In 2010 COLA LO became active in the elections process within our community by developing and implementing a candidate review process for city council.   The process included interviewing candidates with standard questions and allowing candidates an open forum to express their views to the community. 

All interviews were conducted and subsequently aired on public access television before the election.   This processs allowed the community to evaluate the views of candidates in terms of our three core values (fiscal responsibility, core services, and property rights).    Candidates were given equal opportunity to answer a standard set of questions and promote their views on TVCTV.  

The level of access by citizens through online candidate interviews, via the COLA LO blog, TVCTV broadcasts, and published materials was unprecendented in terms of  prior Lake Oswego elections.   COLA LO endorsed 3 candidates for the three openings on our city council in 2010.   This endorsement was based upon the response to the interviews and a Board level vote with advisory board members participating in the vote.   These endorsed candidates were supported throughout the election cycle.

COLA LO will implement the same process in 2012 for the election of a Mayor and 3 Councilors to represent our community in Lake Oswego.