Will Sam Adams impact Mayor Hoffman's election decision?

As most residents know, Sam Adams and Mayor Hoffman have a very close relationship.  Lake Oswego's Mayor has been a very strong advocate of both Portland's planning efforts and the Streetcar project from Portland to Lake Oswego.  

This week Sam Adams announced he would not run for reelection realizing it would be a very tough race given the issues that have occurred during his tenure as Mayor.   The question is how will this impact Lake Oswego and the upcoming election for 3 Councilors and the Mayor?  

Only time will tell but it will be important that all residents observe the unwinding issues that will arise from this announcement and future efforts. 

The announcement article in the Oregonian can be found at:  Mayor Hoffman supporter Sam Adams will not run for reelection as Mayor of Portland.



To be fair several of the councilors up for re election are strong supporters of  Sam Adams including councilors Moncrieff, Tierney, and Jordan (elected 2010).   This support has caused many residents to wonder if the council is autonomous or was often taking action in concert with the City of Portland's Mayor and Council.  Particularly on projects like the Streetcar, Foothills and sensitive lands ordinance (ala METRO).  

Will the Adams announcement change the direction of the Hoffman administration?

Please notify all contacts, members, and friends.    This is an important announcement in the dynamics of 2011-2012.



Citizen asks "how much more?"

To all Cola LO members,

This week a citizen published a guest opinion in the LO Review asking ' how much more can the city load on us?"  In the article the citizen expresses frustration with the cost of proposed city projects given the size of our community. 

The citizen provides interesting statistics on the cost of the projects and the potential debt load of the community.

The article can be found at:    HOW MUCH MORE?

Will LO residents need the same signs that were posted in Eugene this past election? A city income tax was a proposed option to fund the city contribution to LOSD, instead the council voted 4-3 to increase our utility taxes (franchise fees).  

David Jorling Continues to Support Streetcar Despite Citizen Comments

To All Cola LO Members,

Former city council candidate David Jorling continues to support the Streetcar in a recent Oregonian blog article.    In the article he supports the streetcar based on the price of oil and future increases.   Citizen comment is demonstrably negative on his argument as it was in the 2010 election.

During the election he argued it would be fiscally irresponsible not to take the $458 million and spend it on the streetcar, despite the cost to LO residents.    It seems his definition of fiscal responsibility is very different than those of many LO residents.   That should be of little surprise but it merits a review by every voter before the 2012 election.   Voting for Jorling is a certain vote for the streetcar and more taxes in LO based on his current position.  

David Jorling's article can be found at:   why_conservatives_should_support_the_streetcar.html

Please notify all members contacts and friends on this article and the positions involved.

Foothills Project Debate begins with a Price Tag of $61 million

To all COLA LO members,

Debate began this week on the redevelopment of the Foothills area.    After a professional presentation on the project last week by the City staff, Developers, and consultants last week at City Hall.    Approximately 130 people attended the presentation which was relaxed and illustrated conceptual options in the development.

This week citizens began to weigh in on the project in guest opinions in the Lake Oswego Review.    The review presented an article on the project price tag which can be found at:  LOR on the cost of Foothills

Citizens submitted several articles on the project including Skip Ormsby and Board Member Dave Luck this past week in the LO Review.     The merits of the project are expected to be evaluated by the community over the next year.    The requirement for integrating the Streetcar with the Foothills development continues to be of concern to the community at large.

Expect more discussion in the coming months on Foothills and the option of Tax Increment Financing  (TIF) through an Urban Redevelopment District (URD).   The key issue may be the impact that these options have on funds for Public Safety and other services.   Some of the concerns were presented by current councilor Jeff Gudman more than a year ago.   

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends of the discussion on this important community issue.

Council Values Collide?

To all COLA LO members,

A recent article by a Lake Oswego resident claims that the values on the City Council are colliding between the old council (pre 2010 election) and the new council members.   The article outlines a view of the current machinations on the council and presents some interesting comment.

The article can be found at:   http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130998957524891700

Please notify all friends, contacts and members. 

Plans for Luscher Farm are Seriously Questioned by Several Citizens

To All COLA LO Members,


Plans to build athletic fields at Luscher Farm are seriously being challenged by many residents.    Several articles and comments on blogs over the past two weeks have challenged the efforts by the City and the process used by the PRAB (Parks and Recreation Advisory Board)   to change the use of Luscher Farm toward athletic fields.

This is an ongoing controversy in the community and articles about this unique asset can be found at:

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=131058571185434000

http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=131058555974020300

http://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130817596224650100

Councilor Mike Kehoe Updates the Community on Streetcar

TO All COLA LO Members,

Last week Councilor Mike Kehoe updated the community on his version of the Streetcar project and the machinations on the council.   His article is in the Lake Oswego Review and provides insight into the workings of the City Council and ongoing questions many residents have expressed to our group and others.  

The article can be found at:   http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=131058535129023800

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Foothills Development Budget Announced

To All COLA LO members,

The foothills development project budget was released this week by the consultants.    A presentation was held at city Hall yesterday which was well attended.    Several opinions have been published on the project with articles in Jack Bogdanski's blog and the Oregonian.  

Jack Bogs Blog :  Liars' budget on Lake O. Foothills boondoggle: $61 million
can be found at http://bojack.org/2011/07/liars_budget_on_lake_o_foothil.html

The Oregonian article: Lake Oswego's Foothills redevelopment plan could cost up to $61 million
can be found at http://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/index.ssf/2011/07/lake_oswegos_foothills_redevelopment_plan_could_cost_up_to_61_million.html

These are important perspectives on a major proposed project for the city.   Please notify all members, friends and contacts.  

COLA LO Board Members Publish Articles in Lake Oswego Review

To All COLA LO Members,


Several articles have been published in the LO Review this past week.  Board members Gary Gipson and Dave Berg both submitted articles describing key issues in Lake Oswego.   Gary Gipson outlines issues on the Streetcar and Dave Berg on the increasing costs in Lake Oswego. 


Gary Gipson's article:   "LO citizens do not want the streetcar" can be found at http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130998930240260700

Dave Berg's article:   "Is Lake Oswego too expensive?"  can be found at
http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story_2nd.php?story_id=130998935382003100#comment_section_container

Former Council Candidate Dan Williams Corrects Letters in Lake Oswego Review

To All COLA LO Members,


Former Council Candidate Dan Williams corrected several letters written in the Lake Oswego Review last week.    In an article he states that the letters implied incorrect positions on the budget.  

He states:

"The three letters in last week’s Review were written in a way that implied that Councilors Olson, Kehoe and Gudman did not support providing city funding for the schools. That is absolutely false. In fact, the council has been in unanimous agreement on providing funding for the schools this year. Councilors Olson, Kehoe and Gudman are very well known supporters of LOSD and are firmly committed to helping the schools. City council’s disagreement was never about whether to help the school district. It was HOW to fund the $2 million. That is where the philosophical differences between council members became apparent."

The article can be found at http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=130998962675826300.

Its an important correction that all COLA LO Members should be aware of as Mr. Williams is Vice Chair of the Citizens' Budget Committee.



COLA LO Unveils New Website.

To all COLA LO Members,

COLA LO unveiled a new web site last week for easy access and fast review.  The site includes organization, mission, and various articles by members and board members on the core values and accountability in Lake Oswego.

The web site can be found at the following location:

http://www.commonsenselo.org/index.html

DJC Daily Blog Claims "Lake Oswego residents probably love the planned streetcar project"

To All COLA LO Members,


The DJC's new Daily Blog claims:

Lake Oswego residents probably love the planned streetcar project

In the article the blogger claims that residents probably love the streetcar but now is not the time to conduct a survey of the public until new facts are presented to the community.    Its an initial element in the upcoming public information process before a survey is taken by an outside contractor.  

The blog can be found at:  http://djcoregon.com/dailyblog/2011/07/05/lake-oswego-streetcar-project-has-some-image-issues/.

LO Review Claims "After a couple fixes, council adopts budget"

To All COLA LO Members,

Last Wee the Lake Oswego Review reported the following:  "After a couple fixes, council adopts budget"

The article can be found at: http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/story_2nd.php?story_id=130878369366419400

There were several online comments regarding the article which many thought did not precisely present the options or the final decisions of the council.     The comments are interesting and provide different viewpoints on the final approval process by the council...

The final budget increased both expenditures and fees/taxes.    Please notify all contacts friends and members.