Los Gatos, as it did in 2002, features a field of qualified candidates this year. The three council hopefuls each bring special qualities to the race and would each serve the town well.

Now voters will have to select two of the three when they go to the polls on Nov. 2, and the Los Gatos Weekly-Times must select two of the three to endorse.

After watching the three in action in the League of Women Voters forum at Town Hall and in other candidate question and answer sessions, we have elected to recommend incumbent Steve Glickman and former planning commission member Barbara Spector for town council in 2004.

Glickman, the sitting mayor, is running on his record of service to the community that includes 10 years on the school board prior to his more recent four-year stint on the council. The decision to run on his record was a good one for Glickman, given the accomplishments of the town council during his tenure—specifically, maintaining services despite difficult economic times.

Glickman feels that he has been able to reach out to the youth of the community, having served on two sub-committees for the "Alive ... And Loving Life" program and having worked closely with the youth commission. He has also worked hard to champion an effort to bring a skate park to town.

Spector talks about bringing perspective, vision and experience to the town council, and she has the credentials to back up her words. She served on the planning commission from 1980 to 1988 during a time of great change in the town. She worked the held modify the General Plan as the commission developed the first downtown and hillside specific plans.

By protecting the hillsides, the town's rich history and the neighborhoods, Spector showed great vision and she gained the experience necessary to serve the town on the council.

We believe that she would bring a sense of fiscal responsibility to the post in a period of economic turmoil in local government, and we feel that she has a vision for connecting the downtown with the neighborhoods and for partnering with businesses.

Bakken is a very likeable, popular figure in the community, but while his campaign is long on slogans it's short on solutions. His statements lack substance, and while he says he has a vision for the community, he can't seem to communicate what it is.

Bakken says, "I'm from the neighborhoods and for the neighborhoods. I feel like we can do more for the neighborhoods." But he doesn't say what that is.

"I would lead by listening," he says. That's fine, but we need leaders who will lead by leading, and who have a vision, a plan and the experience to lead the town of Los Gatos. We believe that in this election, those candidates are Steve Glickman and Barbara Spector.

Community colleges need help—yes on Measure H

H elp starts with "H," and that's just the message that the West Valley­Mission Community College District hopes to get out to the voters in time for the Nov. 2 election.

The community colleges need help and because of it have placed Measure H on the ballot. The bond measure would provide funds for much-needed repairs and renovations at both schools. We urge a yes vote.

The campuses at West Valley and Mission colleges are generally in disrepair. All it takes is a visit to either facility, and the proof is right there in the open.

Monies raised through the bond would go to upgrade facilities, renovate science and computer labs, replace roofs and upgrade technology. Upgrades in energy, plumbing, heating and ventilation are also planned.

No one questions the need for repairs to the campuses. Even opponents of the bond won't dispute the deteriorating conditions of the two schools. Their concerns are that students come from outside of the district where the tax would be levied, that the bond targets property owners and not all residents, that the community college district should better manage its resources and that the state should come to the aid of the schools.

First, there is no apparent evidence of mismanagement of funds by the college district, and it is inconceivable to think that the state will come to the district's aid any time soon—or ever, for that matter—with money for infrastructure repair.

The open-enrollment policy in community colleges was passed many years ago by the state. Since that time, neighboring districts have passed similar bonds to improve their facilities, no doubt accommodating many students from this district, so Measure H is not unfairly targeting residents here in the method by which it is proposed.

The situation at the colleges is poor, and the atmosphere there is not conducive to learning. "H" is for help, and we urge a yes vote on Measure H so that the community college district will get the help it needs.