Three hats fly into the ring for November council race
Incumbent, two challengers announce their intentions
Attaway, Blanton undecided
By Gloria I. Wang
The 2002 Los Gatos Town Council election won't take place for another seven months, but a handful of Los Gatans have already made the decision to vie for the three available seats.
Incumbent Joe Pirzynski, Los Gatos Planning Commissioner Paul Dubois and Chamber of Commerce board member Diane McNutt plan to be on the November ballot.
Pirzynski's four-year term, as well as those of Mayor Randy Attaway and Councilman Steve Blanton, will expire this year. Vice Mayor Sandy Decker and Councilman Steve Glickman were elected in 2000 and will keep their seats for another two years.
Attaway remains undecided about his intentions. "I'd like to run and I'm leaning toward running," Attaway said.
Attaway recently started a new business that installs heating and air conditioning systems, which takes a significant amount of his time. Attaway says he needs to evaluate his commitment to the company and other activities, which will determine if he runs for a fourth term. The mayor adds that his business does not take jobs in Los Gatos, and never will.
Blanton, in his third term on the town council, also says he is undecided.
Pirzynski, a high-school teacher and a marriage and family counselor, was mayor of Los Gatos in 2001. "You can't have this much fun and not continue it," Pirzynski said of his decision to run.
McNutt, a public relations executive who is involved with several community organizations and events, said running for town council "is actually something that people have been talking to me about since last fall." She is currently putting together a campaign strategy and wants to focus on creating a townwide sense of community through increasing communication on all different levels.
"As much as I'm enjoying the planning commission," Dubois said, "I want to help formulate policy," which is the charge of councilmembers. Dubois had an unsuccessful bid for the council in 2000, but has already filed the papers with the California Political Fair Practices Commission that will allow him to open a bank account for campaign funds.
A fourth possible candidate is consultant John Housley, who has worked with various local and regional groups, including the Van Meter Home and School Club. Housley, a self-proclaimed "moderate-conservative," says he will most likely run if either Attaway or Blanton opt not to go for another term. If both Attaway or Blanton run, however, Housley will definitely not try for their seats.
Local businessman Barry Bakken, who is a member of the Los Gatos High School New Millennium Foundation, says he is also mulling over a stab at the council. Bakken has done some research and talked to some people, but he will not make a decision until all of the incumbents have announced their plans.
The deadline to file for candidacy is in August.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
