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Stuart "Skip" Brewster appointed to Los Gatos Community Health and Senior Services Commission after 4–1 council vote
Summary
The Los Gatos Town Council interviewed two applicants and voted 4–1 to appoint Stuart “Skip” Brewster to the Community Health and Senior Services Commission for a term through Dec. 31, 2028. Council members discussed candidates’ ideas on aging‑in‑place, volunteer coordination and improving local emergency responses for seniors.
Stuart "Skip" Brewster was appointed to the Los Gatos Community Health and Senior Services Commission on a 4–1 vote after an interview by the Town Council.
The council distributed ballots after interviewing Brewster and Laura Halbert for one short-term vacancy expiring Dec. 31, 2028. Council Members Hudis, Renie, Moore and Badami voted for Brewster; Vice Mayor Risto voted for Halbert. The clerk announced the result and the mayor congratulated Brewster on his appointment.
The interviews focused on priorities for community health and senior services. Brewster, who identified himself as Stuart Brewster and said he goes by "Skip," emphasized aging‑in‑place supports, recommending the town recruit interns from San Jose State's College of Health and Human Services to help with needs assessments and program analysis. He described prior local volunteer partnerships, work with the Rotary and starting a diabetes support group while overseas.
Laura Halbert (who introduced herself as "Wild Woman") said her priority is better coordination and communication about existing local services. Halbert cited faith‑based volunteer networks, local hospice experience and prior work opening a county cold‑weather shelter and a Volunteers of America mother‑infant program for incarcerated mothers as relevant experience. She urged stronger local connections with utilities and other large service providers so seniors receive timely, locally appropriate assistance during outages.
Both candidates suggested expanding intergenerational programming. Halbert proposed partnerships with local high schools to create "grandparent" volunteer opportunities for students to engage older residents. Brewster suggested cultural and intellectual activities and volunteer tutoring through organizations such as Jewish Family Services to reduce isolation among older adults.
During the interview Council members repeatedly framed the commission's role as coordinating existing resources rather than creating large new programs. The clerk reminded candidates the interviews follow council policy 2‑11, which limits question sets and allocates two minutes per answer.
The council thanked both applicants; the clerk said additional commission openings will be advertised later in the year.
