Surly Citizens Object to Backroom Deals / NorthwestCitizen, Guest writer, Anne Mackie

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At the height of the objections to the rule breaking by Vargas.

Anne Mackie guest writes about the Monday, Oct 17, Bellingham City Council meeting.  She is a community leader who lives in the York neighborhood.

Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 4:27 pm // Guest writer, Anne Mackie

What does it look like when a special interest group has your City Council president in their back pocket? It looks like what transpired at the October 17 Bellingham City Council Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan.

Rumors of a “crowd control problem” at city hall Monday night circulated on police scanners. As someone who was there, I can say the only control problem was emanating from Council President Pinky Vargas who violated meeting rules to accommodate her friends in the real estate and building industry. […]

Read Anne’s complete article on NorthwestCitizen here.

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Cherry Point Amendments Alternative #1 does not meet criteria in SEPA Handbook / Letter to Whatcom County Planning and Development Services, Dena Jensen

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http://wa-whatcomcounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/21625
http://wa-whatcomcounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/21625

October 16, 2016  Dena Jensen

Dear Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Director Ryan, Assistant Director Personious [sic], and Senior Planner Aamot:

I am writing regarding the information presented on your 2016 Docket, Cherry Point Amendments (PLN2016-00012) webpage at this link:  http://wa-whatcomcounty.civicplus.com/1612/2016-Docket.  I notice that one of the alternatives that is identified, Alternative # 1 – Council Member Alternative (proposed by an individual Council Member), does not meet the criteria listed in the SEPA handbook under 3.3.2 Identifying Alternatives, which is, as follows: Continue reading →

Please approve an extension for the emergency moratorium to protect Cherry Point / Letter to Whatcom County Council, Dena Jensen

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emergency-moratorium

Click the graphic to access the full copy of Ordinance 2016-031

September 18, 2016  Dena Jensen

Dear Whatcom County Council:

I have been trying to think if I have anything to say, now that you have already cast your votes to remain in a relationship with GPT proponents/consultants for another six months.

Here’s what I have and I deliver it in an effort to have it be helpful in future considerations and actions by the County Council: Continue reading →

Requesting that the County Council deny the contract extension for the preparation of the EIS for the GPT project / Letter to the Whatcom County Council, Dena Jensen

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usace determination gpt

May 9, 2016 United States Army Corps of Engineers Determination from their Memorandum for Record, Subject: Gateway Pacific Terminal Project and Lummi Nation’s Usual and Accustomed Treaty Fishing Rights at Cherry Point, Washington

September 1, 2016  Dena Jensen

Dear Whatcom County Council:

It is my understanding from an email sent by Deputy Whatcom County Executive Tyler Schroeder to a friend of mine, that the parties of the contract, which I assume is for the preparation of the EIS for the GPT project of which the parties include CH2M HILL and Whatcom County, have agreed between each other for the contract to be extended 180 days from the date of contract signature, or March 13, 2016, whichever occurs first, “to accomplish ramp-down contract activities to ensure that the work and the contract are closed out in an orderly fashion.”  Continue reading →

Temper Tantrum Taints City Council / NorthwestCitizen, Dick Conoboy and Anne Mackie

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3 minsAfter three minutes at city council you are cooked – or else!.

[Note:  This article was written by NWCitizen regular contributor, Dick Conoboy and by Anne Mackie, a community activist for 50 years. Her first encounter with authoritarianism was in 1966 when a bucket of mop water was thrown out the window of the Federal Court House building on Magnolia St. at a group of anti-war protesters that she was part of.]

Mon, Aug 15, 2016, 3:13 am  //  Dick Conoboy

The August 8 evening meeting of the Bellingham City Council must be viewed (video here) if you want to see the direction the city is taking on stifling citizen involvement in planning for our future.

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Great Job, County Council! / Facebook post, Whatcom Hawk, Wendy Harris

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moratorium amended

13 hrs  August 10, 2016  Wendy Harris

In a surprise move, after approving the comp.[Whatcom County Comprehensive] plan, the [Whatcom] county council introduced and passed an emergency moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications and permits for new and expanded facilities in the Cherry Point UGA area, the primary purpose of which would be the shipment of unrefined fossil fuels not to be processed at Cherry Point. Continue reading →

Of particular concern are Council’s activities, decisions and comments July 12-26, 2016 RE: proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 2, Land Use, Cherry Point / Letter to the Whatcom County Council, Paula Rotundi

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cornell alcohol commerce clause

August 7, 2016  Paula Rotundi

Dear Whatcom County Council Members,
Only courts decide what the U.S. Constitution permits and what it prohibits. So I am concerned that County Council appears to be legislating and regulating according to lobbyists’ interpretations and Council Members’ own personal interpretations of the U.S. Constitution. Of particular concern to me are Council’s activities, decisions and comments July 12-26, 2016 regarding proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 2, Land Use Cherry Point. Continue reading →