Editorial

Council's best excuse won't hold water soon

Whenever the subject of televising Town Council and Planning Commission meetings comes up, someone on the Town Council inevitably says the one thing that no one can argue with--we can't afford it.

Happily, that argument won't hold water soon.

As a result of the lawsuit filed by the town against AT&T on behalf of KCAT, the local public-access station, the town is about to come into $95,000 earmarked specifically for telecommunications services.

We can't think of a better use for those funds than equipping KCAT to provide live coverage of council and Planning Commission meetings.

Giving the OK for live broadcasts won't cost a thing. But that approval could prove to be the real stumbling block. Recently, town manager David Knapp proposed in his strategic plan that the town gear up for live TV coverage of meetings by 2001-2002.

Council members were cool to the idea.

While opposition was not unanimous, enough council members balked that what resulted was an agreement that they might be amendable to taping meetings and making tapes available for residents to pick up later. But no live broadcast.

In an era of instant communications--in what is being called the communications era--it is amazing that those in decision-making positions wouldn't jump at the opportunity to be more open and accessible to constituents.

Attendance at public meetings is commendable; participation in the public process should always be encouraged. But in these harried times, particularly in the workaholic Silicon Valley environment, restricting interested residents from watching public proceedings invites criticism that the town discourages openness.

To look at just one topic that would benefit by televised council and Planning Commission meetings--consider the emotional issue of land use and the proper role of government to impose restrictions on private property.

This is an issue that has become incredibly volatile in recent weeks. And the battle over community preservation and private property rights isn't going to cool down any time soon.

In the midst of the battle, charges have been made about what is said at meetings; voices are raised; fingers are pointed.

Some are highly critical of the planning process, and some claim that planning commissioners conduct themselves badly at meetings. Wouldn't it be a healthy thing if Los Gatans could simply turn on their TVs and watch the Planning Commission in action?

Wouldn't it be a healthy thing if residents could actually listen to the discussion and learn what the "findings" are that brought the Planning Commission to a decision?

The day the "we can't afford it" excuse evaporates, there will be no legitimate reason to oppose live TV coverage. And that day is coming.

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DeCinzo: Digital Los Gatos

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