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Lake Oswego letters to the editor

, May 28, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

If the city swim park closes, open the Lake Grove park to all

To the Editor:

If the city closes the Lake Oswego Swim Park, the Lake Grove Swim Park should be opened to all Lake Oswego residents.

As a tax-exempt social welfare organization, the Lake Oswego Corporation should be willing to allow this.

The Lake Oswego Swim Park could then be rented out for weddings, company picnics, birthday parties, etc. and generate income for parks and recreation.

Gary Corgan

Lake Oswego

Tell city council if you oppose the Sensitive Land restrictions

To the Editor:

Lake Oswego’s Sensitive Lands Overlay directly affects every property covered in the overlay and removes, or limits, use of that part of the property by the owners. An estimated 1,800 properties are potentially affected. The effect on homeowners is dramatic. Within the overlay delineation, you have no use of your land and also restrictions placed on your buildings and structures.

Because of these restrictions, your property will be worth less than similar property without restrictions. Who wants to pay for property that is encumbered or can not be used? Worse. You, as the owner, must continue to pay the same annual mortgage, tax and insurance dollars to this now encumbered property.

The current government of Lake Oswego is considering adding even more properties to the overlay.

Overall, the cost of restricted use to owners is enormous. For example, if each of the properties covered by the overlay has property taxes of about $3,500, and we assume that one fourth of each of the 1,800 properties is affected by the overlay, you would see the city and county collect from those owners about $1.5 million in taxes on the restricted one fourth. Note that this calculation does not even consider the 25 percent of your insurance and mortgage payments which you also would pay for your restricted property.

How interested are you in paying as much money for your encumbered property as you would pay for unencumbered property? Not much, I’ll bet.

These onerous, unilaterally and indiscriminately imposed restrictions must not be placed on unfairly targeted private properties. Why, for example, are the lake properties omitted from these restrictions? Selective discrimination is not fair or reasonable and sets a very dangerous precedent. It’s just not how our government should act.

There are plenty of suitable public lands available to accommodate this city action.

Everyone needs to make the city council aware that we oppose these punitive, costly and selective restrictions being placed on our private property.

Robert Eidson

Lake Oswego

State should not cut services to seniors, people with disabilities

To the Editor:

As someone who’s provided care to older people, both personally and professionally, I’m horrified to learn about the proposed cuts to services for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Oregon is lucky to be home to a system of long-term care that helps provide support and services that allow our aging citizens to be cared for in their homes and communities. Why our state would even consider cutting such cost-effective, humane programs is hard to understand, let alone rationalize.

We’ve got to find a way that protects our seniors and people with disabilities and that keeps our state strong for years to come, rather than making drastic short-term cuts that hurt us all – now and in the future.

Ruth C. Cohen, MSW

Fellow, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

Lake Oswego

Constitution speaks against the ‘taking’ of private lands

To the Editor:

This is a city of Lake Oswego alert, to all owners of property in the city of Lake Oswego; go to this Web site today: www.ci.oswego.or.us/plan . It is extremely important that you see the current city plan to encumber additional properties with Sensitive Land overlays, RC for Resource Conservation and RP for Resource Protection. Resource Conservation pertains to tree groves; and, Resource Protection pertains to wetlands and stream corridors.

Every property owner in Lake Oswego should review the Sensitive Lands mapping before you make any plans to add onto your residence; before you make any plans to construct an accessory building on your property; before you make any plans for construction of a new deck or patio; before you make any plans to do more landscaping on your property; and, before you make any plans to do anything on your property. If the city has a Sensitive Lands overlay on your property, it may not be possible to do any of the above on your property. You need to know how the Sensitive Lands ordinance may affect your property. It may no longer be yours to enjoy.

If you moved into the city of Lake Oswego during the past 10 years, you may already have a sensitive lands overlay on your property. If you were not aware of the overlay when you bought the property, you may have paid too much for the land. The city has reduced the value of your land; the city should compensate a property owner for a reduction in land value; and the city should arrange for a reduction in your property taxes as an offset to the sensitive lands encumbrance. Amendments 5 and 14 of the U.S. Constitution boldly state that government cannot take private property rights without just compensation. It is our understanding that city council members took an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States. They need to honor that commitment.

You are invited to attend our informal information meeting, each Thursday, 7 p.m. at 415 North State St.

Betty L Buford

Citizens for Protection of Lake Oswego Lands

Lake Oswego

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