What's Going On In Clackamas & Lake Oswego - The Blue Perspective.

To All COLA LO Members,

This week Blue Oregon published some insight into how the clackastani revolt is being perceived in terms of partisan politics.  

The article provides some insight from a partisan perspective:   Drinking Tea in Clackamas?.  

The perspective posted on Blue Oregon refers to a recent article in the Portland Mercury Checkpoint Clackamas which defines Lake Oswego and the county as ground zero in the revolt.  

Both articles provide an interesting perspective from a purely partisan point of view. 

What they ignore is the overwhelming number of democrats and independents that are a core part of the clackastani revolt.  Denial is a powerful motivator and it appears the article try to paint a partisan stripe to a truly grass roots movement.    Still both articles provide a unique perspective and insight.

The Portland Mercury article quotes LO City Councilor Mary Olson:

At first, Lake Oswego City Councilor Mary Olson was circumspect about Portland's role in the Clackamas unrest—but then jumped at the chance to slay what she thought was a common misconception."It's not that the old hicks out in Clackamas County are afraid of change. Which is how [critics] portray it," she says. "It's more that citizens are feeling like they don't have a voice."They want to be able to weigh in on some of these decisions like light rail or more density or zoning, or whatever. I'm a good example of that."

Olson, who helped scuttle a streetcar extension to Lake Oswego, is on the front of the next big fight. She's listed as the director of a PAC called Clackamas Rail Vote. The group is raising cash for a September referendum that asks whether voters would like a say on funding for the Milwaukie light-rail line. If voters say yes, a second vote would be held, this time on whether to actually cancel the county's contribution.Like other measures, it's been getting vocal support from the local Tea Party chapter and big checks from establishment right-wing funders like the Oregon Transformation Project PAC and Loren Parks.

But Olson rejected the idea that her measure, or any others, need that help. She says it's about regular people from both political parties being fed up over how their tax dollars are spent."That's why these initiatives are passing by 70 percent. That's why candidates are winning," she says. "The rest of this year is going to be very telling."
Olson also says fears over Portland—and it's prizing of "frou-frou stuff" like rail and bike lanes over streets and potholes—play just a "tiny part" in what's happening. But Olson, who moved from Portland 20 years ago to give her kids better schools and bigger yards, also admits she wants to preserve Lake Oswego's "small-town character."
"We live where we live for certain reasons." But after she retires? "Maybe I'll go back to Portland."

As we proceed into the fall elections its important to look at all perspectives and identify what is best for our city.    We leave it to the reader to identify the validity of the perspectives in these sources. 

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Buford Trial Over!

To ALL COLA LO Members,

This week the Buford case went to trial in Clackamas County court.    The trial lasted three days and a verdict was rendered in the case yesterday.    The Jury found that Gary Buford was innocent of assaulting a police officer but was guilty on the remaining four counts including resisting arrest and related charges.   

Details can be found at the following link:  Jury Finds Buford Innocent.  and at Elderly LO Man.  Updated Oregonian article at Scuffle over Downed Trees

 During the trial many community leaders and residents supported Mr. Buford by wearing " I support Gary" buttons in the courtroom.   One current City Councilor testified on behalf of Mr. Buford.  

Its clear this case divided the community and produced concern over the role of the police department in a unique community like Lake Oswego.  

It further forced citizens to question the value in the tree code and how the city will respond to tree code enforcement situations with its residents.    

The case had substantial overtones of property rights which were not allowed in a criminal case.   

Its a very unique situation which brings out many of the issues of concern to the community of Lake Oswego.  

Citizens will certainly be contemplating what if any impact the case and the history will have on the fall elections.    Mr. Buford was actively critical of the current city council and Mayor.   

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

Councilor Mike Kehoe Publishes Election Opinion in Oregonian

To all COLA LO Members,

Lake Oswego City Councilor Mike Kehoe published an article this week regarding the upcoming elections in November.    It asks voters to pay close attention to the actual actions of candidates rather than the election cycle "spin".  

The article provides an interesting perspective form a sitting city councilor.  

As many residents know COLA LO endorsed Mike Kehoe in the 2010 election.  

In the article Councilor Kehoe states:

As elected officials, I believe that we are given the privilege of serving the citizens, while carefully listening to their valuable input and desires. Unfortunately, in my nearly two years on council, some have stated that their belief is that we are elected for our vision and for the ability to go forth and manage the city as council desires. This council has been more divisive than any that I recall, but in my opinion this is because some on council have resolutely refused to listen to the citizens and simply continued to pursue their own agendas.

A misnomer sometimes stated by local officials is that we must have development to increase tax revenues to meet our growing city costs. As a businessman, I find this type of statement completely at odds with reality and common sense. We cannot grow our way out of an expense problem. We can, however, manage our budget more carefully and focus on city essential services — the true duty of government — rather than continuing to find new and exciting projects we can claim are the duty of government.

The article can be found at:  Voters should pay close attention.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.   

Clackamas County Sheriff Roberts Says Light Rail Brings Crime

To All COLA LO Members,

Just as many residents know too well it seems our county Sheriff in public testimony believes light rail and its impacts brings crime to the community.   

This comes as no surprise to many residents of Lake Oswego as it was a major issue when the Streetcar was proposed and opponents cited ongoing statistics showing a 56% increase in police calls at Clackamas Town Center.   Light Rail Crime , Crime Train , LO Crime Train , Metro Response on Crime Train , Light Rail Crime Stats

Now Sheriff Roberts has publicly made his views known in testimony before the clackamas county commissioners.    IN his testimony Sheriff Roberts stated: 

I am neither in favor, nor opposed, to the expansion of mass transit — provided that sufficient resources are made available to ensure the safety of the public. However, the budget implications of this decision [to fund the proposed MAX line] concern me deeply............
After making do for years with innovative cost cutting — as well as reductions in the training we provide for our deputies and other measures — last year we had to eliminate 18 FTE and had our first layoff in more than a decade. Having twice voted to support a public safety levy, this is clearly not the direction the citizens of Clackamas County want to see for their Sheriff’s Office.
The construction of the Orange Line may well be a worthwhile public project. However, it does not exist in a vacuum — moving ahead with light rail will mean moving backwards on public safety, and likely other basic services to county residents.
I urge you to recognize that the initial planning for this project was developed years ago, when the local and national economy were much stronger. Since then, our economic situation has deteriorated drastically, and so I urge you to take a fresh look at whether or not this project is still in the county’s best financial interest before the full-funding grant agreement is signed.

Ironically readers will not find this statement or any significant reporting of the issues in the Oregonian or other newspapers.    We cannot say why but many imply its counter to the dominant party line in Portland.   Given the statistics and recent experience its hard to see how the politicians can continue to promote massively expensive projects without voter approval.   Sheriff Sides with Clackastani Rebels

At the same time the Clackamas County Sheriffs Department has been overwhelmingly supported by County residents.   In the November 2011 Election voters supported a public safety level to fund the sheriffs office with a 75% approval rate.   Election results Measure 3-378.

This came at the same time voters in Clackamas County overwhelming rejected other measures and the direction of county government.   Its clear the Sheriff has substantial support in the community.

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

Citizens Irate Over Lawsuit?

To All COLA LO Members,

This week as it was announced that a planning commission member is suing the city of Lake Oswego and indirectly its residents, citizens began to weigh in with their opinions.  

It appears that residents aren't too happy that an appointed member of an important board can file a lawsuit against the people they are representing.   

One citizen posted online this week:

Me, my husband, my neighbors that I have spoken with, and even my kids in high school who overheard us talking, have all said the same thing- "how can Prager sue the very people that he has been hired to represent?" How can Mr. Prager legally, morally or ethically sue the people that he was appointed to serve? Conflict of interest is an understatement here!For Mr. Prager to ask for a jury trial to inflict the maximum amount of pain and cost against the defendant (us tax paying citizens of Lake Oswego), and then for Mr. Prager to accuse the city that he works for of gross misconduct- say what? Mr. Prager openly trespassed onto private property and took a swim from a city banned location from a City owned Park and then boasted about breaking and violating a Park Rule and he wants to be held in high regard as a trusted council member with a great amount of power, while exposing his character of openly boasting about breaking "his" City's Rules? This aside, Mr. Prager then has the audacity to sue his constituents, and we should all stand by and have this kind of an immoral individual represent our interests? Ethics and morals have no place in Mr. Prager's vocabulary. Mr. Prager certainly cares nothing about his constituents’ desires or wishes and he has no regard for the City of Lake Oswego's rules. Mr. Prager needs to be brought before the state and before an ethics committee for his egregious actions. Mr. Prager scares me and I don't trust a thing about this man. What is his true agenda? I think that Mr. Prager wants public lake access, so that he then can outlaw power boats on the lake because it would become overcrowded and unsafe, so that he can then have his personal rowing club for him and his buddies, at a huge cost to this City and its citizens. Mr. Prager has already exhibited that he doesn't care what the citizens of this fine City care about or think. Mr. Prager is a loose cannon and he is extremely dangerous. Why is Mr. Prager not being ticketed $1200 for his boasting about his trespassing into the Lake from prohibited Park access? Why is Mr. Prager allowed to still be a representative of the citizens of this City? This is a conflict of interest to sue the people you were appointed to represent. What a joke!!!  "Bring Prager before the State on Ethics Violations"

Some details of the lawsuit can be found at LO Lawsuit - Lake Access . Access.  and also Federal Lawsuit..  We leave it to the readers to make up their own minds on the merits of the arguments and the public comments.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.  

Willamette Week Reports Lawsuit against City of Lake Oswego and its Residents is "Pro Bono"

To All COLA LO Members,

It appears that the lawsuit brought by a planning commission member is "pro bono" per the WW this past week.   So the city of LO will pay legal expenses to defend itself while the planning commissioner sues the city with a "free ride".    Citizens continue to ask is this a conflict of interest?

Its an interesting circumstance worthy of review.  The article with details including the suit can be found at:
Heads to Federal Court.  

 Its an important issue as Lake Oswego now has appointed officials filing lawsuits against the entire community on somebody else's dime!  

At what point does this situation demand action?  

Clearly the community presented a unified position as did the city council over this issue.   We leave it up to the readers to decide what is appropriate and if the actions of those involved represent conflicts.  

The article mentions both Mayor Jack Hoffman and Councilor Bill Tierney as being contacted to discus the lawsuit.   Many believe Mayor Hoffman actually invited a lawsuit with his comments over the course of the discussion on lake access.   That may not be a common opinion but its certainly being mentioned within the community.

It will be interesting to see how vigorously the city defends itself and its residents over the course of the situation.  


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

LO Planning Commisioner Sues City of Lake Oswego!

To All COLA LO Members,

This week a member of the planning commission filed a lawsuit against the city of Lake Oswego to open up access to the Lake. 

After the planning commision, City Council, and citizens agreed on the issue and against his original recommendation to consider public access last year, the commision member disagreed and filed the lawsuit.

Details on the lawsuit can be found at:  Federal Lawsuit against City by Planning Commisioner and City Faces Lawsuit.   

Bloggers are now also picking up on the issue with interesting comments online by residents:   Oswego Lake Access. 

Residents are already questioning how a sitting member of the planning commission can sue the city and the potential conflict of interest.   They are also questioning who is to blame for the situation given the community agreement on the issue. 

We leave it to the readers to make their own decisions.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends on this important issue.