15 Attachment 1 - Public Comment1
Katy Nomura
From:Daniel B Snyder
Sent:Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:51 AM
To:Mary Badame; Rob Moore; Rob Rennie; Maria Ristow; Matthew Hudes
Cc:Laurel Prevetti
Subject:Town Priorities for a "Town" Center
Dear Town Council Members‐
I have read many arƟcles and columns in local papers about the need for a new Senior Center, and how the town
approved a grant to remodel the current adult center. Granted, given local construcƟon costs, $1m will more likely fund
a “tweak” than a remodel, but that is a separate discussion about raƟonal percepƟons. I could also tell you the story of
signing up for a program there, and being dropped because I was apparently too young for the group.
Anyway, I’d like to remind the council that while ~50% of local acƟve voters are senior ciƟzens (65+), they are just 20% of
Los Gatos residents. Children 18 and under are actually 23% (US Census). So, where is the discussion or evaluaƟon of
our youth's needs? To be fair to seniors, arguably, the Senior Center should be pushed out into a separate JPA, like the
LG Rec department was, back in the 70s. There, it could struggle to find funding (and retain staff), sourced from fees
charged for services to seniors (or their caregivers).
Ok, I am being a bit over the top. But as a parent of two older teenagers, and a trustee for LGUSD, I have seen first‐hand
how under served our youth (and middle aged adults) are compared to similar local communiƟes. Many have numerous
town athleƟc fields that are not just a park. They have community gyms and pools, so residents don’t have to pay $300‐
600 per month to a company for stay fit.
What I would really like to see is that some funding be directed to truly evaluate all of the faciliƟes needs of the Los
Gatos community, not just for the 20% of residents who have a loud voice at Council meeƟngs. I firmly believe that if Los
Gatos had a clear Strategic/FaciliƟes Master Plan (beyond roads), it could be a rallying point for our community, uniƟng
us around our common needs and benefits.
Then, we could unite for a bond measure to actually fund those prioriƟes, rather than always slashing the opƟons
because there isn’t any money in the General Fund (which there isn’t). And, if the community clearly wanted more
annual services as part of that plan, it is the perfect basis for a parcel tax to fund them.
This is what local school districts have done, and Ɵme and again, Los Gatos has risen to fund the prioriƟes that we all
share.
But, baring that, please don’t limit the current adult center to only senior ciƟzens. Make sure the town serves all our
residents.
Thanks,
Daniel Snyder
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