Chilling Effect on Comments Created by Council Chair

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Fri, Feb 17, 2012, 8:54 pm  //  Wendy Harris

Whatcom County Council Member Kathy Kershner has been the Chairperson only a short time, but she has already adopted an aggressive, pro-active approach.  From her first meeting as Chair, she has attempted to adjust the order in which the Council conducts its business.  Unfortunately, these changes have a chilling effect on public input.

Under the County Code, the Open Session, an opportunity for citizens to address the Council for three minutes on any topic not set for hearing, is held at the beginning of the Council meeting.  Ms. Kershner has been pushing the Open Session further back on the Council agenda. 

Now the Bellingham Herald reports that Ms. Kershner wants to amend the Whatcom County Code to change the order of business at County Council meetings.  Under Council Member Kershner’s proposal, Open Session will not begin until after close of public hearings and completion of the “consent agenda” (Council business matters not set for hearing that are usually grouped together and voted upon at the end of the meeting).

Ms. Kershner is well aware that public hearings can last several hours. If citizens are required to wait a significant length of time before speaking at Open Session, many will leave.  These citizens often have pressing considerations, such as the bus and ferry schedule, evening classes, or family needs, and are generally not interested in the subjects discussed during public hearings.

For example, this Tuesday, people from the South Nooksack area of the County, some with small children in tow, came to speak at Open Session regarding possible expansion of a gravel mine.  Ms. Kershner, with approval by a Council majority, unexpectedly moved the remainder of the public comment period to a later time in the meeting.  The alleged basis for this was to avoid inconvenience to the Staff.  I have frequently seen the Council agenda rearranged to accommodate the public, but I have never seen it rearranged to accommodate County employees.  Many speakers were unable to return home until almost 10 P.M. (Coincidentally, Kershner voted in favor of the gravel mine expansion that citizens were opposing during Open Session.)

Open session serves an important public function.  It allows Council to hear from citizens that may not regularly participate in the public process.  It is an opportunity to raise issues that are going unnoticed or unaddressed.  It can be used by mobilized citizen groups to express a high level of community concern on a matter that is not set for public hearing.  The citizens of the South Nooksack are an example of how effective this can be.

In what appears to be an attempt to justify the Code change, the County Council Clerk stated that the public will be asked if they wish to remove an item from the consent agenda at the beginning of the meeting, the public can address their concerns during the Open Session later, and the Council will vote on the matter at an even later point.

Hey….guess what? The public already has the right to request an item be pulled from the consent agenda.  WCC 2.02.045.C.  And a good time to make that request would at the Open Session that occurs at the beginning of the Council meeting.  There is simply no real problem that needs fixing, nor should this be such a high priority item for a new Chairperson.

I am sure that Ms. Kershner is concerned about the expediency of Council meetings.  I do not have statistics to confirm this, but it appears that the number of people speaking at Open Session has increased, and that the pendulum is swinging back towards environmental and public health concerns.  A more effective approach to the problem of long Open Sessions is for the Council to comply with state and federal law, and to work on behalf of the public, rather than special interests.  Were that to occur, many of us would be happy to stay home.   

On a final note, our Council Chair made a passing comment regarding Council’s willingness to extend the Open Session beyond the allocated 20 minute period, leaving unstated the implication that she would consider enforcing a time limit.  Never once did I hear any Council Member voice time concerns when “land use victims” in yellow shirts filled the Council Chamber.  I hope that Ms. Kershner will carefully consider the backlash she will face if she attempts to enforce a time limit on public comment.

Michael McAuley  //  Wed, Mar 14, 2012, 2:26 pm

Great points, Wendy.

The job, my job, of elected folks is, in part, to sit still and listen to everyone who wishes to exercise their right to address their governments.  This is fundamental and critical.

I have often been appalled that payment windows and clerks’ offices doing the people’s business close at 5 or worse, as in the case of some county offices, 4:30.  Ostensibly, this seems justified so that they can get their work done and finish up their workday like the private sector.

Well, as I am now, we are not in the private sector anymore.  We serve at the pleasure and on behalf of the people. 

I feel that even if you want to ‘beat me up’ on something it is still my responsibility to hear you out without my making it inconvenient for you to do that.

While President of the Port Commission I would move items forward on the agenda if people came to discuss something.  That way they could participate and feel that their participation had value AND then go home if they wanted without having to wait for all the boiler plate business to get taken care of before we “got around” to their issue.

I would urge any elected body here to think about something:  I didn’t exactly sign up for the Marine Corps just to get my $800 a month and shot at in Kuwait -  I signed up to support my country like my granddad did. 

When we signed up to serve as electeds, we all knew the hours suck and the pay is horrible and people will say nasty things, it’s part of the job. 

And yet, for all that, we still must cling tenaciously to the truth that we, electeds and staff alike, are SERVANTS of the people and our convenience should not be created by your inconvenience.

Mike McAuley

Will Lake Whatcom Watershed Reconveyance Be Approved?

Mon, May 21, 2012, 3:14 pm  //  Wendy Harris

After years of debate, the County Council may be requesting that DNR approve the Reconveyance

0 comments

Last chance, file for PCO

Fri, May 18, 2012, 11:27 am  //  Riley Sweeney

A short plea for public involvement from Riley

0 comments

Specializing in German vehicles.

DRONES!

Thu, May 17, 2012, 10:43 am  //  Tip Johnson

Footage overlooking the Fairhaven area

4 comments; last on May 21, 2012

Cascadia Weekly again on target with the Port

Wed, May 16, 2012, 4:15 pm  //  John Servais

In today's Cascadia Weekly, Tim Johnson analyses the Port Commissioner meeting and the shenanigans of Walker and Chmelik.

0 comments

City Staff Lacks Impartiality On Dock Closure

Tue, May 15, 2012, 7:32 pm  //  Wendy Harris

A City staff memo on the Bloedel dock closure reads more like an advocacy brief

0 comments

Port Commission Expansion to be on November Ballot

Mon, May 14, 2012, 6:07 pm  //  John Servais

Port Commissioners McAuley and Jorgensen voted to put on November ballot the question of expanding commission from 3 to 5 members.

5 comments; last on May 15, 2012

Cascadia Weekly Rips Port - Urges 5

Wed, May 09, 2012, 6:11 am  //  John Servais

Today's Cascadia Weekly rips the Port staff on changed waterfront plans and sees 5 commissioners as possible solution to poor decision making.

2 comments; last on May 10, 2012

R.G. Haley Site: Will Funding Come With a Side of Dioxin?

Mon, May 07, 2012, 11:22 am  //  Wendy Harris

Dioxin contaminated sediment dredged from Squalicum Harbor, dumped at the Cornwall Landfill, may be spread across the R.G. Haley site.

0 comments

Port and City Provide The Truth But Not the Whole Truth

Sat, May 05, 2012, 12:13 am  //  Wendy Harris

Treaty Rights and Public Rights Ignored During Joint Port/City Meeting on Status of Waterfront Redevelopment

1 comments; last on May 07, 2012

Port 5 - Hour of Audio Information

Thu, May 03, 2012, 9:23 pm  //  John Servais

The Joe Show had John Servais on the air for a full hour on Thursday - and we link to the pod cast.

3 comments; last on May 05, 2012

New Facebook Page for Port Reform

Tue, May 01, 2012, 10:24 am  //  John Servais

Bellingham Port Reform has a Facebook page, courtesy of Tip Johnson.

1 comments; last on May 02, 2012

Port Loses New Boat Builder Tenant

Tue, May 01, 2012, 9:34 am  //  John Servais

Port of Bellingham signed lease a month ago to hoopla and now the boat builder is exiting for Anacortes.

11 comments; last on May 08, 2012

Speakers to address Port on Tuesday

Mon, Apr 30, 2012, 10:54 pm  //  John Servais

Several people will be urging the Port of Bellingham commissioners to place the question of expanding to 5 commissioners on the ballot.

0 comments

5 Port Commissioners Initiative Now Circulating

Sat, Apr 28, 2012, 10:09 am  //  John Servais

A county wide initiative will allow voters to decide whether to expand the Port of Bellingham commission from 3 to 5 commissioners.

1 comments; last on Apr 28, 2012

Ron Paul Delegates Railroaded at Whatcom GOP Convention

Tue, Apr 24, 2012, 12:07 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley attended the Whatcom GOP Convention and reports back

1 comments; last on Apr 29, 2012

Charlie Sheldon has Herald Op-Ed

Tue, Apr 24, 2012, 9:25 am  //  John Servais

Today's Bellingham Herald carries an article from Sheldon, with facts, falsehoods and his perspective on his forced resignation as Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham.

0 comments

The Road to Nowhere Can Go Forward

Tue, Apr 24, 2012, 1:02 am  //  Guest writer

Developers are gaming the system with help from the county government - and big changes are made in multiple small changes.

1 comments; last on Apr 27, 2012

Earth Day Alert:  Rocket Donuts to throw Fairhaven trees in the Deepfry

Sun, Apr 22, 2012, 7:28 pm  //  Tip Johnson

Will donuts prove more important than street trees?

10 comments; last on May 02, 2012

Video of port commissioners is posted

Wed, Apr 18, 2012, 12:28 pm  //  John Servais

A 26 minute video of the port commissioners explaining their positions on the firing of executive director Charlie Sheldon is posted.

7 comments; last on Apr 19, 2012

Port Meeting Today, Tuesday, at 3 p.m.

Tue, Apr 17, 2012, 12:51 pm  //  John Servais

At 3 p.m. today - Tuesday, April 17 - the Port of Bellingham meets. Let's attend and support rehiring Charlie Sheldon.

3 comments; last on Apr 18, 2012

100 years ago, at 5:38 p.m. today Bellingham time

Sat, Apr 14, 2012, 4:09 pm  //  John Servais

The Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 p.m. This post is non political - unless you want to draw a parallel with recent Port of Bellingham events.

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Jim Jorgensen May Reverse His Vote

Fri, Apr 13, 2012, 5:47 pm  //  John Servais

Friday update: Herald reports Jim Jorgensen could change his mind on firing of Port of Bellingham Executive Director Charlie Sheldon

3 comments; last on Apr 17, 2012

Two Port Commissioners Held Illegal Meeting

Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 8:52 pm  //  John Servais

An illegal serial Port Commission meeting should be investigated by the State Auditor, and two commissioners should be made accountable for their actions.

5 comments; last on Apr 11, 2012

A Time for Port Reform

Sun, Apr 08, 2012, 11:33 am  //  Tip Johnson

Wherein the shenanigans start smelling too fishy to tolerate

1 comments; last on Apr 11, 2012

Padden Trails.  It Is Not About Infill; It Is About Profits

Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 2:05 pm  //  Dick Conoboy

The issue is not sprawl or infill, but the money to be made by the type of infill and its placement

7 comments; last on Apr 09, 2012

Growth, Sprawl & Infill:  Padden Trails Project

Fri, Apr 06, 2012, 8:16 am  //  Guest writer

Ken Mann writes a guest article of his personal support for the Padden Trails development inside the Bellingham city limits.

3 comments; last on Apr 07, 2012

Petition to Keep Charlie Sheldon is Online

Thu, Apr 05, 2012, 4:00 pm  //  John Servais

An Online petition has been posted where citizens can sign on to request the Port Commissioners revote on Charlie Sheldon's termination.

5 comments; last on Apr 06, 2012

We Can Expand Port Commission to Five

Wed, Apr 04, 2012, 3:16 pm  //  John Servais

State law allows us to pass an initiative and increase the number of port commissioners from three to five. Thanks to Harriet Spanel.

4 comments; last on Apr 05, 2012

Two Commissioners Demanded Charlie Resign

Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 6:25 pm  //  John Servais

Port Commissioner Mike McAuley did everything he could do to change Jim Jorgensen's mind. Jim and Scott Walker forced Charlie Sheldon out.

6 comments; last on Apr 06, 2012

Questions about Population Growth

Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 12:43 pm  //  Larry Horowitz

Where to begin? Misinformation. Disinformation. Truths. Myths. Same old, same old. Paradigm shift. GMA. OFM. Growth pressures. Population loss. Growth subsidies. Proportionate share.

36 comments; last on Apr 11, 2012

Charlie Sheldon resigns as Port Director

Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 12:35 pm  //  John Servais

This morning, Charlie Sheldon, unexpectedly resigned as Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham.

10 comments; last on Apr 03, 2012

Mayor Kelli comes through for voters

Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 1:03 am  //  John Servais

A thanks to Kelli Linville for her quiet and effective solution to the onerous red light cameras dilemma.

0 comments

City Has No Love For Fish and Wildlife

Thu, Mar 29, 2012, 10:32 pm  //  Wendy Harris

Development at Bloedel Park ignores impacts to important shoreline habitat

2 comments; last on Mar 31, 2012

Padden Trails Provides Infill

Mon, Mar 19, 2012, 1:07 am  //  Guest writer

Guest writer Bill Geyer, who is the consultant for the Padden Trails Development, presents facts and perspective on the development.

34 comments; last on Apr 15, 2012

Useful Police Activity Visualization Now Online

Sun, Mar 18, 2012, 11:58 pm  //  John Servais

A new private website displays crimes by dates, on a Bellingham map, or by graphs for all citizens to use.

5 comments; last on Mar 21, 2012

Sunnyland neighborhood asks for support

Thu, Mar 15, 2012, 2:11 pm  //  Guest writer

By guest writer Mike Rostron. Sunnyland residents support infill but not overfill. The old Department of Transportation site on Sunset is the development site.

40 comments; last on Mar 19, 2012

NWCitizen upgrade is completed

Mon, Mar 12, 2012, 11:33 am  //  John Servais

Just a short note about nwcitizen past few weeks effort

1 comments; last on Apr 10, 2012

2012-2013 Priorities from City Council

Sun, Mar 11, 2012, 11:20 am  //  Dick Conoboy

The City Council outlines their agenda for the coming year

2 comments; last on Mar 12, 2012

The Curious Disappearance of Bob Ferris

Fri, Mar 09, 2012, 12:15 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley gets to the bottom of this in a NWCitizen Exclusive

4 comments; last on Apr 01, 2012

Padden Trails is Chuckanut Ridge Lite

Wed, Feb 22, 2012, 2:04 am  //  Guest writer

Yet another neighborhood wants the Planning Department to protect public health, safety, and general welfare

6 comments; last on Feb 24, 2012

Congressional Candidates and Overstreet’s Town Hall

Sun, Feb 19, 2012, 6:37 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley at The Political Junkie attends a forum of Congressional Candidates, and a town hall meeting in Lynden

0 comments

 

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