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  The ban has since been rescinded, and the story has appropriately disappeared from the national spotlight.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