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Castro Valley Advisory Council Urges County Supervisors To Rethink Chamber Contract

The Municipal Advisory Council thinks the Eden Area Chamber of Commerce should prove that it has lived up to a prior deal that provided it with $55,000 in county support.

 

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.

 

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
anthony May 24, 2013 at 08:05 am
maybe Bob Swanson (Nate Miley's office)...that guy knows everybody.
Ken Martin May 23, 2013 at 07:46 am
Bocce play starts at 10:00 AM and is usually over by noon. Join us for a fun morning.
Sabrina Schultz May 22, 2013 at 09:03 am
That dog was on Joseph drive on Saturday morning. I was on my way to the airport or I would haveRead More tried to help him! He/she seemed pretty skittish, poor thing.
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She is home safe! Was at clinic for about 24 hours....thanks so much to the Boulevard PetRead More Hospital!! You just may have saved a life..... :0)
MICHELLE CLOWSER May 19, 2013 at 10:56 am
This was very successful. Thank you to the 32 families that participated and to Papa Panchos forRead More their generous donations, even above the percentage they promised. It made for a very busy night.
Teresa Pahler April 26, 2013 at 10:54 am
Do you know if there will be a Memorial Day Ceremony for the Veterans Memorial at the CommunityRead More Center this Year? If so may I have details-date and time. Thanks Terry Pahler tepahler@yahoo.com