Messages from the Mayor

February 22, 2021 

When I decided to first run for Town Council, I was warned that Los Gatos was not ready to elect a woman of color. That was 2014, and since then I have won two elections and am serving as Mayor of the Town of Los Gatos for the second time. When I think back to that statement, I think how foolish it was to underestimate the good that is within our community. When I think back to that statement, I work harder to make Los Gatos even more welcoming.  I have and will continue to promote awareness, acceptance and accountability.

As Town leaders, we have a responsibility to address and counter racism and discrimination in all its forms. The Town of Los Gatos is committed to diversity, equity and inclusivity. We will do our part to dismantle any existing systems fostering explicit or implicit racism. We will work individually, within our government, and our community to advocate and advance fundamental rights, safety, and respect of all people. We will highlight areas of needed growth and change.  We will start authentic conversations that contribute to deeper understanding, compassion, and community healing. 

It takes a town to meet this commitment and we look forward to working with you to meet these goals.

Marico Sayoc
Los Gatos Mayor 2021

June 19, 2020

Today we celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth – the day 155 years ago when Union soldiers marched into Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and slavery was over – more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Then, as now, America moved slowly to recognize and implement the ideal of equal rights for all. Now, with racial justice issues at the forefront of our national and local debate, it is appropriate that on this day Los Gatos launch a dedicated webpage outlining our shared values of diversity and inclusivity.

At Becoming an Inclusive Community, you will find a sample of actions Los Gatos has already taken to realize these values – from the Town’s 2017 Resolution committing to diversity, to its recent Proclamation not only reaffirming that commitment, but taking a strong stand against racial inequality and injustice. You will also find information about training, standards, and expectations for our Police Department – including a commitment to review those standards going forward and report back to the community as outlined in the Mayor’s Pledge to Commit to Action. You will also find a link to a dedicated email through which information, requests, reports, complaints, and simple observations may be shared with the Town. Finally, you will find information about upcoming Town listening events and workshops where we can all come together to listen, learn, and go forward together.

In naming the new webpage Becoming an Inclusive Community, Los Gatos recognizes there is work to do – but in clearly stating our commitment to inclusivity and diversity – the Town is striving to take the steps needed to reach that goal, and we look forward to your participation and guidance in helping us get there.

We are Los Gatos.  We are a diverse community.  We respect the dignity, health, rights, and privacy of all our residents, businesses, and visitors.  We value all our community members, regardless of religion, immigration status, ethnicity, race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  We strive to ensure all community members feel safe, respected, and comfortable to be themselves and express all aspects of their identities.

Marcia Jensen
Los Gatos Mayor 2020