A Venue for Citizen Journalists
Thanks to generous donations from readers, this site is renovated and improved.
Affordability has been a ruse for creating market rate housing.
Represent Us and Our Interests. Please!
Local action in support of a proposal to rebuild nationwide infrastructure
Who’s Superman when you need him? We are.
From Musk’s big investment all the way to local campaigns, political “contributions” will be re-paid. Here’s how.
Private banks are fighting hard to keep us from starting our own state bank. There’s a reason.
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Several days ago, I received the following from Veterans Service Officer (VSO), Liz Witowski, of the Whatcom County Veterans Program (items below in bold are mine). On this Veterans Day, the
An off-budget $5 Trillion National Infrastructure Bank (NIB), along the lines of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) that operated between 1932-1957, means low-cost loans and no additions to the deficit.
Medicare Advantage is NOT Medicare. Medicare is there to provide health care. Medicare Advantage is a business, there to make money.
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Or perhaps tragic farce or farcical tragedy might be more apt descriptors. Pick one, or both.
After nearly 30 years online, and literally being one of the oldest blogs on the internet, Northwest Citizen needs a major programming overhaul. To do so, we need your help.
The top 20% of commercial banks in the United States control 95% of our total banking assets. Remember “Too-Big-to-Fail”?
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Eric Hirst gives us a brief and clear explanation of the water adjudication process that is beginning now in Whatcom County
“Citing the nonpartisan Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the paper  [Less Care at Higher Cost—The Medicare Advantage Paradox] notes that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have overcharged the
Aggressive citizen involvement carried the day.
Build-for-profit, incarceration-inspired housing is destroying our souls.
A 54-photo tour of the ruptured pipe area of the Whatcom Creek explosion taken in July 1999.
The last of the scrap metal is loaded on the ship and it will be gone from our town.
Below is an audio tape of 911 calls, emergency responders’ radio communications, and local radio coverage from June 10, 1999 when Whatcom Creek exploded in Bellingham
Whatcom County’s confusing water rights will be defined by court proceedings beginning now
The foam of secrecy hides all.
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Local presentations scheduled on a reasonable use framework for water resource management
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No public fiber means we can’t compete with big telecom. EVER.

City Planning Commission Transformed

Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson

Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson
Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson

City Planning Commission Transformed

City Planning Commission Transformed

The newest members of the commission do not come from the development industry.

With the appointment of Mike Estes to the seven member Bellingham Planning Commission at the last City Council meeting, and the pending appointment of Iris Maute-Gibson in April, the development industry lock on the membership is perceptibly lessened but not yet complete. Mike replaces Jeff Brown, a self-described long-term owner of multiple properties who has navigated land use issues and whose wife works for Northwest Ecological Services advising clients on wetland and shoreline permits for development. Iris will replace outgoing commissioner Tom Grinstad, a local architect whose seven year tenure ends on April 1st. Noteworthy also was the February 2016 appointment of Lisa Anderson, York Neighborhood Association Board member, who was approved by the council to replace realtor Cerise Noah who resigned.

Last year the City Council amended the ordinance on the city’s planning commission by limiting to three the number of members working in or associated with the development industry. Over three hundred citizens signed a letter to the council endorsing the change. Earlier attempts to demonstrate the development-heavy nature of the commission and to amend the ordinance were largely ignored by the council in 2014.

Mike and Iris were chosen from a field of 12 applicants, among whom eight were interviewed. The mayor described the twelve as a “diverse group of individuals with different backgrounds, including renters, business owners, a downtown resident and a WWU student.”

Mike works in the software development field and is a former chairman of the Whatcom Democrats. Iris made an unsuccessful bid several years ago to be appointed to the City Council to replace outgoing council member Cathy Lehman. She works as an Outreach and Development Coordinator for the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center.



5 Comments, most recent 7 years ago

Riley Sweeney · Lynden
Fri Mar 3, 2017

What a bunch of FANTASTIC choices for the Bellingham Planning Commission. I’ve known both Mike and Iris for many years and trust their judgement completely. I’m so glad that the council chose them - they will provide invaluable additions to our city’s planning. 

Sat Mar 4, 2017

Riley,

Thanks,

Good to know but the proof is in the performance.  I expect they will be representative of the citizens.  They have an excellent role model in Lisa Anderson. 

Wed Mar 22, 2017

John,

Please correct “Tom” Grinstad’s name in the abover article.  I’m sure it was just a typo but we all hate to have our names wrong in print, especially when it acknowledges 7 years of volunteering for our city board. 

He came on at a time when there was a distinct lack of construction expertise on the Planning Commission. It was his first public service and he has served our community well and he deserves a vote of thanks.  

Like Dick, I’ve known Mike and Iris for a long time and they will be fine additions to the P C. 

 

Wed Mar 22, 2017

Stan,

Thanks.  Correction noted.  Not sure where “Ted” came from! 

In no way did I try to imply that the service of these individuals over the years was not appreciated.   But the makeup of the commission had devolved into one that was to prone to bias and groupthink given the professions of those serving.  A healthy commission has people from all walks of life, to include the development industry, to be healthy and representative.

Wed Mar 22, 2017

Balance is good, especially with a process orientated advisory board.

- Commenting is closed -

City Planning Commission Transformed

Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson

Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson
Mike Estes and Iris Maute-Gibson

City Planning Commission Transformed

City Planning Commission Transformed

The newest members of the commission do not come from the development industry.

With the appointment of Mike Estes to the seven member Bellingham Planning Commission at the last City Council meeting, and the pending appointment of Iris Maute-Gibson in April, the development industry lock on the membership is perceptibly lessened but not yet complete. Mike replaces Jeff Brown, a self-described long-term owner of multiple properties who has navigated land use issues and whose wife works for Northwest Ecological Services advising clients on wetland and shoreline permits for development. Iris will replace outgoing commissioner Tom Grinstad, a local architect whose seven year tenure ends on April 1st. Noteworthy also was the February 2016 appointment of Lisa Anderson, York Neighborhood Association Board member, who was approved by the council to replace realtor Cerise Noah who resigned.

Last year the City Council amended the ordinance on the city’s planning commission by limiting to three the number of members working in or associated with the development industry. Over three hundred citizens signed a letter to the council endorsing the change. Earlier attempts to demonstrate the development-heavy nature of the commission and to amend the ordinance were largely ignored by the council in 2014.

Mike and Iris were chosen from a field of 12 applicants, among whom eight were interviewed. The mayor described the twelve as a “diverse group of individuals with different backgrounds, including renters, business owners, a downtown resident and a WWU student.”

Mike works in the software development field and is a former chairman of the Whatcom Democrats. Iris made an unsuccessful bid several years ago to be appointed to the City Council to replace outgoing council member Cathy Lehman. She works as an Outreach and Development Coordinator for the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center.



5 Comments, most recent 7 years ago

Riley Sweeney · Lynden
Fri Mar 3, 2017

What a bunch of FANTASTIC choices for the Bellingham Planning Commission. I’ve known both Mike and Iris for many years and trust their judgement completely. I’m so glad that the council chose them - they will provide invaluable additions to our city’s planning. 

Sat Mar 4, 2017

Riley,

Thanks,

Good to know but the proof is in the performance.  I expect they will be representative of the citizens.  They have an excellent role model in Lisa Anderson. 

Wed Mar 22, 2017

John,

Please correct “Tom” Grinstad’s name in the abover article.  I’m sure it was just a typo but we all hate to have our names wrong in print, especially when it acknowledges 7 years of volunteering for our city board. 

He came on at a time when there was a distinct lack of construction expertise on the Planning Commission. It was his first public service and he has served our community well and he deserves a vote of thanks.  

Like Dick, I’ve known Mike and Iris for a long time and they will be fine additions to the P C. 

 

Wed Mar 22, 2017

Stan,

Thanks.  Correction noted.  Not sure where “Ted” came from! 

In no way did I try to imply that the service of these individuals over the years was not appreciated.   But the makeup of the commission had devolved into one that was to prone to bias and groupthink given the professions of those serving.  A healthy commission has people from all walks of life, to include the development industry, to be healthy and representative.

Wed Mar 22, 2017

Balance is good, especially with a process orientated advisory board.

- Commenting is closed -
A Venue for Citizen Journalists
Thanks to generous donations from readers, this site is renovated and improved.
Affordability has been a ruse for creating market rate housing.
Represent Us and Our Interests. Please!
Local action in support of a proposal to rebuild nationwide infrastructure
Who’s Superman when you need him? We are.
From Musk’s big investment all the way to local campaigns, political “contributions” will be re-paid. Here’s how.
Private banks are fighting hard to keep us from starting our own state bank. There’s a reason.
To be so manifestly unqualified and yet not be deeply aware of that speaks exactly to the very point of not being qualified.
Chaos likely to ensue. Catastrophe cannot be ruled out.
There is no escape from the deep-throated roar and the clouds of filth produced by these machines.
A perspective from a very old liberal political junkie.
Deeds, not talk, count on Veterans Day
Several days ago, I received the following from Veterans Service Officer (VSO), Liz Witowski, of the Whatcom County Veterans Program (items below in bold are mine). On this Veterans Day, the
An off-budget $5 Trillion National Infrastructure Bank (NIB), along the lines of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) that operated between 1932-1957, means low-cost loans and no additions to the deficit.
Medicare Advantage is NOT Medicare. Medicare is there to provide health care. Medicare Advantage is a business, there to make money.
David Swanson verifies what Jon Humphrey has said for years: good internet access benefits people, cities, counties, and states.
Or perhaps tragic farce or farcical tragedy might be more apt descriptors. Pick one, or both.
After nearly 30 years online, and literally being one of the oldest blogs on the internet, Northwest Citizen needs a major programming overhaul. To do so, we need your help.
The top 20% of commercial banks in the United States control 95% of our total banking assets. Remember “Too-Big-to-Fail”?
The City has created another useless document ensuring nothing changes and mediocre communication services are protected.
Why a vote for Jason Call for Congress is a good vote for conservatives, liberals, Democrats and Republicans. Yes, an unusual idea.
Heaven forbid our reps should attack the main problem, Medicare Advantage, head on. But no. They must nibble around the edges to give the appearance of doing something.
Morally significant double binds force doctors and combat soldiers into identical life and death quandaries, damaging their moral centers. To these two groups we can also add law enforcement officers.
Eric Hirst gives us a brief and clear explanation of the water adjudication process that is beginning now in Whatcom County
“Citing the nonpartisan Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the paper  [Less Care at Higher Cost—The Medicare Advantage Paradox] notes that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have overcharged the
Aggressive citizen involvement carried the day.
Build-for-profit, incarceration-inspired housing is destroying our souls.
A 54-photo tour of the ruptured pipe area of the Whatcom Creek explosion taken in July 1999.
The last of the scrap metal is loaded on the ship and it will be gone from our town.
Below is an audio tape of 911 calls, emergency responders’ radio communications, and local radio coverage from June 10, 1999 when Whatcom Creek exploded in Bellingham
Whatcom County’s confusing water rights will be defined by court proceedings beginning now
The foam of secrecy hides all.
If not killed-in-action, they are still dying from the effects of their service in Vietnam.
Local presentations scheduled on a reasonable use framework for water resource management
Broadband-Washing: Greenwashing the Internet
Pacific Northwest organizers join a global campaign to abolish all nukes and push for a city council resolution to start
If the hospitals are smelling a rat, so should Medicare (Dis)Advantage victims (AKA enrollees).
With such a bank in place, we would likely not be scrambling around and asking Congress for rebuild monies, as we are now with the catastrophic event involving the Francis Scott Key bridge on March 26, 2024.
Port of Bellingham commissioners terminate last 13 years of ABC Recycling lease
No public fiber means we can’t compete with big telecom. EVER.