Editorial

Hats filling town council ring, and it's only April

It's only April, but the fall election season is already under way. Three seats will be up for grabs on the Los Gatos Town Council come November, and there have already been three hats pitched into the ring in anticipation of the upcoming race.

With interest high already, that ring could get mighty crowded by the time the August filing deadline rolls around.

The term is up this year for incumbent Joe Pirzynski, and the former mayor has already indicated his intention to run for reelection.

Terms will also expire for Mayor Randy Attaway and Councilman Steve Blanton, but neither has yet decided if he will join the race in the fall. Each of the two council members is completing his third term in office this year.

Chamber of Commerce board member Diane McNutt and Los Gatos Planning Commissioner Paul Dubois have announced plans to get into the council race, and John Housley indicates that he'll make a run if either Attaway or Blanton decides not to.

Another possible name on the November ballot is that of Barry Bakken, a local businessman who is said to be considering a fall run.

So seven months before the election and four months before the filing deadline, the ring is already scattered with hats, and other candidates stand hat in hand on the edge of that political circle. But it's still early, and there's still plenty of room for more.

The more candidates who join the race, the more interesting the election will be. The more names on the ballot, the more choices available for voters. And the more individuals who choose to run, the more voices will be represented.

This is the perfect opportunity for individuals to get involved in town government and to become a member of the board that sets policy for the town.

There are those who are critical of the job council members are doing, and they make their views very public every other Monday in the town council chambers when the board meets. It's easy to be critical and spout wisdom from the podium during the public comment period at a council meeting. It's much more difficult to put name and reputation on the line through a tough campaign, make the commitment to sit on that council and then make the tough calls in the best interest of the majority of the residents.

But here's the opportunity. Those who believe that they could do a better job should jump at the chance to get into the race and become part of the process.

When the political waters run smooth, voters tend to support incumbents. When the water gets rough, voters tend to toss officials overboard. Right now, the waters look pretty calm in the sea of Los Gatos politics. The town is doing well and looking good, and there seems to be general good feeling in the air. It would appear to be a good year to be an incumbent.

Still critics complain about the renovation of Town Plaza Park, they fuss about parking downtown and they gripe about traffic troubles.

For them, the answer is simple--make a run for one of the three town seats in November. There's plenty of room left in the ring for a few more hats.

Photo: Farmers Market moves to Civic Center

Mark Mayfield: Cell Phones

CASA chooses winning posters

Local Home Sales Listings

Obituaries

Los Gatos SafeRide offers personalized chauffeur services

Picture From the Past

Sports Briefs

LG baseball team wins two

Los Gatos Rowing Club wins at San Diego Crew Classic

Los Gatos to host back-to-back volleyball tournaments

Desmond English finishes first in 25th annual Great Race