From a Political Junkie: Jail Meeting
Permalink +Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 10:06 am // Riley Sweeney
Lately, I have been very concerned about the jail they are planning to build in Whatcom County. It's going to sit on an area three times the size of the mall, cost over $150 million and have so many beds we would have to double, then triple our incarceration rate to fill it. In short, Pete Kremen has proposed something that is too big and too expensive for our community. Please, I urge everyone to attend the public meeting about this and voice their concerns to Pete Kremen. The meeting is this Thursday, Feb. 3rd at 6 p.m. in the County Courthouse. To find more information about what size jail would be the right size for our community, go to: www.rightsizejail.com. See you all there!
Related Links:
-> Right Size Jail for Whatcom County-> Agenda for meeting - Thursday, Feb 3, 6 pm at Courthouse
Comments (12)
To add a comment, click here to login or register.
John Servais // Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 10:44 am
There is also a meeting tonight - Monday, Jan 31 - at the Re Store on Meridian at 7 pm. See the Right Size Jail website for more info.
Watching this story, two issues are being ignored or are not being reported on. One is that this mega jail is being pushed by Pete Kremen while he tries to pin it on Bill Elfo, our Sheriff. Second is the question: is there a plan to contract this jail out to a private prison management company once it is built with our tax dollars. In other words, is this whole scenario a rip off of Whatcom County taxpayers by Pete Kremen.
Hopefully our Tea Party folks will get into this and closely question Kremen. Hopefully our County Council will demand up front answers. It only takes one council member to ask questions. To this point, our Bellingham Herald has barely reported on this issue and has not informed us. The Cascadia Weekly has given it better coverage. But it seems it is up to citizens to learn what is happening and get it posted to their own blogs or here. If elsewhere, I’ll link from the right side column. Lets get going folks. We cannot depend on the professional media.
Watching this story, two issues are being ignored or are not being reported on. One is that this mega jail is being pushed by Pete Kremen while he tries to pin it on Bill Elfo, our Sheriff. Second is the question: is there a plan to contract this jail out to a private prison management company once it is built with our tax dollars. In other words, is this whole scenario a rip off of Whatcom County taxpayers by Pete Kremen.
Hopefully our Tea Party folks will get into this and closely question Kremen. Hopefully our County Council will demand up front answers. It only takes one council member to ask questions. To this point, our Bellingham Herald has barely reported on this issue and has not informed us. The Cascadia Weekly has given it better coverage. But it seems it is up to citizens to learn what is happening and get it posted to their own blogs or here. If elsewhere, I’ll link from the right side column. Lets get going folks. We cannot depend on the professional media.
David Camp // Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 4:20 pm
I just checked the County website and the public meeting regarding the proposed prison is not mentioned anywhere - not on the meeting calendar, no agenda, nothing.
I called in and asked about it because I want to submit a written comment - but am waiting to get information on how to do this. I will report when I know.
It does seem odd that a public meeting to discuss a proposed expenditure of $150 million, with operating costs which will be in the range of $50 million per year, by a County already in such financial straits that employees have 13 compulsory unpaid furlough days, is not front and center. Is management hoping that no one will notice? Or that citizen objections are minimized?
This proposal stinks of empire-building on the backs of the taxpayers of the county and in aid of the prison-industrial complex. Who benefits from this obscene waste of money?
Certainly not the poor schmucks who have to pay for it.
I called in and asked about it because I want to submit a written comment - but am waiting to get information on how to do this. I will report when I know.
It does seem odd that a public meeting to discuss a proposed expenditure of $150 million, with operating costs which will be in the range of $50 million per year, by a County already in such financial straits that employees have 13 compulsory unpaid furlough days, is not front and center. Is management hoping that no one will notice? Or that citizen objections are minimized?
This proposal stinks of empire-building on the backs of the taxpayers of the county and in aid of the prison-industrial complex. Who benefits from this obscene waste of money?
Certainly not the poor schmucks who have to pay for it.
John Servais // Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 8:07 pm
Agenda has been posted on the County site. A link to it is above, at the end of Riley’s post. So, was it posted in response to David Camp asking them why there was not announcement?
Ryan M. Ferris // Mon, Jan 31, 2011, 9:17 pm
It is difficult to project for the needs of the future. I would like to know where the $150M is coming from. Here are some links I found useful:
+ Link
This is OFM population projection for Washington State to 2030. The chart on page 12 I find the most critical: “Annual Change in Population Ages 65 and Over”. According to the projection, we are essentially going to double our population above the age 65 in the next 20 years. By 2030, 1.7M of the projected 8.3M living in WA state will be over the age 65. (Many of us reading this now hope to be part of that group in 20 years.) About 1/5 of WA will over the age of 65 in 2030. The chart on Page 8 shows annual % increase in population steadily decreasing. Native born rates drop off considerably and much of the increase in population will be born from migration, if the projections are correct.
+ Link
Whatcom County Crime Statistics for the last 20 years. Felony jail sentences went on a tear from 2000 - 2006. They have started to drop off some in the last few years..
+ Link
This site allows the user to create all manner of historically interesting crime graphs by selecting Whatcom County and respective law enforcement agencies.
It is tough to project more than 10 years ahead in this economy and geopolitical climate.
+ Link
This is OFM population projection for Washington State to 2030. The chart on page 12 I find the most critical: “Annual Change in Population Ages 65 and Over”. According to the projection, we are essentially going to double our population above the age 65 in the next 20 years. By 2030, 1.7M of the projected 8.3M living in WA state will be over the age 65. (Many of us reading this now hope to be part of that group in 20 years.) About 1/5 of WA will over the age of 65 in 2030. The chart on Page 8 shows annual % increase in population steadily decreasing. Native born rates drop off considerably and much of the increase in population will be born from migration, if the projections are correct.
+ Link
Whatcom County Crime Statistics for the last 20 years. Felony jail sentences went on a tear from 2000 - 2006. They have started to drop off some in the last few years..
+ Link
This site allows the user to create all manner of historically interesting crime graphs by selecting Whatcom County and respective law enforcement agencies.
It is tough to project more than 10 years ahead in this economy and geopolitical climate.
g.h.kirsch // Tue, Feb 01, 2011, 6:28 am
I was informed, by an inside source, to watch where Kremen & Co site the jail, because it is an integral part of the plan for growth in the county.
That being said, consider that wherever it goes outside of the city or an Urban Growth Area, substantial water service will be extended to it. Imagine all the subsequent hook-ups.
And don’t forget, the Club for Growth already got Bellingham to illegally install pipes clear up the Guide Meridian for ?????
This boondoggle is the kind of mistake that will pay off for years to come for some lucky folks.
That being said, consider that wherever it goes outside of the city or an Urban Growth Area, substantial water service will be extended to it. Imagine all the subsequent hook-ups.
And don’t forget, the Club for Growth already got Bellingham to illegally install pipes clear up the Guide Meridian for ?????
This boondoggle is the kind of mistake that will pay off for years to come for some lucky folks.
Todd Granger // Tue, Feb 01, 2011, 8:02 am
And Kirsh,
“Imagine all the subsequent hookups.”
Go get Pete, we need another Drunk tank!
“Last Bridge to Nowhere...;how it really started.”
ISBN 978-1-59433-086-5
Author, the former Alaska Prison Director; J. Frank Prewitt
Chapter One,
“Prisons are a dirty business. A lot of people who live there aren’t very nice. Some of the people who work there aren’t very nice either, and they cost a lot of money to run, money most people would rather spend on health, energy, education, and potholes. Unions can be dirty business. And some of the people who run them aren’t very nice, particularly when they control the monolopy and someone threatens to break into the game. But when government unions and venture capatilists comptet to run prisons, let just say the line between the good guys and the bad guys can get, well, a bit fuzzy, and thats how it all started...;
“Imagine all the subsequent hookups.”
Go get Pete, we need another Drunk tank!
“Last Bridge to Nowhere...;how it really started.”
ISBN 978-1-59433-086-5
Author, the former Alaska Prison Director; J. Frank Prewitt
Chapter One,
“Prisons are a dirty business. A lot of people who live there aren’t very nice. Some of the people who work there aren’t very nice either, and they cost a lot of money to run, money most people would rather spend on health, energy, education, and potholes. Unions can be dirty business. And some of the people who run them aren’t very nice, particularly when they control the monolopy and someone threatens to break into the game. But when government unions and venture capatilists comptet to run prisons, let just say the line between the good guys and the bad guys can get, well, a bit fuzzy, and thats how it all started...;
Todd Granger // Tue, Feb 01, 2011, 8:48 am
The Jail Meetings?
“...well, a bit fuzzy, and that’s how it all started.”
“...jumped off the Tallahassee bridge.”
+ Link
“...well, a bit fuzzy, and that’s how it all started.”
“...jumped off the Tallahassee bridge.”
+ Link
David Stalheim // Tue, Feb 01, 2011, 8:10 pm
Having watched this unfold before I became an “outside man”, there are certainly several very troubling aspects about this project.
First, the decision to look at just two sites on the north end of the Bellingham UGA was done with absolutely no public process. Having seen the list of maybe 10 sites considered, the County Exec’s office, consultant and sheriff dropped all the sites. Some were valid reasons, but at no time did the public have an opportunity to either understand the issue or weigh in. Now, the Rural Avenue property owners are stuck with a big fat pig in their back yard.
Second, while this is in Bellingham’s UGA, water and sewer can be extended from Ferndale, and there have been conversations in that regard. This happens to be the area close to Slater Road where Ferndale is rezoning all the land for “Big Box Retail.” They also want to expand the UGA to the NE corner of the interchange, a proposal being challenged by myself and others before the Growth Management Hearings Board. So, this whole area that appears “rural” now, will become a very active hub of retail and jail facilities, all facilitated by the deals from Ferndale to extend utilities. (Bellingham has expressed opposition to this site and want the jail downtown, and I suspect won’t extend utilities for something they don’t support.)
Third, I haven’t followed the detail finances on this issue, but I am quite sure that getting this monstrous jail facility will happen only with a vote of the public to approve raising property or sales taxes to pay for the facility. My general understanding is that the sales tax increase approved by voters in the past has either been spent, or is only a drop in the bucket towards what is needed to build this facility.
Finally, why is this the first time that a facility that has been in the planning stages for four years been brought to the public for their input? This isn’t the sheriff that has controlled the public process, but the Executive’s Office. I have heard from the sheriff’s office and seen the facility needs for the current jail—and something needs to be done. It is unfortunate that the public hasn’t been brought along with that conversation but kept in the dark. Even this evening meeting (not a hearing) is scripted, with just an hour for “questions and answers”. It should be a circus. Can’t wait to see it.
First, the decision to look at just two sites on the north end of the Bellingham UGA was done with absolutely no public process. Having seen the list of maybe 10 sites considered, the County Exec’s office, consultant and sheriff dropped all the sites. Some were valid reasons, but at no time did the public have an opportunity to either understand the issue or weigh in. Now, the Rural Avenue property owners are stuck with a big fat pig in their back yard.
Second, while this is in Bellingham’s UGA, water and sewer can be extended from Ferndale, and there have been conversations in that regard. This happens to be the area close to Slater Road where Ferndale is rezoning all the land for “Big Box Retail.” They also want to expand the UGA to the NE corner of the interchange, a proposal being challenged by myself and others before the Growth Management Hearings Board. So, this whole area that appears “rural” now, will become a very active hub of retail and jail facilities, all facilitated by the deals from Ferndale to extend utilities. (Bellingham has expressed opposition to this site and want the jail downtown, and I suspect won’t extend utilities for something they don’t support.)
Third, I haven’t followed the detail finances on this issue, but I am quite sure that getting this monstrous jail facility will happen only with a vote of the public to approve raising property or sales taxes to pay for the facility. My general understanding is that the sales tax increase approved by voters in the past has either been spent, or is only a drop in the bucket towards what is needed to build this facility.
Finally, why is this the first time that a facility that has been in the planning stages for four years been brought to the public for their input? This isn’t the sheriff that has controlled the public process, but the Executive’s Office. I have heard from the sheriff’s office and seen the facility needs for the current jail—and something needs to be done. It is unfortunate that the public hasn’t been brought along with that conversation but kept in the dark. Even this evening meeting (not a hearing) is scripted, with just an hour for “questions and answers”. It should be a circus. Can’t wait to see it.
David Camp // Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 9:10 am
John - not sure if I should take credit for the Exec’s office posting an agenda for his public “We tell, and you can ask questions little people” meeting, but at least now it exists, and I understand the proceedings will be recorded, which was not the original plan.
I’m flabbergasted that this gigantic white elephant is so far along and the County Exec is marching forward with land acquisition plans for a project based on an utterly flawed draft EIS (for which we poor taxpayers paid $1.8 million already!).
The County’s jail fund doesn’t even have sufficient funds to pay for basic maintenance on the existing jail and yet Mr. Kremen apparently thinks we can afford to run a new jail which will cost three times as much to run as the existing jail, on top of the $150 million of debt he plans to load up on the backs of the County’s taxpayers for the next 50 years to pay for the capital cost. I suppose the planned increase in capacity could be used to house the newly bankrupted taxpayers who lost their houses to unaffordable taxes (my taxes went up 40% last year already - it looks like Mr. Kremen plans on increasing them at the same rate forever to pay for his grandiose vision of a high-tech prison wonderland paved over top of 73 acres of farmland).
This plan was conceived at the top of the bubble - Now the County;s largest local bank went bust, every businessperson I know is struggling or already done, yet Mr. Kremen will not abandon his bubble jail plan. If he were in business, rather than in government, he’d either be bankrupt or changing his tune. But apparently he thinks he has an unlimitede ability to raise taxes to pay for white elephants.
I beg to differ. And I bet most County taxpayers, once they learn of this massive boondoggle will not be happy either.
What’s required is a creative approach which taps into the collective intelligence of Whatcom County people, who in my experience are generally hard-working, sensible, practical people who understand that, yes, the existing jail is overcrowded and new or expanded and modernized facilities are required - just not a new facility which will bankrupt the County.
I’m flabbergasted that this gigantic white elephant is so far along and the County Exec is marching forward with land acquisition plans for a project based on an utterly flawed draft EIS (for which we poor taxpayers paid $1.8 million already!).
The County’s jail fund doesn’t even have sufficient funds to pay for basic maintenance on the existing jail and yet Mr. Kremen apparently thinks we can afford to run a new jail which will cost three times as much to run as the existing jail, on top of the $150 million of debt he plans to load up on the backs of the County’s taxpayers for the next 50 years to pay for the capital cost. I suppose the planned increase in capacity could be used to house the newly bankrupted taxpayers who lost their houses to unaffordable taxes (my taxes went up 40% last year already - it looks like Mr. Kremen plans on increasing them at the same rate forever to pay for his grandiose vision of a high-tech prison wonderland paved over top of 73 acres of farmland).
This plan was conceived at the top of the bubble - Now the County;s largest local bank went bust, every businessperson I know is struggling or already done, yet Mr. Kremen will not abandon his bubble jail plan. If he were in business, rather than in government, he’d either be bankrupt or changing his tune. But apparently he thinks he has an unlimitede ability to raise taxes to pay for white elephants.
I beg to differ. And I bet most County taxpayers, once they learn of this massive boondoggle will not be happy either.
What’s required is a creative approach which taps into the collective intelligence of Whatcom County people, who in my experience are generally hard-working, sensible, practical people who understand that, yes, the existing jail is overcrowded and new or expanded and modernized facilities are required - just not a new facility which will bankrupt the County.
Todd Granger // Thu, Feb 03, 2011, 6:23 am
Why not bankrupt the county David, all one needs is another team of leaders like Pete, and Dewey “cheat em” Desler.
Lessons from an executive branch...;
+ Link
Lessons from an executive branch...;
+ Link
Todd Granger // Thu, Feb 03, 2011, 6:37 am
Mary Dickinson // Fri, Feb 04, 2011, 10:26 am
I am totally supportive of a new jail before the County gets sued; the old one is falling apart due to neglect in my opinion. I also voted for the Jail-Yes Tax, and would do it again. However, the jail site currently chosen is unsuitable. I would be hard-pressed to find any developer or any private person who would be allowed to develop that site to even modest residential development, let alone a huge public facility complex. Let’s see: the property has two wetlands, at least Typed-2, possibly higher under the County’s own CAO code, and an eagle tree, not to mention other wildlife nearby. It is out of character with the rural neighborhood, which floods periodically (my family has had ties there since the last century, although we have never lived there, nor have we ever owned property there, so no one can accuse me of NIMBYism in that regard). Yes, lower portions of the Rural Avenue neighborhood has flooded in the past, and let’s not even get into what happened when the dikes broke several times over the last 100 years. This portion might not have actually flooded, but all the roads around it have. The roads to get to the site, once you leave Slater, are narrow two-laned roads, and the soil in portions of the neighborhood has always been crumbly. I cannot fathom how the County is going to build a huge jail complex, accommodate busses of prisoners, and the continual traffic of support people, families, attorneys, etc. that will be traveling to and from the new jail every day if they build it there. The environmental mitigation alone would cost a fortune, not to mention all of the wetland mitigation, and all of the state DOE requirements. Why doesn’t the County choose a more suitable location? Maybe this site can be easily serviced by Ferndale’s utilities, but that is about all it has going for it. Why doesn’t the County look at property on the other side of Slater? At least it is dry there, and there aren’t the same environmental mitigation issues.
Padden Trails is Chuckanut Ridge Lite
Wed, Feb 22, 2012, 12:04 am // Guest writer
Yet another neighborhood wants the Planning Department to protect public health, safety, and general welfare
3 comments; last on Feb 22, 2012
Congressional Candidates and Overstreet’s Town Hall
Sun, Feb 19, 2012, 4:37 pm // Riley Sweeney
Riley at The Political Junkie attends a forum of Congressional Candidates, and a town hall meeting in Lynden0 comments
Squalicum Mountain development gets favors from county
Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 2:03 pm // Guest writer
No EIS - no real county planning concern about developing Squalicum Mountain and degrading Lake Whatcom water even further.
0 comments
Chilling Effect on Comments Created by Council Chair
Fri, Feb 17, 2012, 6:54 pm // Wendy Harris
Attempts by the County Council Chairperson to move the open public comment period to the end of a Council meeting will reduce public input.0 comments
A Vision for Fairhaven
Thu, Feb 16, 2012, 2:38 pm // John Servais
The Fairhaven Neighborhood Plan gets its first open meeting tonight - where anyone can present their ideas for the future.
0 comments
This Is What Conflict Of Interest Looks Like
Wed, Feb 15, 2012, 11:38 am // Wendy Harris
Lesa Starkenburg, former County contract attorney for GMA appeal, demands recusal of Council members who oppose development proposal by her private client, Nor'West Gravel1 comments; last on Feb 15, 2012
The Big Business of Breast Cancer
Wed, Feb 08, 2012, 8:14 am // Guest writer
There’s no profit in searching for causes, and we know there's no real cure. But there's big money in the detection and treatment of breast cancer.
2 comments; last on Feb 11, 2012
An inexpensive way to save children’s lives
Tue, Feb 07, 2012, 1:41 pm // John Servais
Bellingham is slowly installing flashing yellow lights for school zones. This is far better than trapping drivers with speed zone cameras. But, no city revenue.
2 comments; last on Feb 09, 2012
UPDATE: City of Bham Moonlighting Issue - More Documents
Mon, Jan 30, 2012, 10:58 pm // Riley Sweeney
Riley updates us on the latest facts coming to light about City of Bellingham employee moonlighting2 comments; last on Feb 01, 2012
Compliance, Noncompliance and Invalidity in Whatcom County
Sun, Jan 29, 2012, 10:16 pm // Wendy Harris
The County's rural planning actions have not just failed to comply with the GMA...they have contradicted the goals of the GMA.3 comments; last on Feb 05, 2012
A Worm’s Eye View of our local WorkSource Center
Wed, Jan 25, 2012, 9:42 am // Riley Sweeney
Riley visits the local WorkSource center and interviews the regional director
0 comments
Watch out for basement flooding
Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 9:03 pm // Paul de Armond
Stormwater surge may back up sewers
5 comments; last on Jan 21, 2012
The Political Junkie interviews Kathy Kershner
Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 4:29 pm // Riley Sweeney
Riley discusses the Jail, Jack Louws, and an impartial council with our new Council Chair
1 comments; last on Jan 20, 2012
SOPA - A Step in Destroying Democracy
Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 12:17 am // John Servais
NWCitizen.com went black for Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012, as a protest against proposed legislation, SOPA and PIPA. Here is what was posted.1 comments; last on Jan 19, 2012
Why SOPA is so terrible
Tue, Jan 17, 2012, 6:28 pm // John Servais
On Wednesday, thousands of websites will go dark to show opposition to SOPA. I will be posting a single article explaining who SOPA is so bad.0 comments
Planning Commissioner Mocks Environmental Concern For Coal Terminal
Sat, Jan 14, 2012, 11:06 pm // Wendy Harris
Planning Commissioner Onkels should recuse himself from review of environmental impacts at GPT.3 comments; last on Feb 08, 2012
Jack Petree, Olympia, the Whatcom Council and Obama’s Inner Circle
Wed, Jan 11, 2012, 8:04 am // Riley Sweeney
Latest from the Political Junkie on a variety of subjects
7 comments; last on Jan 15, 2012
Commmunity Governance at its Best
Mon, Jan 09, 2012, 8:27 pm // Tip Johnson
We have a new mayor!
4 comments; last on Jan 10, 2012
Property Rights Protected Under Lake Whatcom Stormwater Proposal
Sun, Jan 08, 2012, 11:02 pm // Wendy Harris
The County's proposed stormwater regulations for Lake Whatcom will increase development without improving water quality2 comments; last on Jan 20, 2012
Riley Rouses Row Over Domestic Violence
Sun, Jan 08, 2012, 1:21 am // John Servais
Issue is County Council member Kathy Kershner and how our social service programs are funded.3 comments; last on Jan 08, 2012
Some thoughts on the Occupy Bellingham issue
Sun, Jan 01, 2012, 12:05 am // John Servais
A third note on Jan 1 about the Herald photos with links. And previous thoughts on the trivia around the militarized evictions.9 comments; last on Jan 10, 2012
Kelli Linville has taken oath as mayor
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 2:07 pm // John Servais
Kelli assumes office of mayor at midnight Dec 316 comments; last on Jan 02, 2012
Bellingham Herald removes comments
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 11:59 am // Wendy Harris
Decide for yourself if this blog comment, posted under my own name, should have been flagged and removed from the Bellingham Herald Online Edition.1 comments; last on Dec 30, 2011
Herald Permits Censorship of Pro-Occupy Bellingham Comments
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 11:14 am // Wendy Harris
Anyone can "flag" a blog posting, resulting in immediate removal of your comment, regardless of merit. This is occuring for comments supporting OB.1 comments; last on Dec 30, 2011
City Exceeds Scope of Occupy Bellingham Eviction
Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 8:26 pm // Wendy Harris
The City infringed on the public’s right to peaceful assembly in a public park by enforcing an inappropriate public safety law2 comments; last on Dec 30, 2011
Dan Pike Issues Order to Evict Occupy Bellingham
Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 11:55 am // Riley Sweeney
Riley questions Pike's timing, and Occupy's choice of tactics2 comments; last on Dec 28, 2011
Updates from The Political Junkie
Tue, Dec 20, 2011, 2:19 pm // Riley Sweeney
Where Riley provides more info on the City of Bellingham employees moonlighting issue and Crawford's ethical troubles
0 comments
Dock Increases Risk of Invasive Species on Lake Whatcom
Sun, Dec 18, 2011, 8:43 pm // Wendy Harris
Relocation of a dock to Bloedel Donovan Park underscores failure to protect Lake Whatcom from invasive species0 comments
Sam Crawford Faces Ethical Concerns . . . AGAIN
Thu, Dec 15, 2011, 12:44 pm // Riley Sweeney
Local blogger Shane Roth files ethical complaint over Crawford's sweetheart deals
3 comments; last on Dec 16, 2011
Planning Commission Fails to Remove Cherry Point From Birch Bay Mitigation Plan
Wed, Dec 14, 2011, 7:05 am // Wendy Harris
Claiming it is unfair to treat large property owners different than small property owners, the Commission refuses to remove industrial areas from buffer mitigation proposal.0 comments
Rick Perry, Can We Talk?
Tue, Dec 13, 2011, 9:58 am // Riley Sweeney
Riley has a conversation with Rick Perry
2 comments; last on Dec 16, 2011
For Gift Ideas, Think Beyond Parker Brothers
Sat, Dec 10, 2011, 9:32 am // Riley Sweeney
Riley discusses his love of board games and some good gift ideas
2 comments; last on Dec 11, 2011
The Political Junkie needs your input
Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 12:47 pm // Riley Sweeney
Please take my reader's survey, I'm planning 2012
0 comments
Loophole Benefits SSA and Undermines Birch Bay Mitigation Proposal
Wed, Dec 07, 2011, 7:00 am // Wendy Harris
Tell the Planning Commission to eliminate this loophole2 comments; last on Dec 14, 2011
Washington United for Marriage: It’s Time!
Tue, Dec 06, 2011, 11:12 am // Riley Sweeney
Riley attends a public meeting on equality
0 comments
The Cole Train: Loads of BS
Sun, Dec 04, 2011, 4:53 pm // Tip Johnson
Wherein the sooty prospect of economic necessity rears its ugly head
2 comments; last on Dec 04, 2011
Update on Cherry Point Buffer Mitigation Proposal
Fri, Dec 02, 2011, 1:08 pm // Wendy Harris
Planning Staff's recommended revision will not prevent SSA from reducing wetland buffers.0 comments
UPDATE: City’s response focused on favoritism, not lost revenue
Wed, Nov 30, 2011, 5:51 pm // Riley Sweeney
More on the city employee moonlighting issue0 comments
TPJ Exclusive: Little Documented Oversight for City Employee Moonlighting
Mon, Nov 28, 2011, 4:29 pm // Riley Sweeney
The Political Junkie breaks a story of employee moonlighting within city of Bellingham
7 comments; last on Nov 30, 2011
Deer me!
Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 3:30 pm // Tip Johnson
O.K. Who's in charge of all these ungulates?14 comments; last on Dec 01, 2011
County Proposal Includes New Cherry Point Buffer Mitigation Requirements
Tue, Nov 22, 2011, 9:29 pm // Wendy Harris
The County's new mitigation proposal is unlikely to be adequate for Cherry Point's industrial impacts to habitat buffers3 comments; last on Nov 24, 2011
New links
Colbert Super PacCurrent Interest
Bham Camera ScamColbert Super Pac
Local Blogs & News
Bellingham HeraldBham Politics & Economics
Bhm Herald Politics Blog
Bob Sanders
Cascadia Weekly
Citizen Ted
Ferndale Record
Foothills Gazette
Get Whatcom Planning
HamsterTalk
KGMI
Latte Republic
Lynden Tribune
MikeatthePort
Northern Light
Northwest Review
Sweeney Politics
Twilight Zoning
Wally Wonders
Western Front - WWU
Whatcom Watch
Local causes
Bham Camera ScamBham CofC political blog
Chuckanut Mountains
Citizens of Bellingham
City Club of Bham
Community Wise Bellingham
Conservation NW
Cordata & Meridian
Futurewise - Whatcom
Jail - local mega plans
Lake Whatcom
N. Cascades Audubon
N. Sound Conservancy
Neighborhood Schools Coalition
No Leaky Buckets
NW Holocaust Center
RE Sources
Transition Whatcom
WA Conservation Voters
Publisher recommended
Americans Elect 2012Bham Politics & Economics
Community Wise Bellingham
Guardian Unlimited
Paul Krugman - economics
Redistricting WA state
Sweeney Politics
Watts Up With That? - climate
WikiLeaks.ch
NwCitizen 1995 to 2008
Early Northwest CitizenWeather & Climate
Cliff Mass Weather BlogClimate Audit
NW Radar
Two day forecast
Watts Up With That? - climate
Cascadia
Crosscut SeattleJoel Connelly
Orcinus
Portland Indy Media
Seattle Indy Media
Washington Votes
Leisure
Adventures NWEdge of Sports
Entertainment NNW
Famous Internet Skiers
Sailing Anarchy
Worth checking out
Al-Jazeera onlineAlaska Dispatch
AlterNet.org
Americans Elect 2012
Antiwar.com
Arab News
Asia Times
Atlantic, The
Buzz Flash
Common Dreams
counterpunch
Daily Beast, The
Daily Kos
Daily Mirror
Drudge Report
FiveThirtyEight
Foreign Policy in Focus
Guardian Unlimited
Gulf News
Haaretz
Huffington Post
Innocence Project, The
Intrnational Herald Tribune
James Fallows
Jerusalem Post
Juan Cole
Le Diplo
Media Matters
Middle East Times
MoveOn.org
Nation, The
New American Century
News Trust
NMFA
numbers
Online Journal
Palestine Daily
Palestine News
Paul Krugman - economics
Personal bio info
Politico
Progressive Review
Project Vote Smart
Reuters
Sea Shepherd
Slate
Talking Points Memo
The Onion
Tom Paine.com
truthout
War and Piece
WikiLeaks.ch
ynetnews.com
Governments
Auditor election pageBellingham
Bham - PFD
Candidate Filings
Election Results
Redistricting WA state
Skagit County
The White House
WA State Access
WA State Elections
WA State Legislature
Whatcom Auditor
Whatcom County
Other - for whatever
Ban Red Light CamsBushFlash.com
Chickehhawks
Coal quandary
Doonesbury
George Bush
Info Clearing House
Mainstreampolitics
Michael Moore
Nat Geo on Coal Trains
Reality News
The Crisis Papers
Third World Traveler
Unity08
Washington Outsiders
Less active
Bellingham RegisterCarl Weimer
Eye on Whatcom
John Watts
Post-Oklahoman Confessions
The American Telegraph
Quiet, offline or dead
David HackworthGitmo prisoner 345
Mega Awesome
Not in my county
Parkenfarker
Pro-Whatcom