The terms of Councilwoman Sandy Decker and Mayor Steve Glickman will expire Dec. 6. Decker has already said she will not seek reelection, but Glickman has announced publicly that he will.

Both Glickman and Community Services Commissioner Barry Bakken told the Los Gatos Weekly-Times that they planned to file for candidacy on the July 12 opening date.

Glickman was elected to the council in 2000 and was appointed mayor in November 2003. He said he has "immensely" enjoyed his council experience up to the present and will continue his efforts to maintain Los Gatos' current quality of life.

"Everyone I've spoken to has been pleased to live in Los Gatos," he said. "We need to make sure it's going to continue that way."

Bakken unsuccessfully ran for council in 2002. Shortly afterward, he was appointed to the community services commission--a position he sought in order to learn more about town government. He has also served on the town's General Plan committee and various community organizations.

"I think I better understand the task in front of me," Bakken said. "It's a task I feel is worthwhile."

Both candidates said they are particularly interested in youth issues in the town. Glickman said he has had some success with programs in that area.

"The youth commission is in place," he said. "The skate park seems to be moving along."

Glickman said he hopes to see people run for council who have similar qualities to those of his current peers behind the dais.

"People who have the expertise and temperament and enthusiasm, because the job is demanding," he said. "People who are willing to learn the details. And, of course, it does require some base of support. People will ask, 'Do you have some track record? Have you demonstrated these qualities you wish us to consider?' "

Bakken said he learned that lesson the hard way in the 2002 election.

"You've got to be careful that you don't listen to your friends," Bakken jokingly said of his peers' encouragement during his last run.

He said he has now made connections with many more people throughout the town and feels prepared to run a more extensive campaign.

In addition to working for programs that would benefit Los Gatos' youth and senior citizen populations, Bakken mentioned four of his goals: to retain a balanced budget, preserve the small-town character of Los Gatos ("What's going to make it special in 50 years?"), support the business community and foster "excellent" communication.

Glickman mentioned similar goals, which he said are in line with work the council has already done. He said he wants to further develop the newly created youth commission, continue partnering with school districts and focus on "general marketing" of the town.

"There are a number of things that have happened that I'm very pleased with," he said. "I do think that we need to continue to actively encourage people to visit, encourage people to shop and encourage people to come here and live. I think it's to everyone's benefit that we make the advantages of the town known."

Several others were rumored to file for candidacy. Paul Dubois, a former town planning commissioner, said he may consider running again in the future, but will not do so during this election cycle. Dubois ran in 2000 and 2002, but was unsuccessful both times.

"I volunteered twice before and the voters said no," he said. "It makes you really reluctant to do it a third time."

Candidacy filing is open through Aug. 6.