At a time when it’s easy to feel discouraged by the state of the world, our local community is where I find the most hope.
For those I haven’t yet met, my name is Rob Moore, and I have the immense privilege of serving as the new mayor of Los Gatos. I’ve been on the Town Council for the past three years, and I was recently appointed by my colleagues to take on the important role of mayor.
This column is the first of what will be regular articles I share with you during my time as mayor. I believe communication is one of my most important responsibilities. That’s why I plan to share updates not only through my monthly newsletter and social media but also here in the newspaper, a place our community has come to stay informed for generations.
In future columns, I’ll write about key issues in Los Gatos like housing, the budget and traffic, as well as some of my personal priorities, such as supporting young people and improving street safety. But as we begin a new year, I want to focus on a less tangible but equally important topic: hope.
Despite the divisiveness of our national politics, I rarely feel hopeless when engaging in local politics. Sometimes I feel frustrated or worried, but most often, I feel quite optimistic about our future. Part of my job as mayor is to be a steward of that optimism and to remind us why local engagement matters so much.
Despair often comes from a sense that change is impossible. One of the fundamental truths I have learned during my time in public service is that here in Los Gatos, change is almost always possible.
We may not control every force that shapes our town — from state housing mandates to overreach from the federal government — but we do control how we respond, prioritize resources and care for people living in our community. When the world feels heavy, I encourage you to turn your attention to causes on which you can make a direct impact.
Here are three reasons why I believe that local involvement is such a powerful antidote to despair:
First, local change is tangible. When I was elected in 2022, one of my early goals was to improve pedestrian safety. Within weeks, I worked with town staff to adjust intersection signal timing for traffic lights in Los Gatos so pedestrians crossing the street get a five-second headstart before the light turns green. It was a small change, but when you walk on our streets, you feel it immediately. When Congress passes a law, the impact can often feel distant and abstract. When the Town of Los Gatos fills a pothole, approves a new business or improves an intersection, you can see the result that same day.
Second, the Town of Los Gatos depends on its residents. Most of the time, our best ideas don’t originate behind a desk or podium; they come from you. From public comments to emails, neighborhood conversations to volunteer service, residents shape what the Town Council prioritizes and how we act. Moreover, whether the issue is emergency preparedness or keeping public spaces clean, the Town of Los Gatos relies on volunteers to execute our collective priorities.
Third, local government is small by design. The Los Gatos Town Council has five members. That fosters consensus building, persuasion and accountability. If a councilmember can convince just two colleagues that an idea is worth pursuing, it can move forward. And because our budget is modest compared to larger governments, we can act nimbly, so even small investments can make a meaningful difference.
Getting involved looks different for everyone and doesn’t have to be a big commitment. As a resident, there are many meaningful ways to serve, and you may be surprised by just how rewarding it feels.
If you’re looking for places to start, here are just a few ideas:
Join a service club like Rotary, Morning Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions or the Los Gatos History Club; Volunteer with or financially support a local nonprofit or community organization; Serve on a town commission or provide comments at town meetings; Join a congregation or volunteer for a faith ministry; Support a political cause, organization or campaign; Mentor a young person or support our schools; Volunteer with an emergency preparedness program like CERT or DART; Shop locally and attend community events.I’ve found that when people engage locally, they tend to feel more connected, more empowered and more hopeful.
During my swearing-in ceremony, I shared a belief that guides my public service: The future of Los Gatos will not be written by any one mayor, council or moment. It is written every day — by all of us, together.
As we begin this new year, I invite you to join me in strengthening our town through service and community. There is so much good happening in Los Gatos. I see it every day, and it gives me great hope for what lies ahead.
Rob Moore is mayor of Los Gatos.
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