Politics & Government

Matt Turner Appointed to MAC

Turner, an open space advocate, will replace Jeff Moore, who resigned to accept a position with the West County Board of Zoning Adjustments.

Matt Turner, an advocate of protecting open space, was named today to Castro Valley’s Municipal Advisory Committee, over the .

The Alameda County board of supervisors on Tuesday listened to a second round of objections by Mellon, who beat Turner in . Mellon, a 17-year incumbent on the EBMUD board of directors, said that during last year's campaign .

The East Bay Municipal Utility District provides water and wastewater services to 1.4 million people in the East Bay.

Find out what's happening in Castro Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Turner's appointment was approved unanimously by the four supervisors in attendance. Nate Miley, president of the county board of supervisors, said:

"On this particular item, let me just say, I continued it from a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve done some review around this matter. Mr. Mellon’s made some allegations and Mr. Turner’s refuted them... At the end of the day, I spoke with those cabinet members that live in Castro Valley and advise me, and they’ve advised that we go ahead with the appointment. I’ve done my homework and I’m prepared to stand by my appointment of Mr. Turner to the Castro Valley MAC." 

Find out what's happening in Castro Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Turner will succeed civil engineer Jeff Moore, who resigned last month to take a position on the

The represents Castro Valley’s interests to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Its votes are advisory rather than binding.

Turner, 38, a stay-at-home dad, was the eldest of five brothers raised on a cattle ranch in Amador County. He has lived in Castro Valley with his wife and now 2-year-old son since 1999.  He pursued his education in an eclectic manner, choosing courses that interested him without getting a specific degree.

His coursework and past jobs—before 2003—have been consistent with his interest in preserving open space, including coursework and jobs as an emergency medical technician specializing in wilderness scenarios.

Alameda County Board of Supervisors President Nate Miley’s office, which represents Castro Valley, asked Turner in January if he’d be interested in the position, Turner said.

Since becoming involved in a successful campaign to preserve more land for agriculture and open space (Measure D) in 2000, Turner has attended MAC and other government meetings to offer advice and opinions, particularly on agriculture and open spaces issues.

Measure D, which passed with 56.6 percent of the vote, requires new housing to be located primarily within incorporated areas of the county, leaving more agriculture and open space in Castro Valley.

Last year, in his first and only bid for public office, Turner won 34 percent of the vote in his campaign against Mellon, also a Castro Valley resident.


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