Walking precincts puts all the issues into focus
By Steve Glickman
The best part of campaigning for local office is precinct walking. Every evening and weekend, as I go door to door with my voter lists and handouts, I meet old folks and young, newcomers and longtime residents. I visit palatial homes and humble homes, condominiums and apartments. After I introduce myself, I always ask, "What do you think about the town? What are your concerns? What are your wishes?" It's not just fun to do this, it's important for an elected representative to not just talk to the same small group of friends.
I hear good and gratifying things, and I hear things that are troubling. I hear that our schools have a good reputation. The overwhelmingly most frequent reason new young residents tell me they chose to live here, even though it costs more, is because of our schools. Having worked to preserve that tradition of excellence as a member of the elementary school board for the past 10 years, and a volunteer teacher at Fisher Middle School for the past eight years, that is gratifying to hear. As a town council member, I will promote cooperation between the town and its schools.
I hear that people like the town. New residents discover how nice it is, and longtime residents have always appreciated it. There is a real strong desire to preserve its special character. My primary goal on the town council will be to preserve and enhance our town's great reputation. We all benefit from it, in both spiritual and practical ways. That good reputation attracts the kind of people who contribute to our town, and who send highly motivated kids to our schools. We must make sure that rules such as permit requirements, are fair, clear and consistent.
But I also hear too many longtime residents say they don't go downtown much anymore. They tell me it's become too much of a hassle; too hard to find parking.
I hear that there is not enough for kids, especially older kids, to do. And I know that many people who work here, teachers and public safety workers, would like to live here but can't afford it.
It's no secret that parking downtown is a problem, and that it's getting worse. One suggested solution is to build a new parking structure. That's a straightforward, but expensive solution. Estimates range from $10 million to $12 million. I can think of other worthwhile things for which we could allocate those funds. In neighboring towns, I have seen many successful programs that would benefit our community, such as lighted fields for organized sports, public pools, skateparks and a full-service community center for dances, classes, meetings, clubs and other activities.
Before we spend it on a new parking structure, I'd like to try satellite parking with shuttle and/or valet service designed to attract downtown workers who need all-day parking. And perhaps during off-peak hours those shuttles could provide in-town transportation for our older residents, young school children with dangerous streets to cross, and ease the drop-off traffic at our schools.
Our vibrant downtown, the envy of other neighboring communities, should not just be for visitors, although they are welcome. It should, first and foremost, benefit residents. But I've learned as an elected official to be pragmatic. If the alternatives don't work, I'll support building additional parking facilities.
When I hear that there is not enough for kids to do, I think about the effort I've made over the past year to get a skatepark built in Los Gatos. I am very pleased that the town council appropriated funds to hire a professional designer, and is prepared to invest in a facility similar to those in neighboring communities. But a lot of time was spent trying to agree on an appropriate location. Since Vasona Park is county property and unavailable, my choice was and is Oak Meadow Park. Some disagree, feeling that this park, the crown jewel of our town parks, should not change, and that the kids who skate would not mix with younger and older park visitors. Having taught these kids every day for the past eight years, I know that the perception some people have of them is wrong. The public parks where I grew up were places to bring, and keep, generations and families together.
Our Redevelopment Agency has over $20 million of our tax money, of which 20 percent must, by law, be dedicated to affordable housing. We must do more to meet our responsibilities in this area.
Preserving a safe, people-friendly small town, nestled in beautiful unspoiled hills, should be the primary goal of the town council. If you choose me to serve, it will be my goal.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
