Category: Articles
DEI task force isn't just 'checking the box'
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.
Read More...Posted on 18 Feb 2020, 13:10 - Category: Articles
Where I stand on the forests
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.
Read More...Posted on 11 Dec 2019, 11:06 - Category: Articles
Where I stand on Transportation
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.
Read More...Posted on 03 Dec 2019, 11:12 - Category: Articles
Is Lake Oswego's tree canopy in danger? It depends on who you ask
Read More...City Councilor and 2020 mayoral candidate, Theresa Kohlhoff, who also attended the summit... disagreed with O'Neill's assertion that the Lake Oswego Tree Code — which was updated in 2016 — is working effectively. Specifically, Kohlhoff noted that the code does not apply to the City's development code. "The tree code is a stand alone regulation, which I believe is contributing to (the problem)..."Tree regulation is a land use decision and therefore the tree code should be in the development code, regardless of whether it would lead to a LUBA (Land Use Board of Appeals) decision or not." Concluding her thoughts, Kohlhoff emphasized the perspective that brought dozens of residents to the summit: Lake Oswego is special because of its trees. "I am told there is no place on earth like Cascadia with its largest, longest lived western red cedar and Doug firs in the world...Our canopy can last, at least, to the end of this century. So saving these big trees to help our grandchildren and their grandchildren survive climate chaos is the most important incentive I can possibly imagine."
Posted on 10 Oct 2019, 11:48 - Category: Articles
Kohlhoff announces mayoral bid
Read More...City Councilor Theresa Kohlhoff announced Thursday that she is running for Mayor of Lake Oswego in 2020.
Kohlhoff published a video announcing her candidacy to her Youtube account Thursday afternoon that talks about the things that make Lake Oswego great, and how Lake Oswego can rise to the challenge to solve problems both here in the community as well as the region.
"We are not now regional leaders, and there's no reason for this other than a myopic view that we might not be here in 20 years, so let's just do what's best for us now," the video states. "It's the 'Things look pretty good outside my window' sort of attitude, instead of us acting boldly and unselfishly, not only to benefit ourselves, but our kids and their kids."
Kohlhoff, a resident of Lake Oswego since 1989, was elected to City Council in 2016 and has been a voice for affordable housing, the environment and inclusion.
She has a B.A. in English from Portland State University and a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School. She has been a practicing attorney since 1980.
Posted on 27 Jun 2019, 14:34 - Category: Articles
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