Opinion

This November, Santa Clara County voters will decide on Measure A—a countywide 5/8 sales tax hike beginning April 2026. It would raise the base rate from 9.125%, with even higher rates in San José, Milpitas and Campbell. A regressive sales tax hits struggling families hardest...

Next to picking a college, picking a college major can be the most important and nerve-wracking decision facing a young person. Unfortunately, students often fail to recognize that a good education is about more than just the degree; it’s about exploring multiple disciplines, ​finding...

Urban planning thrives on informed decision-making. However, the increasing influence of game theory—a branch of mathematics that studies strategic interactions—can be a recipe for disaster in the messy world of governance. While game theory offers insights in some areas, relying largely on its models...

Hello, fellow Los Gatos residents and visitors, We have a wonderful town. But dog owners who do not pick up their dog’s droppings (poop), please do not leave it on our sidewalks. Unhealthy, unkind, just wrong. So many of you do pick up after their pets...

In nature, water always contains dissolved minerals and nutrients. Water “hardness” is determined by the concentrations of minerals present in a particular water source—specifically calcium and magnesium. Simply put, hard water is mineral water that comes from your tap.  Water containing high amounts of calcium...

Contributor Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator. Robert Greene’s book “The 48 Laws of Power” instructs us to never criticize our boss. Avoiding criticizing your boss is important for maintaining your position and gaining favor. Criticisms can be perceived as a challenge to...

Homelessness is a complex issue plaguing communities across the globe, and Los Gatos is no exception. While Los Gatos boasts prosperity and scenic beauty, it also faces individuals and families struggling with housing insecurity. Transformative Mediation (TM) can be applied to bridge the divide...

For two years, I’ve organized blood drives, transforming St. Luke’s Church in Los Gatos into a hub of hope, in partnership with the American Red Cross and our dedicated Rotary Clubs.  What began as a logistical dance of appointments and volunteers has become a visceral...

Journalists seek to deliver, and society craves, fast information due to the evolution of the internet, social media and the 24-hour news cycle. But at what cost?  The Los Gatan's front-page article on the events of the Oct. 5 Town Council meeting was published in...

Dear Editor, I read with interest the article in the Los Gatan about the May 21 Town Council meeting.  One of the top concerns of those polled about a possible new tax was “traffic congestion,” so the Council proposed to direct revenue from the new tax...