Neighborhood Alliance turns government, business heads

By Nathan R. Huff

Created to ensure public input in the ongoing General Plan rewrite, the Los Gatos Neighborhood Alliance continues to organize local neighborhoods around issues of community concern--and it's beginning to turn heads. The group, which consists of community members, has been involved in issues ranging from the North Forty Specific Plan to Chevron's proposed--and later defeated--expansion of its Highway 9 service station.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Laura Nachison noted the alliance's role in the North Forty review process at a recent commission meeting. And--in another example of the organization's growing prominence--Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Lewis is scheduled to speak on improving communication between businesses and residential communities at the alliance's next meeting.

However the Alliance continues to act as a network of individuals--as opposed to a single political body. "It's about knowledge and education," said Joanne Rodgers, a founding member. "We're being very careful not to say, 'The Neighborhood Alliance thinks this.'"

Meeting structure reflects this concept. Chairpersons are selected on a rotating basis; there is no hierarchy within the organization. Items on the agenda are centered on organization and education on upcoming "hot spot" issues. At the end of the meetings there is always time for informal discussions in which people can air their opinions more freely and network with like-minded individuals.

Rodgers said she is particularly impressed with the efforts of alliance members concerning the North Forty Specific Plan review. For three consecutive Planning Commission meetings and the subsequent Town Council meeting, Neighborhood Alliance members spoke early and often about their concerns over the commercial and retail emphasis of the Specific Plan.

"[The alliance] has made a difference in individual neighborhoods already," Joanne Talesfore, an alliance member representing the Glenridge/Bachman area said, referring to community input on the North Forty and proposed Chevron remodel on Highway 9.

Larry Arzie, co-owner of Los Gatos Porch and alliance member, said the group would continue to exist as long as members thought the council was failing to reflect adequately the will of the community. However, he reiterated that the organization, "at the moment, is taking no political stance."

Among the issues being discussed by the group are the pending development proposal for 19 homes off Shannon Road, the ongoing mobile home-park conversion and Mariposa Montessori's preschool proposal.

Neighborhood team captains were recently selected to help organize individual neighborhoods around issues which directly affect them, as well as to coordinate with other neighborhoods on issues affecting all Los Gatans.

The Los Gatos captains include Larry Arzie, Joanne Talesfore, Joanne Rodgers, Bill and Mary Ellen Kaschub, Mark Brodsky, Kaye Little, Carol Braham, Mike Abkin and Barbara Spector.

The Alliance will hold its next meeting Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at A Place for Teens, behind Los Gatos High School. For more information, call 408.491.9393.

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