HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Wishing you and your families a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

The Linn County Sheriff's Office has some great tips if traveling by car, plane, or trains. More information, here.

NOVEMBER LEGISLATIVE DAYS

I am a member on both the House Interim Committee on Business and Labor and Joint Committee on Transportation. They held meetings during the interim legislative days last week. This is an opportunity for legislators to hold informational hearings, hear reports and updates on past legislation implementation, and receive briefings on upcoming priorities for the next regular session – which starts February 1, 2022 and ends March 7, 2022.

Discussed in House Interim Committee on Business and Labor:

• Recovery of Workers’ Compensation Benefit Overpayments
• Data Broker Registration
• Worker Classification
• Discussion of Potential Concepts for the 2022 Legislative Session

You can watch the committee proceedings, here.

Discussed in Joint Committee on Transportation:

• ODOT Projects and Programs Update
• DMV Status Report Update
• Renewable Fuels Briefing
• Transportation Equity in Oregon
• Wildfire Cleanup and Recovery Update

You can watch the committee proceedings, here.

A VISIT WITH THE LBCC PRESIDENT 

Earlier this month, Linn-Benton Community College President, Lisa Avery, took time out of her schedule to meet with me at my place of business aka 'The Shop.' The rain stopped just long enough for us to have a great conversation about LBCC's current challenges and new opportunities on the horizon. 

Great things are happening at LBCC. To get regular updates about LBCC you can sign-up for their newsletter, here.

OREGON'S BOTTLE BILL: 50th Anniversary

On July 2, 1971, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass a Bottle Bill – a system that provides a redemption value to Oregonians who return their used beverage containers, incentivizes recycling, and helps keep Oregon clean and beautiful. It was a groundbreaking approach to addressing the growing problem of litter in our forests, rivers, beaches, and other natural areas. Oregon’s Bottle Bill is an Extended Producer Responsibility system where the beverage industry serves as the operational steward and manages its material streams throughout the lifecycle of its products. Read more about the evolution of Oregon Bottle Drop, here. 

Earlier this month I took a tour of our Albany location with OBRC External Relations Director, Eric Chambers and Thorn Run Partners Vice President, Rachael Wiggins Emory. During this informative tour, we discussed many things, such as: processes, transportation, container returns, return volume, fundraising in our communities, the purpose of green and blue bags, the refillable retail bottle program, and end-post-consumer products.

More Oregon bottle redemption data can be found, here. Did you know the redemption rate is typically 80-90%?

It was interesting and impressive to see the process at our local Oregon BottleDrop in person. I was surprised to find it doesn't take a lot of staff at these locations to process thousands of bottles and cans. It is all done through a technical process using streamlined and automated manufacturing equipment. 

50 years of helping to keep Oregon beautiful - keep up the great work BottleDrop!

A CHANCE TO GIVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Put your bottles and cans to work this holiday season with BottleDrop's #HolidayGive2021 fundraising campaign! Your donations can be matched in support of United Way programs right here in our community. Learn how you can help, here,

VETERAN BENEFITS GUIDE

FROM VBA AND STARS & STRIPES:

The Veterans Benefits Guide answers most of the commonly asked questions for a variety of benefits and services, including:

• Compensation
• Life insurance
• Pension and fiduciary services
• Education and training programs
• Economic development and employment
• Home loan guaranty programs and housing assistance
• Mental health resources

It also features a welcome message from Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Mike Frueh, explaining why he believes all service members, Veterans, caregivers, survivors and their families should learn about what VBA has to offer and why they should take advantage of it.

More information

VBA Guide link

BOOK YOUR SITE FOR 2022!

FROM LINN COUNTY:

House Rock Campground, Trout Creek Campground and Yukwah Campground will open for camping on May 6, 2022. You can book your sites, 6 months in advance, by visiting www.recreation.gov.

Link to the Linn County Reporter Newsletter - November

DON'T FOG YOUR DRAIN!

FROM CITY OF ALBANY:

Later this week, let's all help keep fats, oils, and grease (FOG) out of the drain, which can lead to expensive repairs. Learn more, here.

PACKAGE SNATCHING: Tips to help

FROM ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT:

Fun Fact that is not actually Fun: 5.5 million Americans were victims of package thefts last year alone.

The holidays are coming and here are some tips to keep your packages safe:

• Track deliveries online and retrieve packages as soon as it is delivered. Ask a neighbor or family member to pick it up if you can't get there.
• Switch delivery location to your work or pick up the package yourself.
• Use package lockbox or conceal packages from the roadway.

This is a daytime crime and thieves usually approach a home in a casual way with no disguise and do not appear dissuaded by cameras or signs a resident is home. It only takes seconds.

We know this is frustrating. We are frustrated too. This crime of opportunity is a growing trend across the country. 

You can call us anytime you need us: (541) 917-7680

Link to APD Quarterly Report

WEST ALBANY HIGH - BULLDOGS:

5A Volleyball State Champions!

Congratulations to the 2021 West Albany High School Volleyball team! Your hard work and excellent sportsmanship paid off in a big way. Way to go, Champs!

Link to news article

LBCC - ROADRUNNERS:

NWAC Volleyball Champions!

Congratulations on your championship! A first, and hopefully many more, for this Linn-Benton Community College program!

Link to news article

UPDATE: Albany PD K-9 - That's a good boy!

FROM ALBANY PD:

WAHOO! WE DID IT! WE WON! Albany Police Department won the National 5K grant from Aftermath Cares for our K9 program! We can’t thank you guys enough for voting and for caring about our K9’s! We are so appreciative and reminded once again that we live in the best community ever!

COASTAL FARM'S FOOD DRIVE:

You can help!

FROM COASTAL FARM & HOME SUPPLY:

Help us raise money for local Food Bank partners in each Oregon & Washington community where Coastal has a store location! Your contribution during this time of great need is appreciated.

Visit the Coastal Food Drive at coastalcountry.com and choose a donation from $25 to $1,000. Or enter any amount starting at $10. Then checkout with the rest of your online order and we’ll make sure the money finds its way to food bank partners in your community. Plus, we’ll double your donation — up to $1,000 in every community. To donate, click here.

CITIZENS ADVISORY GROUP:

Sign up to volunteer!

FROM CITY OF ALBANY:

Volunteer and serve on a City of Albany citizen advisory group! Over 15 groups recommend action on various topics to the city council.

Applications for January appointments are due Friday, December 10, 2021.

Find out more, here.

REMINDER: Next 'Office Hours' - December 16

Limited availability - Link to schedule a meeting w/ Representative Boshart Davis

During the legislative session break (interim) and for the rest of this year, my office will continue to keep you updated and informed - and is always at your service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any community event announcements, legislative questions, or concerns.

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-389, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boshartdavis