The Chill In The Air Isn't Just About The Weather

Snarky remarks and behavior have taken center stage here in the the hamlet of the cats. Catty remarks from the "legit" blog here in town make me want to deliver a quart of milk and a bowl.
The smallness of small town politics is nothing new, since everyone knows everyone else it's pretty easy to lob a few spit balls from the peanut gallery.

The League of Women Voters will try to add a little polish to the
election season with a debate at the town hall on September 25th.

Candidates for two Los Gatos Council Seats: Barbara Spector, Steve Rice, Michael Kane,
Peggy Dallas will speak and then answer questions at 7:00 p.m.

Candidates for the 24th Assembly Seat: Ira Ruskin, Annalisa Temple Q & A at 8:15 p.m.

The evening is sponsored by: League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, and The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce.

I just need to remember to ask the Catty Candidate if the preferred
beverage is 2% or whole milk and make a note to bring the bowl.

CEQA ( California Environmental Quality Act) The Big Stick

So much for playing by the rules. The other side won the appeal of the planning commission by a 3/2 vote from the Los Gatos Town Council. Snivelling is never attractive, and I almost wanted to set out a bowl of milk for the appellant (almost.) But whatever it takes I suppose........

The California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA for fun, is the strong arm of the law for folks like us who seek a say in matters of land development. Recently a CEQA suit was filed by the Friends of Ross Creek which was won!! The CEQA suit basically handed down a decision against the town of Los Gatos for not requiring an EIR (Environmental Impact Review) with the Ross Creek development. Let's just say the town and developers were handed their proverbial hats with this one... and one or more of us hope the decision will be the same with the Desantis appeal from last night.

Town Council Chambers TONITE

It's like the annoying person in Trader Joe's frozen food isle...you can't escape the innane cellphone discussion and no matter how hard you try to dodge it, it follows you around. This hillside development in our Los Gatos hills is much like that annoying cellphone conversation. friendsofthehillsides.org
Now 500 people strong, the friends of the hillsides is the topic dujour wherever I go these days. Today is the day I hope it goes away. Not that I don't enjoy discussing our community group and how hard everyone has worked to get the attention of the media to consider the plight of the local hillsides. It would be great to send this one back to the drawing board so it can be set on the correct path for smart construction (yes, i know it's a flatland styled house to be built upon a hillside and yes I know that if you scrape 23 feet from the top of our hillsides it's almost flatland like.)
If you can carve out an hour of your time this evening, and join a few friends at the Town Council chamber in Los Gatos this evening the hillsides will thank-you. 7 p.m. Only item on the agenda.

Tait Street, It's A Great Street

The Almond Grove neighborhood hosted a meet & greet yesterday evening. The folks on Main St and Broadway were invited too. New neighbors mingled and kids ran barefoot in the St. Mary's playlot while the BBQ was fired up- very Mayberry. Small town charm with nice wine and a full moon.

As October approaches, it was fun to put the names to the familiar Tait St faces who pass out candy on Los Gatos legendary closed street Halloween eve.

One Tait St neighbor shared the story of her favorite Halloween past time- Setting out a large, empty bowl on the front porch then retiring to a room in the back of her un-lit house for the rest of the evening. The weird part of hearing this story, was how proud she was of herself for not buying into the fun.

Another neighbor shared the story of a planned development introduced to the almond grove historic district about twenty years ago that called for the neighborhood to be razed to make "room" for high rise apartments and multi unit condominiums. Neighbors formed community protection groups and rallied to save the precious bungalows and cottages from the developers bulldozers. The historic homes were saved, and the charm and unique nature attributed to Los Gatos preserved.

Livin' Large in Los Gatos

Funny sight yesterday. Large man in a small electric car. Why is that funny you ask?

The Town Council Candidate who has the spotty attendance record while a planning commissioner with respect to Planning Commission Meetings (Steve Rice) was seen driving a zero emissions car yesterday.

This is the same guy who said to me in a snarky manner " oh, you're one of those" when I mentioned purchasing a Prius. Apparently driving an electic car is good for those with political ambitions. This same person running for a council seat is a fat cat with an
agenda, but do his golf clubs fit in the back of the 'lectric car is what I wanna know..
because being green is all about the car you drive, right? Does not reflect the carbon foot print of said hobbies like golf, or driving the SUV stashed in the garage.. or ? Entitlement means buying whatever it takes to wear the crown. Not sure the crown is going to fit in that small electric vehicle, but then again he can pull out the SUV again and leave the electric car to gather dust in the driveway.

Pious Prius drivers unite! Let's cast our vote for the two candidates that walk the walk :
Barbara Spector and Michael Kane.

Hooray for Ross Creek!

The Superior Court Judge of Santa Clara has ordered the town of Los Gatos to follow the rules!

(conduct an environmental impact review) for the proposed Ross Creek Subdivision.

It always brings a smile to my mug when the underdogs win. I sat in on the testimony of the current Los Gatos council when the proposed Ross Creek development was described. Uninterested in the details of why the proposed development would harm the creek and possibly the watershed area, town council looked bored and baffled. Maybe next time they will read the homework that the community submits since the town staff reports read like a marketing piece for the would be developer. Nice work David Crites and neighbors! Click here to read the article in the merc.

The Friends of The Hillsides

If you value your views of the hillsides, and feel that a community value like our hillsides deserve to be developed sensibly- please join us. For more information see the friends website: www.friendsofthehillsides.org

Tick Tock

Okay,  the lawn signs of political candidates are appearing already- it's almost like the phenomenon of the halloween garb at Target stacked next to the Christmas decor that's stacked next to the chocolate easter bunnies. 

This season is different though. Los Gatos politics will be hosting two amazing individuals who are worthy of your vote. The incumbent Mayor, Barbara Spector is a star. She is a beacon of hope for those who appreciate the well thought out approach of protecting our hillsides from over development.  Mayor Spector is a long time Los Gatan. A legal mind with a keen sense of what needs to be done and how to get those items addressed with grace and grit.

She deserves our vote. Los Gatos would be lucky to have her as a returning tour-de -force four year councilperson. 

 Michael Kane is the other bright light within the world of local Los Gatos politics.  Mr. Kane is currently chair of the Planning Commission. His website is www.michaelkane4lg.com  with great pics and a nice resume of local community service. I have no doubt he loves this town! We would love to have his land use expertise on our Town Council.  

The League of Women Voters will be holding a debate of local issues on September 25, 2008.

7 p.m. in the Town Chambers. It would be nice to see you there!