One is seeking your support, one is choosing to step down.

Southshore resident Skip O'Neill announced Tuesday that he will be seeking a position on the Lake Oswego City Council during the general election in November. Candidates can't officially file until August.

While O'Neill is hoping to land a spot on the council, incumbent Councilor Mary Olson announced this week that she won't seek re-election nor will she make a run at the mayor's position. Both Olson and O'Neill have joined LOCAL - Lake Oswego Citizens Action League, is a grassroots, nonpartisan PAC for Lake Oswego citizens.

O'Neill's vision and focus statement includes:

* "A local residential community not driven to become a Portland satellite defined by Portland high density developers, politics and values;

* "A city council driven by priorities that keep our infrastructure in good repair;

* "Government services with an attitude of ‘how can we help;'

* "A community working together for the common good."

O'Neill, a Lake Oswego business owner and builder, owns O'Neill Builders, which does new construction and remodeling for both residential and commercial projects. He is co-founder of Leading Technology. He holds a bachelor's of arts degree in advertising from Michigan State University.

He said his community involvement ranges from Portland Rotary Club, Lake Oswego Soccer Club coach and Lake Oswego lacrosse assistant coach to past president of the Lake Corporation and a Lake Corp board member to being on the Lake Oswego Foundation and a member of the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce.

In a statement, O'Neill said it's important to "Improve, preserve and protect the city of Lake Oswego. We need to keep the community spirit this great community offers."

He feels it's important for the city to spend its money wisely.

"We need to rein in our spending and spend more wisely," he said. "The core services for police, safety-fire coverage and schools need to be continued in a high standard with adequate funding. We cannot simply raise fees; we need to spend within our means. Lake Oswego is a community that has established a unique quality of life and our citizens want to maintain this character. We do not want to be a large metro suburb or an extension of Portland or social-engineered by Metro planners."

He added, "We need to respect ones' property rights and have fiscal responsibility with our spending.

Expand the city where it makes sense and where we can afford expansion without jeopardizing our core services and values. We need the citizens of Lake Oswego, not just planning bureaucrats, to be involved in directing the future of this great community by participating on boards and commissions. We encourage you to add your talent and skills to help preserve our community for our children and others to enjoy."

O'Neill has lived in Lake Oswego since 1983 along with his wife, Lynda, and three daughters. The O'Neills moved to Lake Oswego after college and have been married for more than 30 years. All three daughters have been educated in the Lake Oswego school system.

Olson said she came to her decision not to run with "mixed emotions." In a citizen's view on page A7, she noted: "And so it is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that I will not run for re-election as councilor nor will I run for mayor. It is humbling that so many citizens have been supportive and have encouraged me to run, and that means a great deal to me. But I am looking forward to the next phase of my life, and that does not include another four-year commitment to serving on city council."