News – Page 428 – Hasso Hering

Marijuana initiative: What’s in it

Written June 26th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

So it looks as though we’ll be voting this fall on an initiative to create and regulate a legal industry supporting the recreational use of marijuana. The sponsors turned in more than 145,000 signatures Thursday. They claimed to have checked many of them for their validity even before the state does the same, and they needed only 87,213. So […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: marijuana initiative, November election, recreational marijuana

On Benton’s Bailey Branch: Looking to the future

Written June 25th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: no responses.

Whether the old rail corridor known as the Bailey Branch can ever again serve the cause of transportation, I don’t know. But clearly some segments, especially the one from Alpine Junction to Dawson in the foothills of the Coast Range, have huge potential as a recreational trail. That’s my impression from joining a smattering of other […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Alpine Junction, Bailey Branch, Benton County Oregon, Dawson, Monroe, Southern Pacific

Good news for paddlers

Written June 23rd, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: no responses.

Yes, the long-awaited access for paddlers on the Luckiamute River is scheduled to be built this fall. I wrote about this a few days ago, and as expected, this morning I heard via email from Bryan Nielsen, the manager for the Willamette Mission Management Unit of the state parks system.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Luckiamute Natural Area, Oregon State Parks, paddlers' access

Millersburg power vote looks likely

Written June 19th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

If public sentiment expressed at a hearing Thursday carries any weight, voters in Millersburg are likely to get an election on the question of whether the town should expel Pacific Power and take over the electric system within the city limits. Speakers demanding an election (I counted seven of them, including the lead spokesman for […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: ATI Wah Chang, Millersburg city council, Pacific Power, public power

Pacific pushing back harder

Written June 19th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 2 responses.

The fight over electric power in Millersburg is about to enter another round. The Millersburg City Council will hold a second public hearing tonight (June 19) on its proposal to kick Pacific Power out, take over the town’s electric system, by condemnation if necessary, and run it as a municipal utility. Pacific Power is expected to use the hearing […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: ATI Wah Chang, Millersburg, Pacific Power

CARA: Progress, and a tough call

Written June 17th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 11 responses.

CARA, Albany’s downtown urban renewal program, this week is beginning to see tangible results from two of the biggest projects it has supported with financial aid. It also faces the tough call of whether to extend and perhaps even forgive a $200,000 loan whose terms call for it to be repaid now.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany urban renewal, CARA, Edgewater Village, Penney Building, Woodland Square

Albany rail project near completion

Written June 17th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: no responses.

Whether it’s a right turn or a left turn depends on which direction the trains are going. But it will be a few more weeks before they use a new Albany track to turn either right or left. That’s the word from Kevin R. Haugh, the general manager of the Portland & Western Railroad.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany wye, ODOT-Rail, Portland & Western Railroad