Schrader eyes small businesses

Congressman takes walking tour of Lake Oswego Tuesday

By Cliff Newell

The Lake Oswego Review, May 28, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

CLIFF NEWELL

Standing on the corner of Second Street and B Avenue Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon, center, hears some expansive plans by Lake Oswego Mayor Jack Hoffman, left. Listening in is Jerry Wheeler, executive director of the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce.

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“When I was a state representative,” said Kurt Schrader, “one of my biggest complaints was that the federal government was irrelevant to my life.”

Now that he is a congressman representing the 5th District of Oregon, Schrader is trying to change that.

One of the ways was his downtown business tour, sponsored by the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce, on Tuesday morning.

“What should I do?” was the question Schrader asked the downtown Lake Oswego business owners. He got answers and input at:

n Umpqua Bank, a community bank that avoided the excesses of the big banks and is now doing strong business, especially in the refinance market. Carol Gaouette, bank business relations manager, said, “We weathered the perfect storm.”

n Chuck’s Place, where owners Chuck and Lisa Shaw-Ryan have shown it is possible, even in harsh economic times, to start a thriving new business.

n Graham’s Book and Stationery, a Lake Oswego institution where owners Paul and Teri Graham hope that Schrader can help inspire a new vision of small business by Congress.

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