Councilwoman Sandy Decker says she ran for only one term in 2000 and will not be on the November ballot.

"A government based on representation only works if many voices are heard," she says in a June 29 letter to the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. "I feel in a community of 30,000 that [multiple] terms are not necessary to be an effective leader."

Decker later said she originally sought the council seat to work for hillside protection. She said recent updates to the town's hillside development standards fulfilled that goal.

The former planning commissioner said she now urges other community members to work for issues they are concerned about.

"I am not running, and I am encouraging someone who has passion ... to come forward and lend their energy to support and protect this town," she said.

Decker said that passion could be about anything—hillsides, traffic, police service, schools—but that it must be related to residents' concerns rather than their own interests.

"It's got to be a bigger picture than that," she said. "Whatever they do is for the betterment of the community."

In her letter, Decker also says anyone running for office must be familiar with the town's General Plan and "regard it as the constitution." She says the plan was written by citizens to ensure that the small-town characteristics of Los Gatos are not eclipsed by overdevelopment.

The councilwoman also said people who may think town government is not within their reach could potentially serve the town well through serving on the council.

"There's this whole idea of being disenchanted with politics," she said. "This is an opportunity to change that opinion."

Decker said she has plans for when she is no longer a council member, chief of which is to "simply enjoy Los Gatos from an observer's position."

Applications for candidacy will be accepted from July 12 until Aug. 6. The closing date will be extended to Aug. 11 if no incumbents file, but Mayor Steve Glickman said at a June 7 council meeting that he will run for re-election.

For information about running for office, contact the Los Gatos town clerk's office at 408.354.6834 or visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website at www.sccvote.org.