CASTRO VALLEY NEWS YEAR 1, NUMBER 6
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Castro Valley has grappled with the is-
sue of incorporation a number of instances over the years that have been surrounded by controversy resulting in failure. Our timeline begins in the 1950’s—where according to a local historian—a push for incorporation was marred by adultery accusations involving local officials. This period of cityhood discussion also stirred up a whirlwind of interest from the City of Hayward to annex all or portions of the valley. In the late 1970’s, cityhood hopes cityhood hopes were dashed in part Join an online due to an error by Alameda County, who discussion about sent 14,000 Castro Valley incorporation CV Cityhood at the questionnaires to neighborhoods in the CVN Facebook area of San Lorenzo. page by scanning this QR code with When finally delivered across town 1,800 your smart phone: responses indicated 53.7% of residents felt stongly that Alameda County gave Castro Valley adequate governmental support. A push for Castro Valley cityhood was
APRIL 2014
sullied in 1985 when County Administrators overlooked a $10 million estimate for fire services in a financial survey. By 2002, Castro Valley incorporation was pummeled at the ballot box, losing by 72% against cityhood to a meager 23% approval vote. A decade ago the argument against cityhood was concern for higher taxes and cuts in services, while proponents advocated for local control over what happens in Castro Valley. Castro Valley continues to grow and struggle to retain its endearing small town character and charm. Will Castro Valley cityhood go before voters again? That’s a question the residents of our unincorporated area to decide upon. Above: Vintage flyers from the 70’s and 50’s, the map at left was part of another incorporation pitch. The title is from a newspaper article on CV cityhood.