Los Gatos’s new mayor and vice mayor historically have had opposing views, but both say they respect each other’s ability to work together for the best solutions for the town.

Los Gatos Town Council appointed Maria Ristow as mayor and Mary Badame as vice mayor for 2023 and swore in newly elected councilmember Rob Moore at a special meeting Tuesday evening.

“We have challenges in the next year, and we will face them and we will succeed, because we know how to come together and work,” Ristow said. “I look forward to being the team captain while everyone on the team contributes.”

Representatives from the offices of Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, state Assemblyman Evan Low and Assemblywoman Gail Pelegrin attended the swearing in event.

Moore, who was elected into his first term on town council this November, thanked everyone who supported his campaign. He joins incumbents Badame and Rob Rennie, who won re-election, and Matthew Hudes on the council.

“I fundamentally believe we share more similarities than differences as Los Gatans,” Moore said. “And while we might not agree on every issue, I hope that when we do disagree, we can do it like good neighbors do, with civility, care and respect.”

Moore campaigned on creating safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, supporting local affordable housing and protecting nature in the community. He became the target of anti-LGBTQ campaign fliers that were put up around town earlier this year.

Moore will take over the seat vacated by Marico Sayoc, who finished her final term on council this year. Councilmembers, including Moore, and several members of the community spoke to her impact and legacy.

Sarah Chaffin, who spearheaded the affordable teacher housing units that were recently built in town, said she could not have done it without the support of Sayoc, who was mayor at the time the units were proposed.

“That really will be one of your legacies,” Chaffin said. “Maybe you won’t be on the council anymore, but that housing will always be there, and you were a critical part of that,” .

Sayoc was also mayor when the town council was verbally harassed by a far right group that criticized the council’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and forced the council to hold virtual meetings. Sayoc and her family became the target of some of the vitriol, which included anti-LGBTQ comments.

Sayoc helped develop Los Gatos’ new meeting policy and worked with local leaders to embed the town’s new protocol into a state law.

“We had very courageous conversations about belonging and how people were feeling pain in this community. And they still do,” Sayoc said. “I may be leaving council, but I guarantee every one of you that I will not stop working until this town is a town that is inclusive and values love for what it is.”

Those in attendance gave Sayoc a standing ovation as she stepped down from the council dais. Sayoc was named Woman of the Year by the Women’s Caucus of California in February.

Rennie also received words of appreciation from his fellow council members as he handed over the mayoral reins to Ristow.

“The engineer in you was always trying to solve problems and challenges that came to us, but I think the person in you that I’ve come to serve with over the past eight years has just shown over and over again how much you love this town,” Sayoc said.

“I saw my role as mayor as the leader of the team, developer of the team and enabler of the team,” Rennie said. “My No. 1 goal was for the council to function as a high-performing team. We did not always agree, but we always treated each other with civility, respect, and without the drama and animosity that sometimes creeps into other councils.”

Hudes welcomed Badame as vice mayor, saying, “I’m looking forward to your emerging role in the leadership of Los Gatos. Your fresh perspective and emphasis on the character of our town is welcomed by me, and more importantly, by the predominant view of our residents.”

The new council has a busy year ahead. The town is facing a projected $4 million annual budget deficit, which will likely drop the general fund from $21 million in 2022 to $4.7 million in 2028.

Town staff have been working to find ways to decrease spending and increase town revenue, and the new council will have the responsibility of making the final cuts.

Los Gatos voters just passed a local business license tax in the November election, which will boost annual revenue by $1 million.

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Next year’s council will also have to navigate the 2040 General Plan referendum filed by the Los Gatos Community Alliance, which objected to what it termed a high number of housing units in the plan.

Los Gatos voters could decide the referendum in a special election or in the 2024 election, or the portions of the 2040 General Plan in question could be rewritten.

The final council meeting of the year will be on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. both in-person at the council chambers and online via Zoom or YouTube.