Oregonian Article Says LO in the top 5 Communities without Children.

To All COLA LO Members,

A powerful investigative article by the Oregonian this week shows that Lake Oswego has many more Child-free homes than most would imagine, given the support for schools.  


Lake Oswego is ranked fourth in the State with 71% of homes being child free only marginally behind #3 which was 72% 

This is surprising given the community support for schools and the large investment in LOSD facilities and resources.   It presents an interesting read for the future and can be found at:

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/05/fewer_oregon_homes_include_children_new_census_data_show.html

Please notify all members, contacts and friends.

COLA LO Board Member Submits Guest Opinion - Sellwood Bridge Measure Defeat

To all COLA LO Members.

Board Member Gary Gipson submitted a guest opinion to LO Review on the results of measure 3-372 in Clackamas County.    The opinion was published in the review this week and online comments keep growing about the results.   The review also issued an editorial based on the dramatic defeat of the measure on the May Ballot.   The article can be found at

Bridge vote never about the money: 

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130635937757554800

Lake Oswego residents complete emergency preparedness training by tackling an earthquake

TO All COLA LO Members,

The Oregonian reported on Lake Oswego's disaster preparedness training for citizens volunteering under the CERT program.    The article covers the disaster simulation under the LO Fire Department last Saturday.   

It includes video and an explanation of the program.  The article was written by reporter Everton Bailey can be found at:

http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2011/05/lake_oswego_residents_complete_emergency_preparedness_training_by_tackling_an_earthquake.html



Please notify all members, contacts and friends.  

Oregonian Reports - Lake Oswego raises utility fees to help raise funds for schools. Calls it a "backdoor" tax in print edition.

To All Cola LO Members,

The Oregonian released an article yesterday in print form entitled "Lake Oswego approves "backdoor" tax for schools".   In the article the Oregonian cites several city councilors and the chair of the education department at Marylhurst University.    The council has voted 4-3 to approve a franchise fee increase for residents.  

 Here is a direct quote from the article:

Ruhl questioned whether the city’s approach makes for sound public policy.
“I don’t think it’s a good strategy,” he said. “I understand, in theory, why they are doing this. But I don’t think it’s a great idea. And if it is, then they ought to go to the people directly to get that support.”

The Oregonian article can be found at :

http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2011/05/lake_oswego_raises_utility_fees_to_help_raise_funds_for_schools.html

Vehicle Registration Fee Soundly Rejected by Clackamas County Voters Despite the Conflicting Position of City Councilors Jordan & Olson

To All COLA LO Members,

Clackamas County voters dramatically rejected the Vehicle Registration Fee approved by the County Commissioners.     This is despite the fact that City Councilor Donna Jordan testified in support of the new vehicle registration fee earlier this year.    Councilor Mary Olson testified in opposition to the fee before the county commissioners.

The Clackamas County Commissioner approved the fee increase despite overwhelming testimony by citizens against the fee.   This forced a grass roots effort to require the decision to be placed before the voters.  

Tuesday the voters provided confirmation of public testimony which the County Commisioners ignored.

The Measure 3-372 lost by 63% No and 37% yes despite a massive investment by special interest groups supporting the fee increase to pay for the Sellwood bridge including a fear campaign.   The Oregonian now claims the failure of the measure may jeopardize the bridge replacement.   Extending the fear campaign that exemplified the supporters of the fee increase.   

http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2011/05/clackamas_county_vote_jeopardi.html

Oregonian Writer Jeff Mapes Says Income tax for Schools - not a real solution

To all COLA LO members.

As many of you know a local income tax was proposed for Lake Oswego during the recent deliberations on assistance to LOSD.   The income tax option was proposed to fund the schools.  

In a new article Oregonian writer Jeff Mapes claims its not a legitimate solution to budget issues in education.  Eugene will vote on such a measure in tomorrows election.   The article can be found at:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2011/05/eugene_income_tax_supporters_s.html

Here is a video from the opposition to the measure:

http://www.youtube.com/user/4JobsandSchsPAC#p/a/u/1/HTQw441rZQM

Former Council Candidate Jorling Continues to Support the Streetcar based on Oil Price Argument.

To all COLA LO members,

Former City Council candidate Dave Jorling released an opinion article in the LO Review this week in support of the streetcar and the councils recent 4-3 vote.   There is very strong online comment on the article in the Review. 

Its worthwhile reviewing the arguments and the comments for a perspective of how some citizens perceive the issue.  The article can be found at:

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130516066645904900

In it he argues:  

"The streetcar should be championed by conservatives. It will help preserve our economy and reduce reliance on foreign oil. It will put money used for oil back into the pockets of future generations and they will thank us for it."

This is similar to the argument he made during COLA's interviews for candidate endorsements in the 2010 election.  This video can be found in the links of TVCTV interviews on this site.  

The Clackamas county results for the election are below.   Dave Jorling placed 7th out of 7 Candidates in the overall election.  

CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO: Councilor

06 = David L Jorling                            3,234    7.90 Percent of vote

Please notify all friends, contacts, and members.  

Streetcar Conflict of Interest Issue Continues - Oregonian Article by LO Citizen

To all COLA LO Members,

A local resident submitted an article to the Oregonian describing his concerns regarding the ongoing issue of conflicts of interest and the City Council vote by Mayor Hoffman and Councilor Tierney.    The article addresses the citizen's concerns and what they thought was appropriate versus legally allowable.  

The article can be found at:
http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2011/05/my_turn_lake_oswego-portland_streetcar_vote_distorted_by_conflicts_of_interest.html

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends of this important article as it reflects a citizens view of the situation and the issues facing the community.

LO Citizen Raises Interesting Alternative to Sellwood Bridge Fee

To all COLA LO Members,

An Article in the Review today raises an interesting alternative to the Sellwood bridge fee proposed in County Measure 3-372.    In it a local citizen shows the inequity in its fee structure.   The article in a letter to the editor is below

Here’s a deal on Sellwood Bridge

To the Editor:

County officials are encouraging Lake Oswego residents to vote for Measure 3-372 which assesses a $5 fee/year on each county-registered vehicle.

For years anyone living within the Lake Oswego city limits has been assessed a monthly street maintenance fee even though a significant percentage of city street users don’t live in (or anywhere near) Lake Oswego, and don’t pay these fees.

Here’s a fair deal: I’ll support the Sellwood Bridge project if the county starts assessing all county residents the same street maintenance fee that Lake Oswego residents pay. This is just as rational a proposition as the arguments put forth by Measure 3-372 supporters. At least the money would all stay within the county, which won’t be the case under 3-372.

I, for one, am tired of fees being assessed for issues that should be covered by property taxes.

Jack Carter

Lake Oswego

It can also be found at:   http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130516076626192400

Please notify all members, friends and contacts.  

Oregonian Politifact corrects some Claims on the Sellwood Bridge

To All COLA LO Members,

 A recent Politifact article clarifies claims regarding trips over the sellwood bridge according to an old study.   Its an important clarification of the facts.

The article can be found at: 

http://www.politifact.com/oregon/statements/2011/may/07/john-lee/did-oregonian-debunk-10-year-old-study-sellwood-br/

Citizen says Vote NO on 3-372. Why?

A Milwaukie resident wrote an interesting opinion piece in the Oregonian this week.    In it he asks residents to vote no on Measure 3-372 the Vehicle Registration Fee that transfers funds from Clackamas to Multnomah county to pay for the Sellwood Bridge and Milwaukie light rail.  

The article can be found at: http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2011/05/why_you_should_vote_no_on_meas.html

THERE IS ALSO A WEB SITE ON THE ISSUE:  http://saynotothesellwoodbridge.com/