Councilor Donna Jordan's Article in Oregonian Draws Substantial Comment

To All COLA LO Members,

Councilor Jordan's recent article in the Oregonian entitled   My Turn: Lake Oswego streetcar proposal has more support than you'd think

has drawn substantial comment from residents online.   The online comments can be found at:

http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2011/06/my_turn_lake_oswego_streetcar_proposal_has_more_support_than_youd_think.html

The article provides a position on the streetcar and Councilor Jordan's views on public input from the community.    It is an important viewpoint on the Council.   It is a direct reaction to an article written by Councilor Olson in the Lake Oswego Review and the Oregonian.  

Please notify all friends, members and contacts.   

Citizen Claims Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Ignoring the Public

To all COLA LO Members,

A local citizen wrote a recent article indicating that the PRAB is practicing Slash 7 Burn tactics at its public hearings while ignoring the comment and desires of citizens. Its an interesting article involving future development at the Luscher Farm complex where there seems to be a battle between planned sports fields and the natural environment of the area.

  

the PRAB acts in ‘slash-and-burn style’ article can be found at:  http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130878449487047100

Please notify all members, friends, and contacts.

COLA LO Board Member submits article to LO Review

TO All COLA LO Members,

Board Member Dave Luck submitted an opinion article to the LO review last week.  In it he outlines the positions of various council members documenting their decisions and the impact they may have on the future.   It provides interesting commentary for review.

The article can be found at:

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130894204743861800

Councilor Jordan Refutes Article By Councilor Olson in LO Review

To All COLA LO Members,

Councilor Donna Jordan has published an article in the LO Review and the Oregonian refuting the positions taken by a previous article written by Councilor Mary Olson.  In the article she supports the streetcar project and the foothills development and states:

"Councilor Olson, the streetcar will not “rob” our city of its beauty or safety. Only the fear-mongering opponents of the streetcar and Foothills redevelopment have peppered the public meetings with flyers showing steel and glass high rise architecture"

The article can be found at: http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130894188065287600

The original article by Councilor Mary Olson entitled  'Prudent, thoughtful, responsible’ made the following statement:

Somehow, our quiet, safe, beautiful suburban town is not good enough for Mayor Hoffman. He wants to remake it into his own vision of “new urbanism” via streetcar and Foothills, as his “legacy.” Later on the same day as his appearance at Clackamas County, in a meeting of the Foothills Oversight Committee, he was rapturous in describing yet another trip to Vancouver, B.C. Mayor Hoffman, we are not Vancouver B.C. and more importantly, we don’t want to be!

Let’s not allow the streetcar to rob our city of its ability to preserve our unique neighborhoods, build a new library and thoughtfully redevelop Lake Grove as we have done in our beautiful downtown. Together, we can keep Lake Oswego affordable and maintain our wonderful quality of life. Let’s continue to improve and develop our city in a prudent, thoughtful, and responsible manner, for the benefit of all our citizens.

The article can be found at:  http://thevig.portlandtribune.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130817471951629800

County Commisioner Ann Linninger Comes out in Favor of Streetcar

To All COLA LO Members,


Last week in an opinion article for the LO Review County Commissioner Ann Lininger expressed her support for the streetcar from Portland to Lake Oswego.   The article published in the Review has received strong opposition in online comments but presents a very clear picture of the Commissioner's views.  

It provides for interesting reading and can be found at:

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130878101668325400

Oregonian reports "Years for the local economy to recover"

To All COLA LO Members,


Recent reports in both the Oregonian and Business Week cite an IHS Global report indicating that it will be until 2014 before Portland will recover jobs lost in the recession.    Its a difficult picture for many cities including Bend according to the recent study released this week by the conference of mayors. 

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9O0FBE03.htm
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/06/oregon_cities_from_portland_to.html


A video on KOIN TV can be found at this link:

http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/local/story/Overall-slow-recovery-for-Portland-job-market/dyOTGq7Tsk232Mze6-4S8A.cspx

The Oregonian published these statistics this week:

Councilor Tierney Raises Taxes - Reverses Position Again!

To all Cola LO Members,

The Oregonian reports that once again Councilor Bill Tierney voted to raise the taxes of residents and businesses after electing not to allow a vote to repeal the franchise fee increase on utilities.   The Citizens Budget Committee recommending repealing the fee increase and reducing expenditures to offset the fee increase after six weeks of deliberations.

lake_oswego_forgoes_repeal_of_citywide_fee_increase.html

At that time Councilor Tierney indicated he had heard the wrath of voters against the Franchise tax increase and Councilor Mary Olson proposed a solution to allow for NO TAX INCREASE on Lake Oswego Residents.   Tierney appeared to embrace the alternative and voted for it as a member of the Budget Committee.  

When the council voted on the budget he supported raising Taxes and increasing spending as a result of the increased tax revenue or the Franchise Fee Tax.  

Councilor Olson was livid about Tierney's reversal and the resulting increase in taxes to both citizens and businesses in Lake Oswego.  She stated that he should have provided notice to the other council members for discussion given that the CBC supported the no tax increase and reduced spending proposal.  

Once again though the final vote was 4-3 for the increased tax and increased spending budget versus the proposal from the citizens budget committee.   The vote clearly shows that the "Gang of Four" (Hoffman-Tierney-Moncrief-Jordan)  is voting as a block and ignoring citizen input.   

Councilor Tierney's vote clearly shows his position after solutions were identified to prevent tax increases. 

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends of this important vote.  Your taxes will increase in 2011-2012 if you reside or own a business in Lake Oswego.  

Councilor Tierney is up for re-election in 2012.  

Local Volunteer Claims City decisions often Prevent Volunteer Efforts

To ALL COLA LO Members,

In a recent LO Review Article a local resident and volunteer documents situations where LO City Staff and Policy may inhibit key volunteer efforts.   Its a good article to review to determine if the volunteer efforts of the community are adequately being served to enhance our quality of life.  

Volunteers are critical to the community in key services such as Parks & Recreation, Adult Community Center, Library, etc.

The article can be found at:  http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130817596224650100

Councilor Olson Questions Mayor Hoffman's Direction on Streetcar and Priorities

To all COLA LO Members,

City Councilor Mary Olson released articles for both the LO Review and Oregonian this week.  The articles seriously question the intent of Mayor Hoffman's actions on the Streetcar vote and his priorities.    The article is very detailed and challenges the intent of some of the recent actions regarding the streetcar.    Councilor Olson also questions statements made by the consultants questioning the $458 million price tag by saying that the cost estimates came form the consultants themselves.  

She also states that the mayor has held up the survey the council voted on to determine the view of the streetcar in the community. These are serious comments and deserve additional review by all residents.   The complete article can be found at:

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130817471951629800

One would assume Mayor Hoffman will respond to the comments published in both newspapers so residents can determine the merits of the claims and be more informed as we approach the 2012 election.

The Oregonian article can be found at: http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2011/06/my_turn_lake_oswego_voters_need_to_demand_streetcar_vote.html

Please notify all members,contacts, and friends of this important debate.

Mayor Hoffman Interjects into Clackamas County Commisison Vote on Streetcar

To ALL COLA LO Members,

Mayor Hoffman interjected into the deliberations of Clackamas County Commissioners last week Asking them to delay a vote on the Streetcar project for six months.    This meeting was well attended by citizens and council members.    The LO Review has two articles on the issues and events.  

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/story.php?story_id=130768165896552600
http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/story.php?story_id=130774021774098900

Mayor Hoffman consulted with Portland Mayor Sam Adams prior to asking the county not to vote on the streetcar.  

As we all know the mayor voted for the streetcar with 3 other councilors earlier this year, committing Lake Oswego to several hundred thousand dollars in additional consulting fees in the fiscal year.   Why the changing approach?   Many believe that by delaying the schedule opposition from members of the public will fade away. 

Please notify all friends, contacts, and members.

Council delays vote on REPEAL of Franchise Fee (Tax) Increase.

To All COLA LO Members,

The City Council did not vote on the repeal of the franchise fee increase last week.   It appears Councilor Tierney may be wavering on his position to support such a repeal and once again vote for a Fee (Tax) increase.   

After claiming to hear the concern and opposition of voters and to the response from a recent Oregonian article, Councilor Tierney may once again support increasing taxes.  

 

The LO Review published an article claiming that time ran out but online and citizen comments just are no longer supportive of such positions.    http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/story.php?story_id=130756669056168700

Councilor Tierney voted with the gang of four to raise franchise fees (taxes) on both individuals and businesses in Lake Oswego.   He may now be under pressure to remain consistent with this vote and the direction of the council members from the previous council.



LET'S TRACK HIS VOTE 

Please notify all members, friends, and contacts.  

LO Review Publishes an Alarmist Opinion of Lake Oswego Resident on the Impact of Regional Government.

To all COLA LO Members,

A local resident submitted an alarmist article on the intrusion of regional and other governments and their programs in Lake Oswego.    It makes for interesting reading based on the statements made in the article.   

It provides a different view of the impact of some programs embraced by regional government.    The article with citizen comment can be found at:
http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130642836352080500

Councilor Tierney to Reverse Position on Franchise Fee (TAX) Increase? Article in the Oregonian claims this may be the case after Solution found by Councilor Olson.

To all COLA LO Members,

 A recent article in the Oregonian indicates that Councilor Bill Tierney is now reconsidering his vote for a significant increase in the franchise (utility) fees he voted for to support LOSD.    He claims that he has received significant opposition to the vote from local citizens.   

It seems Councilor Mary Olson came to the rescue with a suggestion that would avoid the need for a fee increase on both Lake Oswego Residents and businesses.  

The City Council voted for significant Franchise Fee (Tax) increases earlier this year in a 4-3 vote,  With Councilors Kehoe,Gudman, and Olson voting against the tax increase  and Councilors Hoffman, Moncrief, Jordan, and Tierney voting to increase fees to both citizens and businesses.  

The Oregonian article can be found at the following link:

http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2011/06/post_17.html

Many residents are wondering if this is a transition away form the Gang of Four voting block on the old city council just before the upcoming elections in 2012?    Time will tell as the votes are tallied over the next 18 months.

Please notify all members,contacts, and friends.   



Budget for City is sent to the LO City Council

To all COLA LO Members,

The Citizens Budget Committee sent its recommended budget to the city council last week.   The council now votes to either accept or amend the recommended budget this month.    An approved and balanced budget needs to be in place at the beginning of the fiscal year 7/1/11.

Videos of budget committee deliberations can be found in the TVCTV link on this web site or at this link:
http://www.tvctv.org/government-programming/government-meetings/lake-oswego

The Lake Oswego review published an article summarizing the deliberations and the final recommendations.  The article can be found at: http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/story.php?story_id=130642581641579900

Please check the city web site for the scheduled council meeting on the budget.  It can be found at the following web site:


http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/calendar/CouncilMtgs/2011MeetingLog.htm

Please notify all members, friends and contacts.