The person who may become the next chair of the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (CVMAC) wrote an editorial last week in opposition to the rainbow flag being flown, alongside the U.S. and California flag, at Castro Valley High School.
“The U.S. flag is to be distinguished, stand alone, not to be encumbered by any special interest. It represents the epitome of inclusion and should fly in prominence on its own,” Ted Riche, vice-chair of the CVMAC, wrote in the Castro Valley Forum.
“That said, a public school pole is not meant to be utilized as an agenda driven format. No other flag is worthy of the honor bestowed upon it to anywhere near our Nation’s sacred symbol of freedom. Nothing needs to dilute its reverence,” he continued.
The Dublin City Council rejected a proposal to fly the flag on May 21. The move sparked a furor and the Dublin City Council reversed its decision on June 4.
Emeryville offered to raise a second flag for Dublin at its own ceremony recognizing LGBT Pride Month. Other cities in Alameda County, which already raise the flag each June, spotlighted their efforts to higher degree than previous years. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors also voted last week to allow the Pride flag to be flown at county buildings.
Riche’s comments mirror those voiced by Dublin residents and some Dublin elected officials on May 21.
Many described the flag pole on public grounds to be “sacred” and argued same-sex issues should be shielded from young people and children, but denied the opinion was rooted in bigotry or exclusion of a certain group.
Riche’s letter to editor comes as the CVMAC is scheduled Monday night to select a new leader, replacing long-time chair Marc Crawford. A new rule instituted by Miley last fall calls for the chairperson’s position to rotate among its seven members.
The CVMAC is the unincorporated area’s de-facto local government. Its members are appointed by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and offered recommendation on policy and local matters.
It’s unclear who might be the next chair, but as vice-chair, Riche is presumably a front runner for the position.
Community members had argued that Crawford, often a lightning rod for controversy for some in Castro Valley, had compiled too much power over the years as chair and often tightly controlled the council’s efforts.
For example, earlier this year, Crawford scheduled a discussion for a CVMAC meeting on a proposal for an affordable housing project in Castro Valley that the applicant had not yet formally offered to the county to consideration. The move was seen as a way for Crawford, who has ties to the California Apartment Association, to undermine the project while in its infancy.
Yonaton, Well done! If you can please send a note to the Castro Valley MAC and ask them to demand that Ted Riche retract his letter of support for not flying the Rainbow Flag. Do consider sending a note to Nate Miley and ask him to do the same or to remove Ted from the Castro Valley MAC. There is no room in Castro Valley or anywhere else for officials to act in this manner. It is time as you said so eloquently for a celebration of Freedom, Inclusion and Love amongst all our neighbors. The time of Division, Hate, and Prejudice is over!
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I am glad the flag was flown and proud that the community got to celebrate freedom, inclusion and love for all our neighbors in the process. The days of the “good ol’ boys” are done. Division, hate and historical biases are welcome to exit stage left. The future is now.
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Anonymous, you and Mrs Sparkman live in Castro Valley and Dublin? Ted needs to go as a representative of Nate Miley and the people of Castro Valley.
No one voted for Ted, he was appointed. Nate needs to replace Ted.
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Ted Riche should be accountable for his actions. In no way does he represent the majority of citizens in Castro Valley. Nate Miley needs to be told that Ted either should apologize for his actions or be replaced. There is no place in Castro Valley for Hate.
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Mrs. Sparkman and I believe Ted will do a fine job. He’s a good ol’ boy who gets it.
Please, anyone residing in Ashland, no comment necessary. This doesn’t concern you and your opinion is less than worthless. You know exactly who you are, mothra. Castro Valley residents’ opinions are the only ones that matter.
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