As we move through this summer of political doldrums, announced candidates and potential candidates alike are interested only in treading water, keeping their heads visible to the public without making sufficient waves to stir up any significant backsplash.

The problem with such tactics is that it tends to lull the voters into a state of apathy, which may well carry through the November elections if we are not careful. Meanwhile, issues remain the same, the flow of public money continues outward beyond our control, and the same 4 to 3 vote maintains the constant pace toward changing the nature of Lake Oswego forever.

The last issue of the Review contained another seemingly nebulous entry from Greg Macpherson in which he extols the virtues of individual physical activity. He lists current public offerings of which the aspiring physically fit might take advantage. He then strays into support for the proposed addition of indoor tennis courts with the following questionable statement, “With user fees covering the net cost of the new facility, this project would be a sensible improvement.” On its face, the statement is true. However, it is an ongoing question whether either the current or proposed facilities actually could cover all costs. Some of the development and building costs may have to come from the taxpayers through our general fund.

Jan Castle’s submission echoed Macpherson’s regarding the tennis center, with the same questionable statement as to user fees. She also defends, unnecessarily, the city’s property tax rate. The property tax rate is lower but the overall assessed value of LO property is higher. We still pay more overall, just the rate is lower than some other municipalities.

Property taxes are only one of the costs surging upwards. Our utility bills and debt have increased astronomically and will continue to do so. She ignores that everyone’s cost of living is increasing. She ends with the statement, “Prudent, strategic decisions should be made to protect current as well as future residents.” I agree, but the current four members of the city council whom Ms. Castle supports are not making those prudent decisions.

Why are we even going down this road again regarding athletic facilities beneficial to only a selected portion of the public? The West End Building was a dream to create an activity center for the city to be supported by user fees. The public rejected that idea as being unnecessary and a financial risk comparable to the purchase of the building in the first place. The city golf course continues to cost $200,000 a year beyond user fees. Can we not expect the tennis facilities to also be a drain on resources?

Obviously cities need to offer recreational facilities for the use of the public as a part of core services, but to what extent? There is an adequate number of private clubs and facilities with more being added all the time, including tennis facilities. Many citizens are already members at their own expense. Mountain Park residents already have their own facilities at their expense. Should we not use some restraint in our expenditure of funds in these economic times? Most of us have had to make choices in our personal lives to live within our means.

Is it too much to expect our city leaders to do the same?

Gary Gipson is a 27-year resident of Lake Oswego.