8-PAGE PULLOUT GUIDE AT CENTER OF TODAY’S ISSUE
ANNUAL
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
YEAR 36
NO. 33
INSIDE YOUR
ELECTION PREVIEW
FORUM
CVUSD Board of Trustees
The Apology Free screening of ‘The Apology’ September 17 at Center for the Arts
By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
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PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHY BRESLOW/ CATHY BRESLOW IMAGING
Artists’ Reception Jenn Leighton Parker and Stephen Bourque art reception Saturday
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Senior Q&A Why are Powers of Attorney such important legal documents?
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INDEX Classified Ads ........ 8 Crosswords ............ 9 Homes ..................... 5 Obituaries ............. 11 Opinions ............... 11 Our Town ................. 3 Seniors ................. 10 Sheriff’s Report ...... 3 Sports .................. 12 Weather ................ 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
Fall Festival This Weekend By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Castro Valley’s Fall Festival is taking over downtown this Saturday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 8, from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the event, and the group expects a big turnout for the Festival’s 52nd year. “We in the Chamber are really looking forward to this weekend,” said Chamber CEO Gary Slate. “But we could not do this by ourselves. We want to thank all of the many people who will make it a huge success. This includes all the vendors, performers, sponsors, and guests. Let’s have a great time!” The Boulevard will be closed to cars between San-
ta Maria Avenue and Redwood Road, from Friday night at 9:00 p.m. to just before midnight on Sunday, to allow for event set up and dismantling. One can detour using Jamison Way, just to the north. An event this size requires more than 200 volunteers with the setup, two days of operations, and breakdown. Volunteers made up of members of the Chamber will partner with Castro Valley Unified School and many other local groups to make the Fall Festival a success. Local Entertainment As in years past, entertainment will be on two stages: the Redwood Bandstand Stage (closest to Redwood Road) and the Bedford Stage (closest to Santa Maria Avenue), named after Castro Valley native Jim “Bedford” of Bedford Studios. see FESTIVAL on page 4
Where you live in Castro Valley will impact whether you will vote for the Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Board of Trustees on November 5. While three of the seats are up for re-election, only Trustee Area 5 incumbent and Board President Michael Kusiak faces a challenger in John Chung. Incumbents Dolly Adams (Area 1) and Lavender Lee Whitaker (Area 2) are running unopposed. Because they have no challengers, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters will not include Adams or Lee Whitaker on the ballot this fall. This is the first year only a fraction of voters in Castro Valley will get to vote for a school board candidate. Previously, all Castro Valley voters were able to vote for any candidate. But last summer, the Alameda County Committee on School District Organization approved a resolution that separates Castro Valley into five districts where each Trustee will reside and seek the votes of their neighbors. Incumbents Gary Howard and Sara Raymond, who were both elected at-large before the district switched to elections by area, will face re-election in 2026 rather than this year. Kusiak, first elected in 2020, has children attending Castro Valley schools and, beyond see CVUSD on page 11
County Receives Boost to Assist Homeless By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
County health officials are touting an infusion of $14 million from the State of California to address the needs of the homeless population with complex psychological and behavioral health issues. Alameda County Health (AC Health) said last week
the money comes from the • Strengthening Homeless- our Homeless Prevention California Department of ness Prevention: Supporting Framework and create a more Health Care Services’ Bridge unstably housed individuals by robust support system,” said Housing and Behavioral Health reinforcing family and natural AC Health director Jonathan (BHBH) Program and is desupport networks. Russell. “By providing these signed for three primary areas: • Supporting Justice System services, we aim to move • Expanding Interim Hous- Exits: Assisting individuals those who are homeless off the ing: Increasing the capacity for transitioning from the criminal street and into safe, dignified temporary housing with inten- justice system to prevent home- housing, promote quick access sive on-site services tailored to lessness. to housing during critical individuals with high mental “This additional fundtransitions, and build capacity health needs. ing allows us to build upon within both formal and infor-
mal support systems.” Unhoused funding for Alameda County now stands at $60.8 million this year, a combination of the new award of $14,040,909 and an earlier allocation of $46,782,359. The county says it will use part of the funding for a state-mandated legal program for the unhoused called see HOMELESS on page 3