You know, I'm really trying to not pound on the Bellingham Herald. I've subscribed to it for over 20 years and read it every day. It is our daily newspaper and I want it to be good. We all do. But today's Herald - the Sunday paper no less - has not a single news article in the front or local sections by a Herald reporter. Oh - there is something on school lunches and something about exercise for kids. And high school graduates - and it is nice to give them public notice and congratulations. And Dean has something on poems.

But not one news article on the issues that are swarming around Bellingham and the county. Tuesday evening the County Council may strip Pete Kremen of some real powers - but not a word. We have political campaigns. The city is trying to redo the neighborhood plans for 18 of our 23 neighborhoods in one year and neighborhoods are up in arms over the proposals - but not a word in today's Herald. County planning department has key persons resigning every week - but not a single word. There are issues all over - but not a single local news article in today's Sunday Herald. Their sports section had some good local articles by their writers. And Dave Gallagher did his normal good job in the business section.

I've seen this before - finding a Herald without a single local news article - and not commented. But after what I found on the editorial page today, I could not resist. Scott Ayers has a quarter-page piece about how the Herald strives to serve readers better with news - today and tomorrow. He concludes by writing; "We want to continue to be the best source for news and information for Whatcom ...." - well, you can finish that yourself. Cmon Herald, you can do better.