It is no secret that many of us are anxious during these uncertain times. Even those of us living in safe conditions—with all we need to be healthy—know that none of that safety is guaranteed, and it is certainly not shared by everyone in our community. In fact, unless you are a white, educated man, you are, in some way, slightly to greatly disadvantaged by the system. No one wants to admit this. Many claim that narrative was from a time long ago and the injustices are all fixed now. 

We know these systemic problems haven’t been fixed. They exist now, somewhat veiled but there, and often unabated. It’s not just race or gender; it’s whether you have money, how old you are, whether you are disabled, have young children, are LGBTQ+, practice a religion that is not Christian, etc. Or as it was once explained to me, it’s your problem unless you are a person who has the privilege of not having to listen to anyone else.
 

Lake Oswego fully understands its reputation. Along with several others, I spent a year writing a policy affirming that we wanted our city to be welcoming and inclusive, especially at our facilities, events, and meetings. We wanted our city services to be relevant and responsive to all residents, and we wanted everyone to have a chance to participate in city projects and decisions. 

Living in Lake Oswego for over 30 years, raising my family here, and serving the community the last three years as a City Councilor, I care deeply about the City and the health, safety, and happiness of all its citizens.

Lake Oswego?  It’s a destination.  It’s a place.  It’s beautiful.  Our neighborhoods and businesses thrive.  Our schools are top tier.  Our biking and pedestrian trails go on for miles.  Yes, we work hard for our future and our families.  And, yes, we enjoy playing, too.

Lake Oswego is in Cascadia, and there is no place on earth like it.  We have the largest, longest lived forests in the world.  Our trees - the Western Red Cedar and Doug Firs - grow slowly and can live to a 1,000 years.  For sure they can live to the end of this century.  

I am Theresa Kohlhoff, a city councilor, and I am running for Lake Oswego Mayor, in part, to preserve big trees, to push back climate change impacts and to maintain the esthetic we all love.

As the weather has been turning more wetter, and more of us head indoors, I often think about the reliance we’re forced to have on our cars.  Many of us can’t bike in the rain and dangerous conditions, certainly can’t walk the miles to our jobs, can’t pick up waiting children at their schools through transit and the like.  Even if we can afford cars or don’t have disabilities which limit our mobility, none of us is going to avoid the time when we are too old to drive by car. We do not now have high capacity transit or other infrastructure. We simply have few other options. 

Like many Lake Oswego residents, I commute into Portland where my law office is located. What used to take 20 minutes is now at least 45 minutes.  I personally go through two of the five worst choke points in Oregon every time I go to and from work. You don’t need to be told that congestion is increasing and there are no immediate plans for reasonable alternatives.  

I, for one, am really fed up. 

This week, Lake Oswego City Council decided in a 5-2 vote to withdraw from future planning of the Oak Grove-Lake Oswego pedestrian bridge study. I am disappointed in the decision to not further study what could have been a tremendous asset to our community.

We need mobility and safety options in our community. When elected mayor, we will come together to study and create multi-modal and mobility options in our community. Below are my comments from our recent vote.