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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  The ban has since been rescinded, and the story has appropriately disappeared from the national spotlight.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

We are starting the budget process a little earlier this year.  In the past, our process usually was underway shortly after the beginning of the calendar year as each department began preparing its proposed budget.  I have asked Stewart Taylor, our Finance Director, to convene a Budget Task Force this year that is beginning its work this week.

The City is not facing an immediate fiscal crisis, but our projections for the General Fund beyond the coming year are not positive.  Our property tax revenues and other sources of income are not increasing as quickly as our costs.  Most of us … Continue Reading

The City will soon be participating in the New Energy Solutions Program conducted by Climate Solutions, a nonprofit organization that focuses on clean energy systems.  Albany was selected to be one of a handful of Northwest communities to pilot the program in this region.  Our commitment involves participating in a two-day workshop (November 6-7), creating an action plan, and conducting public outreach.   Climate Solutions will provide consultation on implementation, financing, and communication.

Climate Solutions describes the workshop as follows:

“New Energy Solutions workshops are geared toward 25-50 key city and city and or county decision makers – elected officials, utility representatives, city … Continue Reading