541-917-0490

541-791-0158

Meet Police Chief candidates
May 1 at City Hall

The City of Albany will host a community forum on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, for Albany residents to meet the three finalists for the job of Chief of Police. The public is invited and light refreshments will be served.

The forum is scheduled from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW.

The job candidates are: Dan Hendrickson, Captain, Corvallis Police Department; Mario Lattanzio, Assistant Chief, Mesa, Arizona Police Department; and Jim Peterson, Deputy Chief, Pocatello, Idaho, Police Department.

The candidates will each make a brief statement about themselves and their interest in the Chief's position, then will circulate to talk to the public. Public comments about the candidates will be considered by City Manager Wes Hare in choosing a new chief. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013, and can be made by e-mail to wes.hare@cityofalbany.net or phone to 541-917-7505.

All three candidates will be in Albany on April 30 to ride along with Albany Police officers and undergo formal job interviews. They will meet with Albany police personnel that evening and the evening of May 1. Police will take the three men on a tour of the community as well.

Ed Boyd, Albany's Chief of Police since January 2006, will retire at the end of May 2013.

Photo by Allen Norby

May 2013 marks the 22nd anniversary of American Wetlands Month, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its partners in federal, state, tribal, local, nonprofit, and private organizations celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to the nation's ecological, economic, and social health.

It is also an opportunity to discover and teach others about the important role that wetlands play in our environment and the significant benefits they provide, such as improved water quality, increased water storage and supply, reduced flood and storm surge risk, and critical habitat for plants, fish, and wildlife.

Talking Water Gardens engineered wetlands is celebrating by inviting the public to join in the following events:

• Eco Rangers Invasive Plant Pull, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 4, 2013. Remove invasive plants from the wetlands. Help for an hour or stay for the whole event. Instructions, tools, and drinking water are provided. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots.
• Family Scavenger Hunt, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 11, 2013. With passport in hand, search for a variety of flowers, vegetation, birds, and other creatures. Take a photo of what you discover and create a scrapbook to share with Albany Parks & Recreation and Public Works Departments. Each family's scrapbook with be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to a local family restaurant. Dress for the weather.  Photos will also be posted on the City's Facebook page and website.

For more information, contact Heather Slocum at 541-791-0058 or heather.slocum@cityofalbany.net.

Tall grass and weeds?

2013 should be another banner year for weeds.  Unfortunately, Albany residents can't rely on the City to do anything about overgrown private properties.

City staff who have handled grass and weed complaints in prior years are also responsible for keeping track of vacant houses and other buildings and making sure they are secure. The increase in vacant homes due to the foreclosure crisis combined with a limited City budget leaves staff unable to investigate complaints of overgrown lawns, weeds, and blackberries on private, occupied property. 

But staff can take action when offending vegetation is on City-owned property or in clear vision areas that must be maintained at each access to a public street (such as driveways) and at any property corners next to street or railroad intersections.  (Albany Development Code 12.180)

Residents can help out, too. If there is a yard nearby that hasn't been mowed for weeks, reach out.  A neighbor who is unable to mow the yard on his or her own might appreciate some help.  A little investment of time and caring can pay off in making the entire neighborhood better!

If you know of a vacant property that is not being maintained, call 541-704-2321 or e-mail mary.gaeta@cityofalbany.net.

Sign up now for Safety Camp

Registration is open for two sessions of Summer Safety Camp for Albany youth who will enter 4th, 5th, or 6th grade this fall.

Camps will be held June 24-27 and July 22-25, 2013, at South Albany High School. Campers will learn about burn prevention and gun and Internet safety; camp will include daily swimming at Albany Community Pool and Zumba exercise. Each camp will also include a field trip to the Kroc Center in Salem.

Cost is $35 and includes daily snacks and lunches; scholarships are available. Register at the Boys & Girls Club of Albany, 1215 Hill Street SE.

Safety Camp is cosponsored by the City of Albany Fire, Police, and Parks & Recreation Departments; Greater Albany Public Schools; and the Boys & Girls Club of Albany. For more information, call the Fire Department at 541-917-7700.

Do you have FireMed?

FireMed is a membership program designed by the City of Albany Fire Department to provide affordable ambulance service to the community. It is not insurance but is prepaid coverage in excess of any health insurance or medical benefits.

FireMed provides 24-hour ambulance service for your entire family.

To sign up or for more information, follow the link or call 541-917-7710.

Fire Lieutenants honored by Albany Chamber

Albany Fire Department Lieutenants Chuck Harris and Phil McPherson recently received the Security Alarm Corporation Public Safety Officer Recognition awards for leadership in fire investigations.

Fire investigating involves digging through ashes after the excitement of fighting the fire is done, Fire Chief John Bradner said. Fire investigators have to sift through what remains after a fire has destroyed a building in order to reconstruct exactly how things were before the fire started.

"The goal of every fire investigator is to determine what caused the fire in an effort to prevent a similar situation from ever happening again," Bradner said at the awards ceremony.

Harris and McPherson worked for Albany Fire Department for 33 years before retiring at the end of March. Bradner said the two spent their careers helping others and responding to emergencies whenever 9-1-1 called.

"They have devoted their lives to bringing order out of chaos," the Chief said.

It is rare for two public safety employees to receive the award at the same time, Bradner said, "but both of them have repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of our department and the community."

The semiannual Public Safety Officer Recognition awards are sponsored by Security Alarm Corporation and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Harris and McPherson were honored at the Chamber's March 20 Forum.