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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