These logs were waiting disposal in the parking lot at the foot of Broadalbin Street Friday.
One more thing about Albany’s removal of selected riverside trees, scheduled to continue through Feb. 28: The wood.
What happens to the wood, a reader asked this week. Here’s the answer from Sophie Adams, the coordinator for the city’s urban renewal projects:
“It was not included in the original instruction to the tree contractor, but we are working to see if a few of the better logs can be salvaged for reuse in some way. For the most part though, trees that can be used as firewood are being limbed and a number of loads have already been hauled to the Helping Hands lot.
“Trees that are not suitable for reuse or firewood (i.e. cottonwoods) are being run through a chipper. The chips are being hauled either to Timber Linn Park, where they are offered to the community on a first-come, first-serve basis, or hauled to Public Works Operations where they are being used as amendment to make compost out of biosolids.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of that compost ends up back on the riverfront as part of future plantings, closing the circle of growth, decline and regrowth. (hh)
“Growth, decline, and regrowth?” You are sounding “chipper” about the 80 some trees being cut down. (Pun intended.)
On the one hand Albany is imposing a state policy that dictates where and what housing will be allowed to be built. All in the name of creating “climate friendly areas.”
On the other hand Albany cuts down trees that will reduce nature’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. All in the name of locally imposed “urban renewal.”
A case study in the politics of contradiction, perhaps. The only thing in common is voters were never asked for permission.
Hogwash! We do still have (thankfully) a representaire government. Those elected to make decisions:..
representative. (fumble-fingers)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH yo0u too.
So Ray…some years ago did you support or oppose the local petitions that required voter approval of new city debt and urban renewal plans?
The petitions were initiated due to local government overreach (CARA & stifling debt). City government pointed its gun and ordered residents to submit.
If I recall, you opposed the initiatives with some vigor.
You were clearly out of step with your constituents. Read the current city charter.
And when politicians like you and the gov choose to ignore the majority of the people the result is never good.
Witness the “climate friendly areas” mandate. Given you are an advocate of CARA how does this square with your desire for downtown gentrification? You and I probably agree – this is state government overreach.
Voter approval is a scalpel that is occasionally necessary. Local urban renewal plans, and climate friendly state mandates, are two examples.
But political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. Occasionally, that gun needs to be forcibly unloaded by voters. Thank goodness in Oregon the voters have the power of initiative.
In Albany, expecting council members to willingly de-arm (refer), or oppose, a controversial issue is clearly outside the value set. Power is the end game. Sad.
LOL! I’m sure not going to follow you down your rabbit holes… Suffice that I very-very strongly endorse our current form of government.
Your own comment states the obvious solution to what you perceive to be the problem. Namely, that since you apparently can’t garner enough support to elect candidates who abide your Ideas, you do have the well-tested OR ballot initiative process to use.
What seriously scares me is your “barrel of a gun” diatribe…
Another glaring example of the need for term limits
“But political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.” The preferred method of the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, and the rest of the right-wing militia.
Just another right-wing coward afraid to use their own name.
MarK: “Another glaring example of the need for term limits”
I have no problems with term limits. I self-imposed same in 2018, sat out 2 years, and here I am for another round.. I’ve already stated that I will not run in the upcoming cycle. I’ll sit out 2 more years, re-charge my batteries, and then take a look at the landscape again. You ought to try it sometime. Naaahhh – that would require some effort on your part…
When can the chips be picked up and at what place in Timber Linn Park, may I ask?
Well, I guess helping hands will take even the wood from our beautiful parks to to pay their wages to manage the homeless! False compassion is even more costly than the real thing. Fake humanitarians require more money for their acting performances. Hopefully, one day there will be Ocsars for that category then they will get their true accolades.
How many times have we heard this for your own good from the city. Honest and positive projects do not need to be sugar coated and talked to death. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. The city has figuratively sold us swampland more than a few times.
Remember when we were a tree city. Now we are a cut trees down city.
Albany was just designated a Tree City USA for the 29th year in a row. (Data below shows info for 28th year…)
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/660ab8bb060f47e4a753101086699973
Many cities carry on in the same manner. The sense of power would quickly run dry with term limits. Besides. Maybe more would be done about the unemployment rate if they had stand in that line.
Odd progression from trees to term limits.
First, a tree is a plant with a fairly long life expectancy. Yes, the arborists made money evaluating and harvesting. I see evidence in 2 pics of heart rot. That is not recoverable. Leaving a weak tree in a public park is irresponsible.
There’s a simple method already available to effect term limits without a new law. If an objector can ally with enough like-minded folks and successfully run for for office, problem solved.
I was just wondering how many of the anti-tree cutters live in brick houses?
Ray Kopczynski:
Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun (Chinese: 枪杆子里面出政权; pinyin: Qiānggǎnzi lǐmiàn chū zhèngquán) is a phrase which was coined by Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong.
Copied from Wikipedia.