Review Letter to Editor Draws the Ire of blog comments

To All COLA LO Members,

It seems that the rancor over the streetcar just will not simmer down.   This past week an letter to the editor in the Review drew substantial comment online.    The letter claimed that the cost of the streetcar will never be less than right now.    That comment seemed to inspire the opponents of the project who posted ten comments against the letter.  

Its an interesting example of the ongoing discourse in the community which seems largely against the project as shown in the recent survey conducted by the city.  

The letter and comments can be found at:   Costs Will Never Be Lower  It will be interesting to see how the City Council handles the project moving into 2012.  

Please notify all Members, contacts and friends.

Portland Blog Sees Streeetcar in Humorous Light

To All COLA LO Members,

This week a new Portland Blog uses the Streetcar project in a parody for "legacy projects" .   The blog post can be found at:  Lake Oswego Streetcar or Moontrain

The blog puts the logic of some projects in a humorous light given the politics of the current Portland Mayor and the city administration in LO.    The blog provides another albeit clever perspective.  Let's hope those on both sides of the issue can find some humor in the posting.

How many of the current and former City Council members and city administrators will be pictured on this project?  Is it still cheaper to do it today than wait?   Will our bond rating allow us to issue debt at low interest rates?   Only members of the current council know.......

Is Portland Paving the Way for Lake Oswego Again?

To all COLA LO Members,

This week Portland announced it is considering a budget cut that would eliminate street paving for five years.    Bloggers and online comments are very critical of the direction of spending and funding claiming that funds are directed to non-core areas while the streets deteriorate.   

Its been a long term complaint according to the online comments.   Residents in Portland claim too much money has been spent on alternative transportation projects and not city streets.   It is an ongoing debate within both Portland and now Lake Oswego. 

Once again it appears that Portland is an example of the outcomes when specific policies are followed.    Streets were the top concern in a recent survey of LO residents by the city, not the streetcar project as directed by the current city administration.     The direction and the outcome seem to be very clear to residents but not necessarily the city council.  

The article can be found at:    Eliminate Road Paving

Online blog comments can be found at:   Outrage over Streets

There is more to come on this issue and we suspect it will apply to LO as well given the current priorities and direction.   Please notify all members, contacts and friends..

LO resident submits letter to the editor in Oregonian

To all COLA LO Members,

This past week a resident submitted a letter to the Oregonian on the Streetcar.    It proves to be insightful in terms of personal priorities and may represent a broader group of residents in the community.   The letter can be found at:  LO Streetcar

In it the author states:  

"The Oregonian was correct in stating that it's time to "Pull the plug on the Lake Oswego Streetcar." We cannot afford this project. True, some will complain that it will be more expensive to build the streetcar in the future, but there are other priorities that need to be addressed now.

When the hungry in the Portland metropolitan area have been fed, when the homeless have access to safe and comfortable shelter, when the schools have been sufficiently funded, when the physically and mentally ill have access to adequate health care and when our existing infrastructure has been repaired and can be consistently maintained, then and only then should we undertake a streetcar project.

After all, these needs and their consequences if left unattended will be more expensive to deal with in the future, too. "

The letter provides an interesting perspective on priorities with the community.    Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

Are City Policies Actually Reducing Property Values in LO?

To All COLA LO Members,

Recently new information on local Property Values is coming to light.   A current report from Zillow shows a dramatic decline in property values over the past 3 years.   Its insightful as it shows the potential for "underwater properties within the city. 

 The report can be found at :  LO Home Values

There is ongoing discussion within the community about the direction of the current city administration and its impact on our property values.   Residents are now questioning whether restrictions such as sensitive lands and tree codes are combining with city spending and debt to actually lower property values.  

Its a fact that the concerns over the cost and expenditures on Streetcar,  Foothills, and other projects have been communicated throughout the metro area.   At the same time residents are observing fees and utility rates increasing dramatically.   Many residents have expressed serious concerns about how tax/fee increases and higher utility rates are making LO relatively unaffordable, especially seniors.   Some residents believe this is part of a concerted strategy to increase density within the city by forcing residents into smaller homes. 

 There is also ongoing discussion of bringing in "affordable" subsidized housing into Lake Oswego by the current city administration.  Traditionally LO has been perceived as an expensive and wealthy community with entrance costs being quite high.    This program may change that view and lower property values by developing new government subsidized housing projects in Foothills and other parts of the community.   

Combined all of these directives under the current administration have dramatically increased the cost of ownership in LO and may actually be reducing interest and values within the community.    Its something to look at going into an election year as the current Council decides on priorities and spending.  

Please notify all contacts, members, and friends.   

Oregonian Finally Reports on "Light Rail Ballot Measure Effort"

To all COLA LO members,

The Oregonian Finally reported that a citizens initiative has been submitted to Clackamas County to gather signatures to require a VOTE on all light rail expenditures in the county.   

The citizen driven initiative comes after success on ballot measures in May and November to limit taxes/fees and require a countywide vote on both fees and urban renewal districts.   

The article can be found at the following:   Light Rail Vote?

How this vote would impact the Portland- LO Streetcar project is of concern in the community.    If approved it may prevent any county level participation in the project without a county wide vote.  

Its clear though that voters in the county want to vote on any major expenditures for light rail rather than have the county commissioner's approve it.   It will be interesting to see if this citizen initiative receives sufficient signatures to be on the ballot and how the outcome of the vote will be if it does.

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends. 

City Planning Director Retirement Article Draws Comment Online

To ALL COLA LO Members,

The LO Review published an article on the retirement of the LO City Planning Director last week.   

While Board Members were aware of the decision, this is the first public article on the decision.    The article has produced enormous online comment by readers for a traditional announcement article.  

Much of this may be due to the controversial programs approved during the tenure of the planning director and this council.   The article can be found at:   City Planning Director to Retire.   Online comments include submissions from two COLA LO Board members.   

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.