Posted: Saturday, June 20, 2009 12:00 am
Employee financial help
The story: On April 27, Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa sent a letter to Weyerhaeuser in Salem asking the company to pay health insurance premiums for 75 employees who lost their jobs at the company's trucking terminal in Millersburg. In the letter, she requested that the company acknowledge employees' service by paying their Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) costs. The company closed in late May. She explained in the letter the costs to the company would be minimal.
The latest: It took several weeks, but the mayor received a response from an office in Idaho. Basically it said, "we understand your concern, but the workers will be receiving COBRA." Konopa said, "I wanted them to pay 35 percent so the workers could afford COBRA."
Cathy Ingalls
Ramp construction
The story: The city of Albany began preparation for street overlays funded by federal stimulus money in late May with a series of sidewalk and curb improvements, including 87 ramps that would bring sidewalks in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Funded by the city, the curb project costs $170,300, which includes other sidewalk improvements and repairing some catch basins and storm drains in the city. D.D. Concrete and Utilities of Tualatin was project contractor.
The latest: Project manager Chris Cerklewski of the city of Albany said the ramps and curb improvements are done, meeting the projected completion date of June 19. Some cleanup work is still planned at certain ramp sites but it should be finished shortly. Cerklewski said additional pieces of the project that were added later in the game are still taking place. He expects the overlays on the six Albany streets funded by $1.04 million in federal stimulus money to begin in August. The Oregon Department of Transportation is opening bids for the overlays on Thursday, June 25.
Steve Lathrop
Electric vehicles
The story: In April, Kirk Swaney of North Albany began putting together a business that would create custom electric vehicles. The three-wheeled cars, which are classified as motorcycles, run on a 48-volt, 4.8-kilowatt battery pack and can travel up to 90 miles per charge. Vehicles have fiberglass bodies, steel frames and built-in navigation systems. They are about 7 feet long and weigh less than 400 pounds.
The latest: Swaney says his plan has progressed and also changed. He is hoping to be in full swing with his mostly online business and a new website in late summer. He will concentrate on parts sales and social networking where people can post information in the first phase of his new plan. He still plans to custom build electric vehicles for customers as the business grows but says that isn't likely until he is more established.
Steve Lathrop
Site cleanup
The story: Property owner Ken Akin of 2209 Front St. N.E. in Albany was issued a citation last month along with 10 of his neighbors for keeping junk in their yards. If the property owners cleaned up their yards, the $2,500 citations would be dismissed. Akin, 74, balked three times at permitting volunteers to take away the junk, derelict pickup and trash-filled travel trailer on his property.
The latest: City spokeswoman Marilyn Smith said most everything has been taken away. Akin plans to go through the trailer's contents, then let the neighbors across the street haul it off. The pickup is for sale, and at least one potential buyer has looked at it so far, she said. Albany police Community Service Officer Jerry Morris is satisfied with the overall situation so has dismissed the citation, Smith said. Only one citation is still in effect in the Willamette River neighborhood.
Cathy Ingalls
BMX bike frame
The story: The winner of a Bloody Oath BMX bike frame donated by Peak Sports in Corvallis was to be announced Thursday at an Albany Bike Park Task Force meeting at City Hall. Tickets for the drawing were two for $1. Money raised will be used in marketing and fundraising campaigns for the new BMX bike park to be built on the vacant lot next to the Albany Skatepark near Eleanor Hackleman Park.
The latest: Rhonda McKibben, a financial assistant at the Democrat-Herald, won the bike for her son, Michael, 15, a sophomore at South Albany High School. She said now that her son has the frame, he will be responsible for buying the add-ons.
Cathy Ingalls
Festival of Hope
The story: Volunteers came together to put on the first Festival of Hope on June 13 and 14 at Linn-Benton Community College. The goal of the performing arts festival is to raise money for local agencies. This year recipients include: Albany Helping Hands, CASA of Linn County, Fish of Albany, Linn-Benton Mediation Services, the Pastoral Counseling Center and Volunteer Caregivers.
The latest: The festival brought in about $6,000, said Sara Staton, a pastor at First Christian Church, which organized it. "A thousand dollars for each agency feels pretty good," she said. Festival of Hope 2010 is set for May 22 and 23, again at LBCC. Anyone interested in getting involved with next year's event is asked to call the church at (541) 926-8606.
AnneMarie Knepper