Editorials

Community is united in traffic frustration

It's hard to understand why the Los Gatos Town Council waited till the 11th hour to join forces with the city of Monte Sereno in applying for a Safe Routes to School grant. The city of Monte Sereno, residents and the Los Gatos Union School District have been pressuring the town since July to get off the dime and submit an application.

At stake is some $280,000 to help in solving the problem of speeding traffic on Winchester Boulevard where youngsters cross the street going to and from Daves Avenue School.

Regardless of the reason for the delay, the town is now on track and has agreed to share any required matching costs with Monte Sereno. Both communities have also agreed to fund the studies and remedies even if they do not receive the grant money.

Not only is the intersection at Winchester Boulevard and Daves Avenue jammed with traffic, the width of Winchester invites speeds much higher than the posted 25 mph.

Certainly, the situation does little to encourage walking to school--something that could help reduce traffic congestion, at least a little. And finding ways to reduce traffic congestion is something on everyone's minds these days.

Citizens throughout Silicon Valley have become unified in this commitment as evidenced by the overwhelming support for Measure A.

There was a time, when a pure transit measure wouldn't have had a ghost of a chance in an area where people were said to "love their cars."

Those wide open roads that once beckoned a more innocent generation on Sunday drives have become a congested mess--a place most of us would just as soon avoid.

If Los Gatos and Monte Sereno can find a way to slow traffic and make the spot safe for children to walk, more power to them.

New Blood

Congratulations to Sandy Decker and Steve Glickman on their election to the Los Gatos Town Council. Each brings strengths to the job--Decker from her years on the planning commission and Glickman from his experience as a member of the Los Gatos Union School district board.

Decker is an idealist who is known to fight hard for what she believes; Glickman calls himself a pragmatist; he also has a reputation as someone who doesn't give up easily. They will bring a healthy mix to the council.

Congratulations are also in order for Erin Garner and David Baxter who won seats on the Monte Sereno City Council.

The community responded positively to Garner's offbeat campaign that featured a Monte Sereno newsletter in which he proposed more community spirit through such events as a barbecue.

Former Councilman Joel Gambord may have been out of sight in this campaign, but he did endorse the two winners. One can only assume the city may be in for interesting times.

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Editorials: Community is united in traffic frustration

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