Business LO is thrilled to have Mayor Buck on again! CEO Liz Hartman interviews Mayor and business owner Joe Buck about City Council goal setting, business promotion, and leadership changes. He discusses council vacancies and the value of collaborative, community-first leadership, encourages business owners to invite councilors to their businesses, subscribe to the biweekly Lo Down, and describes how council distribution emails are handled under public-meeting rules. Buck defines local economic development as optimizing limited land use, adapting zoning amid post-pandemic office shifts, supporting existing businesses, and promoting Lake Oswego as a regional destination. Liz highlights upcoming Chamber events: Hop at the Hunt (April 4), the Oregon Wine Walk (May 9), and sponsorship opportunities for the July 4th parade and Lions Club pancake breakfast with What You Need to Know in LO!

Write to City Council (all councilors receive this): Councildistribution@lakeoswego.city

Joe Buck – jbuck@lakeoswego.city

Ali Afghan – aafghan@lakeoswego.city

Trudy Corrigan – tcorrigan@lakeoswego.city

Massene Mboup – mmboup@lakeoswego.city

Rachel Verdick – rverdick@lakeoswego.city

John Wendland – Jwendland@lakeoswego.city

The vacated seat for Council Rapf will be filled in the November 2026 election.

Three City Council spots will also be open: Councilors Afghan and Corrigan. Councilor Wendland is termed out, completing two terms this year. The fourth-place recipient of votes will take the remaining two years of Councilor Rapf’s term.

All about city council: City Council | City of Lake Oswego

LO Down – City Council summary every two weeks, subscribe at Sign up or www.ci.oswego.or.us/publicaffairs/lo-down-e-newsletter

Hello LO – Monthly newsletter mailed to all households and businesses in the city limits.

Economic Development resources:

City – Megan Braunsten, Redevelopment and Economic Development Program

Manager/Community Development Department, Mbraunsten@ci.oswego.or.us, 503- 534-5258 / 503-572-6395

Chamber – Matt Evans, matt@lake-oswego.com, 503-636-3634

HOP AT THE HUNT – Saturday, April 4 – 10 am – Lake Oswego Hunt and Equestrian Center, 2725 Iron Mountain Boulevard. Title Sponsor: Farmers Insurance, Dan Brown; Sponsors: Lakeside Heating and Cooling, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Sugarlump, Merry Maids, Woofie’s, NW Generator Pros.

Oregon Wine Walk - Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce | Oregon Wine Walk sponsored by Oswego Mortgage.

Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Website

Visit us at 148 "B" Avenue Lake Oswego, OR 97034

We offer a wide range of membership tiers and benefits, so browse through our options on our website and pick the one that’s right for your business or organization.

Questions? Call 503-636-3634

For help with your own Podcast Show contact Michelle O’Dell, Modcast Productions michelle@modcastproductions.com

In this episode of Business LO, hosted by Michelle O'Dell, Heather Graves Ramsey of Coach to Brilliance, and Chamber CEO Liz Hartman, we hear from local business owners and franchisees, Melissa Boatwright of ACE Handyman Services Lake Oswego, Portland and Vancouver, and Rosy Rojas of Woofie’s Southwest Portland, as they discuss their journeys into franchise ownership, their backgrounds, reasons for choosing the Lake Oswego area, and the unique challenges and benefits of operating a franchise. Plus, Liz Hartman provides updates on local initiatives, upcoming events, and new groups supporting the Lake Oswego business community with What You Need to Know in LO!

For more information on TechLO, Young Professionals LO, and Women's Lakeside Leaders, go to LakeOswegoChamber.com

TechLO - meets monthly, third Tuesday, location changes monthly (4:30-6 pm)

Young Professionals LO meets monthly on the second Tuesday. Kick off Tuesday, February 10, at the AC Hotel, 3:30-5 pm

Women's Lakeside Leaders meets quarterly. Kick off Wednesday, February 25, noon to 1 pm - Reservations only, no drop-ins.

Ace Handyman Services Lake Oswego

Woofie's - Southwest Portland Pet Care Service

Other Franchises in the Area:

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

Bee Organized

Best Western

Body 20

Budget Blinds

CarePatrol

Certapro Painters

Crumbl Cookies

Expedia Cruises

Forge Education

Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers

Goosehead Insurance

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market

Kumon Math & Reading

McDonalds

Minuteman Press

Modern Chiropractic

Mr. Handyman

New Mom School

OrangeTheory Fitness

Pet Evolution

Pickelball Kingdom

Prime IV & Wellness

Pristine Pros NW

Radiance Natural Medicine

Residence Inn

Stretchlab

Superior Fence

The Bar Method

The UPS Store

TheKey Home Care

Visiting Angels

Welcome Wagon LO

West Hills Montessori School ff

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Website

Visit us at 148 "B" Avenue Lake Oswego, OR 97034

We offer a wide range of membership tiers and benefits, so browse through our options on our website and pick the one that’s right for your business or organization.

Questions? Call 503-636-3634

For help with your own Podcast Show contact Michelle O’Dell, Modcast Productions michelle@modcastproductions.com