The Clackamas County Revolt Continues?

To All COLA LO Members,

It seems that the unease with local government has spawned additional efforts across the county.    This week citizen driven initiatives produced a stunning defeat for the current direction in local government across several cities.    In Estacada a citizen driven initiative won overwhelmingly with 80% of the vote to require that all changes to Urban Renewal efforts be voted on by the public.  The competing measure sponsored by local government received only a third of the yes votes.    Estacada Vote Required on Urban Renewal.

In Damascus voters approved a citizen driven initiative by 79% that requires a public vote on all new rules and ordinances for the city as they relate to Metro.   Because the text refers to "any ordinance or plan," the measure would arguably apply not only to the comprehensive plan and broad city-initiated items but to zoning changes and smaller tweaks to larger plans.  Primarily though it is focused on the the city comprehensive plan.    Damascus Voters Approve.

The success of citizen drive ballot initiatives has been stunning in the past two years as voters ongoing frustration with the agenda of their elected representatives just continues to multiply and as representatives continue to ignore the voters sentiment in their agenda.    Consistently many elected representatives refuse to allow voters to vote on key issues so citizens continue to draft ballot measures to curb the influence of local leaders.   

It will be interesting to see how this growing "Clackastani Revolt" manifests itself in Lake Oswego given the upcoming fall election for 3 City Councilors and a Mayor.  

Clearly the recent announcements by the Mayor, City Councilor, and the departure of the City Manager shows that they are aware of the growing sentiment in the community.    

How this will all turn out will be up to the voters in the fall.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.