On Sunday, in addition to the Farmers Market, Los Gatans celebrated Earth Day, Arbor Day, Keep Los Gatos Beautiful Month along with environmental sustainability—all combined into the 10th Annual Spring into Green. Added this year was Mayor Rob Moore’s State of the Town address. It was a proper Los Gatos get-together. We are proudly a town and remain a town. This was a day to get downtown and learn about ways to save our planet, while socializing.
Spring weather
The day dawned cold on Sunday, with a hint of light spring rain. The gloomy weather did not dampen the festivities at the newly-seeded Los Gatos Park Plaza. The really big good news in this writer’s humble opinion was that the Children’s Water fountain was supposed to be returning on Monday, April 27. This announcement from the Town would prove premature.
Even though the Cambridge Dictionary defines a water fountain as “a device, usually in a public place, that supplies water for drinking,” the Children’s Fountain of Los Gatos is so much more than that. It’s a place where weary parents can bring kids to splash about while they relax in the shade of tall redwood trees, where music from the market fills the air. It provides a chance to catch up with a neighbor, or an opportunity to see old friends. You can have that strong cup of java, look out at the mountains, have lunch and on and on. A park is very important to us Los Gatans—and all who visit.
In urban planning, a livable park must contain these things: a place to sit, shade, a drinking fountain and a restroom.
One of the many joys about living here is that most of us are engaged with our community. This is a town that cares. And with the State seemingly trying to take away our uniqueness and independence by removing local control from some planning decisions, we must remain aware of what is and isn’t happening across town.
It is not only a “Not In My Back Yard”—NIMBY—attitude, but an ethos meant to preserve the character that we love in our town. I’ll admit it, the huge monolithic designs posted around town scare me. The computer-designed, energy-efficient drawings to my liking. And to imagine living in a cube with few windows and very little “green space”!
Where’s the beauty and pleasing attributes in these proposed monstrosities?
The prices that are seen over in the North 40 also frighten me. Can’t they do better with the design?
Back to Spring into Green
The young and vibrant Mayor Rob Moore gave a stimulating State of the Town address. Listening to our mayor is like taking a class in civics. His connection with the young people here is encouraging.
There are so many civic groups that volunteer their time to make Spring into Green a reality.
People give their time—yes volunteering.
The many retired folks are one of the hidden attributes of Los Gatos. Who picks up trash, dashing in between those newfangled e-bikes?
Spring into Green is a celebration of all those sorts of things.
State of the Town
As Mayor Moore gave his speech, he was flanked by youth commissioners.
He recognized the Town Council members on stage with him: Mary Badame and Maria Ristow, both former mayors of Los Gatos.
Mayor Moore then noted the “special guests” at the green-focused forum: District 5 County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, the representative for Congressman Sam Liccardo, a representative for District 28 Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Mountain View Mayor Emily Ann Ramos, Saratoga Councilmember Belal Aftab. Mayor Moore’s fiance was also in attendance (and both of their families were in-tow).
“This is an opportunity for a mayor to share updates with the community and to provide a snapshot of the work that’s going on in town. I will keep this brief as I know most of you are here for the face-painting, music and booths—and all of the fun festivities. I do want to cover some of the major topics and projects happening here in town.”
The young mayor went on, “after this event if you have any questions, comments or feedback, please stop by my booth and I’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.”
Moore then shouted-out the many booths promoting Earth Day and community sustainability, encouraging all to stop by and learn what is going on in the community to protect Earth.
He went on to thank the dance groups Mosaic and Kuumba.
Moore also thanked Town staff who put up the stage and reseeded the grassy areas.
One of Mayor Moore’s concerns is housing.
“We want to build housing for young families, older adults and lower income residents to exist and thrive in our community,” he said. “I personally struggle with housing affordability.”
Mayor Moore is the single renter on the Town Council. He grew up here and would like to remain here, emphasizing, “There will be some changes but not all is lost, and I feel strongly that we will continue to maintain the character of our community.”
He then moved onto the Town budget, improvements on Blossom Hill traffic, Highway 17 traffic (our famous beach traffic), public safety and e-bike issues.
“The e-bike safety is a big topic for folks in town—working on reducing the number of illegal e-bikes on campus,” he said. “Vice Mayor Ristow and I are currently working with some amazing Hillbrook students to create educational material that better connect students and parents to spread awareness about the danger presented by e-motorcycles.”
