Watching Government

  Oct/Nov 2016

Port of Bellingham Commission

Whatcom Watch

Compiled by Andrew S. McBride Action Taken at August 16, 2016 Meeting Editor’s Note: Commissioner Bobby Briscoe participated via communications link from his fishing boat in Juneau, Alaska. Shall the commission: 136. Authorize the executive director to sign a 10-year … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

Whatcom County Council

Whatcom Watch

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at September 13, 2016 Shall the council: 153. Authorize the executive to sign a $51,085 contract with CH2M Hill Engineers of Englewood, Colo., for the Gateway Pacific Terminal environmental impact statement? In order for … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

Bellingham City Council

Compiled by Boris Schleinkofer

Action Taken at August 29, 2016 Meeting Shall the council: 134. Authorize the mayor to sign the jail facility use agreement with Whatcom County, choosing Option 1? At the 6/20/2016 meeting, vote #97, the City Council authorized the mayor to … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

Eric Hirst Letter to Whatcom County Council

Whatcom Watch

by Eric Hirst Dear Whatcom County Council Members, Last week’s council meeting included several rural residents, builders, and realtors opposed to the recent Supreme Court decision on the future of rural permit-exempt wells. I hope attendance at next week’s hearing … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

Looking for Answers: Whatcom County vs Hirst, Futurewise, et al.

Whatcom Watch

by Satpal S. Sidhu November 28, 2016 Researching and learning about the water rights issue in our County and State over the past several weeks has confused me more than it has clarified the options the County Council has to … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

Blanchard State Forest May Be Logged

Danny Gibson

To the Editor: Bellingham’s proximity to outdoor areas is undoubtedly one our city’s most beloved advantages. Blanchard State Forest, located just south of Bellingham, is one of the most scenic places around. However, this forest is now being threatened by … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

Primary Election 2016

Whatcom Watch

Please use this link to view the 2016 Primary Election results: primary-election-2016 Candidate Results Voting Drop-off Rate Whatcom County Primary Elections Turnout and Voting by Mail Percentages 1956 – 2016 State/Local Election Statistics How Envelopes Are Returned to the Auditor … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

East of the Cascades

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche If you’ve followed this column for a while, you know that Cindy and I always take a fall trip to the other side of the mountains, and this year was no exception. After spending time tying up … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

A Reader Asks: Why Do I Vote?

Whatcom Watch

by Sharon L. Robinson Is America a democracy anymore? Two candidates who many do not respect, trust or want have become the only offerings we citizens have to lead our nation in the most unpopular election in memory. I thought … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

Ballot Issue May Influence Future of County’s Natural Heritage

Whatcom Watch

To celebrate 25 years of publishing Whatcom Watch, we will be printing excerpts from 20 years ago. The below excerpts are from the October-November 1996 issue of Whatcom Watch. Editor’s Note: In 1992, the Whatcom County Council passed the Conservation … Continue reading →

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