"Being the mayor of Los Gatos was a privilege. I felt so honored. It was something I looked forward to every day," said the 62-year-old Decker.

"The mayor's role is totally different from any other that I've experienced. It's a role where you've been entrusted by people who have confidence in you to carry a message about a place that they consider their home and want shared with dignity," said Decker, who feels her job is to let other cities know what makes Los Gatos unique.

With another year left on the council, Decker has made it clear she has no intention of running for a second term.

"I am a real believer in representative government. In a community of 30,000 people, there are many voices that need the opportunity to come forward," she said.

Prior to being elected to the town council, Decker sat on the planning commission for six years and twice served as its chair. She was unanimously elected by her fellow council members to become mayor after serving as vice mayor.

"During my last year, Sandy was extremely helpful in helping me through the year," said Randy Attaway, who preceded Decker as mayor. "It was clear that she was making every effort to prepare herself for [mayor]."

And in the weeks ahead, Decker will prepare to leave behind her title as acting mayor.

"She'll miss the higher level of involvement," Attaway said. "All former mayors miss the extra responsibility of being mayor, but they're also relieved from the pressure."

Like Attaway, Councilman Joe Pirzynski knows what it's like to step back from the role of mayor. Pirzynski was mayor prior to Attaway's reign.

"Whenever you have a very enjoyable and energetic experience as mayor, it's hard to give that up. But there's a natural closure and an opportunity to step back and feel accomplished. Because of that, it's not bittersweet by any means," Pirzynski said.

"Sandy should feel very successful for her year as mayor. She's brought enthusiasm and never-ending energy to be cheerleader for this community," Pirzynski said.

Perhaps it won't be immediately known what sort of mayor Decker will be remembered as, but the longtime Los Gatos resident said she hopes people will see her as someone who stressed community pride and who loved the town.

This year, the town of Los Gatos instituted new programs to reach out to the community, such as holding two neighborhood meetings, entering into new partnerships with the Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce to better serve the business community and working out a deal with KCAT to broadcast council meetings.

Town Manager Debra Figone, who has worked closely with Decker, describes the outgoing mayor as a leader with a real "can do" attitude.

"She's a lot of fun. She's creative and classy, resourceful and very, very supportive and respectful of the role of the town manager and town staff," Figone said.

Asked what advice Attaway gave her when she assumed the role of mayor, Decker said her predecessor told her, "Whatever you do, enjoy the experience."

"It's a kaleidoscope of experiences," Decker said in retrospect. "You can't sum it up because there isn't any way to categorize the emotions you feel about it.

"It was amazing, absolutely amazing. It's been a great ride."

The Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce invites the public to a reception honoring the new mayor and vice mayor, following a shortened council meeting Nov. 17. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the council chambers, 110 E. Main St.