Battle in Whatcom County’s legal system
Battle in Whatcom County’s legal system
by Anonymous
Wednesday, two neighbors from Blue Canyon road were in court, a 38-year resident, another of about 7 years.
Recently, one began clearing land for a new larger 2nd hou
Wednesday, two neighbors from Blue Canyon road were in court, a 38-year resident, another of about 7 years.
Recently, one began clearing land for a new larger 2nd hou
by Anonymous
Wednesday, two neighbors from Blue Canyon road were in court, a 38-year resident, another of about 7 years.
Recently, one began clearing land for a new larger 2nd house on Lake Whatcom Reservoir. His construction methods earned him three “correction notices” from Whatcom County and a fine, since reduced. Posted notices were reportedly for illegally clear cutting and grading up to the stream banks of a formerly productive Kokanee stream.
The hearing was to stop the alleged “harassment” including reported threats made by the long-time resident to County employees. Attorney for the victim had four County employees who all recited a similar story. The 76-year-old woman, however, denies making any threats, ever.
Alleged threats were reported by County policy to the Sheriff who apparently was not concerned enough to do anything to the 76-year-old wheelchair-bound woman. Coincidentally, enforcement inspections on the illegal activities by Dept of Natural Resources, Washington Dept of Fish and Wild Life, and the County were all happening on a more frequent basis. The story of an alleged threat was then relayed by the Assistant County Attorney, Royce Buckingham, to the neighbor’s attorney: J. Sitkin. At this point, Sitkin was instructed to “take her down”.
Witnesses admitted they thought the woman was extremely frustrated as she had repeatedly reported the land clearing that wiped out trees within the 100-foot Critical Area Ordinance buffers up to the stream edge. A simple stop-work order would have saved the stream’s trees. None came.
The plaintiff, refusing to answer several questions while on the stand and arguing with the defense attorney, loudly commented that he had never paid a fine. The hearing judge pro tem, a local attorney, believed the well-coached County witnesses & cited the recent U. of Washington shooting as an imperative that he must issue an anti-harassment order for a lengthy three years. The woman is now filing for her own anti-harassment order against her neighbor.
Wednesday, two neighbors from Blue Canyon road were in court, a 38-year resident, another of about 7 years.
Recently, one began clearing land for a new larger 2nd house on Lake Whatcom Reservoir. His construction methods earned him three “correction notices” from Whatcom County and a fine, since reduced. Posted notices were reportedly for illegally clear cutting and grading up to the stream banks of a formerly productive Kokanee stream.
The hearing was to stop the alleged “harassment” including reported threats made by the long-time resident to County employees. Attorney for the victim had four County employees who all recited a similar story. The 76-year-old woman, however, denies making any threats, ever.
Alleged threats were reported by County policy to the Sheriff who apparently was not concerned enough to do anything to the 76-year-old wheelchair-bound woman. Coincidentally, enforcement inspections on the illegal activities by Dept of Natural Resources, Washington Dept of Fish and Wild Life, and the County were all happening on a more frequent basis. The story of an alleged threat was then relayed by the Assistant County Attorney, Royce Buckingham, to the neighbor’s attorney: J. Sitkin. At this point, Sitkin was instructed to “take her down”.
Witnesses admitted they thought the woman was extremely frustrated as she had repeatedly reported the land clearing that wiped out trees within the 100-foot Critical Area Ordinance buffers up to the stream edge. A simple stop-work order would have saved the stream’s trees. None came.
The plaintiff, refusing to answer several questions while on the stand and arguing with the defense attorney, loudly commented that he had never paid a fine. The hearing judge pro tem, a local attorney, believed the well-coached County witnesses & cited the recent U. of Washington shooting as an imperative that he must issue an anti-harassment order for a lengthy three years. The woman is now filing for her own anti-harassment order against her neighbor.
