Committee could groom town's future leaders
Like it or not, Los Gatos is in for some changes. A greatly improved local economy, a Silicon Valley hiring boom and subsequent housing shortage are putting new pressures on Los Gatos and other communities to build.
The town also faces pressure from the state to offer more low- and moderate-income housing to meet the housing element of the general plan.
What's more, the town is committed to economic development to bolster its own economic picture.
That's why Mayor Joanne Benjamin's suggestion that it's time to take a look at the town's general plan should be greeted with enthusiasm.
A general plan is a blueprint that guides planning decisions. It's been 12 years since the plan was last revised, and the community needs to evaluate it in light of today's needs and expectations.
It's time to ask whether the vision set forth in the current general plan is still appropriate.
Benjamin is particularly interested in having a committee representing all parts of the community look at locations that are likely targets for in-fill development to evaluate what kind of projects would be suitable.
The timing for the creation of the committee makes sense not just because of the increased pressure to develop, but also because this type of project can help groom a new generation of community leaders.
Many of today's town leaders, including Benjamin herself, learned the ropes working on the committee that brought about the most recent revision of the general plan.
Los Gatos boasts a dependable cadre of residents who participate in public debate, and that's good. But on a number of past issues that were of concern to the entire community, it was hard not to ask: Where are the young people?
Where are the people who moved to Los Gatos because they wanted their children to go to good schools and because they wanted to bring their children up in a community with a small-town atmosphere?
This committee is a perfect opportunity for tomorrow's community leaders to get their feet wet.
Like it or not, changes are in store for Los Gatos.
Fiesta finds home
The Town Council made it official--the popular Fiesta de Artes has a new home. At least it does so long as the sponsoring Kiwanis Club can keep a lid on alcohol consumption.
The club is committed to doing just that.
The Kiwanians have set their sights on attracting top artists, and they plan to promote the fiesta as an event for the whole family.
The town is to be congratulated for agreeing to let its facilities be used.
In the past, the council turned down appeals to use downtown streets for the fiesta.
Now, thanks to the Kiwanis Club and town officials, the fiesta tradition will continue in a location that should cause minimal disruption to downtown merchants.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, February 26, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.