Matt Turner, Open-Space Advocate, Expected to Be Named to CV's MAC

Matt Turner, a longtime advocate of protecting open space, is expected to be named today to Castro Valley’s Municipal Advisory Committee.

He will succeed civil engineer Jeff Moore, who resigned last month to take a position on the West County Board of Zoning Adjustments.

The MAC represents Castro Valley’s interests to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Its votes are advisory rather than binding. The board is expected to appoint Turner during its meeting today.

Turner, 38, was a wilderness emergency medical technician and search-and-rescue instructor before becoming a stay-at-home dad after the birth of his son, now 2.

He grew up as the eldest of five boys on a cattle ranch in Amador County and has lived in Castro Valley with his wife since 1999.  

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 reserve more land for agriculture and open space (Measure D) in 2000, Turner has attended dozens of MAC and other county meetings to offer his 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 a campaign against 17-year incumbent Frank Mellon, also a Castro Valley resident, on the East Bay Municipal Utility District board of directors.