Hasso Hering

No signals but no chaos

Written April 28th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 4 responses.

When a power failure hit the Albany area on Monday afternoon and knocked out all the traffic signals, motorists did what they usually do when this happens: Without being told, they took turns.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Pacific and Queen, Pacific Power, power failure

The limits of automation

Written April 28th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

If it weren’t for all the money swooshing down the drain, you could find a silver lining in all the news about Oregon’s failed ventures in high technology. The failures remind us that not everything can or should be automated, and even if it can, it might not be a good idea.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Cover Oregon, failures of automation, IT projects, Oregon Benefits Online, The Oregonian

Rail plan points to money trouble

Written April 26th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

Readers interested in rail transportation — and who isn’t? — will naturally be eager to review the draft of the 2014 Oregon State Rail Plan just published by the Oregon Department of Transportation. At 161 pages, not to mention the 100-page technical report, it takes patience to get through. But it includes some troubling facts, […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany & Eastern, ODOT, Oregon passenger raill, Oregon Rail Plan

Hare case: Facts prove state wrong

Written April 25th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

If you doubt that state authorities were wrong in fining the Albany city manager for a press release about last fall’s city bond election, read the state’s own legal brief and your doubts will vanish. The state’s brief claims that Wes Hare violated the election law by making an impartial statement, but the facts and […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany City Council, illegal electioneering, Oregon election law, Oregon Elections Division

Oregon’s useful pamphlet

Written April 24th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 4 responses.

The Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet for the May 20 primary has arrived. It is a source of lots of helpful information, even though the material submitted by candidates often raises more questions than it answers. The secretary of state prints the candidate statements exactly as they are submitted except for fixing the spelling in cases where […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, primary election, Voter ID laws

Pot debate ends: Stores can stay

Written April 23rd, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

Albany’s marijuana discussions may now be over for a while. At least that’s my hope after the city council Wednesday voted to allow two existing medical marijuana businesses to stay in existence. Councilors did so on a 3-3 tie, as expected, with Mayor Sharon Konopa casting the deciding vote.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, marijuana dispensaries, medical marijuana

Campaign brewing in Ward I

Written April 23rd, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 3 responses.

It’s early yet, but Albany has the first announced challenger this year for a seat on the city council, and it looks as though voters can look forward to a spirited campaign of actual substance. Kevin Manske, co-owner with his wife of CNS Firearms and a firearms training business, announced his candidacy this week. He’s […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, Dick Olsen, Election 2014, Kevin Manske