WeShare

On Wednesday, November 18, my wife and I celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary.  We were married November 18, 1972, in Metolius, Oregon, while we were students at Central Oregon Community College.  Pictures from that day verify that I once had a full head of hair and looked remarkably young.  I’m not sure why my wife’s appearance has changed so little while mine has changed so much, except to say I have frequently observed that city manager years are something like dog years.

We did not begin our marriage with an agreed-upon strategy for how we would conduct our lives.  We both … Continue Reading

I have a lot of respect for newspaper people who write daily editorials or columns.  My weekly blog taxes my limited powers of observation, imagination, and intellect; so, I know it is a real challenge to write accurate, informative, and thoughtful columns every day.  Not surprisingly, even the best editorialists write an occasional clinker.

Yesterday’s newspaper contained a diatribe complaining about government robbing us of our freedom.  This is a familiar theme not only in the media, but also in everyday conversation.  Who among us has not resented one government regulation or another at some time in our life?  I have … Continue Reading

Sports, and football in particular, are a preoccupation in my life.  I have spent far too many hours huddled in the rain at Autzen Stadium or camped in front of a television set watching a group of young men play a game that will do little to further the progress of humankind.  Most of these hours were only marginally more comfortable than the time I spent hardening my behind in gyms throughout rural Oregon watching my sons wrestle.

I have to justify all this time by finding some redeeming value in the hours I’ve devoted to watching sports, and I think … Continue Reading

I assume there is a whole generation of citizens who are unacquainted with the wisdom of Mae West.  For those who don’t know her, Mae West was an actress and screenwriter during the early years of the American film industry.  She was famous for many notable one-liners, but my favorite is, “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor.  Believe me, rich is better.”

I am encouraged by the response of community leaders to the impending closure of the IP mill in Millersburg.  Representatives of local businesses and government met earlier this week to come up with ideas about how to respond … Continue Reading

Today’s (October 22) announcement that International Paper will be closing its local mill is a sobering reminder of the state of the international economy and its relationship to what happens in Albany.  The closure is also, I’m sure, a devastating blow to the families directly affected by the job losses.

Cathy Ingalls from the Democrat-Herald sent me an e-mail this morning asking how the closure would affect Albany city government.  I responded with the following message:

“The closure almost certainly will have an effect on the local housing market which could further depress new home and, possibly, commercial construction.  Declining construction activity … Continue Reading

Albany made national news this week when a local apartment complex manager told tenants they could be evicted for displaying flags outside their homes or on their vehicles.  The ban has since been rescinded, and the story has appropriately disappeared from the national spotlight.  We learned that people all over the country care deeply about our country’s flag and our right to display it as we choose.

Several years ago, I was a volunteer Scout leader at my church when one of our parents proposed a great fund-raising project.  Our troop would purchase 50 U.S. flags, mount them on an eight-foot … Continue Reading

Every month or two I receive correspondence addressed to “Mayor Wes Hare.”  Usually, it’s a solicitation from some distant company; but occasionally I get a letter from a citizen who has no idea about the distinction between a mayor and a city manager.  The confusion is understandable for people who have limited contact with local government.  It’s less forgivable when government officials either don’t know or pointedly ignore the differences.

The fundamental difference between a mayor and city manager is that mayors are elected and managers aren’t.  Winning an election entitles a mayor to privileges and responsibilities that a city manager … Continue Reading

Maintaining composure in calm surroundings is a little like being generous when you’re rich.  Anyone can be magnanimous when their interests aren’t threatened or there is no provocation.  The real test of equanimity is remaining who you want to be even when you have compelling reasons to be something else.

Life routinely gives us examples and object lessons.  At a recent news conference announcing that the remains of murder victim Brooke Wilberger had been located, Cami Wilberger, Brooke’s mother, made the following statement:  “Thank you for being so supportive over the last five and a half years. It’s been a long … Continue Reading

Recent public outbursts by various celebrities have sparked a number of blogs and columns on civility that I believe have largely missed the point.  I don’t think there’s anything new about people being nasty to one another in a public setting.  Politicians have been dueling both figuratively and literally since the beginning of the republic, and I suspect professional athletes have been using profanity as long as there have been professional sports.

We might also remember that the most destructive wars in history took place more than 60 years ago; so, it would be hard to argue that at a time … Continue Reading