By Town Crier Staff Report

The legendary Quentin L. Kopp visited the staff of the Los Altos Town Crier last week, displaying all the charm and outspokenness that marked his long career in San Francisco and state politics.

Kopp, 75, who has served on the state senate and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, showed up to the newspaper’s Oct. 11 staff meeting at the invitation of account executive Teresa Acosta.

Now a San Mateo County Superior Court judge, Kopp described a special case in which he is currently presiding involving loggers and environmentalists in Humboldt County. He heard cross-complaints in June by tree-sitters who countersued Pacific Lumber Company for assault after the lumber company had sued the activists for trespassing. The activists also allege local law enforcement acted in concert with the lumber company to force the tree-sitters from their perches. “The case was filed in 2002,” he said. “It’s still not settled.”

The colorful independent, whose free-thinking reputation landed him spots on local radio and television, has been lauded for legislation forwarding the cause of transportation. Such work landed him the honor of having Freeway 380, which connects Interstate 280 and Highway 101, named after him.

Kopp spent 10 years on the state senate (1987-1997). He said his proudest moment as a legislator is “still undone,” referring to rebuilding the Bay Bridge. He said he favors BART coming to San Jose and the South Bay.

“I’ve always been for it,” he said. “It gives people an option to reduce congestion on 280.”

A career highlight for Kopp, a Dartmouth graduate and lawyer by trade, was being elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1975 for the first time. “I ran No. 1 with 116,000 votes,” he recalled. “I was gleeful.”