Share your bling to support foster grandparents, RSVP

 

Albany Parks & Recreation is collecting unwanted, unused, precious costume or partial jewelry for its first Bling! fundraiser event Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, 2013, to benefit Foster Grandparent and RSVP programs in Linn and Benton Counties.

 

Collection sites have been set up in Albany, Lebanon, and Corvallis for tax-deductible donations of unwanted, broken, or costume jewelry, jewelry parts, and jewelry boxes.  Tax receipts are available at all locations.

 

The Bling! sale event will be held 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 9, at the Wheelhouse Events Center, 421 Water Avenue NE.  Admission is free.

 

Want first pick?  A presale event will happen from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Friday, November 8, at the Wheelhouse.  Tickets are $20 and include appetizers and a specialty drink.

 

For more information, to donate, or to purchase tickets, call Albany Parks & Recreation at 541-917-7777 or visit www.lovebling.org.

 

Police Property and Evidence Specialist named Outstanding Public Safety Employee

 

Debbi Buchert, Property and Evidence Specialist for the Albany Police Department, is the Outstanding Public Safety Employee for 2013.  Buchert received the award at the October general membership forum of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.  The award is sponsored Security Alarm Corp.

 

Buchert has been employed by Albany Police since October 2004 and in her current position since November 2006.  She was instrumental in getting a bar coding system integrated into processing property and evidence; monitors an average of 14,000 items in the property and evidence inventory; established a timeline to purge more than 5,000 items earlier this year; and set up the Police Department to sell surplus, seized, recovered, found, and unclaimed property online, netting more than $13,000 for the City's General Fund so far.

 

Buchert makes sure that all items in evidence are properly packaged, labeled, weighed, and initialed and has volunteered to help at the department's front counter during times when staffing was short.

 

Police Lt. Chris Carter nominated Buchert for the award, saying she "epitomizes our mission of Excellence through Service.  She consistently holds herself to the highest professional standards and integrity that builds trust.  Her dedication to our department family builds unity and improves communications."

Human Relations Award nominations due November 29

 

Nominations are open for the Human Relations Award, sponsored by the City of Albany Human Relations Commission.

 

The Commission wants to recognize individuals and nonprofit organizations or nonprofit businesses in Albany that have worked to promote harmonious relations among the citizens of Albany.  Selection will be based on a demonstrated commitment to promoting human relations, diversity, and/or equality through community programs and activities.  Nominees need not be Albany residents.

 

Award recipients will be chosen in two categories:  "individual" and "nonprofit" organization/"nonprofit" business.  Up to two runners-up in each category will also be recognized.  Awards will be announced and presented at the January 22, 2014, meeting of the Albany City Council.

 

The first Human Relations award was presented in January 2012.

 

Nomination forms-in English and Spanish-are available on the City website, www.cityofalbany.net, and hard copies will be provided on request. 

 

Nominations are due no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, November 29, 2013.  They may be hand-delivered to Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW; mailed to Human Relations Award, P.O. Box 490, Albany, OR 97321; or faxed to 541-917-7511.

 

The Human Relations Commission was established in 2007 to promote harmonious relations among Albany citizens.  It was created to recommend programs, activities, ordinances, expenditures, and other appropriate governmental activities that serve the goal of maintaining respectful interactions within the community.  Annually, the Commission supports events or activities to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday; mental illness and mental health awareness; National Night Out; and Festival Latino.  The Commission also seeks opportunities to meet with groups or individuals throughout the community to learn about their experiences of living in Albany.

 

Commission members are appointed by the Mayor and City Councilors.

City Council reschedules meetings for holidays

 

The Albany City Council has changed its meetings schedule for November and December 2013 to accommodate the year-end holidays.

 

The Council will hold a work session at 4 p.m. Monday, November 4, and regular meetings at 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, November 6 and 13.  City Hall offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, for Veterans' Day and again Thursday and Friday, November 28-29, for Thanksgiving.

 

In December, the Council will hold regular meetings at 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, December 4 and 11, with a work session at 4 p.m. Monday, December 9.  City Hall offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, 2013, and Wednesday, January 1, 2014, for Christmas and New Year's Day.

 

City Council work sessions are held in the Municipal Court Room and regular meetings are in Council Chambers, both on the first floor of Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW.  All meetings are open to the public and fully accessible.

 

Meetings are also streamed live at www.cityofalbany.net, broadcast live on Comcast Ch. 28 in Linn County and Ch. 23 in Benton County, rebroadcast for two weeks on the Comcast channels and archived on YouTube and the City website.  For more information, call 541-917-7507 or e-mail marilyn.smith@cityofalbany.net.