Publish Date: 2016 - 2026

Whatcom Justice Reform: The Big Fib

Tip Johnson · Mon Sep 30, 2019

When voting for sheriff implies structural change

Mayoral Candidate Barker Has Some Explaining To Do

Dick Conoboy · Mon Sep 23, 2019

April Barker accepted money from the same organization that funds right wing candidates in Whatcom County. Why?

Senator Hasegawa To Speak On Public Banking Before the County Council - 24 September

Dick Conoboy · Thu Sep 19, 2019

Sen Hasegawa returns to Bellingham to address the topic of public banking before the Whatcom County Council on Tuesday, 24 September

What’s Going on with the Herons, Council?

Jamie K. Donaldson · Sat Aug 31, 2019

Jamie Donaldson urges us to contact the Bellingham City Council again as it appears there is foot dragging on acquiring the buffer woods by the heron colony nests.

Public Banking And Washington state - 100 Years Behind The Times

Dick Conoboy · Sat Aug 24, 2019

North Dakota just celebrated 100 years of public banking to the benefit of its citizens. Why is Washington lollygagging?

CityView Apartment Development - Update II

Dick Conoboy · Wed Aug 21, 2019

Several dozen Puget and Samish Neighborhood residents vented their ire at the 19 Aug City Council Meeting.

Protecting the Herons: An Overview

John Servais · Fri Aug 16, 2019

The herons that we enjoy watching all over Bellingham actually all live in one colony of nests in Fairhaven. This is an overview of efforts to protect their colony.

CityView Apartment Development - An Update

Dick Conoboy · Mon Aug 12, 2019

Plans for a 408-bed, student-style dormitory apartment building, CityView, in the Puget Neighborhood move forward.

Trouble Makers

· Sun Aug 11, 2019

Long time local civic activist for human rights, Barbara Z. Rofkar, writes of her feelings in this time of ugly news of assaults on minorities in our country almost every day.

Primary Election 2019 - Results and Comments

John Servais · Fri Aug 9, 2019

Links to Auditor official election results, plus perspectives and opinions - some anon from reliable local political junkies who need to - well, remain anon.

Last minute election information

John Servais · Mon Aug 5, 2019

Too late to mail ballots - so here are the dropbox locations. And try the Rank Choice Voting for three candidates.

Ted Carlson Resigns as Bellingham Public Works Director

John Servais · Wed Jul 31, 2019

An unexpected resignation by one of the top administrators in Bellingham city government

Huge Victory toward Creation of the Post Point Great Blue Heron Reserve

Jamie K. Donaldson · Sat Jul 27, 2019

In meeting with Jamie K, Mayor Kelli commits to the city purchasing the land for the heron reserve.

We Must Finish the Job and Create a Great Blue Heron Reserve at Post Point

Jamie K. Donaldson · Fri Jul 26, 2019

City planning - and the developer - abandoned their defense of the illegal permit to build in the critical area by the heron colony.

Good News for the Post Point Herons… For Now

Jamie K. Donaldson · Tue Jul 16, 2019

The developer and city have surrendered in their effort to allow building new homes in the Critical Area that protects the Great Blue Heron colony on Bellingham’s waterfront.

The Saga of Established Neighborhooods

Larry Horowitz · Tue Jul 16, 2019

Shall we protect - or shall we forever change - the nature of established residential neighborhoods?

CityView Pre-Application Neighborhood Meeting - Some Hot Moments

Dick Conoboy · Wed Jul 10, 2019

Do not be fooled, CityView apartments are yet another private sector dormitory. No families here.

April Barker Mayor? - An Equity Assessment of the Candidate

Dick Conoboy · Sat Jul 6, 2019

Why is it that the supposed housing affordability and availability champion is a “millionaire” landlord herself?

Another Attempt To Develop the Hawley Tract In the Puget Neighborhood

Dick Conoboy · Fri Jun 28, 2019

After two failed attempts by outside companies to develop an 11 acre parcel in the Puget Neighborhood, a local developer takes a swing.

It Is Not About Fireworks

Dick Conoboy · Tue Jun 25, 2019

The ban against the sale and possession of consumer fireworks in Bellingham is more than is apparent.

Bellingham Herald to end Saturday publication

Dianne Foster · Tue Jun 25, 2019

Dianne Foster expresses her thoughts and regrets as the Bellingham Herald announces the pending cancellation of Saturday newspapers.

Public Fiber Network: A Blueprint for Bellingham and Whatcom County

Juliette Daniels · Thu Jun 13, 2019

Bellingham should join hundreds of communities nationwide that have built competitive and affordable public fiber optic cable networks to drive economic opportunity and development.

Unity Village Tiny Home Community Proposed for Fairhaven

Lisa E. Papp · Tue Jun 11, 2019

HomesNOW is in the permit review process for a temporary tiny home encampment in Fairhaven. The City of Bellingham’s 14-day public comment period is open until June 14, 2019.

Whatcom Democrats and Public Banking

Dick Conoboy · Sat Jun 8, 2019

Public Banking support ought to be a no-brainer for the Whatcom Dems.

Whither Goeth The Planning Commission - Maute-Gibson Resigns

Dick Conoboy · Fri Jun 7, 2019

Iris Maute-Gibson submitted her letter of resignation to the mayor on June 1st.

Accessory Dwelling Units - An Update

Dick Conoboy · Mon Jun 3, 2019

It is too early to determine the effects of a new code on accessory dwelling units aimed at improving housing affordability. Experience elsewhere says they will not.

Ami Horowitz: A Democrat Who Terrifies Other Democrats

Larry Horowitz · Thu May 30, 2019

Democrat presidential candidate Ami Horowitz and his desire to enter the national debate

The Cost Of Smelling Good May Be Too High

Dick Conoboy · Tue May 28, 2019

Fragrances cover up odors that should be eliminated by cleaning, not chemicals.

Lynden, Ferndale and Blaine Rising

John Servais · Sun May 26, 2019

An overview of the candidates for several energetic small towns in Whatcom County.

Public Banking - Senator Hasegawa at the Bellingham City Club

Dick Conoboy · Fri May 24, 2019

Senator Bob Hasegawa brought information to the citizens of Whatcom County about the benefits of public banks and his bill to establish one in Olympia.

All Hands on Deck to Help Protect the Great Blue Herons

Jamie K. Donaldson · Tue May 21, 2019

Updated May 21. How each of us can help protect the Great Blue Herons nesting trees from city proposed approval of development in the buffer trees.

Seattle Times to Doug Ericksen: Step Down

Elisabeth Britt · Sun May 19, 2019

Unprincipled Whatcom County State Senator Doug Ericksen is urged to resign. Britt and Riordan first broke the news of his Cambodia hijinks on NW Citizen.

Herons Continued: A Response to a Reader’s Comments

Jamie K. Donaldson · Sat May 18, 2019

Jamie K clarifies several issues that Gabe Rogel posted about the protective woods buffer to the heron colony.

Candidate Filings - Wed Update + Fri final

John Servais · Fri May 17, 2019

Finale update 10 pm Friday - Some news worthy filings - well, all are newsworthy - and some final pieces falling into place.

Candidate Filing Week is Here – It’s About to Get Real.

John Servais · Sun May 12, 2019

Tony Larson may be the surprise candidate filing for office this week. A brief rundown on some of the high profile campaigns and personalities.

Vacation Rental Kickoff Is May 5th - Put It On Your Calendar!

Dick Conoboy · Tue Apr 30, 2019

Housing equity is thrown to the wind. Vacation rentals for tourists will remove rental housing for Bellingham residents.

The Sight Of Green

· Fri Apr 19, 2019

Trees are not expendable like weeds. We should not treat them as such.

Unbreaking America: A NEW short film about solving the Corruption Crisis

Larry Horowitz · Wed Apr 17, 2019

An interesting city- and state-oriented strategy to solve the national corruption crisis.

WWU Dormitory Construction Plans Woefully Inadequate

Dick Conoboy · Sun Apr 14, 2019

A net gain of 264 on-campus dormitory beds two years from now will do virtually nothing to take the pressure off Bellingham’s rental market.

Bellingham Heron Colony Threatened by Development - Again

Jamie K. Donaldson · Thu Apr 4, 2019

Bellingham’s Only Great Blue Heron colony Faces Human Threats - Again. Who Wants to Help?

Why Does Gov. Inslee permit spraying of carcinogenic pesticides on Salish Sea eelgrass beds?

David Camp · Wed Apr 3, 2019

Commercial Shellfish farmers in Willapa Bay and elsewhere in the Salish Sea permitted by our “green” Governor to spray herbicides and turn healthy eelgrass beds into deserts.

Samish Hill Forested Acreage Getting a “Haircut” - What Lies Ahead?

Tom Dohman · Wed Apr 3, 2019

Various activities on Samish Hill suggest the future for a large area of land zoned single-family.

Restore The Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission (MNAC) To Its Former Role in Planning

Dick Conoboy · Mon Apr 1, 2019

MNAC should be restored by the next mayor to its role in the planning process, the review of the Comprehensive Plan, and neighborhood plans.

Canada’s Pipe Dream Threatens the Salish Sea

Michael Riordan · Sun Mar 31, 2019

Canada continues to push forward on its Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion despit overwhelming opposition and damning evidence — as well as serious economic headwinds — against it.

Bellingham Bells - Firework Effects Are The Public’s Problem

Dick Conoboy · Fri Mar 22, 2019

The Bells baseball team again chooses fireworks over the welfare of pets, vets, the psychologically fragile, and wildlife.

Saving The Orca And Salmon - Does Inslee Have The Political Will?

Juliette Daniels · Wed Mar 20, 2019

We need immediate action to save the canaries in our coal mine, the Southern Resident Orca and Salmon. Take down obsolete salmon-blocking dams before it’s too late.