On the Cox Creek Path, just east of the railroad bridges, on Tuesday afternoon.
The bike and I took the Cox Creek Path in Albany on Tuesday to see if the Union Pacific had made any progress replacing its trestle across the creek and the path. The video below, with bonus footage of a passing train, shows what I found.
There are people camping on both sides of the path, on private property belonging to the Masonic Lodge that owns the nearby cemetery on the border between the cities of Albany and Millersburg.
Evidently the property owners have taken no steps to keep vagrants from setting up camp in the bushes there. If there’s a “no trespassing” sign anywhere, I haven’t seen it.
The path itself was constructed with public funds and has been maintained by the Albany parks crew. From time to time, somebody has to cut up trees that fell across the path in a high wind. And roadside weeds and bushes have to be cut back once a year or so to keep the pathway from being choked.
So you’d think city authorities would have some interest in moving or keeping away people who set up improvised camp sites along there, and who then trash not just where they sit but the path too.
On Tuesday afternoon, the path was almost blocked with overturned — and presumably stolen — shopping carts. The pavement was littered with broken glass, at least some of which had once been a bottle of beer.
The railroad’s bridge replacement should be interesting to watch. But seeing what vagrants have done to this path and its surroundings — and are allowed to continue doing — is sad. (hh)
Looks like they’re getting ready to dismantle the UP’s timber bridge across Cox Creek.
As a boy, I recall hearing negative comments about the trashy conditions that existed in my little hometown of Crawfordsville. Years later, I began to see what those complaints were about. Rural Linn County bore little resemblance to the manicured suburban neighborhoods in the consolidated cities. Yes, things out here are a little messy.
But now, when I look at the struggles that every city in America is having with trash and vandalism and crime and behavior, I have to ponder what went wrong. Where are the shining cities on the hill? And it also makes me thankful that I do not live in a city. Any city.
It seems apparent that there are some wide spread, fundamental issues in American society that are leading to decay. I don’t know what they are, but this HH post is another harbinger of what lays ahead for our cities: sadness.
You should check out the homeless camp that appeared a few days ago in the center of the large landscaped island at the intersection of Pacific, Santiam and Geary. It’s in the middle of the group of trees, so it’s not necessarily visible with a casual glance.
Here are a couple of items that changed economic conditions:
Unions were busted. This occurred with the transition of manufacturing from the upper-Midwest into southern states where right-to-work laws decimated union shops. Later it was made worse when factories moved out of the US, first to Mexico then the far east.
Next was the abandonment of the Federal Government investing in inter-state infrastructure. The great expansion of the 50’s and 60’s was dead by the mid-eighties. That reduced the demand for skilled and unskilled workers. It also resulted in crumbling infrastructure that we are only now starting to address.
Lastly was redirecting capital to private sector expansion only. Not a bad thing in and of itself, but with a large excess of workers, the boom in profits went overwhelmingly to shareholders/owners. That funded the explosion in management salaries and dividends, that now dwarf those of workers in many industries.
Since there are vastly more workers than owners/managers you see the results today: Homelessness, where a significant portion of the population can no longer afford to live as people did back in the 1970’s even if they have jobs. It more like the 1930’s now…
Bob
Nicely and succinctly explained.
There’s another feature that contributed — advanced automation.
I confess to being part of a long march that eliminated semi-skilled jobs while turning the surviving jobs into skilled-knowledge positions.
The biggest employment hit came when the business model shifted from manufacturing goods at home to contract procurement of goods made offshore .
Let’s not ignore government’s contribution.
In 2010 Obama’s federal strategic plan to end homelessness was released. The plan established four key goals:
(1) Prevent and end homelessness among Veterans in 5 years;
(2) Finish the job of ending chronic homelessness in 7 years;
(3) Prevent and end homelessness for families, youth, and children in 10 years; and
(4) Set a path to ending all types of homelessness.
It is safe to conclude that government’s response (federal, state, and local) has only made the problem worse.
We need new thinking on this issue.
Looks like a couple council seats (and mayor) are up for re-election in the areas with high homeless encampments, trash and graffiti. Time to vote for some people who will actually DO something to help eliminate this problem. Make Albany Great Again.
Read much?
As councilor Smith has stated several times, 3 council seats and the Mayor are up for election. You’ve already stated you have no intention of doing so. Have you had a direct face-to-face conversation with your 2 councilors on any of these issues? If not, why not? (I’m guessing you don’t live in Albany, and as such, have no say in Albany issues.)
Yes, I live in Albany. I’m extremely glad I don’t live in YOUR district (except for not being able to vote for your replacement). Many of the comments that you have left on this site are extremely unprofessional coming from an elected official. I just hope the citizens in your district realize what a poor example you are and don’t continue to support the image you portray.
Someone should make a living picking up grocery store carts and returning them. They are worth hundreds of $$ to replace. I’ve taken some back in my pickup.
So sorry for the cyclists that rode through the broken glass.
Homelessness and all the negatives that go with it are on full display.
I don’t know what the answers are to helping, solving the problem or finding a long term solution.
Any thoughts?
I believe the city has a law about grocery carts being left on city property and has someone pick them up when reported. I thought the grocery has to pay $50.00 for return of their carts. I have called the grocery a few times to go pick up their own carts before they are reported.
I don’t know either of any other good solutions. One option is to hire people to clean up the places over and over and that way hopefully there’s a signal that it’s not a place to stay.
The problem with some homeless is that even if shelter and work is provided, they don’t accept it. So it’s to some degree a mental health issue we are dealing with just now.
The reason we can’t have nice things.
I have a clear opinion about helping the homeless. What is being allowed to happen now is criminal.
People are homeless for a number of reasons. Do all you can to help those who want to get off the street… those who want help with their mental health issues, those who want help with their substance abuse issues, those who are trying to work but cannot afford housing.
Those who want to remain on the streets simply ask them to leave town.
NO camping period. We should NOT be enabling those who want to live this type of lifestyle
No worries. Dictatorships do not allow for homelessness. Forced Labor Camps their solution.