The vote margin increased to 20 after local polling counts were added. I'm of mixed emotions here. Yes, I supported the measure and I'm glad it's looking like it will probably pass. But the real winner of this election is apathy. This was a mail in ballot, with every registered voter receiving a ballot by mail that required no postage to return. Yet only about 40% of the community cared enough to cast a vote. I'm almost 60 and have only missed two elections in my entire life, both primaries, and both when I was much, much younger.

This vote, now with just a 20 vote margin, does show that individual efforts and votes do matter. Yet 60% of the community couldn't be bothered to cast their vote.

I share the previous commentator's concern about low turnout of voters for Measure A. Woodsiders should know better, and exercise their right to vote on whatever matters come before them. With mail-in and drop-off ballots, it is so extremely easy to vote. Shame on you, non-voters!!!

One thing is for certain, the Woodside community is VERY evenly divided on this issue. Assuming this measure eventually passes, our Town Council would be wise to go slowly. There is clearly no ground swell of support for this.

I think there is a lot of support for limited outdoor dining - perhaps not the entire front parking lot, more likely the front spaces facing the restaurants.
But there is very little support for an amphitheater. Had the proponents limited their initiative to outdoor dining only, I suspect support would have been near unanimous.

This is hardly a mandate to forge ahead with chainsaws and bulldozers. There are many hurdles ahead should this measure ultimately succeed in the final vote tally. The emergency order allowing outdoor dining and the dining itself will inevitably disappear long before any proposal makes it through the long process garnering entitlements and development. One has to wonder whether a few dozen people who voted 'yes' may regret their hasty decision in retrospect.

Once again the phrases hold true, we are a nation divided and a community divided--every vote counts. An apparent happy day for 850 people. A sad day for Woodside. Good luck red-legged frogs and dusky-footed woodrats, owls and squirrels, a bit more of our shared paradise will apparently disappear forever in favor of mediocre coffee and avocado toast.