Editorials

Neighborhood Alliance provides missing link

If the Neighborhood Alliance continues to be a network of individuals rather than a political group that takes positions, it will fill a valuable need in the community. Too often the only people who show up at Planning Commission and Town Council meetings are the usual suspects--gadflies, policy wonks and reporters--people who just can't get enough of the ongoing drama at Town Hall.

When there's a really big turnout at a public hearing, it's often because it's the 11th hour, and most of the people packing into the Council Chambers "just found out what was going on."

Usually, they're irate; they want to know how this or that proposal got so far without anyone telling them about it.

In fact, there aren't as many secrets as outraged citizens would like to believe.

This newspaper reports on significant proposals in the early stages of the planning process and publicizes upcoming public hearings. We also report what happens at meetings. The Town Council and Planning Commission meet at regularly scheduled times, and all public hearings are listed in the legal advertising section of this newspaper.

Agendas for all town meetings, including commission and committee meetings are posted in the library and outside Town Hall offices. Staff reports are also available in the library and in the appropriate offices at Town Hall.

For some time, the town has posted agendas other information on its website at www.los-gatos.org. A new, more readily accessible website for the town is under construction and is expected to be ready in the next few months.

The one thing that none of these efforts to inform local citizens can do, however, is tap a neighbor on the shoulder and say, "This is something that affects you; you ought to pay attention."

It's a cliché around government offices that people don't notice what's going on until the tractors show up at the end of the street.

Another cliché, especially in work-driven Silicon Valley, is that people don't have time to pay attention to anything that isn't on their "A" list.

Through its team captain structure, the Neighborhood Association can help nudge residents who would probably be paying more attention--if only someone had come to them and said, "This is important. It affects you."

Happy Holidays

It's the time of year for taking stock and acknowledging our many gifts. Those of us who work at the Los Gatos Weekly-Times consider it a privilege to be a part of this community.

We take very seriously our role in reporting the news fairly and accurately and in providing a forum for those who live and work in the community to exchange ideas and opinions.

The staff of the Weekly-Times wishes you the happiest of holidays.

Photo: Los Gatos Reindeer

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