Opinion

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...

The Los Gatos Community Alliance applauds the work Grosvenor has done in reimagining their development plans for Phase 2 of the North 40. We recognize how far the proposal has come from its original concept—just 200 units with 40 affordable and a hotel. The current...

My dad was an all-around handyperson. He had a well-equipped work room in our basement and the knack to take on and complete difficult home improvement projects, such as installing a central air conditioning system, vents and all, to cool our entire house.  Sadly, I...

Have you ever wondered how prominent figures like Benjamin Franklin achieved remarkable success? One key factor in his rise as a writer, publisher and politician was his mastery of “social intelligence.” What follows is my analysis of how Franklin’s lessons might apply to our...

In early May 2025, the Los Gatos Town Council introduced a proposed Boards, Committees, and Commissions (BCC) Code of Conduct Policy designed to set expectations for commissioners’ behavior, public communications and interactions with Town staff and the public. The intent is reasonable: to promote...

I mentioned in the article, “Group says Town needs to add more sites to housing list” (Los Gatan, Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2023), that I thought the leadership, two mayors and the Town Manager have failed us for the past two years. They had to...

Is your current definition of “community center” a dusty gym with dodgeballs older than your grandma’s knitting needles? Fear not, fellow Los Gatos residents. We’re tossing out the tired old model and crafting a vibrant, all-encompassing space that would make Michelangelo himself ditch his...

Dear Editor, I'm writing to share my personal opinion (and not speaking in my role as a Planning Commissioner). It looks like you got your facts wrong in the May 7 edition of the Los Gatan. Throwing Mary Badame and Matthew Hudes under the bus...

Timing is everything, right? Somehow, in some way, I find myself serving as the chairperson of the Community Health and Senior Services Commission as it undertakes monumental tasks.  These tasks include implementing the Senior Services Committee’s incredibly comprehensive road map for improving older adult services...

Project must be stopped I recently wrote about the new developmental proposal at Ace Hardware store in Los Gatos. Now they want to construct the Cafe Dio building, a four-story, 30 residential unit-building, with underground parking, where Los Gatos family physicians used to be. I used...