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Editorial
Some changes are better left on the drawing board
While recently pondering the town's alcoholic beverage policy, Los Gatos council members segued into discussion relating to entertainment--or the lack thereof--in the town, especially in areas outside of downtown.
Councilmen Steve Glickman and Randy Attaway mentioned the possibility of the town doing more to jazz up some of its more socially moribund parts. For example, Attaway singled out Los Gatos Boulevard as being overlooked in relation to the downtown area.
Historically, it seems, Los Gatos Boulevard has always been treated as downtown's ugly sister, the one that rarely gets serious consideration come Friday night, when everyone's dressed to the nines and has a little change jingling in their pockets. Who wants to hang out in a strip mall along a busy street when you can sashay down quaint Santa Cruz Avenue?
Attaway recommended that the town do more to lure businesses to its commercial areas beside downtown, possibly offering incentives to achieve this end. Mayor Joe Pirzynski suggested creating more restaurants and retail outlets rather than business offices. Councilwoman Sandy Decker talked about designating regions of the town limited to businesses that feature "high quality dining with entertainment."
But when civic planning mixes with the subject of alcohol consumption, the political terrain tends to get rocky.
Any enhancements should not adversely impact residents, Pirzynski added. Glickman voiced a preference for establishments that serve beer and wine rather than the hard stuff. When Police Chief Larry Todd disputed the notion of a kinder, gentler buzz--beer apparently has the same amount of alcohol as a mixed drink--Attaway countered that the drinking environment is shaped by what kind of alcohol is served and in what manner it is served.
Glickman made a pitch for "low-key club venues," citing Saratoga's Blue Rock Shoot as an example. But he was quick to draw the line between "clubs" and "stand-alone bars."
It's debatable whether the town can--or should--transform a section such as Los Gatos Boulevard into a destination for people seeking a good time. The businesses that inhabit this part of town serve a necessary purpose, offering a variety of shops and services. Add to this the subjective--and potentially elitist--nature of deciding what constitutes "high-quality" entertainment, and the task becomes even more daunting.
The subject of entertainment was broached during a study session, meaning that the council members were merely brainstorming ideas.
The council should not be faulted for considering creative approaches. But all parts of town can't be all things to all people. Sometimes bland is good, especially when you live right next to it on a Saturday night.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
