Los Gatos Youth Commission Lauded

"Did you know?," the popular meeting segment that is shared with the public, featured the Nov. 21 which led the Pledge of Allegiance.

According to a presentation by Commission Chairman Benjamin Baranovsky, the group is in its seventh year, formed in 2004 and has 20 youth serving in grades eighth through 12th who were appointed by Council members.

Its purpose is to represent youth issues and perspectives to the Council and give Los Gatos young men and women a greater voice in the community, Baranovsky said.

The commission's work plan includes expanding the Youth Friendly Business Program, give input on the , the under-construction and the coming to Los Gatos Boulevard, Baranovsky added.

The business project's purpose is to address the perceived unfriendly attitude toward teens in town, according to its members. It gives youth-friendly stores and businesses a special paw print decal to display in their window.

Other tasks performed by the commission are reviewing the youth portion of the 2020 General Plan and studying parking and traffic issues around Los Gatos schools, Baranovsky said.

The group also meets monthly to discuss youth issues and share ideas with the mayor, vice mayor, chief of police and director of

Former Los Gatos Mayor Joe Pirzynski read each of the youth commissioners' names as they stepped up to the podium to be recognized.