Watching Government

  October-November 2018

Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at August 8, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 122. Authorize the executive to sign a joint funding agreement with the federal government for the maintenance and operation of the county’s stream gages? (Council acting … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

Port of Bellingham Commission

Commissioner Bobby Briscoe participated via a communications link. Action Taken at August 14, 2018 Meeting Shall the commission: 112. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the Whatcom County Library System for their “Library Liftoff” program? The two … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at August 20, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 113. Spend $290,000 to purchase 24.17 acres on the east side of Northwest Drive, just north of the Cornwall Church for wetland mitigation? The property will be purchased with Greenway … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

Ranked Choice Voting: A Better Way to Conduct Elections

by Stoney Bird and Alan McConchie Americans across the political spectrum are increasingly dissatisfied with their elected officials. Voter turnout is dismally low. Many citizens feel that their votes don’t count. Despite having it drummed into us that we are … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

Size Means Survival for Young Salmon

by Christopher Dunagan Part 2 This series was originally published in the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound. An intensive research program in the United States and Canada is studying why so few salmon in the Salish Sea are returning home to … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

For Clean Air, Clean Energy and Healthier Communities

by Eddy Ury With Washington air quality getting worse, we’re getting a taste of what climate change means for our future. Whatcom County had a record-breaking dry summer this year, resulting in fires, strain on our agriculture economy, and health … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

Whatcom’s Challenge: A Just Jail

by Elizabeth M. Cardarelli When my young friend ended up in Whatcom County Jail as a result of unmanageable complications with his mental illness, I became alerted to a tragedy in our society. It brought up thoughts and feelings of … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

Is It Really You Your Doctor Is Treating? Or Is It a Surrogate?

by Robert A. Duke Is it the biologically unique you your doctor is treating and counseling during an office visit? Yes, to the extent your history, gender and age matter. Mainly, though, she is providing preventive care recommended by the … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

poetrywatch

Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — … Continue reading

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  October-November 2018

A Powerful Rebuttal to Trump’s “Fake News”

by Lyle Harris Sr. Bob Woodward’s latest book, “Fear: Trump in the White House,” about Donald Trump’s fitness for office, has won strong reviews in major publications. In short, the book presents a crisis of leadership underscoring Trump’s inability to … Continue reading

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