Poizner poured millions into his failed bid for the state Assembly. And while his effort to buy a state office was unsuccessful, it does emphasize the importance of much-needed spending limits for office-seekers all the way from local councils to the highest office in the land.

The figures are still being tabulated, but the numbers show that as of Oct. 26 Andrew Barnes spent at least $24,000 in his attempt to become a member of the Saratoga City Council, and Steve Glickman spent nearly $19,000 in his bid to retain his Los Gatos Town Council seat—numbers that could still go up. In 2002, Barnes spent more than $30,000 in his council bid.

The figures—even Poizner's gaudy $5.95 million expenditure—pale in comparison with politicians seeking national office. President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry waged the most expensive race in history for the U.S. presidency, spending $600 million on radio and television advertising alone—three times as much as was spent just four years ago. It's that kind of careless spending, especially in these troubled economic times, that sends the wrong message to candidates running for state and local office.

We need leaders, not spenders. We need candidates who represent the everyman, not just the wealthy. We need campaign spending limits for all levels of elected office—from the council to the presidency—to even the playing field for anyone wishing to seek public service.

We don't need a candidate spending $6 million to buy a seat in the state house, or even a candidate spending more than $30,000 to win a seat on a city council. Enough is enough!

Valet parking a win-win

The town of Los Gatos isn't just paying lip service to consumers when it says it welcomes shoppers to the downtown during the holiday season—the town's putting its money and its parking spots where its mouth is.

For the fifth straight year, the town is partnering with the Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce to provide free valet parking.

The town has committed up to $25,000 to fund the program, and the benefit promises to be twofold. Shoppers will gain easier access to local stores without worrying about searching for that elusive parking space, and merchants will benefit with customers being able to park worry free and, in turn, concentrate their efforts on their shopping.

The free valet parking program is the town's holiday gift to area business owners—a gift that keeps on giving with the return of important sales tax revenue to the town in the period following the holiday season. Seems like that makes it a win-win-win for all concerned.