Sandy Decker made it official last week—she will not seek re-election to the Los Gatos Town Council in the fall. There will be two council seats open this November—the chair held by Mayor Steve Glickman, who has already indicated his intention to run again, and the chair held by Decker.
Decker's decision not to run opens the door for council hopefuls to step forward and join the race with the filing period coming up July 12 through Aug. 6. And that's exactly what she is hoping will occur.
"I am leaving this position with pride and sorrow," said Decker in a statement to the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. "The last four years could not have been more rewarding."
"I am making this statement to clarify for all that I will not seek re-election in the fall and to encourage anyone who wants to keep the quality and character of Los Gatos to step forward and run for a council office."
Decker has her own ideas about the type of candidate she hopes to see surface this summer—one who shares her passion for the community.
"Let your caring for your community be your guide and always remember you represent the greater good, not your own self interest and opinions—know your constituents," she said to potential candidates in her statement.
We agree. But our concern is that it is only a week before the filing date and very few contenders have indicated an interest in seeking the office.
When community government is operating smoothly and efficiently, as it is in Los Gatos, it's often difficult to find candidates willing to challenge incumbents in a council race. Decker's announcement, though, opens the field.
The names of a few potential candidates have already surfaced, but that information remains rumor until hats officially begin to fly into the ring after July 12.
We hope that those will be the hats of candidates who will indeed be public servants whose interest is public service and not self service; individuals who will work in the present, but will also have a vision for the future while also protecting the past of this unique community.
Someone, that is, like Sandy Decker.
So after 10 years of service to the community—six on the planning commission and four on the council—Decker will step down.
But don'ts expected the energetic former mayor to slow down.
Her love of Los Gatos runs deep, and she will continue her service to the community through her volunteer efforts to preserve the town's past with the Los Gatos Museum Association and to bring culture and the arts to town with the Los Gatos Arts Commission.
Don't worry about Sandy Decker—she'll be fine, and she'll remain as busy as ever. Worry more for the town that will have a difficult time finding a council member as hard-working and caring to fill Sandy Decker's shoes.
