Hasso Hering

Mealtime for the squirrel

Written November 24th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 4 responses.

Taking a break from the issues of the day, let’s turn to the serious business of cracking these nuts. Mr. Squirrel is an appreciative customer, but he does not have all day to wait.

Posted in: Commentary, Videos
Tags: backyard wildlife, cracking walnuts, target practice

Why America can’t fix its bridges

Written November 24th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 11 responses.

We are hearing a lot these days — most recently on CBS’s “60 Minutes” on Sunday — about the sad shape of the highways and bridges in this country, and how politicians in Congress are refusing to raise the gas tax to fix this failing “infrastructure.” Maybe more could be done if we found a way to […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: 60 Minutes, crumbling infrastructure, highways and bridges, Interstate highways, ODOT

What bike lane, where?

Written November 22nd, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

Ahem…

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany leaf pickup, bike lanes, bike lanes blocked

Farmers’ market: Awaiting next spring

Written November 22nd, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 3 responses.

You’ll have to wait a few months if you want to get some stuff at the weekly farmers’ market in Albany. The Saturday market finished its season this week. And if the usual schedule is followed again in 2015, it will reopen in April.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Farmers' Market, Farmers Market

Why ban weddings on farms?

Written November 21st, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

A pending appeal in Benton County illustrates the byzantine and repressive nature of Oregon land-use laws where farms are concerned. Why does the law care whether farmers, when they’re not out there sowing or reaping, rent their yards out to someone who wants to get hitched?

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Benton County Commissioners, Benton County land use, exclusive farm use, farm weddings

How about more city taxes?

Written November 21st, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 3 responses.

One of these days, local government may run out of new ideas for getting money out of taxpayers. But that day is not yet here, as the budget committee of the city of Albany is finding out.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany budget, Albany Budget Committee, Albany City Council, Albany city taxes, fuel taxes, oprivelege taxes

The emperor has spoken

Written November 20th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

Would it hurt Barack Obama to at least try to look and act like the president of a republic instead of an emperor? Just look at what they now call the “optics” of his announcement on illegal immigrants.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: immigration, Obama