Commentary

Station-Swanson path is open

Written July 6th, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

The latest addition to Albany’s network of off-street paths is open. It’s the 600-foot link underneath the Pacific Boulevard viaduct between Albany Station and the open-air pool at Swanson Park.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Station, H.P Civil Inc., ODOT, Station-Swanson path, Swanson Park

Wedding cakes and free speech

Written July 6th, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 15 responses.

Oregon law, according to Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, says that if you make cakes as a business, you must make one for a gay wedding even if you oppose gay weddings. But you don’t have to be quiet about it. The First Amendment protects your right to speak out, as affirmed in the same-sex marriage ruling the […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Aaron and Melissa Klein, Anthony Kennedy, Brad Avakian, First Amendment, same-sex marriage, Sweet Cakes, wedding cakes

Tax compression: A “loss” it’s not

Written July 4th, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 4 responses.

There’s a chart in the July 8 agenda packet of the Albany City Council that reflects a mistaken view — and may leave a wrong impression — of an important fact about Oregon property taxes. “Property Tax Lost to Compression,” the chart is titled.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, electric tax, privilege tax, property tax compression

To save the trains, buy a ticket

Written July 3rd, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

The Cascades passenger trains that stop in Albany four times a day have been rescued for now with a funding package that cleared the legislature on Thursday. But only an increase in the number of paying passengers can save them for good.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Cascades trains, HB 5040, ODOT-Rail, passenger rail

The Answer Man: Signals on 34th

Written July 2nd, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

This was the question that arrived via email from an Albany reader: “What is going on with the traffic lights that are supposed to be put in at 34th Avenue and Marion and 34th Avenue and Hill?” As luck would have it, the Answer Man is in.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 34th Avenue, City of Albany, Hill and 34th, Marion and 34th, ODOT, traffic signals

Will escape still be possible?

Written July 1st, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

July 1 is an important date not only because Oregon now allows the “recreational” use of marijuana but because it also is a milestone on the road to total surveillance. So far this surveillance covers only volunteers. But in 10 or 20 years, I doubt escape will be possible for any of us still around.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Azuga, mileage charge, ODOT, Road use program, surveillance

“BottleDrop:” Why it matters

Written June 30th, 2015 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

Albany’s bottle and can redemption center has an Aug. 20 target date to open for business, and “so far we are on track,” Cherilyn Bertges of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative says. Why should anyone care? Because sooner or later, the Oregon Bottle Bill will demand recycling of more types of beverage containers, and the […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany BottleDrop, Oregon bottle bill, Recycling Cooperative