Not just another headline!

The news about the Albany paper mill permanently closing is only the first line of a sad story that has only just begun.

With Albany being a working persons town mostly filled with modest homes, it will likely soon become a welfare slum much as Longview, Washington has following the closures of many timber industries there.

Regrettably, the many empty mill (and support) workers homes in the Albany area will quickly become cheap rentals and fill with poor people moving there from other states (and US protectorates) so as to benefit from Oregon's many free social services including the much renown . . . Oregon Health Plan.

It won't be long before memories of the paper mill smell will bring tears to many an eye . . . including mine.

Sorry Albany-ites, you didn't deserve that.