Santiam Communications

HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

Another place to sign referendum petition

Written November 18th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

On a bike ride Tuesday afternoon, I came across another petition-signing station in the referendum drive for an election on the legislature’s transportation tax increase.


In road fees or taxes, we’re fated to pay more

Written April 7th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Every time we fill up our cars in Albany, the required signage on the pump reminds us that there’s no local gas tax yet. But the amount we pay for transportation is sure to rise. How much depends on what the city council, the local voters, and probably the legislature decide.


A pothole, a hubcap and proposed taxes

Written March 16th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

A hubcap lying in the middle of Walnut Street, not far from a rain-filled pothole, was a reminder that Albany faces decisions about possible ways to raise more money to repair streets.


On Albany agenda: Street fee and a fuel tax

Written February 23rd, 2025 by Hasso Hering

For much of the last few years, Albany city officials and the council have talked about raising money to rebuild or repair local streets. This afternoon they’ll get an update on moves to collect a monthly street maintenance fee and also the possibility of a local fuel tax.


Good news on the pavement beat

Written February 12th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Returning from Browser’s Books via Pine Street toward Hackleman Park, the bike and I for years tried to avoid the worst potholes. Lately that has not been necessary, because a section of new pavement is in place.


Today’s topic: Congestion and money for roads

Written July 15th, 2024 by Hasso Hering

In Albany Tuesday, Oregon legislators are going to hear about our highway problems in the mid-valley. The biggest problem is heavy traffic and congestion at certain times of the day.


Our simple gas tax, hard to replace

Written April 7th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Because I had never seen this posted, I didn’t know there’s an Oregon law that says gas stations must post all the fuel taxes where customers can see them.


 
HH Today: A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley
Albany Albany City Council Albany council Albany downtown Albany housing Albany parks Albany Planning Commission Albany police Albany Post Office Albany Public Works Albany riverfront Albany Station Albany streets Albany traffic Albany urban renewal Amtrak apartments ARA Benton County bicycling bike lanes Bowman Park Bryant Park CARA climate change Cox Creek Cox Creek path cumberland church cycling Dave Clark Path DEQ downtown Albany Edgewater Village Ellsworth Street bridge Highway 20 homeless housing Interstate 5 land use Linn County Millersburg Monteith Riverpark North Albany North Albany Road ODOT Oregon legislature Pacific Boulevard Pacific Power Portland & Western Queen Avenue Queen Avenue crossing railroad Railroads Republic Services Riverside Drive Santiam Canal Scott Lepman Talking Water Gardens Union Pacific urban renewal vandalism Water Avenue Waterfront Project Waverly Lake Willamette River



Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Hasso Hering.
Website Serviced by Santiam Communications
Hasso Hering