Although I support any effort by the mayor or the members of the town council to improve the relationship between the town government and the citizens of Los Gatos, I am concerned about the trend we have seen in the last couple years. It seems that when a newly elected mayor takes office he/she announces a new program to be implemented while in office. As we know, the term of office is just one year.

From past experience, we have seen how difficult it is to see proposed programs carried to a successful conclusion before a new mayor takes office. A prime example was the promise made by Steve Glickman when he became mayor.

His announced project was a skateboard park in Los Gatos. Several public hearings were held, and the town council allocated $125,000 to hire a consultant and architects and to conduct a study. I believe when staff time and other expenses are added to this failed venture, it cost the taxpayers of Los Gatos close to $200,000.

What is left from this promise are a number of disillusioned young people who may have lost faith in their government.

I would like to take this opportunity to suggest the following: Rather than have the newly seated mayor publicly promote a program, the mayor and council should jointly develop a strategic plan to improve the relationship between the town government and the citizens of Los Gatos. This will establish continuity without any time constraint to develop and introduce new programs to the community.

Egon Jensen

Los Gatos

Town should hold
an election before
changing position

When we hear the term "arrogant bureaucrat," we may think of Washington, D.C., or Sacramento, but surely not Los Gatos! Nevertheless, arrogance reigns among some members of the town council of Los Gatos.

It is unbelievable that former mayor Steve Glickman and the council would try to eliminate an elected position in the town without a vote of the people. However, this is the case with the elected town clerk position.

In order to get control of this position, Glickman and the town council created an appointed position that replaces the elected one, and an elected one (since they could not legally eliminate it) that is just a figurehead. The elected position is paid only $150 a month instead of the salary formerly paid.

The appropriate way to make a change is to refer it to the vote of the people. Why isn't [the council] doing this?

June Fromm

Monte Sereno

'No bikes?' The
motorists should
obey speed laws

In reference to the editorial "No bikes, please" (April 13): Simply put, the speed limit signs are not decorations. They are to be complied with, and no exceptions, especially on shoulder-less roads and where multiple lanes reduce to single lanes while approaching a relatively more congested area. Problem areas should be patrolled. With these recipes being followed, there should be no problem with bike safety on these roads.

As far as Highway 9 and Blossom Hill Road are concerned, if a motorist is in a hurry, the capability is there to use the freeways nearby.

John D. Carpenter

Mountain View

Motorists, cyclists should share the road

As a motorist and a cyclist who has pedaled hundreds of miles on Bay Area roads this spring, let me promote an alternative to the position you advocated in your recent editorial ("No bikes, please," April 13).

Rather than banning bicycles from narrow roadways, let's improve the conditions on our roads to make them safer for everyone in our community--pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Let's encourage motorists and cyclists to ride safely and responsibly at all times. In tight spots, let's follow the lead of other bicycle-friendly communities in our area by adding signs to remind everyone that bicycles share the road with cars.

Your editorial also reminded me of the debt I owe to those advocates who work on behalf of all Bay Area cyclists to make our roads safer and accessible. Today I am sending my contribution to join the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, and I urge my fellow cyclists to do the same.

Pat Parseghian

Los Gatos

Fix the road;
don't call for
ban on cyclists

Why does your newspaper advocate breaking California state law instead of getting problems fixed ("No bikes, please," April 13)? With the exception of toll bridges and some freeway sections, bicycles are allowed on all public California streets and roads. Furthermore, California law calls for designs of roads to accommodate bicycles. Get the road fixed if your newspaper considers it unsafe.

Furthermore, the comment about gliding over the safe line shows that your editorial writer did not check out the California Vehicle Code to understand the difference between shoulders and bike lanes.

Bob Eltgroth

San Jose

Cyclist resents call for bicycle ban on road

As a person who recently used Blossom Hill Road to return home, I resent your editorial "No bikes, please" (April 13). This road is a public right-of-way, and I had as much right to be there on a bicycle as in a car. Will you next be suggesting that older people keep off the sidewalk because they are walking too slowly?

The California Basic Speed Law states: "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on and the surface and width of the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

An editorial reminding motorists of their responsibilities to other users of the road would be most welcome.

Paul Goldstein

Palo Alto

Gambord's letter
didn't tell the
whole story

Joel Gambord in his opinion in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times ("Pardon me, Mr. Mayor..." April 6) omits most of the history of the Monte Sereno Historic Ordinance. He does not mention that originally he was very anxious to have his home, the Steinbeck House, placed on the national and the local historic preservation registers.

He did not protest when the Monte Sereno City Council passed a strong historical ordinance with a 5-0 vote that included Suzanne Jackson, Jack Lucas and me.

Later Joel wanted to enlarge the Steinbeck house significantly. The ordinance, the city council and staff were in his way. So he ran for the council with his sidekick, Gordon Knight. Joel organized a committee of discontents and others and spent $7,000 of his own money.

That was the first year for yard signs. The most I spent on my four city council campaigns was $30 for Xeroxing my half-page flyers. I walked. Joel walked, too, and convinced people that the city was unresponsive to its citizens.

The first item of business after Joel and Gordon were elected, was to throw out the historic ordinance. So why did Suzanne Jackson and Jack Lucas support them, having been part of the 5-0 vote to adopt the ordinance?

Suzanne was a buddy of Joel's. Jack Lucas goes with the wind and must have decided that the wind was going Joel's way.

There were more 4-1 votes. But then cracks appeared. Joel was verbally abusive of our city manager. For example, he scolded her at an open city council meeting because the little antenna on the city hall garage roof was not entirely straight.

Then I went on vacation, glad to leave all that behind. When I returned, I was part of the majority on the council! Gambord had tried to take over the city manager's role in negotiations for city contracts. His demands were tough on the staff, and his behavior was embarrassing for the city council. When a 3-2 vote kept him from being mayor, he realized his glory days were over. He resigned and moved to Carmel. The Steinbeck House, though much changed, is still on the register.

Now the Monte Sereno Historic Ordinance is back on the table. At some point, the historic committee made a list of 100 older houses to study. Unwisely, all those homeowners were notified of the proposal to tighten the ordinance. Several angry people showed up at the city council meeting. They need not have been so concerned.

There are only a few old houses in Monte Sereno that are of historic or architectural interest. The city council bent over backwards to accommodate people with historic houses, as they should have. A town that values its history is a town with high land values. Los Gatos is a good example.

Dorothea F. Bamford

Monte Sereno