Inmate mistreatment and jail overcrowding: still no discovery on the problem, and no answer from the Whatcom County Executive branch nor by our Council / Facebook post, Bellingham Racial Justice Coalition, Joy Gilfilen

people dying in jail huffington

September 2, 2016  Joy Gilfilen

I am delighted that we are, nationwide, are finally getting bigger press for the injustices in our jails. It seems to be systemic failures and the problem is getting identified.

I have found that in Whatcom County, there are people experiencing the same kinds of medical and health problems from lack of the responsible administration in taking care of inmates. And this is not because of overcrowding caused by crime. It seems to be disrespect and disregard by staff, led by poor management and failures inside our administrative systems. 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

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

Whatcom County Council will have a vote, Sept. 13, on newest contract extension for GPT EIS / Noisy Waters Northwest, Sandy Robson

lummi press release army corps decision

May 9, 2016 Lummi Nation press release responding to the USACE decision to deny the Section 404/10 permit for the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal project

September 1, 2016  Sandy Robson

Whatcom County Administration continues to breathe life into the Gateway Pacific Terminal project even after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the Section 404/10 permit needed on May 9th, and after the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) denied the lease needed on June 6th. Continue reading

Until 8/5/2016, County’s GPT webpage could have given public the impression the proposed project was no longer in play / Letter to Whatcom County Executive, Sandy Robson

 

gpt web page pre aug 6 2016

Screenshot photo of what Whatcom County’s GPT webpage looked like prior to August 5th when the information was finally updated after citizens’ requests

August 28, 2016  Sandy Robson

–If you are opposed to the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point you might want to check out my latest letter to Whatcom County. First is an excerpt from that letter that should give a very brief summary of what’s happening. My full letter with more details is shown below the excerpt. Continue reading

Lynden “Tea Party” Tribune continues its long-standing policy of exclusively promoting Republican and Tea Party views / Research and commentary, Bill Warner, Ph.D.

lynden trib lte supports repubs
August 15, 2016  Bill Warner, Ph.D.
Dear Neighbors,

As a long-time subscriber to the Lynden Tribune and a concerned citizen, I continue to research the Tribune’s editorial/forum pages and “news” pages and the clear conclusion is that: Lynden “Tea Party” Tribune continues its long-standing policy of exclusively promoting Republican and Tea Party views.  Calvin Bratt and Michael Lewis have no interest in publishing any Community Forum columns or letters to the editor that favor Democrats or progressives. Continue reading

5,000 Mile Tribal Journey to Oppose Expanding Fossil Fuel Exports from West Coast / Press Release, Our Shared Responsibility: A Totem Pole Journey

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First coats of paint.  Photo credit, Paul Anderson

13 hrs August 6, 2016  Media Contact, Paul Anderson

lummitotempolejourney@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 2016

Bellingham (WA) On August 23 the House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation will begin a 5,000-mile trip across the western United States and Canada with a 22-foot long totem pole to bring attention to proposed fossil fuel terminals, oil trains, coal trains, and oil pipelines and the threat they pose to tribes and local communities.

Continue reading