News – Page 179 – Hasso Hering

Bag enforcement? Don’t call the cops

Written January 6th, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

The Oregon DEQ sounds pretty stern when it comes to enforcing the new law on checkout bags. But while the City of Albany expects a question or two about this, enforcement sounds pretty much like an issue unlikely to come up.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: bag enforcement, HB 2509, plastic bag ban

In South Albany, a plan to help big subdivision

Written January 4th, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 28 responses.

Before the rain started on Saturday, the bike took me to the corner of Columbus Street and Ellingson Road at Albany’s southern edge. On the acreage northwest of the corner, a Beaverton company wants to develop a 226-lot subdivision, and the city staff is proposing to contribute $500,000 to help get it started.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Henshaw Farms, Metropolitan Land Group, South Albany Area Plan, south Albany subdivision

Novak’s aims to reopen before fire anniversary

Written January 4th, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 3 responses.

Rebuilding the interior of the fire-damaged Novak’s restaurant in downtown Albany has taken more than 10 months and is still not done. But the owners are determined to be open no later than Feb. 27, one year to the day after the fire.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Novak's Restaurant

Downtown site: From tavern to church?

Written January 2nd, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 4 responses.

Late in 2018 it looked as though this blighted storefront in downtown Albany might some day be fixed up. It hasn’t happened yet,but its new owner may be thinking of the building as a future church.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 129 W. First, Espalon, Jesus Revival Association

Paying for bags: The honor system at work

Written January 1st, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 11 responses.

On the first day of Oregon’s new law on grocery carry-out bags, the answer is that yes, as I had supposed on Monday, part of it will rely on the honor system.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Fred Meyer, North Albany IGA, Oregon law on shopping bags, plastic bag ban

Oregon’s great bag switch is at hand

Written December 30th, 2019 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 23 responses.

You have to admit there’s a certain amount of suspense over how Albany retailers will handle the legislature’s ban on plastic carry-out bags, which takes effect Wednesday.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Bi-Mart, Fred Meyer, Oregon plastic bag ban, paper grocery bags

A hearing on two doors: It wasn’t much

Written December 23rd, 2019 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 4 responses.

When the Albany Landmarks Commission convened last Wednesday night for two “quasi-judicial public hearings” about minor repairs to an old house, it was over pretty quick.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 732 Fourth S.W., Albany development code, Albany Landmarks, historic houses