Opinion: The heart of Saratoga lives in Its neighborhoods

"Our city is built on many strengths-excellent schools, beautiful green spaces, and a charming downtown-but the heart of Saratoga has always been its neighborhoods. As I begin my third term as mayor, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community, and I am continually reminded that Saratoga's true character reveals itself at the neighborhood level. What makes Saratoga special are the relationships between its residents."

"Saratoga has a rich tradition of resident involvement, and neighborhood-based groups are instrumental in that. Did you know that Saratoga was one of the first communities to embrace Nextdoor as a means of ensuring neighbor-to-neighbor communications? Yes, that came with some good and some not-so-good, but it's important to have new and innovative means of sharing information with each other."

Saratoga combines excellent schools, beautiful green spaces, and a charming downtown with neighborhoods that form the city's core. Neighborhoods function as networks of connections, relationships, and shared experiences that give residents pride and a sense of being rooted. Strong neighbor-to-neighbor relationships create warmth, connection, and community spirit, especially during the holidays. Resident involvement is sustained through neighborhood-based groups, early adoption of platforms like Nextdoor, Neighborhood Watch, and volunteer programs. Programs such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), city 'Let's Work' volunteer efforts, and city commissions support safety, emergency readiness, beautification, and civic engagement.

Read at The Mercury News