Photograph by George Sakkestad
Ken Biester, safety commissioner
Safety terms end for Biester, Hexamer
Commissioners step down after eight years of service
By Kate Carter
Saratoga has been a safer place for the past eight years, thanks to Ken Biester and Hugh Hexamer.
But the two public safety commissioners had to step down earlier this year due to term limits, after serving two consecutive terms on the commission. They were commended for their service by the city council at its May 1 meeting, and they will be missed on the commission, said the commission's staff liaison, Paula Reeve.
"They've served two four-year terms," Reeve said. "That's a lot of input over the years. You don't usually see that."
The commission is the city's body that handles public safety concerns raised by residents, agencies and other individuals, as well as looking into the city's and its own concerns. It makes recommendations to the council after researching issues related to crime and fire protection, traffic and other safety topics.
Biester and Hexamer addressed a variety of important issues during their tenures on the commission, Reeve said, with sensitivity and depth, and all without losing their senses of humor.
"They provided continuity over the years of knowledge," she said. "These two gentlemen really know the city and they really care."
Biester, 62, served a year as the commission's chairman and helped serve as the commission's eyes and ears on the streets, participating in 80 ride-alongs with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. He also participated in the Citizen's Community Police Academy and the Wildland Fire Training Exercise.
"My objective was to better understand what the police officers felt was important and necessary for their city," Biester said. "I was very impressed with their level of expertise. We're very fortunate in Saratoga to have the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department."
Biester also worked with the public safety officials to identify ways of slowing or improving traffic that wouldn't negatively affect their ability to respond to emergencies. He worked on the commission subcommittee that recommended increasing the number of traffic deputies on duty. To identify trends in traffic and collisions in Saratoga, he conducted a study of the sheriff's department collision and citation data. He also helped review and revise the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program.
"It seems that every citizen believes that they have speeding problems in their neighborhood," Biester said. But he added that about 85 percent of motorists are driving safely.
In addition, sometimes those who do drive too fast are the ones who complained about speeding themselves, he said, and mentioned a time when he was with a deputy who pulled over a woman for speeding, one of those who had complained to the commission about speeding.
"Be careful what you ask for, because it may come back to you," Biester said.
He also said that while the commission hears from many people with problems or suggestions, it is important to remember those from whom it doesn't hear.
"There're a lot of citizens who don't come, and you have to take those into consideration, too," Biester said.
Photograph by George Sakkestad
Hugh Hexamer, safety commissioner
Hexamer, 71, served two years as the commission's chairman, and early in his service worked more on traffic issues, later focusing largely on working with the Saratoga Fire District and the Santa Clara County Fire Department. He was also involved in planning for the possible public safety center--notable efforts, even though the center won't likely be created, Reeve said.
Hexamer said he enjoyed his years on the commission and is proud of how its work has grown during that time.
"The commission over the years has become much, much more proactive," he said. "I think it's a great credit to the commission that the council responds so favorably to the recommendations we make to them. We've taken on a diversity of issues, from traffic to hazardous waste to the fire commission. Arguably the primary responsibility of any municipality is to provide for the safety and security of its population. I feel that the commission was on the very cutting edge ... and has the potential to do a lot more as time goes on."
Hexamer led a commission study to evaluate the effectiveness of fire protection and paramedic service delivery systems and gained council support for additional public safety programs. He also initiated a personal emergency preparedness program for senior citizens, a firearms safety workshop series for residents and other outreach programs.
"I've tried to do things to help Saratogans with their own personal safety," Hexamer said. "You have to take responsibility."
Hexamer was also involved in traffic mitigation efforts, especially with the construction of Highway 85, by assisting with programs to install new signals, redesign intersections and review citizen complaints.
The commission's direction has of late been moving more to traffic near schools, both Reeve and Hexamer said. Because of that and other issues, Hexamer said he encourages younger people to join the city's commissions.
"It would be very beneficial to the city to have more young people in these jobs," Hexamer said. "We have a very diverse population in Saratoga in terms of age. It's important to get a mix of ideas and identification of needs that do differ. I just think it's a wonderful idea to make a contribution to your community, meet some very nice people and expand your horizons about how the city government operates and is funded."
To contact the public safety commission, call Reeve at 408.868.1267.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
