As if you didn’t know it in your heart of hearts! Here’s an inside look by way of this Public Disclosure Commission complaint at how things went down when and where we, the public, couldn’t see it, with the last minute emergence of the Clear Ballot Choices political action committee formed by Gateway Pacific coal terminal project co-owner (with Cloud Peak Energy) and SSA Marine subsidiary, Pacific International Terminals. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: October 2015
Complaint filed for Whatcom County Community Report Jail Mailer, Press Release / Junga Subedar
October 30, 2015 From Junga Subedar
To the Press and Media:
Please find attached a copy of the complaint filed by five community members of color: Rosalinda Guillen, Omar Jordan, Kim Harris, Maru Mora Villalpando, and Neah Montiero. The complaint details the individuals’ concerns about the jail mailer. Continue reading
No Biggie.. Just Another Non-Transparent Tax Increase / Facebook post, Whatcom Hawk, Wendy Harris
I received public notice of “PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED ASSUMPTION OF THE RIGHTS, POWERS, FUNCTIONS, AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT BY CITY COUNCIL” Continue reading
Kershner willing to put county water quality at risk when she last served on County Council / Facebook post, Sj Robson
6 hrs October 29, 2015 Sandy Robson
I voted for Satpal Sidhu for County Council. I recommend that you do too. Not only do I believe he makes a very good County Council member, but I believe his opponent, Kathy Kershner would seriously imperil our water quality and environment if she were to be elected. Continue reading
Carbon, Snow and Ice: How I voted and why… / Bellingham Politics and Economics, Ryan Matthew Ferris
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Ryan Matthew Ferris
Three PDF based snapshots from the Whatcom County Sample Ballot are at the end fo this post. Here’s a rundown on how I voted:
Trick or Treaty / Cascadia Weekly, The Gristle, Tim Johnson
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Tim Johnson
TRICK OR TREATY: The coal industry zombies and their hobgoblins were haunting Cherry Point again last week—Montana delegates and corporate shills arriving in hungry packs to scan our coast with red-rimmed eyes, drooling it might someday be theirs.[…] Continue reading
Letter requesting an investigation to the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force / Facebook post, Restorative Community Coalition
October 27, 2015 Restorative Community Coalition
The Coalition’s Board of Directors just sent letter requesting an investigation to the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force and to the Whatcom County Ethics Comission today. Continue reading
Tilting at Windmills in the Watershed / Facbook post, Whatcom Hawk, Wendy Harris
Lots of interesting things on the county council agenda for Tuesday, but this, a $137,000 contract for evaluation of the Lake Whatcom storm water capital facilities plan, caught my eye for several reasons. Continue reading
The Mysterious State of the Whatcom County Jail / NorthwestCitizen, Tip Johnson
Mon, Oct 26, 2015, 2:57 pm Tip Johnson
This election, featuring a huge jail tax proposition, has seen much talk about the “dilapidated” jail that is “literally falling apart.” In a questionable jail mailer Sheriff Elfo cites, “severe and unsustainable conditions within the jail that jeopardize staff, visitors and inmates.”
This begs the obvious: Why has the jail not been fixed after taxpayers approved a sales tax to do so? According to a letter from Elfo to County Executive Jack Louws on April 22, 2015, Elfo says, “it would be imprudent to invest major capital to remodel and continue utilizing a facility” described as “inadequate, failing and dangerous.” That makes their 2004 jail tax campaign look like a bait and switch. And when was that decision made? By whom? Does Elfo really have the authority to overturn the electorate’s intentions? […]
Info Slowmo / NorthwestCitizen, Tip Johnson
Mon, Oct 26, 2015, 4:32 pm Tip Johnson
By now, most everyone is aware that the county sent a controversial promotional piece supporting the jail tax to voters, paid for with tax funds. Continue reading
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