Staff ReporttOI N 0 MEETING DATE: 01/19/16
ITEM NO:
!ps �ApS COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JANUARY 4, 2015
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPOINT NEW TOWN OF LOS GATOS POET LAUREATE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Appoint Stan Garber as the Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate for a two-year term beginning in
January 2016.
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate position has served to further the appreciation and
advancement of poetry and the literary arts in Los Gatos for the past five years. Each Poet
Laureate has accomplished this in a unique way. Parthenia Hicks served as Town of Los Gatos
Poet Laureate from 2010 through 2012. During her term, she created and read original poetry at
the Library's ground -breaking, time capsule celebration, and grand opening. She also helped the
Town celebrate its 125th anniversary with poetry and produced a book of local poetry. Erica
Goss served as Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate from 2013 through 2015. During her term, she
brought the community into poetry with poetry walks, poetry open -mics, and poetry camps and
scholarships for students.
To determine the next Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate, a Selection Committee was formed.
The Poet Laureate Selection Committee was composed of Marcia Jensen (Town Council),
Shelley Katz (Library Board), Lyn Dougherty (Library Board), Brian Bernasconi (Arts and
Culture Commission), Tonya McQuade (Los Gatos High School teacher and published poet),
and Heidi Murphy (Library Director). The first meeting of this Committee took place on
September 23, 2015 to develop the process and timeline for the Poet Laureate recruitment. The
Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate Description and Application document was released on
October 2, 2015 via the Town website, the Town's What's New email list, the Town's social
media sites, the current Poet Laureate's social media sites, and press releases (Attachment 1).
PREPARED BY:
HEIDI MURPHYut �ov
Library Director
Reviewed by: Lj:V Assistant Town Manager
Town Attorney �GLFinance
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: APPOINT NEW TOWN OF LOS GATOS POET LAUREATE
JANUARY 4, 2016
BACKGROUND (Cont'd):
By the application deadline on November 2, 2015, three applications were received. Each
application included three original poems, a cover letter, a resume, and two letters of
recommendation. The Committee met again on November 10, 2015 to review applications. The
Committee unanimously decided to interview all three applicants based upon the high quality of
the submissions.
Interviews took place on December 3, 2015. Each applicant brought a unique take on the Poet
Laureate position. After extensive discussion of the duties and description of the Poet Laureate
position in Los Gatos (outlined in the Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate Description and
Application), the Committee unanimously moved to recommend Stan Garber for the position of
Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate.
DISCUSSION:
Stan Garber brings a focus on poetry that is accessible to the common person, relaying stories of
people, schools, sports, and everyday life situations. His passion for poetry and people is
apparent in his work and in his conversation. Stan has a Master of Science degree in Education
and is a middle school principal at Cabrillo Middle School. Stan uses poetry to connect with and
appreciate people. The poetry he submitted and read to the Committee showcased this focus on
people (Attachment 2). Stan would build on the work of the previous Poets Laureate, expanding
the engagement of the school and sports communities, as well as the everyday person who may
not have engaged with poetry previously.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:
The Poet Laureate Selection Committee recommends that the Town Council appoint Stan Garber
as the Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate for a two-year term beginning in January 2016, with a
possible extension to a three-year term. The extension would be reviewed in the fall of 2017 as
was done for the previous Poet Laureate.
NEXT STEPS:
If the Town Council appoints Stan Garber as Poet Laureate, Town Staff will work with him as
needed to facilitate programs and collaborate on projects to ensure another successful Poet
Laureate.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The Council's discussion of this matter is not a project defined under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and no further action is required.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: APPOINT NEW TOWN OF LOS GATOS POET LAUREATE
JANUARY 4, 2016
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated fiscal impact associated with the appointment of the Poet Laureate and its
programs and projects.
Attachments
1. Poet Laureate Program Goals
2. Selection of Stan Garber's work
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: APPOINT NEW TOWN OF LOS GATOS POET LAUREATE
JANUARY 4, 2016
There is no anticipated fiscal impact associated with the appointment of the Poet Laureate and its
programs and projects.
Attachments
1. Poet Laureate Application and Description
2. Selection of Stan Garber's work
Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate Description and Application
Deadline: November 2, 2015 @ 5:00 p.m.
Poet Laureate Duties and Responsibilities:
• Be available to present and to provide poems for significant civic openings or Town
celebrations during the two-year appointment.
• Incorporate in-person and multi -media efforts to advocate for the appreciation and
advancement of poetry and the literary arts.
• Visit schools and attend Town functions as needed.
• Undertake a significant cultural project with resonance to the Town and the lifestyle of
Los Gatos. There could be a wide variety of projects. Past examples include:
o Coordinate and host poetry readings at local public venues
o Establish poetry slams at local schools
o Arrange for a published collection of Los Gatos poetry
To apply:
Please submit:
• The attached application;
• copies of three (3) original poems (published or unpublished);
• cover letter;
• resume; and
• two (2) letters of recommendation to:
Heidi Murphy, Los Gatos Library
100 Villa Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030
hmurphy@losgatosca.eov
Page II
ATTACHMENT 1
Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate Description and Application
Deadline: November 2, 2015 @ 5:00 p.m.
First Name:
Last Name:
I am at least 18 years of age.
Address:
y
City:
❑
State:
I am actively involved in the poetry community and have been published or
Zip Code:
Y
Daytime Phone:
❑
Evening
Phone.
I am the sole creator of the three attached poems.
Email Address:
Y
Please respond by checking yes or no to each of the following statements:
I am at least 18 years of age.
❑
y
❑
N
I am actively involved in the poetry community and have been published or
❑
Y
recognized for my contributions to poetry or other literature.
❑
N
I am the sole creator of the three attached poems.
❑
Y
❑
N
I have been a resident of Los Gatos for three years. (This includes all Los Gatos
❑
Y
mailing addresses).
❑
N
I am comfortable speaking in public.
❑
y
❑
N
I certify that all of the information in this application and all attachments is true and correct to
the best of my knowledge:
Applicant's Signature & Date
Page 12
A Hole in My Shoe
I just don't care about hair and fashion,
Though some people think that I should.
I'll spend my money on food and on shelter,
And maybe a cord of wood.
When the barber asked me how I wanted my hair,
I said, "Don't make me look like a fool.
But my time has long passed for you to attempt,
To try and make me look cool."
That my hair is short and my clothes are clean,
Is enough status for me to attain.
When 1 was much younger, traveling the world,
I was happy to sleep on the train.
There's enough entertainment in doing a job,
And making a friend or two.
I'll have no regrets, when I'm an old man,
And there is a hole in my shoe!
ATTACHMENT 2
The Baseball Game
All around were my fans, old and young alike.
Sometimes the pitcher threw a ball, sometimes he threw a strike,
And right nearby I saw a girl with freckles and short hair,
And when you talk of having fun. I'm sure she had her share.
I wondered just how old she was, I guess it didn't matter,
Just then the home team came to bat and Reggie was the batter.
He took three balls without a strike, then took another sign,
Before he hit one long and deep, he'd homered down the line.
The ball bounced right beside the girl then sailed up to me,
1 wrapped my hands around that ball and it was mine for free!
The little girl smiled up at me, though her eyes look kind of sad.
I think because I held the prize, the ball she almost had.
But instead of feeling glad about that ball I caught,
I felt as if I took her ball and that 1 should have not.
So I walked down to her chair. I said, "I bet you're eight?"
She said, "Today's my birthday!" and I just said, "That's great!"
I gave that little girl the ball and her eyes they shined so bright.
And I think 1 felt best of all because 1 knew I'd done right.
U,
Sammy Turned Nine Today
Listen to music, look at the sky,
Do something deliberate that won't make you cry.
Look for distractions,
Do something that's fun.
It can lessen your burden by more than a ton.
So, don't make that appointment,
The bills don't need paying.
Go to the park and watch the kids playing,
And take a deep breath,
As if it were your last,
Because life is too short and goes by too fast.
12