City Council Proposes Bond Measures & Considers Selling Lake Access Park Lands

To All COLA LO Members,

Last week our city council approved placing two bonds on the ballot this fall.   One was for $14 million to pay for a new Library as part of the North Anchor project downtown and the other was for $ 5 million to start the process of implementing the Lake Grove Village Center Plan possibly under a new Urban Renewal district.  

The council voted 5-2 to place the bonds on the ballot.   It will be interesting to see how the ballot measures perform at the ballot box.   COLA LO will take a position on the measures.   LO Ballot Measures 

At the same time it appears the city may sell park land it owns on the lake to the Lake Corp.    There is a lot of speculation on the motivation of this decision and it will be discussed at a future council meeting.   The details of the announcement can be found at Council Selling Park Land?  


Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Blogger & Public Think LO Review "Shut Down" Public Comment

To All COLA LO Members,

In a recent post a local blogger is asking what has happened to the online comment and public opinion section of our local newspaper.  

The blogger provides some interesting theories as do the online comments from the public.   What's Up with the LO Review?

Several members of the community have commented that they believe the LO Review has shut down the online opinion section due to pressure from our local public officials and special interest groups. 

Do we have censorship right here in Lake Oswego?

Its an interesting theory worthy of further review.   Notably the online comments in the above blog post all mention the fact that the online opinion section and public comments were ceased just before the primary election and some key issues within Lake Oswego. 

Its no secret that the bulk of online comments were often not very flattering in terms of citizens views regarding this administration.   That fact lends some logical credibility to the theory claim many of the interested parties.  

We leave up to readers to decide what has actually happened to the local press ately.   Readers can always contact the editor and publisher and ask for the facts.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.

Blogger Comments on Councilor Moncrieff Award

To All COLA LO Members,

This past week a local blogger recognized Councilor Moncrieff for her award as part of the comprehensive plan effort.    As many know LO is going through a multi-year effort to update its comprehensive plan at a cost of approximately $1.2 million.   

The award was presented by the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association.  

While the conclusion of the local blogger may be subject to review we thought it was important to bring the news to our members.    The blog post can be found at Streetcar Mom Blog.

It's ironic that all this comes at a time when its becoming ever more apparent that the streetcar isn't dead with the recent Portland Mayoral results and the photo of Mr. Williams on stage with one of the winning candidates.     

We leave it to the reader to make their own conculsions.   


Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.

North Anchor Project Draws More Public Comment

To all COLA LO Members,

Last week the LO Review published an article on the city efforts to continue to move forward on the North Anchor project.    It was an interesting article updating citizens on the efforts under LORA.   The article can be found at:  City Inches Forward. 

Ironically the online public comment was strongly against the city's efforts as citizens expressed concern over the debt, direction, and the lack of a public vote on the efforts.  



As one resident states online:  

They keep piling it on. The debt I mean. Doesn't anyone on the council get it? We don't NEED what they are proposing. STOP SPENDING AND BORROWING BEFORE YOU BREAK THE BACKS OF LAKE OSWEGANS!   "Not buying it!"

Its an interesting issue and we leave it to individual residents to decide their views on the project and its impacts on the community. 

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Clackamas County Election Results are In (with some surprises)

To All COLA LO Members,

Clackamas County Election Results are in and the results provide some surprises with a clear direction overall.   The details can be found at the County Clerks election results page County Election Results.  

 It seems one decision has been made and two seats will have a runoff with distinct candidates in the Fall.   this provides county residents with another opportunity to identify the direction of the county and the priorities. 

1. Martha Schrader won a seat with 51.9% of the vote beating Jim Knapp with 30%.
2. John Ludlow with 28.7% will face incumbent Charlotte Lehan with 26.7% of the vote.
3. Tootie Smith with 35.1% of the vote will face incumbent Jamie Damon with 36.2% of the vote.  

The fall race for the county commissioner's seats will provide some interesting insight into the mindset of Clackamas County voters.    The Oregonian provides a perspective on the race in a recent article Clackamas County Divided.

Thanks to all the COLA LO members that participated in the election by submitting their ballots or volunteering for a candidate's campaign.   

It appears voter turnout was approximately 35%  Please notify all members, contacts, and friends...

More Proof Streetcar isnt Dead

To All COLA LO members,

Last week former City Council Candidate David Jorling published an article in the Oregonian supporting light rail and lambasting opponents of light rail in clackamas county.    In the article he labels opponents as "obstructionists" .    In the article he states:

"In Clackamas County, a vocal group of obstructionists, significantly funded by an industrialist from Nevada, Americans for Prosperity and some wealthy citizens of an unincorporated enclave in Dunthorpe and Riverdale, are stopping transit projects from being done. They will spread their opposition to Washington County so it can join Clackamas County in a race to the bottom.

We must reject these obstructionists and move forward with transit alternatives. Our economic health depends on it."

Mr. Jorling ran for city council in 2010 and placed last in the voting.   It was fairly clear the voters rejected the ideas presented in his campaign but rumors persist that he is considering another run for council.   We suggest all members read the article to gain more insight into the opinions presented Rail Opponents Threaten.

Its clear the 2012 City Council race will be vital to the long term direction of Lake Oswego.    We encourage everyone to stay informed.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends...

 

Vote Today - County Race is Important

To All COLA LO members,

Please ensure you have mailed your ballots as of last Friday.   If you have not voted or completed your ballot, call a COLA board member who can pick up your ballot and drop them into a drop box.  

Members may also deposit ballots into a drop box themselves.  There is a drop box located at the Library 706 4th Street  Lake Oswego, OR 97034 (Main Number: 503.636.7628).

The latest estimate is that the turnout for this election will be in the 40-45% range which is one of the lowest in history.   Lowest Turnout in Modern State History.   That means every vote will be critical to teh outcome.   

The oregonian reports that the Clackamas County Commissioner's races are a highlight of this election with a strong battle brewing amongst amny candidates for different seats.   This is critical to LO residents as there is a potentail for change in the fall election.   Spectators Guide.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends....



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