Watching Government

  March 2018

Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at January 8, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Authorize the mayor to sign a $100,000 settlement agreement with Curtis A. Parrott for alleged excessive force? On 2/11/2015, Mr. Parrot was arrested by two Bellingham police officers for … Continue reading

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  March 2018

Port of Bellingham Commission

Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at January 2, 2018 Meeting Shall the commission: 1. Appoint officers for 2018? Ken Bell as president; Bobby Briscoe as vice president and Michael Shepard as secretary. (7211/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0 2. Establish … Continue reading

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  March 2018

Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at January 16, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Fill the at-large (B) position vacancy on the County Council? The postion became vacant when Todd Donovan was elected in November 2017 to the District … Continue reading

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  March 2018

Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival  

Blaine/Birch Bay/Semiahmoo,  March 16-18 The Wings Over Water birding festival celebrates its 16th anniversary this year and, if the popularity of recent festivals continues, it could become a permanent fixture for Whatcom County birders of every level. The festival originated … Continue reading

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  March 2018

The Best Early Spring Birding

by Joe Meche From my own experience, I have a select list of places I’ve been where the birding was, and hopefully still is, spectacular. The short list ranges from the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Sanibel Island … Continue reading

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  March 2018

Guns and Liberty, Guns and Fear

by Bob Schober Another mass shooting, more calls for something to be done. Politicians pause for prayer, Republicans and red-state Democrats squirm with generalities, and Trump picks his way carefully through the National Rifle Association policy thicket, hoping not to … Continue reading

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  March 2018

Athletes Honor an Ideal America

When we go to a movie, we pay for a performance rather than purchase the actors. Similarly, when we go to concerts, we do not control the musicians or the music. Regarding athletes, is there any difference? Even if they … Continue reading

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  March 2018

Hirst “Fix” Wrong Move

by Lorraine Loomis In a hasty move to “fix” the Hirst ruling, the State Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee are writing a bad check on our limited water supply at the cost of salmon, future generations and holders of senior … Continue reading

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  March 2018

A Paradigm Shift From Industrial Agriculture to Diversified Agroecological Systems

Lead Author: Emile A. Frison The following excepts were obtained from a report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food).The complete 96 page report can be acquired at www.ipes-food.org/images/Reports/UniformityToDiversity_FullReport.pdf. Key Messages • Today’s food and farming systems … Continue reading

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  March 2018

Whatcom Watch Has Joined with Northwest Citizen on the Internet

by Ken Russell Have you ever regretted recycling the Whatcom Watch prematurley because of an article you wanted to reread or share with someone? Never again! Whatcom Watch has gone digital and joined with Northwest Citizen (www.nwcitizen.com) to provide up-to-date … Continue reading

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