Three to read in the Review

There are three pieces in the Lake Oswego Review this week, all saying about the same thing.  Add these to the one last week by Jim Bolland, and you have a very powerful statement about the political scene in Lake Oswego.  The question is, what is going to change a very lopsided power structure in this Lake Oswego?  Surely the citizens of this city expect and deserve a government that is responsive to them and not to power groups hiding in the shadows, or even hiding in plain sight.

City Council: Take charge and set the course
Lake Oswego Review  |  May 29, 2014  |  By Gerry Good

Who is really in charge of our city’s direction — citizens? City Council? City employees? Last week Jim Bolland wrote about Total Maximum Daily Load (“Staff should implement policy, not create it”).

Numerous other issues have similar patterns.

It would appear that our new city manager is empowering city employees (often called staff) to set direction regardless of what citizens, and perhaps, even the City Council think.   

Use link above to read the remainder of this Citizen's View.  

Time to rein in city staff?

Janine Dunphy

Lake Oswego

The City Council held a study session May 13th. Please take time to view it on the city’s website, www.ci.oswego.or.us/meetings. Start at the 20-minute mark.

I do not have a Sensitive Lands property, but have followed this issue for years. I believe the program is arbitrary, political, broken and needs the overhaul that has been promised. Why is there an effort to prevent the needed changes? What is going on at City Hall?  Your property could be taken next.

Read more in the Lake Oswego Review, Letters to the Editor, May 29, 2014

It's time to wake up to what is happening in Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego Review  |  May 29, 2014  |  By Dianne Cassidy

If this TMDL were accepted by the DEQ, Lake Oswego would be headed on a path of no return that is in opposition to the direction of City Council’s efforts and any relief for property owners. Before the City Council could even get a chance to present any alternatives to the Sensitive Lands program, the TMDL would have already undermined the whole effort. And nobody would have even known until it was too late — if one person hadn’t been watching.

Use the link above to read the remainder of this Citizen's View.