Rogers was the frst woman to serve on the Hayward City Council in 1922. She emphasized improving public health issues and was reelected in 1926.

Creekside Middle School, Castro Valley, and culminate with a large-scale community concert on Saturday, July 15, at Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward.

Jenny Lin Foundation is a non-proft organization established in 1994 after the brutal murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin. It operates through volunteers and donations dedicated to promote child safety and youth music education. For the many music and safety events that the Foundation has sponsored over decades,

HOROSCOPE by Salomé © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Stop being the wool-gathering Lamb, and start turning that dream project into reality. You have the ideas, the drive and the charisma to persuade others to follow your lead. So do it.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You’ve scored some big successes. But remember that all hard-working Ferdinands and Ferdinandas need some time to restore their energies and refresh their spirits.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You’re gaining a stronger mental image of what you’re trying to achieve. Now, look for the facts that will help get this to develop from a concept into a solid proposal.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Some of you eager-to-please Moon Children might want to delay some decisions until midweek, when you can again think more with your head than your heart.

LEO (July 23 - August 22): A new business venture seems to offer everything you’ve been looking for. But be careful that this rosy picture doesn’t betray traces of red ink under the surface.

VIRGO (August 23 - Sept. 22): A volatile situation needs the kind of thoughtful and considerate care you can provide right now. There’ll be plenty of time later to analyze what might have gone wrong.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - October 22): Your loyalty to a friend in a tough situation earns you respect from people you care about. Those who criticize you don’t understand what friendship is all about.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your strong work ethic is rewarded with the kind of challenging opportunity you love to tackle. Now, go ahead and celebrate with family and/or close friends.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): A legal matter you thought had been fnally resolved could require a second look. But don’t make any moves without consulting your lawyer.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): Taking charge is what you like to do, and since you do it so well, expect to be asked to lead a special group. This could open an exciting new vista for you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): An important matter might wind up being entrusted to you for handling. The responsibility is heavy, but you’ll have support from people able and eager to help.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20): A spouse or partner might make an important, even life-changing, suggestion. Consider it carefully. It could hold some of the answers you’ve both been looking for.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, March 9

Navigating the Healthcare Environment

Understanding your rights and learning to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals are essential in advocating for your loved ones and yourself in a complex healthcare system. If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice offers a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Attend the live webinars for a chance to ask questions of the presenters, or watch recorded versions posted to our website a few days after each presentation. Register at: HopeHospice.com/ family or call: 925-829-8770.

Tuesday, March 14

CV Rotary Hosts Student Speech Contest

its founders John & Mei-lian Lin (also Jenny’s parents) were honored last year with the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the most prestigious and longest-standing public service award in the United States.

Through the annual Summer Music Program, Jenny Lin Foundation hopes to carry on Jenny’s passion—music and friendship—and extend her life in a unique fashion. Student-musicians are encouraged to take advantage of this exceptional program to help maintain their skills and to continue performing in a group during the summer. This is also an opportunity for participants to meet and interact with peers from throughout the Bay Area, and hone their leadership skills. Last summer, about 200 young people from 29 schools of 12 cities participated in the program, co-sponsored by Chabot College.

Registration for 2023 is now open. Please visit https://jennylinfoundation.org to fnd out more information.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Curry urges everyone to learn about these women because she doesn’t “feel that women’s history has been taught at all in history classes. That they are side characters but not often if ever, the main focus of a history topic in school.”

A more contemporary example of a woman making a difference in the community is Parvin Ahmadi, the frst female Superintendent of Castro Valley Unifed School District, marking her 34th year in education.

Ahmadi re ects on Women’s History, and the strides women are making today. She says we must acknowledge that they continue to be signifcantly underrepresented in many facets of society, including education. She emphasized that about 75 percent of the nation’s K-12 educators are women, yet when it comes to superintendents, only 24 percent are women.

Overall, Ahmadi emphasizes that “It’s important for me to listen, learn and to lead with others,” and as we celebrate Women’s History, we should all adopt that too.

In acknowledgment of Women’s History Month, the Castro Valley Unifed School District recently adopted a resolution to engage students in the discussions in March and beyond. The Board noted that learning about women’s history is essential to a well-rounded education.

The Hayward Area Historical Society Museum is closed for in-person visits now, but you can fnd out more about the women who shaped the East Bay at their website: haywardareahistory.org

Students from Castro Valley high schools will compete in the CV Rotary’s Annual Student Speech Contest. A buffet lunch and the program take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) at 12 noon to 1:30 pm. The cost of lunch is $20 and reservations must be made by 9 pm on Sunday, March 12, by contacting Rotary at cvrotary@iCloud.com or 510-402-5123. More information is available at castrovalleyrotary.org.

Thursday, March 16

LWV “Meet Your Electeds” In-Person Event

The League of Women Voters of the Eden Area (LWVEA) invites you to a free event called “Meet Your Electeds,” to be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30pm. This event will be held at the Council Chambers of Hayward City Hall, 777 B St., Hayward. The League has invited elected offcials from Hayward, San Leandro, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo to the event. Anyone is welcome at the event, but registration is requested and space is limited. Please register using this link: https://bit. ly/LWVEA-Meet-The-Elected-Mar16. Light refreshments will be served. We will hear from some of the newly elected offcials. The League will also be celebrating International Women’s Day at the event.

Saturday, March 18

Stanford Blood Center Blood Mobile

Stanford Blood Center Blood Mobile will be holding a blood drive on Saturday, March 18, from 10 am to 3 pm at Stanford Medicine Partners Castro Valley, located at 20642 John Drive, Castro Valley. For more information or to book a time, please visit: https://sbcdonor.org/donor/schedules/ drive_schedule/12218 or call: 888-723-7831.

Saturday, March 18

Spring Fiesta at Eden United Church

Eden’s Stewardship Committee, Compañeras Ministry leaders, and Estudio Biblico participants are co-sponsoring a Spring Fiesta on Saturday, March 18, 11 am to 5 pm at Eden United Church (21455 Birch Street, Hayward) to help raise funds for our new sanctuary windows. The Spring Fiesta will feature entertainment, community information, COVID-19 vaccines, food, door prizes, and carnival games. This is a community wide event that is free and open to the public though some carnival games and activities will require tickets to be purchased in order to participate.

Sunday, March 19

Civil Disobedience and Litigation Presentation

David Y. Lei, a former social worker for at-risk youth and a business entrepreneur, will give a presentation on the courageous efforts of Chinese Americans to secure civil rights for all of us. This educational program is designed for teens and adults. Please register at www.aclibrary.org.

McGraw is a male bunny who is independent and an easy keeper. He enjoys snacking on fresh salad and napping in his bunny castle. Right now all rabbit adoptions are free to ualifed homes, sponsored by Al Hops. To adopt call Hayward Animal Shelter 510 293- 200.

Megamind is a 3 year old male pit bull mix who is friendly and independent. He enjoys playing with people and would like a home with older children and potentially other dogs. To adopt call Hayward Animal Shelter 510 293- 200.

How to Deal with Any Fitness Setbacks

By Mitch Rothbardt SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

There’s a lot of ftness information out there. Some good. Some not so much.

The common thread is that they’re all about how to do ftness-y things when everything’s going well. When you’re feeling good and have time. When your world isn’t crashing down on you for any one of a hundred reasons. But what do you do when things aren’t great? It’s not an easy topic, but it’s important because we will all have setbacks. You’ll get sick. Your kid will get sick. Work gets nuts. You’ll get hurt. What do you do then?

1. Be kind to yourself. If you’ve had a setback, one of

the most important things you can do is give yourself a break. Things happen that are out of our control sometimes. Maybe we just made a mistake. That’s O . I know that little voice inside your head may have a different idea about things, but that little voice can be a real jerk sometimes If something is going on, give yourself a break, deal with it, get back to your life as uickly as possible, and don’t look back. As usual, Shakespeare said it best, “Things without all remedy should be without regard: what’s done is done.” I hope your setback wasn’t killing the king of Scotland.

2. DON’T PANIC Injuries are a common setback oftentimes, the reaction to one is more damaging than the injury itself. I’ve seen people fear reinjury to such an extent that they neglect the exact work that’ll help prevent one. Approach injuries with curiosity and let discomfort and pain be your guide. If something hurts, don’t do it, but try to fgure out why it hurts. You may be surprised how often the answer is a correctable movement pattern, not an actual injury.

3. Develop a routine. If you remember only one thing about this article, remember this: Habits win. The best way to overcome a setback is to start BEFORE they even happen. Develop a routine and stick to it and you may not even realize there’s even been one.

4. Talk to someone. Sometimes we just don’t know how to deal with a particular setback, and that’s O . We can’t know everything. Talk to someone who can help, whether it’s a therapist, trainer, doctor, physical therapist, or your Aunt Minnie. Aunt Minnie will tell it like it is, so be careful

I know this is a very diffcult topic to address. Setbacks come in all shapes and sizes, from very serious to mildly inconvenient and it’s impossible to put all that in one basket. Just know that you’ve suffered setbacks before and gotten through them. You can do it again.

Mitch Rothbardt is the owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness. Email him at: Mitch@castrovalleyftness.com

Science of Understanding Our Behaviors

By Jagmeet Kaur Sangha SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Imagine being able to understand why humans do what they do. What would you do with that knowledge?

• Find more harmony in relationships?

More HARD News

Healthy Equity Initiative And

The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District H.A.R.D. invites the community to visit Sulphur Creek Nature Center on Tuesdays through Fridays, from noon to 4 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center will open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm beginning on March 18.

On weekdays, community members can explore Sulphur Creek Nature Center and take a self-guided virtual tour of the park or trails. Visitors can scan the R codes on their smart phone to access fascinating animal facts and additional information on the resident animals. On Saturdays, drop in to join naturalists for free touch table programs.

Sulphur Creek’s enclosures may look a bit different because staff has updated safety precautions due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian In uenza or HPAI. HPAI was frst reported in Alameda County in September of 2022 this virus has led to the deaths

of more than 58 million birds this past year. To keep our resident animals safe during the presence of HPAI, intake of sick or injured wildlife at the Sulphur Creek animal clinic is temporarily closed. School visits and registered programs continue at both sites multiple days per week and birthday parties abound.

H.A.R.D. introduced its Healthy E uity Initiative this past year. New to the nature unit are outreach programs for people of all-abilities at Sorensdale Community Center and an engaging monthly series for seniors at the Hayward Area Senior Center is in development. Additionally, one day per week has been dedicated to free school feld trips for underserved schools in the H.A.R.D. service area. For those schools who are unable to organize transportation, staff will bring nature to the classroom with the mobile Learning Lab program.

For more information, visit www.HaywardRec.org, email info@haywardrec.org, or call (510) 881-6700.

• Become successful in achieving goals?

• Build effective systems of communication?

• Accelerate learning and mitigate challenging behaviors?

There is a science behind this, called Applied Behavior Analysis ABA . It is the science of understanding human behavior and can be applied to non-humans too . It shows us how the environment dictates our actions and how to change or shape our behaviors by observing and measuring our responses, all through positive reinforcement.

Behavior science uses a systematic approach to increase socially signifcant behaviors, meaning that it is used to target behaviors that are meaningful

and important. That can include examples such as increasing communication for children with limited verbal language or maintaining skills such as safety protocols within a workplace.

The feld of ABA dates back to the original scientists who founded these principles, as early as 1913. More work and research began during the 1940s and 1950s with better understanding of how to apply the science to propel the general wellness of society.

In recent times, ABA has been very closely associated with treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD . That is because during the 2000s, insurance mandates across the nation began passing bills that allowed autistic children to receive insurance-funded ABA services.

Professionals who practice the science of ABA are called Board Certifed Behavior

Analysts BCBAs . They hold Master’s-level degrees in associated felds of psychology or behavior analysis, complete infeld supervision work and pass the Behavior Analyst Certifcation Board exam. Although the typical BCBA works with children in schools or home settings, ABA is not limited to one diagnosis or population.

The science of ABA has the capacity to make signifcant contributions to social change across industries. Its applications are used to promote health and ftness goals, treat mental health conditions, train animals, maintain environ-

mental sustainability and much more. Organizations rely on ABA principles to effectively meet business goals and increase occupational safety. The devoted ABA science for this setting is called Organizational Behavior Management OBM .

As a growing and ourishing feld, the demand for BCBAs has increased by 5,852 over the past 12 years, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS , job growth in this feld is expected to increase by more than 20 in the next seven years.

see BEHAVIOR on back page

ESTATE

REAL ESTATE REALITY

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Times

Increasing US Household Numbers Pressuring the Market

With real estate markets

uctuating as they have been the past 10 months, prognosticating has increased as pundits have been weighing in with their projections. Some are forecasting doom and gloom while others are putting a more positive spin on things. Most focus on data that includes interest rates, current inventory and pricing. One source I follow, however, adds another level to the discussion: Household formation data. A recent article from the Pew Research Center authored by Richard Fry, Jeffrey S. Passel and D’Vera Cohn stated that “growth in the number of U.S. households during the 2010s, according to newly released 2020 census data, slowed to its lowest pace in history.” They continue by stating, “From 2010 to 2020, the number of households increased by 10.1 million – fewer than in any decade from 1950 to 2010. For example, in the 1970s, when the adult population was much smaller, the U.S. added 16.9 million households.”

Even as the population had grown, the numbers of those branching out on their own was decreasing. Some of the

Correction:

factors included an increase in multi-generational households, surges in the cost of living (including higher home prices) and, at the latter part of the decade, the pandemic which induced a homeward migration for many who had been living on their own.

Had the trend continued, it would have meant a decrease in the number of homes needed in the years ahead. Interestingly, however, the trend is now reversing as data from the US Census Bureau indicates that household formation is back on the rise. Ycharts.com, in tracking census data, states, “US Household Formation is at a current level of 2.063M, up from 1.984M last month and up from 1.636M one year ago. This is a change of 3.98% from last month and 26.10% from one year ago.”

Simply put, increasing numbers are leaving the comfort of the nest and striking out on their own. Whether forming a household by themselves or with a spouse, partner or roommate(s), this trend signifes a greater need for housing going forward than initially projected. It also means that as long as inventory remains

e March 1, issue of the Castro Valley Forum erroneously printed an ad with the wrong photo of e Leslie Peterson Team, Evolve Real Estate.

e Forum regrets the error.

low, we will continue to see upward pressure on pricing from homebuyers who not only are striking out on their own, they are actively seeking to capture the benefts of home ownership.

Interestingly, this signifes there is more happening within the real estate market than most realize.

Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association.

Coming Soon • 844 Collier Dr, San Leandro

Welcome to the Charming Tree-Lined Streets of Estudillo Estates! Delightful Single Level home with tasteful updates. 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms. Walk in & enjoy the living room w/brick replace and window to front yard. Head down the hall to your newly updated kitchen w/ beautiful quartz counter-tops, new SS cooktop & dishwasher, can lights, modern hardware, sink and faucet. Enjoy your co ee at the breakfast bar and dine or lounge In the attached living space with slider to backyard. Step outside onto a 2-tier deck patio, perfect for entertaining w/ low maintenance landscape! 3 bedrooms with brand new neutral carpet. Primary bedroom suite faces the backyard. Updated Hall Bathroom and mudroom with garage access. Additional Perks: 2 car attached garage, new light xtures and new paint throughout. Close to parks, hiking trails and public transportation. What more could you want?

PRICE UPON REQUEST or Contact Agent for Price

Cathy Brent Team

510-381-1065

Cathy@CathyBrent.com

DRE #01088138 www.cathybrent.com

Kathi Townsend: 510-333-9404 / kathi.townsend@BHHSDrysdale.com

Wayne Licsak: 510-303-7765 / wayne.licsak@BHHSDrysdale.com

/ DRE #01409032

/ DRE #01850870

Linda Neff: 510-557-9185 / linda@lindaneff.com / DRE #01495978

Kelly McCoy: 925-786-2681 / DRE #02095209

Cucumber Bitter Taste Solved

QLast year, I planted cucumbers and was disappointed. They had a bitter and odd taste to them. A neighbor suggested that they were being pollinated by the squash plants growing nearby. Will moving the squash to a different location solve this problem?

By Buzz Bertolero

THE DIRT GARDENER

AGrapes are pruned

The problem will not be fxed by relocating the squash plants. Squash and cucumbers can’t cross-pollinate as the genetic structure of the two plants is very different. Only members of the same species can interbreed. Squash will cross-pollinate with other squashes, melons, and pumpkins. This brings us to

BUZZ BERTOLERO

the next fallacy of this old-wives tale. If the two plants could crossbreed, would it affect the current year’s fruits? The answer is that this is also no. When two plants cross-pollinate, the results are unknown until you grow the saved seed the following year. This is a moot point if you plant new plants each year. Thus, cucumbers, squashes, melons, and pumpkins can grow side by side without problems. The bitterness in cucumbers is due to a naturally occurring compound called cucurbitin. All cucumber plants contain varying amounts of this compound triggered by environmental stress. Environmental stress comes from high temperatures, heavy soil that is too wet, dry, and drains poorly, low fertility, insects, and foliage diseases. Frequently,

it is a combination of many of these factors. However, I believe uneven or irregular watering contributes to the problem in the Bay Area. This is mainly a problem when the growing season has below-normal temperatures in the spring coupled with rapid changes in temperatures from mild to hot during the summer months. Bay Area gardeners tend to water with the same frequency regardless of the temperature. Yes, we water more when it’s hot, but never the less when the temperatures go below normal. The other factor is soil preparation. Overall, it’s pretty minimal for our adobe, clay soil. Soil amendments must be added yearly in the spring to replenish what was lost last year. So be generous with the commercial or homemade compost. In addition, mulching is encouraged in a vegetable garden to even out the moisture and insulate the surface

roots from the sun. Adjust your watering pattern based on the weather forecast on your phone and make adjustment weekly. Also, overly mature or improperly stored cucumbers may also develop a mild bitterness; however, it’s often not severe.

Note: The cucurbitin is often concentrated at the stem end of the vegetable and in the light green layer under the skin of the cucumber. You can limit the bitterness by peeling cucumbers from the blossom end toward the stem end and cutting off the last inch. Ripping your peeling knife after each slice is best to avoid spreading the bitter taste.

Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certifed Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www. dirtgardener.com and questions can be sent by email to buzz@ dirtgardener.com.foliage.

RECENT HOME SALES

WEEKEND GARDENER

March Jobs

Arbor Day is celebrated in California in March, so make a plan—and pick a spot—to plant a tree.

Strawberries

If the weather is nice this weekend, get out and do some serious work. Finish pruning roses, grapes and deciduous fruit and nut trees. (If you want more grape vines, stick a few of the pruned cuttings into the ground—they root easily.) Put any bulbs that haven’t been planted into the ground right away. Pull weeds while the ground is still very moist and before they take over everything.

Roses

If your cymbidium orchids are bulging out of their containers, repot them from now until the end of June. Remove the old bark, discard dead roots and rotted bulbs, and transfer the entire plant into a larger container flled with cymbidium mix or bark. You can also split up the plant into groups of three to fve bulbs with leaves and repot each division individually

Wild owers

Wild owers still can be sown and are excellent for erosion control on hillsides in the East Bay.

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EMPLOYMENT WANTED

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You can run a classified ad for a little as $35 a week. Your ad runs in both of our newspapers, the Castro Valley Forum on Wednesday and the San Leandro Times on Thursday. You can also save by placing your ad on our website at castrovalleyforum.com or sanleandrotimes.com. We’ll call you for your credit or debit card info for payment.

To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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CastroValleyForum.com SanLeandroTimes.com

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– Avacancy day is money lost forever –

Wegreatly appreciate our many advertisers who make it possible for us to publish these newspapers.

To place an ad call 510-614-1558

Advertise your Home for rent in the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum

DON’T LET ANOTHER WEEK SLIPBY!

You may rent your property with a sign in the window or with an ad on the internet… But why not also advertise your rental in both the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum for as little as $25, and reach over 60,000 readers!

TO PLACE AN AD, CALL 614-1558

You may rent your property with a sign in the window or with an ad on the internet… But why not also advertise your rental in both the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum for as little as $25, and reach over 60,000 readers! TO PLACE AN AD, CALL 614-1558

You may rent your property with a sign in the window or with an ad on the internet… But why not also advertise your rental in both the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum for as little as $25, and reach over 60,000 readers! TO PLACE AN AD, CALL 614-1558

– Avacancy day is money lost forever –

To place an ad call 510-614-1558

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Directory

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TOTAL CIRCULATION

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All real estate advertised in the CASTRO VALLEY FORUM and SAN LEANDRO TIMES is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes itillegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

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EASTBAY PUBLISHING, INC. will not knowingly accept any advertisements for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

BUY, SELL & SAVE HERE IN YOUR LOCAL MARKETPLACE

BUY, SELL & SAVE HERE IN YOUR LOCAL MARKETPLACE

EASTBAY PUBLISHING, INC. will not knowingly accept any advertisements for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

10 word maximum ($1.00 for

You may rent your property with a sign in the window or with an ad on the internet… But why not also advertise your rental in both the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum for as little as $25, and reach over 60,000 readers! TO PLACE AN AD, CALL 614-1558

All real estate advertised in the CASTRO VALLEY FORUM and SAN LEANDRO TIMES is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes itillegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

EASTBAY PUBLISHING, INC. will not knowingly accept any advertisements for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Place your Automobile or Truck 10-word ad online at sanleandrotimes.com or castrovalleyforum.com and your ad runs…

ONLY 10-WORD AUTOMOBILE OR TRUCK ADS PLACED ONLINE ARE FREE.

in the San Leandro Times and Castro Valley Forum, as well as online on our website, for 12 weeks. Private party ads only (no dealers). Some restrictions may apply. For more information, call Patrick at 614-1558.

All real estate advertised in the CASTRO VALLEY FORUM and SAN LEANDRO TIMES is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes itillegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

EASTBAY PUBLISHING, INC. will not knowingly accept any advertisements for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Voting: Rank-Choice Method Draws Controversy Are EBMUD Salary Increases ea y Justi ed

continued from page 2 for over a decade and in San Francisco since 2004, according to panel member Chris Jerdonek. Alameda County does not use it in county elections, however.

Rank-choice voting drew controversy in the November 2022 election when the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, Tim Dupuis, announced that rank-choice results were wrong in several races and named a winner in an Oakland school board election who had actually lost.

About a hundred people attended the event organized by longtime Democratic Party and community activist Helena Straughter and sponsored by county Supervisor Nate Miley, other elected offcials, and several groups and individuals. The moderator was Saleem Gilmore, executive director of Vote Oakland.

Supervisor Miley, attending remotely, started the meeting by expressing his doubts about ranked-choice voting. He noted that the Board of Supervisors is awaiting legal advice from county counsel before asking for a recount in Oakland and San Leandro. He added his concerns that ranked-choice may disenfranchise minority voters. Pressed by an audience member, he said he didn’t have frm data on this but would welcome an analysis by the Registrar of Voters offce.

Panelist and former local League of Women Voters president Helen Hutchison said that the results from ranked-choice better re ect views across the community and saves some money compared to the old primary system followed by a general election.

Straughter said seniors have complained to her that they have given up voting because ranked-choice is too complicated. She suggested replacing Registrar of Voters Dupuis.

“If we’re really saving

money from ranked choice, someone please show me the budget,” she said.

Former San Leandro City Councilmember Benny Lee, said that ranked-choice in Alameda County is too

secretive and too complicated. He works as a data analyst and has been trying unsuccessfully for months to get information on actual votes cast from the county.

“Do we really want an election system most voters don’t understand?” Lee asked.

The mathematical algorithm used to calculate election results came under particular fre from several audience members. That algorithm is the private property of a corporation, Dominion Voting Systems, that the county hired to tabulate voting results.

“We cannot have a private vendor in charge of our elections,” said audience member Alison Hayden. “We caught this one mistake they made, but do we really know it was the only mistake they made?’

“Our votes are not being counted. They are being calculated,” she said.

On January 24th, just before the EBMUD Board kicked off EBMUD’s 100-year celebration, fve members of the seven-member Board voted to increase the Board’s salary by 11.9%. Director Katz made the motion; seconded by Director Patterson; with Directors McIntosh, Linney and Young joining in approval. Directors Coleman and Chan did not vote to support the 11.9 increase.

The majority justifcation: Because in 2021 the workers got a 3% increase and the Board took none (by unanimous consensus) and 2022 the workers got a 4% increase while the Board didn’t address an increase their salary, the Board majority could now reach back to those years through a retroactive calculation applied prospectively through “cumulative addition” and add those numbers to a 4.5 increase to their 2023 salary on February 1st which has resulted in a 11.9% compounding effect.

Now, State law through the Municipal Utilities MUD Act provides that Directors may increase their salaries “ by not more than 5 for each calendar year following the operative date of the last adjustment ” What Directors Katz, Patterson, McIntosh, Linney and Young use in that law for justifcation is that by taking no action in 2021 and 2022 is that there was no “operative” action thereby permitting them to add 3 4 4.5 with compounding to achieve an 11.9 salary increase effective the 1st of February. This totally ignores that “no action” is an action. And further, the last two years of Frank Mellon’s term are completely passed over and he gets no retroactive pay.

So, as EBMUD pushes out 100 years of existence, the Board majority of Katz, Patterson, Linney, McIntosh and Young rewards themselves with the 11.9 salary increase on the 1st of February. Board members Coleman and Chan are to be recognized for not going along with this blatant playing fast and loose with the intent of the MUD Act.

– Frank Mellon, Castro Valley

Supervisor Nate Miley spoke remotely and answered questions from audience at forum on ranked-choice voting held Saturday at the San Leandro Main Library.

Panelists (from left): former San Leandro council member Benny Lee, former League of Women Voters chapter president Helen Hutchison and San Francisco Elections Commission member Chris Jerdonek.

PHOTOS BY MIKE MCGUIRE

Meandering Around Castro Valley Creek

By Thomas Lorentzen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

As someone said, the ‘’letters to editor’’ page is a place for opinions. Yes, it is. But whatever our opinion is, here’s one fact. We live in the United States of America. A free country that millions of brave men and brave women have fought for and defended so that ALL OF US can be free. Some people, in their passionate opinions, tend to argue that some of us should not be free. This is wrong. It’s not an opinion, it’s a fact.

A

s we all know, this winter has been one of discontent. Chronic rainfall has placed limitations upon our daily activities. Yet, we are pleased that the rain has helped mitigate the severity of the drought conditions of the last several years. Early this morning a powerful deluge of rain ensconced our town. It terrifed my neighbor’s cat, who resides in my backyard. When it fnally stopped, the sun winked at us between the clouds. It was preparing to make an appearance. Given that hope, it was time to take a walk along the boulevard to get some exercise. It was also an opportunity to see and hear what was happening. As ever, I meandered. A set course is no fun. It started with walking in and around the CV Marketplace. The Marketplace, like the town, was preparing for the day to come. People were working and awakening.

As I crossed Redwood Road and headed toward Forest Avenue something caught my attention. It was the water fowing in Castro Valley Creek. It was plentiful. I decided to follow it through the back of the CVS Drugstore and into the parking lot of the library. I stopped to look at the changing scenes. Informational signs were read about the history of the creek and the watershed into which it fows. It was educational as well as entertaining. A shrub was standing tall and with the strength of purpose for the spring to come. It was practicing an early display of its fowers. They were purple. I don’t know what type of shrub it is, so I called it “Purple Purpose.”

As I departed the creek area and walked across the library parking lot, a sound caught my attention. It was music. I wondered where it was coming from. It was Sunday morning. Was it something I was imagining? Then, I saw what was happening. A middle-aged couple was playing music from a sound box and were dancing in the parking lot. I stopped to observe from a distance. It sounded like music from Mexico. They held white handkerchiefs in their hands. They skillfully waved them as they danced. It was like a ballet. The scene had a bit of West Side Story in its demeanor. I also wondered, is this an apparition? Am I watching something from long ago when our town was a ranchero under the domain of Mexico? Unknown to them, they had an audience of one watching them. As they paused, I thought about applauding. Instead, I quietly disappeared onto the street to let them enjoy their own merriment.

As I continued my morning meandering, I walked up Forest Avenue and stopped on Berdina Road. I looked down upon the creek running underneath. It fowed freely forward to future destinations. Memories returned about doing this same type of activity decades ago in the same spot. The creek continues to fow. People continue to dance. I continue to meander in the morning to look and listen. Then, I return home to have coffee, read, and write. Although it is 2023 in Castro Valley, it is also 1923 in some ways. We are also moving forward to 2123. The past, present, and future do integrate with one another. There is much bad and tragedy in life. Yet, as I return to the creek, I get a better feel for the ground upon which we stand. If my meanderings mean anything, it is to understand what is bad, yet fnd the good. It is the art of life. The creek is a great resource for flling that prescription. The couple dancing in the parking lot gave spirit to the day. The purple shrub fowered it with beauty. It was a good morning to meander with meaning in Castro Valley.

At the meeting on February 22, of the Housing and Community Development Agency three items were discussed. They are considering making landlords register their rental properties and include information on where they are located, how many rooms etc. and on top of that, pay a yearly fee! All properties are already listed at the city hall. This is delving into personal lives and giving the county more money while doing it. They are also considering landlords, by law, not being permitted to do background checks on future tenets. Background checks are a safety for the landlord and tenants living there and potential tenets. California right now has the strictest rental laws in the nation.

To add insult to injury, they are trying to use up every available space to build affordable housing. More houses will mean traffc congestion, crowded schools, pollution and more need for water-just but a few problems we will encounter. There are other affordable places to live. Not everyone can live where they want to live. I’d like to live in San Diego but I can’t afford it. One “brilliant” idea proposed was to use Bart parking lot as a place to build housing since there are “open spaces”. Covid stopped many from using Bart. However, as was told by a Bart spokesman last week, people are coming back. And more population means more uses of our facilities. Where are they going to park if there is no parking defeating getting cars off the streets?

Our roads are a disgrace! Pot holes everywhere, many streets in the unincorporated areas have no sidewalks! Board, do the right thing, please take care of your current residents frst!

–Lydia Anderson, Castro Valley

Mr. Bradford is correct in pointing out it is blatant discrimination for a baker (or anyone else in business) to deny service to a gay person or a gay couple. Businesses are here to serve the PUBLIC. Any public. In the Old South, businesses denied services to Black people. This was wrong and eventually was struck down. Denying service to gay people is the same sort of segregation. If you can’t serve the public, than don’t go into business. I used to have a typing service and a fea market business when I was young and lived back in Missouri. I never turned any one away for any reason. This is how a business should be operated. I was active in Republican politics at the time but never turned away Democrats (for the record, I became a Democrat and now I am Independent).

This also applies to transgender people. It is no one’s business how an individual chooses to identify, regardless of what gender they were assigned at birth. And once again, people who identify as trans male or trans female should not be discriminated against.

In both cases, some of this stems from ignorance and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. I will use an analogy here involving another marginalised group--the immigrants. A lot of people hate the immigrants just like they hate gay and trans folks. The reason: they never knew one personally. I have read heartwarming stories about people like this who had an immigrant work with them or live by them and got to know them. Once real acquaintance was made, the hatred faded. In any case, whether you like or hate anyone, it’s the law that we are a free nation and it’s also the Golden Rule we are taught about in school and in houses of worship. Let’s let everyone be free to live their life in peace and harmony because after all, we are the Land of the Free. (for everyone, not just people whose likeness and opinions and backgrounds mirror our own).

–Angela Shipp, Castro Valley

I read Robert S Thomas’ letter to the editor, and I defnitely agree that the sign, “Biden S**ks”,” in front of someone’s home is extremely tacky and embarrassing. Let’s discuss... One does not have to watch Fox news to see that Biden is awful. You mentioned that “He has championed the working and middle class,” but he obviously hates poor and middle class folks. The signs are everywhere! He (any politician) is a warmonger who are frmly in the grips of the military industrial complex. War directly impacts the poor and middle class, and I am confused as to why you are cheering while the Biden administration thinks it is a great idea to spend billions and billions to Ukraine. Our government is robbing us to fund (please note that the government doesn’t pay for anything. They don’t have money, they either tax us or print it and infate the currency) a war that could lead to global confict that would kill millions and you’re happy. One of the most important roles the media play is to keep the people pacifed and believing someone is on their side. It’s a lie. Nobody in major government or media cares about you. As long as us as people are fghting amongst one another about left vs right we’re screwed.

–Tosha Houston, Castro Valley

In a recent letter to the editor, the writer said both the Castro Valley Rite Aid and Trader Joe’s would be replaced by housing. Where did that information come from? I asked at Trader Joe’s today and was told they were defnitely not closing, loved Castro Valley and acutally wanted a larger store, preferably on Castro Valley Blvd. So beathe a sigh of relief. We are not losing our beloved Trader Joe’s!

Yaaaaay!

– Erma Smith, Castro Valley

I can’t help but wonder if Mr. Thomas is wearing blinders. Living in the bay area, its not hard at all to fnd bumper stickers and signs with expletives about former President Trump. As for Biden. The Border, out of control. Infation, out of control. Crime, out of control (especially in democratic run cities and states. Probably just a coincidence.) And, don’t forget, its Biden’s V.P. who promoted “defund the police”. How has that worked out, Mr. Thomas.

Are you aware of the fact that, according to Nielsen Rating Services, more people who identify themselves as democrats watch Fox News than either CNN or MSNBC. I guess we can only come to the conclusion that Fox is doing something right to draw such a large audience from both the left and right.

–Charles

Scott, Castro Valley

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Our Athletes of the Week are the Longhorns, a 5th Grade Flag Football Team that plays in the Castro Valley Next Level Sports Flag Football League. On March 5, the team won the season championship with a win over the Ducks by a score of 2 to 21. With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, and the only tie being with the same team it was an exciting game. The Longhorns were up in the frst half, only to have the Ducks come back in

the second, and ultimately the win went to the Longhorns. Next Level Sports is an independent league that offers students K-8th Grade a chance to learn and play sports like ag football, basketball, and volleyball.

Pictured from left to right: Dhiraj Ponugoti, Steven Salinas, Coah Cam, Ryder Fong, Brady Strange, Nicholas Pacheco, John Henry Edwards IV, Evan Chan, Jacob Bruce, Dean Hsiang, Kado Dorris.

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week The Longhorns

Behavior: Learn About the Science

continued from page 5 For individuals seeking new and meaningful career paths, the ABA feld is abundant and rich with purpose-driven work across many different industries and areas of focus.

Most notably, ABA has the power to help each of us at a personal level to commit to our values and engage in be-

haviors that promote wellness in our personal and professional lives.

Join me in the journey to learn more about the science of behavior analysis and the amazing ways it can be utilized to create communities of connection, commitment and inclusivity.

Jagmeet Kaur Sangha is a

HOME GAMES THIS WEEK

Castro Valley Named Champions In Bay Area Science Competition

Over 100 Castro Valley students took part in the Bay Area Regional Science Olympiad tournament on Saturday, Feb. 25, at CSUEB. They pitted their knowledge and lab skills against over 0 other schools in 23 STEM subjects, including astronomy, anatomy, earth science, forensics, and cryptology. They demonstrated their engineering prowess by building bridges, vehicles, WiFi antennas, catapults, mass detectors, and airplanes.

mont schools, placing Top 8 in every one of the 23 events. Its other 3 teams placed 4th, 13th, and 31st an impressive showing in one of the most competitive regions in the country.

teams garnered 20 medals and 4th and 9th place. More importantly, all 3 Castro Valley schools will be ascending to the NorCal State Science Olympiad Tournament, to be held in Turlock in April.

oar certife ehavior nalyst ho lives in astro alley. Her organization, Behavior ivot ons ltin artners ith or ani ations to c ltivate ne ro incl sive environments that understand brain-based i erences an romote mental ell ein . isit htt s . ehavior ivot.com or more in ormation.

Castro Valley High School became the Bay Area Regional champions, taking frst place and bringing home 40 medals. They beat highly ranked Fre-

Castro Valley is particularly strong in build events, and CVHS’s teams swept gold/silver bronze medals in 3 out of the 4 build events.

In the middle school division, Creekside’s two teams earned 2 medals to take 3rd and th place. Canyon’s two

Castro Valley Science celebrates its 10th year of promoting Science Olympiad and other STEM activities in Castro Valley. Since its inception, it has grown from fostering a single team to 8 teams at the middle and high school level. They will also host an Elementary School Science Olympiad competition this year on May 13th. For more information, please go to: CVscience.us.

MAC: Short List of Sites for Housing

continued from front page very low-income households (less than 50 percent of the area median income , 22 units should be for low-income households (50-80 percent of the area median income , 295 units should be at moderate-income households 80-120 percent of median income), and 81 units should be for above moderate-income households more than 120 percent of area median income).

But where to put nearly 5,000 units of new housing?

The County has a short list of sites. The areas near the Bay Fair and Castro Valley BART stations are likely candidates for high-density apartments.

State law requires that local jurisdictions zone any BARTowned property within half a mile of the station to support transit-oriented development with a minimum residential density of 5 units per acre.

Other sites for development

consideration include the Rite Aid site on Castro Valley Boulevard, the Sheriff’s radio communications station at Foothill Boulevard and 150th Avenue, the First Presbyterian Grove Way site, and a large site to the east of Pleasanton.

The MAC and others have said that while housing is, of course, a necessity, they have concerns. Can local schools support an in ux of new students? Are developers even interested in building such projects?

MAC member en Carbone said he understood that the County must make plans to cooperate with state mandates. However, many of the suggested housing solutions would not beneft Castro Valley or be practically sustainable, and he’d “fght” them if necessary.

“I don’t know how we can increase density and not look at schools, parks, and other basic infrastructure,” said Carbone.

“We can’t keep dumping people on top of people. If it doesn’t make sense, period. Re uired by the state doesn’t mean it’s correct.”

McElligott said she understood the issues, and her team is working to create a successful balance.

“We will defnitely take your comments to heart as we look at the draft elements,” said McElligott. The matter comes back before the MAC next month. You can view updates on the Housing Element at www.acgov.org/cds/planning/ housing-element.

Also, at Monday night’s meeting, the MAC unanimously approved two land-use projects: An application to allow the subdivision of two sites on Page Street at the intersection of Miramar Avenue into 19 single-family residential lots and a separate application to allow a home addition at 5235 Proctor Road.

GOLD ORIENTED: Division Champions, CVHS took the gold medal at the Regional Science Olympiad beating highly ranked Fremont schools.