Silicon Valley, Los Gatos Autumn Another Woke Mockingbird

AUTUMN

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council.

My name is Autumn, and I am a resident of Los Gatos.

Like many others who spoke tonight, I was very pleased to see the discussion of federal funding on tonight’s agenda.

Last November, when the Council declined

To prioritize a discussion of

How federal politics would impact our town

I was surprised that there was not more concern

However, at this point

I feel it has become very clear

That national decisions may have a very big

Impact on our community

And it is my hope

That the town is well-prepared for a scenario in

Which we receive less federal funding than expected

As I listen to others speak tonight

I was particularly moved by

I think it was Ms. Snyder it was,

Who talked about potential impact on NUMU

By the folks who talked about the impacts on our libraries

These are all things

That we all enjoy

And experience that are vibrant parts of our community

And so the idea of those things being at risk

Or going away was very sad to me

I appreciate that the town has helped us understand

Which types of things are

Provided via federal funding

What may be at risk

What has been received

What is to be received

But like others who have spoken tonight

I am still concerned that we do not have a clear contingency plan

Should something happen to those funds unexpectedly

In addition as others have stated

I think that since November it has become much clearer

That the impacts of National politics go

Far beyond the funding our town receives

I’ve heard from community members

Who are afraid to go out into public due to ICE presence

And these are citizens

Who are fearful of getting caught up in things

Because of the color of their skin

Or the language they speak

I’ve heard from community members with diverse identities

Who no longer trust

That they will be treated as equal citizens

And as folks have talked about the wildfires tonight

I’ve heard from a lot of people

Who were already very concerned about wildfires

Risk in our communities

Who are now worried

That accelerated climate change may lead to

Local devastation

And as a few people have mentioned

That our emergency funds

Which may be at risk

Have not been received yet

Are really key to making sure

That we can manage those types of crises

Since November, I have also been heartened

By seeing other local jurisdictions

And our county make explicit statements

That recommit to protecting all residents

But this also leaves me wondering why my

Town has not done the same

It has left many of us fearful

And unsure of where you stand

Or what you will do

When push comes to shove

Whether that be for federal funding

Or any other impact

That we may experience

And I respectfully ask the town will stand

Up for our community

And to make a plan to not only help us through

The uncertainty of the funding landscape

But also reaffirm our commitment to respecting

And protecting all Los Gatos residents

Thank you so much.