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vol . 3 , no. 15 : december 20-26, 2023 : losgatan.com
local sports previews p8 : ‘fentanyl high’ premieres p14 : local columnists p16 : ny times crossword puzzle p17 Drew Penner/Los Gatan
BADAME NAMED MAYOR; HUDES TO SERVE AS VICE MAYOR Public shows support for Maria Ristow’s year of mayorship
Older residents turn up for free lunch and to consider new transportation option
Drew Penner, Reporter
It was a whirlwind 12 months of store-openings, community-building, future-envisioning and infrastructure development, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. And so Dec. 12, Mayor Maria Ristow handed the baton to Mary Badame, who served as Vice Mayor for the past year. In addition, Councilmember Matthew Hudes ascended to the position of Vice Mayor. “It feels like a really long time, and it also feels like it went by really quickly,” Ristow said, as she geared up for her outgoing remarks. “I hope this isn’t as long as Councilmember Rennie’s speech two years ago, but there’s a lot I wanted to cover.” Ristow oversaw the establishment of a Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee—which she credited to prior groundwork by former mayors Marcia Jensen and Marico Sayoc—the continued rollout of the “parklet” patio program, new traffic-calming measures and the adoption of the Flock Safety traffic camera system, among other initiatives. ➝ Mayor, 10
TRANSPORTATION AGENCY AND TOWN TEAM UP TO GET SENIORS ON THE BUS
Drew Penner, Reporter
Harvey Christensen is pushing 92, but on Dec. 13, he tried something completely novel— he rode a Valley Transportation Authority bus across town with his wife Jacquie. They joined a group of seniors who met at the Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center and headed to Double D’s Sports Grille via the “27” route, Los Gatos’ public transit lifeline. ➝ Seniors, 12
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NEW LEADERS Mayor Mary Badame and Vice Mayor Matthew Hudes are sworn in Dec. 12, as outgoing mayor Maria Ristow looks on.
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Town of Los Gatos
VOL.3 NO.15 Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor & Publisher Lee May General Manager
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FENCE DISPUTE Planning Commission stepped-in to mediate a neighbor dispute about a fence, Dec. 13.
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OPINIONS
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COMMISSION ORDERS COMPROMISE SOLUTION IN FENCE DISPUTE Final meeting for Chair Jeffrey Barnett Drew Penner, Reporter
In a fitting way to finish out his term on Planning Commission, Chair Jeffrey Barnett presided over yet another fence-height exception request from a homeowner, Dec. 13. In this case they allowed an appellant to keep at least part of a fence that had been installed at 224 Old Adobe Road by Vinodha and Rajeev Bala to appease a neighbor who’d complained about construction on their property. “I heard every single paver that was cut and fit to that backyard for over a year; it had nothing to do with the fence,” said rear neighbor Eva Men-
doza, who has lived there since 1987. “I thought you were building the Taj Mahal or something over there.” Rajeev Bala told Planning Commission he had reached out to the neighbor to see if a fence would be a positive step to resolve her concerns but never heard back. He said he didn’t realize they were running afoul of a Town ordinance by erecting the fence. “We purchased the property in 2013,” he said, noting there was a 10foot lattice fence there at the time, as well as a chain link fence and some vegetation. “We had an ongoing Town-permitted pool installation project in the backyard.” Mendoza complained to the Town and when a staffer came out, he suggested the Balas build a solid wood fence.
In June 2022, they discussed plans for a new fence (including the height, material and location) with Mendoza, Rajeev Bala told Planning Commission. Bala said when he brought up the idea of sharing costs Mendoza went radio-silent. “Months went on, and the harassment of our contracted labor continued,” he said. “On September 7 of 2022 we notified her that construction was going to begin, at which point she asked us to construct the new fence on our property line and leave the existing chain-link fence on the property line in-place, which would effectively shorten our backyard. At this point we agreed, because we wanted to find a peaceful resolution to this situation.” They built an eight-foot fence. However, fences, walls, gates and hedges can’t be taller than six feet, with up-to one foot of lattice on top in Los Gatos. ➝ Planning, 6
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MORE THAN 11.7M POUNDS OF FOOD DONATED DURING FIRST YEAR OF NEW REGULATIONS Donations were the equivalent of more than 9.7 million meals in 2022 Staff Report
Santa Clara County food businesses donated more than 11.7 million pounds of surplus food in 2022, the first full year of implementation of a new state law that is meant to ease hunger and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The total amount of food recovered jumps to more than 12.8 million pounds when counting donations that Santa Clara County food recovery organizations gathered from businesses outside the county. Grocery stores and other businesses are required to donate the maximum possible amount of their surplus food to those in need under SB 1383, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2022. The new regulations expand on Jan. 1, 2024, to include compliance from additional regulated businesses and organizations, including certain large restau-
rants, hotels, health care facilities, schools and more. Last year’s donations provided the equivalent of more than 9.7 million meals to people experiencing food insecurity, according to the county. In addition, the collective recovery efforts of businesses and nonprofits reportedly prevented nearly 15,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere, creating the same net benefit of taking more than 3,000 passenger cars off the road for a year. “Businesses throughout Santa Clara County and community partners are helping to solve hunger in our region while also fighting climate change,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee, who represents the Board of Supervisors on the County's Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission, a 10-member advisory body regarding countywide solid waste issues. “The Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program makes our county more sustainable not only environmentally but also socially and economically.”
dece mbe r 20 - 2 6, 2 0 23 : losgatan.co m
FIRE DESTROYS CONDO UNIT, DAMAGES TWO OTHERS
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No one home at time of Saratoga blaze Bay City News
A three-alarm fire at a condominum complex in Saratoga destroyed one unit and damaged two others on Friday, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Firefighters responded at 11:46am to the fire at a building in the 14000 block of Stoneridge Drive and found a three-story unit burning with heavy flames, Battalion Chief Bill Murphy said. “The fire was stubborn because it extended into the firewalls of the adjoining units, so it took some time to piece apart those walls,” Murphy said.
No one was home at the time at any of the three affected units, and the seven residents who lived there all arranged for alternative housing. One firefighter suffered a minor injury at the scene but did not require transport to a hospital, according to Murphy. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Murphy encouraged people who may be heating their homes for the first time in a while to use caution. “We'd recommend to have chimneys inspected and heating systems in good working order as the weather starts to get a little bit colder,” he said. Copyright
© 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
The Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program is managed by the Food Recovery Initiative of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, which administers the program on behalf of the County of Santa Clara and all 15 cities in the county. “The Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program is a wonderful collaboration between the County, our partner cities, the Food Recovery Initiative of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, and countless businesses and food recovery organizations,” said Supervisor Cindy Chavez. “This public-private partnership will ease hunger in Silicon Valley and make our region more equitable and sustainable for many years to come.” “It's great to see so many businesses in our county responding to the new regulations by working to recover
their surplus food, as well as reducing the amount of surplus food they generate in the first place,” said Ciara Low, who manages the Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program on behalf of the Food Recovery Initiative. “We're very fortunate in Santa Clara County to have many food recovery organizations dedicated to ensuring that surplus food isn't wasted but is instead distributed to members of our community.” The expansion of the program next month comes at a time when food recovery organizations are grappling with capacity limitations, as pandemic-related funding sources run dry. The Food Recovery Initiative of Joint Venture Silicon Valley is working to identify sustainable funding models, test new approaches to food recovery, and support businesses in efforts to reduce the amount of surplus they generate. This focus on efficient use of surplus food is part of the County’s larger climate strategies and a goal of the County of Santa Clara Food System Workplan.
CHANGE TO BOARD MAKEUP
Planning, from page 4
Commissioner Melanie Hanssen was mindful of making sure, if they decided to grant an exception, they did it by the book. “We hear this all the time,” Hanssen said, reflecting on the laundry-list of reasons locals often cite when asking for the right to build (or keep) taller and more opaque fences than are allowed. “It has to be something special.” She suggested the unique topography of the site might give them enough grounds to step in to mediate what had clearly become quite the toxic dispute. “Are you still having difficulties with the neighbor?” asked Commissioner Susan Burnett. Since the building of the fence they hadn’t heard a peep from her—until she launched her official complaint about it, Bala said. Mendoza, speaking over Zoom, said the fence was nothing short of a “monstrosity,” that must be removed. “Your darn straight I complained about it, because it, number one, looks to me like an emergency hazard,” she said. “I mean, if there’s something that has to go around, who has eight-foot
ladders that they know they can have to use to access either your yard or my yard, or even the creek back there?” Vice Chair Steve Raspe moved to grant an appeal of the Community Development Director’s denial of an appeal to keep the fence, allowing a six-foot solid fence with two feet of lattice above (instead of just one). Commissioner Burnett seconded, and it passed unanimously. Planning Commission has been down one member since Commissioner Kylie Clark, fresh from victory as the ACLU came to her defense and forced the Town to reverse a censure against her, opted to leave of her own accord and further her education on the East Coast. Former Housing Element Advisory Board member Adam Mayer is the newest recruit to the Planning Commission squad; Commissioner Emily Thomas was reappointed. Barnett received applause as he concluded the meeting. “Your perspective and attention to detail will be missed,” said Planning Director Jennifer Armer. “But we thank you very much for all of your service.”
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SPORTS
’CATS OFF TO FAST START ON HARDWOOD Jonathan Natividad
Reinforcements coming from football team
dec e mbe r 20 - 26, 2 0 23 : los gatan.com
Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
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Despite not getting the desired result in the championship game of its own Lions Club Wildcat Shootout on Dec. 8, the Los Gatos High boys basketball team has plenty of valid reasons for optimism and an opportunity to have a truly special season. The narrow 59-56 loss to Branham High in the title contest dropped the Wildcats to 5-2 and snapped a five-game win streak. Los Gatos has gotten off to an impressive start even though it hasn’t been at full strength through the first seven games, as five players from the football team had yet to join the squad. That’s because the football team advanced all the way to the CIF State Championship Division 2-A Bowl Game on Dec. 9. “For six weeks we’ve been talking, ‘OK, when we get some football guys out here, we’re going to be a whole team and we can [really] start working,” Wildcats coach Nick Ward said after the Branham game. “You never know how long that season is going to go, and it went as far as it can possibly go. We started games obviously never knowing, but for the last 2 ½ weeks, the 11 guys we’ve had have come together. They’ve played extremely hard and they’ve grown by leaps and bounds, more than I think I would’ve ever imagined. I told them that after the game, I'm so proud with how far we’ve come in 2 ½ weeks, to be sitting at 5-2 and not be a complete team yet [is impressive].” Ward was particularly proud of the players for their mental toughness against Branham, which bolted out to a 13-3 lead midway through the first quarter. “We kept grinding to get back into it, you can’t be more proud of the fight,” Ward said. “Guys are tired, it’s a battle and those guys just played their tails off. Super happy with how they played.” The Bruins have plenty of tall and skillful wing players who made things tough on the Wildcats throughout. Despite the early deficit, the Wildcats scratched and clawed their way back to
BIG MAN Wildcats senior Nolan Koch and his teammates have had plenty to be pumped about this season. They’re off to a 5-2 start with reinforcements coming from the football team. level things at 56-56 with 1 minute, 20 seconds remaining on a Ronan Chinmulgund driving layup. After a couple of possessions with no score, Branham drained a jump shot from the free throw line to take the lead for good with 22 seconds left. Los Gatos had a couple of opportunities to get things into overtime to no avail. However, competitive games like this should only toughen the Wildcats for the road ahead. Prior to Chinmulgund’s layup, Anthony Martin had an open look from beyond the arc that hit the back rim with the team trailing 52-50. Martin was sensational on the night, scoring all 12 of his ponts via the 3-pointer. The junior guard missed just two shots and has been a breakout player after earning MVP honors on the junior varsity team last year. “Anthony stepped up [huge],” Ward said. “It just felt like every shot he made was in a big moment, big time.” The team’s foundation, senior post Nolan Koch, had a game-high 18 points, continuing a season-long trend. Tough, physical and displaying finer footwork and movement which allows him to get to his spot near the basket for close-range shots, Koch has been rock-solid as expected. Koch is also potent from 3-point
range which makes him a dangerous inside-outside threat. However, Ward knows getting the ball inside to Koch as often as possible will prove most beneficial. “Nolan inside, we couldn’t get the ball inside enough [to him],” Ward said. “He’s just solid. We just can’t take him off the floor. He changes everything we do. … We’ve got a guy that nobody can guard. Nobody we’ve played can guard that guy inside, and once we started getting it inside, you start to see it go in. Now the defense collapses, and one area Nolan has gotten better at is passing from the post. Whereas in previous years the ball goes in [to the post], it’s not coming out. He was going up with it, foul or no foul. But he’s making some passes out of the post to some premium shooters on the outside, which helps.” Ward has also been excited that Koch took on the leadership role head-on from the moment last season ended. “Starting last spring in open gym, Nolan kind of took it on, ‘Hey, this is my third year on varsity, I’m kind of the biggest scoring contributor returning,’” Ward said. “Him and Ronan both kind of took on that leadership role.” The third returning starter, Scotty Brennan, has yet to see game time because
of football season. A versatile 6-foot-4, 175-pound junior wing, Brennan possesses length and tremendous playmaking ability. He can get to the basket off dribble penetration, has a nice mid-range jumper and is a strong rebounder. Of course, not even an athlete of Brennan’s caliber will be up to full speed on the hardwood and Ward knows it will take time for the football players to get their basketball legs and conditioning under them. That includes Brennan and 6-5, 250-pound post Leo Cocchiglia and 6-3 Zach Otoupal. Of course, it will take time for all the players to mesh once again, but it’s nothing new for Los Gatos or Ward as the basketball team typically has a couple of talented athletes coming over from the gridiron every year. “There’s a bunch of [football] guys, they all text me,” Ward said. “We basically have to start tryouts [again] on Monday [the 11th]. Leo moves great and Zach is long, can shoot, drive, defend, has good instincts. Just a bunch of athletes, and the more athletes you get, the better your team gets.” Coming off a season in which it advanced to the Central Coast Section Division I championship game, the ’Cats could be in line for another special season. They have plenty of talent and depth, including returning guard Osha Moloney, who has knock-down 3-point range capability. Chinmulgund can drive it to the basket and hit shots from the outside, Max Brin and Joey Rabitz provide strong ball handling against press defenses, and Andre Scott-Waikar is a senior having a breakout season, highlighted by his game-winning 3-point shot to beat tournament host Jefferson High 52-49 on Dec. 2. Once again, Los Gatos will hang its hat on defense. The best teams in the section not only can score it, but they have to be ferocious on the defensive end. The Wildcats went 21-7 overall and 11-1 last season to capture the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division championship. They gave mighty Bellarmine all it could handle in the CCS D-I title game before falling, 63-55, before bowing out in the opening round of the CIF State NorCal D-III tournament. “You can’t beat tough teams unless you play defense,” Ward said. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to get stops.” Los Gatos has a game against Santa Cruz on Dec. 16, then goes 11 days before its next game vs. North Monterey County on the 27th.
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RISTOW THANKED FOR SERVICE
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But it was the way she threw her heart and soul into the job of leading the community that endeared Ristow to even those who, at times, might disagree with her more progressive policy prescriptions. Marna Taylor said she appreciated Ristow's efforts to work with the faith community to establish outreach programs for the unhoused. “Thank you Mayor Ristow for the support you’ve given this year,” she said. “We’ve really appreciated it.” Kathleen Willey and Karen Rubio, of Plant-Based Advocates, brought up Ristow's willingness to listen to their perspective on the value of promoting sustainability. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin referenced the speech Ristow made at the beginning of the year, where she pledged to be a good “team captain” for the Town. “You certainly have done that,” she said. “You have kept your word. You have shown us what an incredible leader you are.” Pellerin recognized Ristow for various parks and sustainability initiatives, as well as convincing an applicant to apply to an internship in their San Jose District office.’ A representative for Supervisor Joe Simitian thanked Ristow for supporting older adults in town. Ristow said it’s been an honor to serve as the top elected official. “I’ve had a front-row seat to the best that this community is,” she said. “Every invitation to speak was truly an honor.” She said her favorite two events she attended this year were the opening of the Los Gatos Theatre and the ribbon-cutting of Domus, a business that reopened after an 11-year absence. She noted that one disappointment was not achieving a certified Housing Element. “I’m confident we’ll complete this task in 2024,” she said with a laugh that the audience seemed to understand and empathize with. Ristow said being mayor was a “peak experience” that made her a better person. “Mostly, thank you to my incredibly supportive and understanding family,” she said. Rennie promised to keep his remarks to less than a page. “Thank you for all the things we’ve achieved this year,” he said. “I thought, ‘You know what? Maria is the first mayor since 2018 that was not a mayor before.’” He said that will likely continue to be the case in the coming years.
Hudes, who has at times sparred with Ristow over various bits of Council business, offered some of the most effusive praise. “I want to thank you and commend you for the way you’ve conducted the Town Council meetings; your open approach has proven to be inviting and has led to civil meetings,” he said. “Our residents are able to participate in an effective way.” Councilmember Rob Moore noted that Ristow was the first mayor he’d ever served under. “Mayor Ristow really took me under her wing,” he said. “I will be forever grateful to you for that.” Ristow said she recognized that there’d frequently been 3-2 votes, but said perhaps having these split-votes actually helps represent that there are real disagreements on issues in the community.
Barbara Spector, a three-term Los Gatos mayor, swore-in Badame and Hudes. Her husband Ira was thrilled to see his wife come out of municipal-government retirement for the special occasion. “I think they’re all qualified and passionate about the town,” he said of local leaders. Marshall Smith, a Los Gatos resident, said he was there to support Badame. He believes she'll inject some “sensibility” into the community during her term in office. Joe Rodgers, another Los Gatos local, noted Badame will have a lot on her plate. “It’s a huge time commitment,” he said. “I think Mary Badame is very capable.” In an interview with the Los Gatan, Badame said she would work with her fellow Council members “constructively and collectively.” And Badame lauded Ristow for her year in the mayor’s chair. “She led with passion, personality and perspective,” she said.
Jamie Field
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Mayor, from page 1
But now the two Council members who tend to make up the losing end of those votes—Hudes and Badame—will be in charge. Ristow said Badame’s experience running meetings on Planning Commission and at times during Council meetings, is just one of her assets. “You and I often view the Town through slightly different lenses,” she acknowledged, but added she admires Badame for sticking up for local merchants and service providers. “I know that you are more than ready.” Only local attorney Karen Delaney, appearing via Zoom, spoke against Badame’s mayorship. She brought up Badame’s role in the censure of Councilmember Moore’s girlfriend (who was a Planning Commissioner at the time) for contacting the State (and using divisive language) to rail against NIMBY forces. The censure was ultimately reversed with the help of the ACLU.
New mayor in Monte Sereno Outgoing Monte Sereno Mayor Bryan Mekechuk (left) congratulates Vice Mayor Evert Wolsheimer on becoming the new mayor, on Dec. 5, following a unanimous vote (Councilmember Rowena Turner was absent). Burton Craig was named Vice Mayor.
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GETTING AROUND EASIER Jolene Bradford of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority describes to a group of seniors how to use public transit as they wait for a bus to arrive.
PARTICIPANTS RIDE THE BUS
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Seniors, from page 1
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“Pretty smooth,” he said, upon exiting the vehicle at Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, just before North Santa Cruz Avenue, as leaves on the sidewalk crunched underfoot. There were 10 seniors who turned up for the event, which was funded by Los Gatos’ Complete Streets and Transportation Commission (CSTC) and organized in partnership with VTA, as a way to educate older Los Gatans on the ins-and-outs of using public transportation. Each got free bus token and a meal at their destination. The participants arrived at the seniors’ center at 12:30pm and were greeted by a friendly receptionist and LGS Recreation’s assistant coordinator of the 55+ Program, Kevin Matter. Ali Miano, vice chair of CSTC, welcomed everyone. “You might know my mom,” she said, explaining that her mother loves to play bridge. They went around the circle introducing themselves and sharing what they know about the transit system,
and why the outing was of interest. One woman noted she doesn’t know how long she’ll be able to continue to drive. Another said a concern was how the walk would be to a bus stop. Jolene Bradford, VTA’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, described the new technology that’s been invented in recent years to make taking the bus a more pleasant experience. “It’s going to tell you when your next bus is coming,” she said of a cell phone application that many people now use. However, she added, a lot of people still look at the paper maps and arrival-time tables. “There’s the old school way to do it,” she said. Christensen wondered aloud about one obstacle in the way of using the service for him and his wife. “How do I get on the bus?” he asked. “We’re a mile-and-a-half up.” Bradford said there was only so much VTA could do about this problem in the short-term, however she promised to pass the input along to
her superiors, so they could take it in under advisement. One woman described a situation where she had gone to take the bus, but wasn’t clear on how much it would cost. “I didn’t have the right change,” she said. Dick Konrad, a Community Health and Senior Services Commissioner, said addressing these basic questions and apprehensions about the bus system is a key part of making daily life for older adults easier. “It’s important to seniors to know what’s available,” he said. “It’s a big concern.” Walkability of a community is a huge part of urban planning, and the concept really comes alive when you join a group of seniors marching across South Main Street to the post indicating where to stand for a bus. “It’s telling you where your final destination is,” said Bradford, indicating toward the sign affixed to that pole. One woman wondered if it might be possible to move the stop across the street to the seniors’ center, so they wouldn’t be “fighting the teenagers” from Los Gatos High School, who are often streaming by. “You tag-on,” Bradford said, explaining how the trans-jurisdictional pass can allow you to ride all the way
to San Francisco. “You can use the Clipper Card on BART.” Santa Clara County has its own program to encourage seniors to use public transit more frequently. The way it works is people who attend a certain number of nutrition classes are given free passes. “Here it comes,” Miano announced. The ramp was extended and the participants each dropped their token in and found a seat on the 27. “The operator is your friend,” Bradford said, as the bus headed past the Purple Onion, did a loop around Town Plaza Park, and then drove over to Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. “They really want to make it successful for you.” Nelson Oliva, the bus driver, confirmed that they love to help passengers. The seniors practiced pulling the rope. Bradford explained how, if someone has already called for a stop, its bell won’t dig again. “Don’t stress out,” she said. The bus came to a halt just before the Chase bank and lowered itself slightly, just before 1:15pm. “That’s called ‘kneeling the bus,’” Bradford said. Christensen noted the journey had been enjoyable enough, but admitted that there was plenty of new information he was processing. It’s “—a lot,” he said. What brought him out to the event? “Free lunch,” he replied. “Yeah, that’s right. And we’re kinda interested. But we’d have to get Uber to get to the bus.” His situation typifies the experience faced by so many in the region. Silicon Valley sprung up around single-family zoning and car culture. Now, as its residents are aging, it can be hard to solve some mass transit challenges, like this, which have arisen. But in some cases, it’s not a matter of introducing public transit, but rather showing new ways to incorporate it into locals’ lives. Christensen and his wife have taken trains before, just not the bus. “We’re familiar with taking the light rail,” he said. Bob Buxton, another Los Gatos resident who helped organize the excursion, said they weren’t necessarily expecting to gain lifelong bus riders. Rather, they wanted to make sure seniors are aware of the options that are available to them. “This is the first time we’ve done this,” he said. “Not that they’ll use it again—but they might.”
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Los Gatos High School drama students have partnered with Santa Cruz Shakespeare to be a model for their educational outreach program. Featured on the Santa Cruz Shakespeare website, Los Gatos students starred in a promotional video to encourage schools and the general community to learn about Shakespeare and how his works impact the individual and the world. After completing two workshops at Los Gatos High School last school year, the school was approached to partner with Santa Cruz Shakespeare to film a promotional video for their education outreach programs. “The workshops were amazing,” said Los Gatos High School Drama and English Teacher Janna Rigby. “Our students enjoyed the work with text from King Lear—although many had not read it, (they) made it accessible and connected it to current-day issues.” Santa Cruz Shakespeare has several education programs that help gain a deeper understanding of the elements and themes within Shakespeare’s plays, including a social justice focus and student internships. “Community partnerships are an integral part of We INSPIRE!, our new Strategic Plan,” Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson said. “I am thrilled to see our students working with outside organizations, and am genuinely proud of our incredibly talented performing arts students at both schools.” Los Gatos High School’s drama department finished their Fall play, “Clue,” and have just completed auditions for their upcoming musical, “Cinderella.” For information, visit lghs.net.
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH MEETS IN LOS GATOS Assemblymember Gail Pellerin held a meeting of the Assembly Select Committee on California’s Mental Health Crisis in Los Gatos on Dec. 14.
Contributed
LOS GATOS HIGH SCHOL PARTNERS WITH SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE
LOCAL SCENE
PREMIERE Los Gatos High School senior Kyle Santoro premiered his documentary film, “Fentanyl High,” on Dec. 6 at the CineLux Los Gatos Theatre. Shot from the perspective and experiences of high school students in Santa Clara County, “Fentanyl High” is a documentary film about fentanyl poisoning that explores the brain chemistry behind why fentanyl kills and the cartel to social media to smartphones pipeline. The screening drew various town, county and school officials.
The meeting featured a panel of local mental health advocates including Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan. The panel focused on how Santa Clara County’s state representatives and local leaders are working together to increase behavioral health and wellness services in schools while addressing the youth mental health crisis. Dewan joined Marico Sayoc, executive
director of CASSY, and David Mineta, president and CEO of Momentum for Health, in a discussion about the barriers and opportunities for increasing access to mental health services. Over the last few years, state legislators including Pellerin have invested more than $8 billion in two youth-focused initiatives to increase access to behavioral health professionals and preventative services—the Children
and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative and the California Community Schools Partnership Project. “Eroding stigmas around mental illness starts with educating and supporting youth when they are struggling with their mental health,” Pellerin said. “I am proud of the investments California has made in bolstering access to behavioral health care for youth; however, plenty of our youth still seem to
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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701112 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Realty World Santa Clara Valley, 1101 So Winchester Blvd Suite A-109, San Jose, CA, 95128, Kelly Michael Aronica. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2024. /s/Kelly Michael Aronica. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024)
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GUEST VIEW
TOWN’S FAILURE ON HOUSING HAS DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES
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Jak Van Nada, Contributor
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Los Gatos has eight huge housing projects as a result of our leadership failing to get the Housing Element certified. The General Plan process started more than five years ago. One very critical item in the General Plan is the Housing Element (HE). It is critical because the State gave the Town a very adequate amount of time to get the HE certified by meeting their requirements by Jan. 31, 2023. The Town started off on the wrong foot by working first on the General Plan that had no penalties and no deadline. That went well over their estimated time period and no one in management thought they needed to move immediately to the Housing Element. The Town received its first rejection letter of the HE on Jan. 12. Since then, the Town has failed certification four additional times. It will be two to three months more before we have another shot at getting this across the goal line. In the meantime, more applications can be filed for non-conforming residential buildings. A disastrous consequence of the Town’s failure is something called the “Builder’s Remedy,” long known by the Town to have severe penalties. It is a housing development streamlining tool that provides developers the option to file an application for a housing development project with at least 20% affordable housing that is not in conformance with a jurisdiction's zoning or General Plan. That’s where we are now, four projects of which are Builder’s Remedies. More can be filed until the Town becomes certified but no other city we can find in our size range have more than three Builder’s Remedies projects. What does this mean to you? By our calculations, the projects we currently have will create 1,141 market-rate units; 247 affordable; 3,331 additional residents and 2,000 more cars as the Town continues to narrow streets like
Blossom Hill Road and Los Gatos Boulevard. If you thought traffic was already bad? Brace yourself. Not only will we suffer these consequences, but our greenhouse gases (aka pollution), which are already far under our goal, will only worsen. What happens to the schools? What about water? Why has the Town refused to do a financial impact analysis? One of the new buildings will be 12 stories tall or twice the size of our current tallest building, the Penthouse Apartments. Three of the new buildings will be seven stories and we will lose the Los Gatos Ace Hardware on the north end of town; the post office on the south, and the Los Gatos Lodge in the middle to new developments that prior to a Builder’s Remedy, could not be built. In our opinion, Los Gatos’s top management, consisting of former Mayors Maria Ristow and Rob Rennie, who both managed Town Manager Laurel Prevetti, have in the past two years caused the most disastrous situation this Town has ever suffered through. These three plus Councilmember Rob Moore all approved of doubling the density of Los Gatos back in 2022. Do you think there may be more going on than meets the eye? The Council voted on Dec. 5 to give the Town Manager a raise of more than $15,000. Meanwhile, residents will have to live with seven- and 12-story buildings; abject failure in meeting our affordable housing goals; massive traffic increases; reduction of traffic lanes; a bridge we can’t afford; water shortages, increased pollution, etc., that will only get worse. The question should not be about giving the Town Manager a raise, but rather, the Council needs to let us know why they would want to keep someone with this track record on our payroll at all. Jak Van Nada is a member of the Los Gatos Community Alliance.
The barriers to quality mental health care are numerous and complex.
CLOSING THE GAPS IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor
I learned from a panel discussion held on Dec. 14 at the Los Gatos Town Hall, that mental health care is riddled with gaps, leaving many individuals struggling to access the services they need. From a shortage of qualified providers, to inadequate insurance coverage, to insufficient Medi-Cal reimbursements to providers, to burdensome and non-uniform paperwork requirements for obtaining reimbursements for services provided, to a disparity in the approach to treatment of mental health issues compared to the treatment of physical health issues, the barriers to quality mental health care are numerous and complex. This panel discussion, titled “The Select Committee on Mental Health Crisis,” was ably moderated by Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and State Senator Dave Cortese. Those in attendance heard from panelists from Behavioral Health Contractors Association, Maternal Outreach Mood Services, the Santa Cruz Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Counseling and Support Services for Youth, Momentum for Health and the Santa Clara County Office of Education. Their compelling testimony made it clear that to effectively address the gaps in the delivery of mental health services, a legislative approach is necessary. Whenever I think about legislative fixes to a problem, I harken back to the lessons delivered by Jennifer Pahlka in her book titled “Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better.”
This is a must-read book for anyone who is involved in creating, drafting, passing and implementing legislation. Pahlka founded Code for America, served as U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama, helped found the United States Digital Service, and also co-founded United States Digital Response, which helps government meet the needs of the public with volunteer tech support. Pahlka discusses how government is often hamstrung by a rigid industrial-era culture in which higher ups dictate policy, disconnected from and often contemptuous of the details of implementation. The moderators in this mental health presentation are well informed and experienced legislators. They are not elitist or out of touch. However, I did not hear anyone, including the moderators or the very knowledgeable panelists, discuss the need to bring into the process other essential players. We did not hear from any of these other players. They were not in attendance. This left me concerned that by oversight or due to the urgency of the issue, a thorough legislative process may not occur. Channeling Jennifer Pahlka, I hope that the following process is utilized in creating new policies and/or legislation: • Inclusive stakeholder engagement: This means convening all stakeholders, including service providers, mental health advocates, patients, representatives from insurance companies, IT firms, Medi-Cal representatives, and the personnel responsible on a day-to-day basis for putting the policy/legislative
Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator who lives in Los Gatos. He can be reached at blumesq@aol.com.
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changes into action, to share their expertise and perspectives throughout the new policy/legislative development process. • Ground-up policy development: Prioritizing evidence-based practices and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to craft legislation that is not only comprehensive but also feasible and sustainable. • Technology as an enabler: Leveraging technology to bridge geographical gaps, improve data sharing, and streamline care coordination. This could involve initiatives like teletherapy platforms, electronic health records integration, data-driven resource allocation, and as was discussed at the meeting, a common application form for reimbursement claims made by mental health providers. • Implementation focus: Ensuring that the legislation includes clear implementation plans with dedicated funding and resources to support the transition and address potential challenges. With a collaborative approach, legislators can tap into a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience, leading to: • More effective legislation: Policies that are grounded, address specific needs, and are more likely to be successful in implementation. • Enhanced trust and buy-in: Stakeholders who feel heard and valued are more likely to support and advocate for the legislation, fostering greater public trust and ownership. • Sustainable solutions: Collaborative efforts can lead to the development of long-term, sustainable solutions that address not just immediate needs but also future challenges. I have zero experience as a legislator but lots of experience in developing policies in a variety of volunteer positions. These volunteer experiences, in addition to my many years of experience as a mediator and volunteer settlement judge, when added to the lessons I gleaned from Jennifer Pahlka’s book, lead me to conclude that the gaps in the delivery of mental health services must be filled via a comprehensive and collaborative approach in which all players are involved.
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650-400-9071 www.allstar.construction
Get an Estimate Today!
Clean Sweep House Cleaning
Looking to SPECIALIZING De Tagle IN Got Piano? Careful Careful FINE JEWELRY Jewelers & Management Management Move from the LOOSE GEMS Bay Area? Goldsmiths CUSTOM DESIGN Specializing in RESTORATION Fine Jewelry REPAIR
GIVE US providing A CALL! •WeLoose Gems have been -7000 (408) 377 •quality Custom Design service and meeting 14400 UNION •your Restoration real estate needsAVE in SAN JOSE 95124 •both Repair sales and property management since 1977.
Scotts Valley Give Us A Call! IN SPECIALIZING Property Management
FINE JEWELRY -7000 408 377 Broker, Jeanne Jensen Shada
Premium service and resonable rates Call today for a free estimate! 25+ years of experience, references, bonded and insured.
(831) 239-4645 cleansweep1989@gmail.com
Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar
LOOSE 14400 UnionGEMS Avenue 831.438.2208 DESIGN 4615CUSTOM Scotts Dr, Suite B San Jose Valley 95124 DRE RESTORATION #00606749 REPAIR
Only one per client. Offer does not include diagnosis fee. Does not apply to major equipment replacement or accessories. Valid through Dec 31, 2022
408-868-5500
Lic# 258540
Call Rich at 408.260.2740. No text
831-252-5353
Doscher Painting Interior and Exterior Satisfaction guaranteed. Free estimates.
GIVE US A CALL! •Experienced (408) •Knowledgeable 377-7000 •Professional 14400 UNION AVE SAN JOSE 95124
Your Gutter & Copperworks Expert
pH Home Care &Repair Phillip
Scotts Valley Chiropractic
Scotts Valley Property Management Broker, Jeanne Jensen Shada 831.438.2208 4615 Scotts Valley Dr, Suite B DRE #00606749
Let me find you a real estate broker out of the area or out of state. I will do the leg work. I will also give you a $100 gift certificate when you purchase through my referral!
All I need to know is the city you want to move to. The Rodino Realty Group Give me a call or text at 408.431.6640
• Pavers •WeRetaining Walls have been providing •quality Demo & Grading service and meeting •your Yard realCleanups estate needs in •both Trash salesRemoval and property management 1977. -5354 831 588since
CA Li# 837645
Scotts Valley Property Management Broker, Jeanne Jensen Shada 831.438.2208 4615 Scotts Valley Dr, Suite B DRE #00606749
losgatan.com
Bonded/Insured/PL, PD/CA Lic. #550327
Are you looking for a way to control the rain that falls on your home or business? We do more than just gutter and downspout installations and repairs. Give us a call!
(831) 345-3490 slvraingutters.com
Dr. Paige Thibodeau, D.C.
831.438.0308
4736 Scotts Valley Dr, Ste B scottsvalleychiropractic.com
Your Entire Repair Bill
I have 48 years experience in the piano business as a PTG Registered Craftsman serving the Bay Area.
We have been providing quality service and meeting your real estate needs in both sales and property management since 1977.
Housing too expensive here? Now with working in place, you can live where you want for much less and keep your job.
Third generation chiropractor, established in 1976
Lic. #813878
REMODELING
Over 40 years experience to serve you. New construction Remodels Water heaters Repipes and repairs
Kitchens Baths & More General Contractor
Give us a call at 831.610.8147 or email hwy9plumbing@gmail.com
MV Construction
831-325-3166 Lic # 1045811
marvinvalle330@gmail.com CA#1100499
650-703-5179
Actions speak louder than words. Your gift today will be instrumental in helping the next person into permanent, stable housing. Donate today at housingmatterssc.org
losgatan.co m : Dec emb er 2 0 -2 6, 20 23
15% OFF
Give me a call for a free piano refinishing estimate.
Rick Doscher (831) 335-9084
831.233.9449
Mention LOS GATAN for
I buy and sell quality used pianos or can place pianos on consignment.
Handyman
Local in Los Gatos
The Home of Old Fashioned Service Since 1962.
OWC Bobcat Careful Services Management
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