Major City Council Announcement is Pending

To All COLA LO Members,

This week the COLA board has learned that a major city council announcement is pending.    We expect a formal announcement will be released in August.

The announcement will come as a surprise to many members and residents.    More as the situation unfolds.    Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

Will Lake Oswego Now Have the Highest Water Rates of Any Small City in the Nation?

To All COLA LO members,

Last week the city council approved the issuance of more than $100 million in new debt to pay for the LO-Tigard Water Project.   This is double the amount of the historical debt of the city of Lake Oswego.   Council Authorizes sale of $101 million


Ironically at the same time the Oregonian published an article on the costs of Portland Water citing that Portland was ranked the 5th most expensive city in the Nation for water!   The article can be found at Are Pet Projects to Blame for Portland Water Rates?

Historically Lake Oswego has ranked #2 behind Portland in terms of the most expensive cities for water.    Would this now rank Lake Oswego as the MOST EXPENSIVE small city in the country for water rates?   

We think this may be the case.    No wonder people are concerned about moving to LO and many seniors are now moving out!   What is our council doing to lower water rates?    Well effective July 1 they actually increased them another 12%

All of this has residents asking themselves if this council is really doing all it can to reduce the impact on LO residents for what many consider a questionable project.    Only time will tell but its clear the cost of living in LO is quickly growing beyond the means of many residents. 

With another election only 15 months away, this council has very limited time to make the right decisions.     It will be very interesting to see if it continues to increase the cost of living to its citizens.   

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

COLA LO Board Member Sets the Record Straight.

To All COLA LO Members,

Last week board member Gary Gipson published an article in the LO review about preserving community character.     In the article he clearly establishes responsibility for several actions taken by previous administrations and the current city council.  

The article provides insight into the latest "spin" by proponents of the former "tax and spend"  administrations.   

Its clear that there is an effort afoot to try to blame the current council for the past sins of both the Hoffman and Hammerstad regimes.  Many believe that the current council is mired in unwinding the mistakes of the past two administrations.  

Only time will tell but COLA will publish a performance review of the current council in the fall after they have been in office for the better part of a year. 

The jury is still out on their performance, although many believe it couldn't get worse given the enormous over expenditures and wasted efforts of the past few years.  

The article can be found at:  Preserve the character of our community.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.    

COLA Board Member Discuses Budget and Demographics

To All COLA Lo Members,

Last week board member Dave Berg published an article in the LO review.   In it he discusses how demographics have changed in LO and Oregon.   He also discusses how these changes should prioritize budgeting in the city.   

The article can be found at:  Demographics should prioritize funding

It provides for interesting Reading and generated a reader response this week form a member of the KLOG group.   The response can be found in Financial concerns are facing LO.   


Its clear they is a healthy debate over the city's financial situation and where to prioritize funding after the new administration's recent efforts.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

Will Our Council Really Ever Deal with the WEB?

To ALL COLA LO Members,

This past week the community was informed that the council would vote on a plan to re-zone the WEB to make it more attractive to potential buyers.  Council Takes Step   Its ironic as over the past 7 years the city council hasn't been able to address the debacle that has been the WEB.

After purchasing the building for $20 million under the "tax and spend" regime for Mayor Hammerstad the administration of more "tax & spend" Mayor Hoffman  just ignored the "white elephant" .   The building costs taxpayers $1 million a year in loan payments and has cost much more in terms of operating costs.  

Over the past five years its become the defacto "recreation community center"  that Mayor Hammerstad wanted.  How?

Recreation and Childcare programs in the WEB are now costing taxpayers millions in general fund expenditures each year.     Its been going on for years with no real attention to the costs incurred by the city and to the taxpayers.  

At what point will the city council finally put an end to the millions lost in taxpayer funds?    Only time will tell but the WEB has effectively forced changes on the city council over successive elections.   

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

 

Mayor Studebaker Comments on Budget

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week in the July 2013 edition of Hello LO Mayor Studebaker released an article on the city budget.

In the article he describes the decisions and issues the city faced in the current budget process.   

The article can be found in the printed edition of Hello LO and also at the city's web site for the electronic form Hello LO.

In his article he commends COLA board member Dave Berg for his efforts: " Committee Chairman David Berg was instrumental in shepherding the committee through the process in an efficient way that allowed for ample and meaningful input" 

We encourage all members to read Mayor Studebaker's article for a summary of the budget issues.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.