Castro Valley Advisory Council Urges County Supervisors To Rethink Chamber Contract

Two of Castro Valley's most prominent bodies are having a public spat.

The Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) speaks on behalf of unincorporated Castro Valley in advising Supervisor Nate Miley.

The Eden Area Chamber of Commerce represents businesses in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland and Cherryland, and is another voice on behalf of the local community.

Monday night the MAC threatened the Chamber's budget.

Specifically, the MAC advised the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to think twice before it approves a contract that was worth about $55,000 last year to support the Chamber in staging events to promote local businesses.

"In order to do its due diligence in protecting the interests of its taxpayers, the County should delay the renewal of the Chamber contract for one month," MAC member Cheryl Miraglia told Patch.

Miraglia thinks the Chamber has not done what it had promised in return for past county support.

"It would be fiscally irresponsible to throw good money after bad; there needs to be accountability," she said.

Chamber President Dave Wilhite said his group had done all that was required of it and more. He looked forward to renewal of the Chamber's contract with the county.

"We have a 75 year history of service to this community," Wilhite said.

The $55,000 that the contract was worth last year accounted for about 30 percent of the Chamber's $185,000 budget, he said.

Before the MAC made its negative recommendation the Supervisors were scheduled to take up the contract renewal at their February 26 meeting.

Whether the Board renews the contract on that schedule or delays the process remains to be seen.

"MAC is not the ultimate decision maker here," Wilhite said.