The Front Page

We, the members of the Los Gatos Citizens for Responsible Development support responsible, reasonable and effective growth and development.

We support the re-development of the Los Gatos Business Park LLC (proposed Albright Office Park) consistent with the following:

• We support a project consistent with the Goals and Policies of the 2020 General Plan, consistent with the General Plan Light Industrial Land Use Designation, and consistent with the Townʼs Commercial Design Guidelines.
• We support a project that protects our environment.
• We support a project that minimizes traffic impacts in an already congested area.

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Math class offerings cut by the district at Fisher Middle School will impact every K-5 child!

The district's implementation plan for the new Common Core Standards in Los Gatos K-8 will result in the loss of math levels. Can you believe in Los Gatos we would allow such a thing? Since when do we settle for limited choices? Why would we not continue to allow kids that excel in math to be placed in a classroom that provides a challenging and stimulating learning environment? If your child excels, no longer will the be allowed to take a class outside of their grade level. Those that need the highest math level currently offered at Fisher, will now have to wait until high school. How can this be? Since when did we say "no" to providing an excellent education? The Superintendent labeled the over 100 parents at the "math meeting" last week as "hostile" when questions arose. That does not sound very collaborative nor solution oriented, it unfortunately sounds like a "no".
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The General Plan calls for a 35 foot height limit. Why should we approve 65 feet requested by the developer?

Structures that go 35 feet, with underground parking will be in compliance with the existing zoning height limit, and provide open space with the underground parking. Keeping to the existing height limit will protect views, and the privacy of adjoining landowners.

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Peter Carter, co-founder of the Los Gatos Social Club, died at his home Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, apparently due to an accidental fall. His wife, Dennise, was reportedly not at home. Peter had just turned 70.

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Reports of door-to-door solicitors are increasing. I tend to not open my door to anyone I don't know, unless they are holding Thin Mints. Check out the press release below, and stay safe. Call the LG/MS Police Department at the numbers listed if you see anything suspicious going on in your neighborhood.
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The Town of Los Gatos invites concerned citizens to a Scoping Session regarding the North 40, on March 6th at 6pm in the Council Chambers. Please see below for more details from the Community Development Department.

Dear North Forty Interested Citizens:

The Town of Los Gatos will be the Lead Agency and prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the North Forty Specific Plan. The Town has circulated a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to public agencies as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Through the NOP, the Town will solicit input from these public agencies on the scope and content of the EIR in connection with the North Forty Specific Plan.
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Below is the second announcement sent yesterday by the LGUSD. A kind reader inserted the entire text into a comment - thank you. I am posting it here, and copying the related comments, for further discussion.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 6, 2013

CONTACT: Dr. Diana Abbati, Superintendent – Los Gatos Union School District

Los Gatos Union School District Board Votes Unanimously to Place
No Tax Increase Renewal Measure on May 7, 2013 - Mail-in Ballot

LOS GATOS— The Los Gatos Union School District (LGUSD) officials, parents and teachers gathered tonight to discuss the importance of renewing the local funding measure that helps support student achievement in local schools.

Citing the need to maintain outstanding educational programs and retain highly-qualified teachers without increasing tax rates, the Los Gatos Union School District Board voted unanimously to seek a renewal of the District’s expiring parcel tax measure on the May 7, 2013 ballot.

“Los Gatos schools are among the top in the state in terms of student test scores, thanks to ...

The following announcement was sent out by LGUSD Superintendent Abbati Wednesday afternoon:

February 6, 2013

Dear Los Gatos Union School District Families, Teachers and Staff:

It is with heartfelt words that I write this letter to inform you that our Principal, Rosanne Adona, will be retiring from Louise Van Meter Elementary School at the end of June 2013. Over the past 18 years, LGUSD students, teachers, and staff have greatly benefited from Ms. Adona’s leadership, vision, guidance and aspirations. The Board of Trustees will be accepting Ms. Adona’s retirement letter at the February 12th Board meeting.

While this news came unexpectedly, the District Administrative Team is taking the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition for the 2013-14 school year. It is our intent to build on our strong momentum and continue in our current positive direction. We are so very fortunate to have the administrative talents and experience of our Principals, teachers and staff to guide our future and ground Van Meter Elementary through this transition.

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The following agenda can be found on the LGUSD website here:
(apologies for the wide open spacing, the formatting isn't allowing me to make it any prettier)

Regular Board Meeting
January 29 - 6:30 p.m.

Thomas P. O’Donnell District Office Board Room
Click here to view previous board meetings!
Superintendent
Dr. Diana G. Abbati

Board Members
Kathleen Bays
Scott Broomfield
Emi Eto
Leigh-Anne Marcellin
Tina Orsi-Hartigan

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InsideLG is lucky to feature Story Snoops, a local website providing parents and children with reviews and guidance on children's literature.

The ALA will be announcing their awards on January 28th, and we will soon learn who will win this year’s Newbery Award.


I have been hesitant to make predictions in the past becomes sometimes those winners come straight out of left field and I never could have guessed them! But where is the fun in that? There are some solid books from 2012 that most would agree deserve, if not the Newbery Medal, then perhaps a Newbery Honor award. These are just my opinions however, so don’t laugh at me if I completely miss the mark come January 28th. With that disclaimer, I bring you my darlings for the 2013 Newbery Award.

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The following agenda can be found on the Town of Los Gatos website here:


STUDY SESSION CALLED TO ORDER - 5:00 P.M.

Capital Improvement Program Study Session - Discuss and provide input regarding priorities for Capital Improvement Funding

Staff Report

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The following agenda can be found on the LGSUHSD website here:

The agenda includes a discussion of the "New Tech High" program being considered for LGHS (see RD.4), and approval of an expenditure plan for the RDA money the district is receiving (see AI.5). Anything else here jump out at you? Let us know in the comments.
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Recently the Los Gatos Town’s Planning Commission was called upon to to plan for future affordable income housing units throughout Town. The commission’s response was a resounding “Not In My Downtown!” Paying only lip service to the concept of building affordable housing IN Los Gatos, the Commission’s plan-which will come before Town Council within a few weeks- is to essentially dump hundreds of low-income housing units in the “faraway lands” north of highway 85.

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Happy New Year Readers! If your resolutions included more civic involvement, here's your first chance to attend a town meeting.

The following agenda can be found on the Town of LG website here:

Due to the length of our agenda and in fairness to later items on the agenda, the audience is requested to make their comments as brief and precise as possible, and limit them to 3 minutes or less.

AGENDA
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
110 E. MAIN STREET
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

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The following press release was received from the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department.
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While I'm on a roll, I decided to write another quick article about the new gun shop in LG. I live in an awesome little community inside Los Gatos that has a neighborhood forum. Every now and then a hot topic catches fire and people get riled up. I enjoy being a part of the forum because I can read all sides of the story AND neighbors use their real names. We have a volunteer who verifies that members are in fact residents of our little sub-community. Really, I am very fortunate to live where I do.

Today, someone shared an article from the Patch that stated there is a new gun store in town on University. "Oh boy" I thought to myself, "this is going to be a good one." Was I ever right!

The new gun store (Full disclaimer: I have not verified the gun store is actually there, I'm going off the Patch article) is located where Morrow's Automotive was previously housed.

So, my question to you: How do you feel about having a gun shop in Los Gatos?

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I received an email from my daughters' school today that contained a letter from Susan von Felten, the Director of Curriculum for LGUSD.

I need to be brutally honest, I have never written anything on this site that I don't stand by. That said, I have never engaged in the comments bashing teachers and/or principals. Every resident is entitled to his/her opinion. My articles call out issues and problems; however, I stand behind my comments/articles with my name. I've had wonderful experiences with LGUSD, both as a student and as a parent. I'm not going to sugar-coat and say everything has been perfect because nothing is perfect--not even me! When I have an issue, I talk to those who can help and hope the issue will be resolved. People are people, we make mistakes and with constructive criticism, I believe we can change.

When I received BH's email earlier, I sat in disbelief. Again, people are people and we all make mistakes; however, the following letter concerns me. In the past year, Susan von Felten was named LGUSD's Director of Curriculum. I don't have ...

The following agenda can be found on the Town of Los Gatos website:

TOWN OF LOS GATOS
TOWN COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012 -- 7:00 P.M.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Jaan Jafri, Daves Avenue Elementary School

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I just received the following press release from the LG/MS Police Dept:
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