Rhetoric continues to spill over from town’s earlier sessions Drew Penner, Reporter
The wheels of town government came to a grinding halt Sept. 7 as an unruly audience that included anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers, police union representatives and public safety advocates shut down a Los Gatos Town Council meeting. The descent into chaos is part of a pattern of increasingly shrill rhetoric that began last spring during public comment periods of virtual meetings and has spilled over into the physical realm as Los Gatos reopened the meetings to in-person attendance. When Mayor Marico Sayoc called the meeting to order, she remarked on the volume of protesters in attendance, kicking things off by reading the signs and symbols policy. It foreshadowed a major disruption that would occur a few minutes later. “It's lovely to see signs,” she said, adding that those attached to poles or sticks aren’t permitted. “If you could just bring those back to the lobby, that would be great.” Under the policy, advocates can hold items broadcasting a particular viewpoint, as long as they aren’t raised above shoulder level. ➝ Council, 6
Heroes LG remembers Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer, who gave their lives on 9/11 to save the Capitol
FLY AWAY “Extraordinary acts on behalf of ordinary people,” reads the plaque at the 9/11 Memorial in Los Gatos that commemorates the actions of hometown heroes Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham. They were two of the people responsible for helping bring down Flight 93 in the midst of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorism attacks. Veterans, government officials and local community organizations gathered near Los Gatos High School, where they attended, to reflect on their selfless actions—and those of first responders in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Tower and Pentagon 20 years ago. For video of the ceremony, visit losgatan.com.
Drew Penner/Los Gatan
POLICING WOES LEAD TO CHAOTIC COUNCIL MEETING
vol . I, no. 2 : september 15-21 , 2021 : losgatan.com
‘UNMET NEED’ FOR CANNABIS Town asking for residents’ input on allowing dispensaries Judy Peterson, Reporter
When voters approved Proposition 64, the 2016 initiative that legalized recreational marijuana sales in California, 62 percent of Los Gatos residents voted for the measure. But Prop. 64 allowed municipalities to prohibit dispensaries within their jurisdictions, so Los Gatos banned them. Today, there are 42 retail cannabis dispensaries in our area, town attorney Rob Schultz said. The coverage area he cited extends from the Peninsula to San Jose. Schultz is reaching out to Los Gatos community groups, service clubs and other organizations to encourage residents to participate in a survey that will help decide if the town council allows retail cannabis sales. ➝ Cannabis, 6
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