Wants to preserve neighborhoods, schools

Lake Oswego Planning Commissioner Jon Gustafson announced this week that he will run for city council in November.

“It was not an easy decision given the divisive nature of city politics at the moment,” Gustafson said in a public statement, noting he wants to “restore trust and civility” to city government.

“Someone needed to stand up to continue the great progress our city has made in the last decade,” he said.

His priorities include preserving neighborhoods and high-quality schools while supporting and attracting small businesses, supporting the city’s sustainability goals and protecting natural resources.

“In order to preserve those characteristics we cherish so much, we must plan for the challenges ahead,” Gustafson said. “We must also keep Lake Oswego attractive and attainable to the young families we need to support our school district.”

He also hopes to provide ways for senior residents to “age in place” or downsize while remaining in Lake Oswego.

Gustafson co-owns a local remodeling company called Beals Design-Build and is a licensed real estate broker with Windermere Realty Group. He lives in the McVey-South Shore neighborhood with his partner, Michael, and their 6-year-old daughter.

As a small-business owner, he said, he has developed budgets, crafted plans and set goals, experience he believes would benefit the city council. He has a degree in architecture from Portland State University and has served on the planning commission since 2009; he was named vice chairman of the commission this week after completing two terms as chairman. He said that service has given him an understanding of city government’s challenges and opportunities.

“In order to preserve those characteristics we cherish so much, we must plan for the challenges ahead,” he said, later adding: “My ability to listen and to come up with creative and cost-effective solutions to complicated challenges are skills that have helped me succeed in a variety of business ventures.”

Three council seats as well as the mayor’s position are up for grabs in the election this November.

The city’s six councilors serve four-year terms and are elected at-large, with those receiving the most votes winning vacant seats. The mayor also serves a four-year term.

Councilor Bill Tierney announced in April that he plans to run for another term, but councilors Sally Moncrieff and Mary Olson have said they won’t seek re-election.

Dan Williams, a former budget committee member, and business owner Skip O’Neill, both recently announced they intend to run for council seats.

For those who have declared candidacy, nothing is official. The filing period for city offices doesn’t open until August, although prospective candidates can now pick up paperwork to fill out. The documents are available from the city recorder at city hall, 380 A Ave.