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Lake Oswego letters to the editor

, May 28, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Walk for Water supporters thanked for their assistance

To the Editor:

Thank you to our corporate sponsors, in-kind donors, walkers and individual donors of Walk for Water 2009. We raised more than $18,000 (triple last year’s amount) and sent $16,000 through World Vision to provide life-changing water for close to 600 people in Zambia, Africa.

Child mortality will be cut in half, and women and girls will not have to spend their days retrieving poor water from distant sources.

About 250 people joined the Walk at Millennium Park Plaza in Lake Oswego on May 2 – kids in strollers, seniors, families, singles, people with big buckets, and people with small buckets. A joyful spirit filled the air, aided by African marimbas played by Lewis and Clark students.

Save the date for next year’s Walk for Water on Saturday, April 17, 2010. For more information go to www.thewalkforwater.com .

Linda Favero

Walk for Water Committee

Lake Oswego

Missed moment noted in public support for James Ratliff

To the Editor:

In reading the article of the district track meet, I feel you missed a great moment. My son James Ratliff, a senior at Lake Oswego High School, is one of the top hurdlers in the district.

Due to a hamstring strain injury he had sidelined himself at districts but not after he had posted some great times this year. (No. 1 in 6A in 110 hurdles, 14.65; No. 7 in 6A hurdles, 39.74 – 11th grade 38.99 – and a fabulous 400 split 49.9).

He has been a member of the top-seated 4x400 relay team for three years. The missed moment was when all his competitors, coaches and parents came up and hugged him, giving him support and kudos for who he is as an athlete. As hard as it might be, he is at state right now supporting and cheering on Michah and Elijiah, two of his best friends. The true measure of a man is how he handles roadblocks and in my book, my son handles it with grace and dignity. I am proud of who he is and who he will become.

P.S. On a lighter note .... I guess winning Mr. Laker and best actor at May Fete and getting a 1,880 on SAT scores will have to due for his senior year but ... watch for him next year in track. He is not one to stop.

Julie Reece

Lake Oswego

Acknowledge the past and move on with the West End Building

To the Editor:

The issue of what to do with the Safeco Building is complicated by how it was obtained. Many people were so hopping mad at how it was acquired that they can now only think to get rid of it no matter the fiscal and other costs. Sadly they will cut off their noses to spite their faces on the issue of what to do next.

It is also sad that council has not shown the necessary leadership to acknowledge fully this problematic acquisition by apologizing publicly for it. The voters had to give the council a public rebuke at the polls. Healing the wound requires telling the truth and apologizing so that reconciliation on this issue can proceed. Otherwise the wound will only fester grievously.

At the heart of the matter is the fact that this key property is in a word unique: It is large, with a serviceable building and substantial parking, and is centrally located.

Yes:

1) The city map confirms that the Safeco Building is near the demographic center of Lake Oswego.

2) The misnomer “West End Building” belies both a basic ignorance of the map, the future growth pattern for Lake Oswego and a possible presentiment, a pre-judgment as to its likely uses and ultimate fate.

3) All future annexation plans for Lake Oswego will only bring the demographic center further west toward the Safeco Building.

Let’s do more than what is politically comfortable. Let’s acknowledge the past, heal the wound, and move forward together for the best interests of all Lake Oswego and its realistic future. Now is not the time to show favoritism to any particular interest. Lake Grove is just as much a part of Lake Oswego or it should not have annexed in the first place. We are all citizens of Lake Oswego and deserve equal treatment and equal access to city facilities.

Arthur Ostergard

Lake Oswego

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