As a citizen concerned about local conservation issues, I have learned it is important to follow issues of public transparency and public process. Because I speak only for myself, it allows me an unusual luxury, at least by local political standards. I am able to comment based solely on issues, rather than party politics. I can address my concerns without having to be partisan.  And I have been rather lucky to be mostly supported by a public glad to have government watchdogs.

Therefore, it came as a surprise to find myself attacked, through a post on the “Represent!” facebook page, (this is an organization dedicated to electing women to office), as a sexist. My crime was to refer to a first-time candidate as “young and inexperienced.”   But here is the real kicker… not only is the candidate young and inexperienced, but my comments were not directed at her. They were directed at Mayor Linville.

I criticized Mayor Linvillle for endorsing a city council candidate, and for doing so officially, right before candidate filing week.  (If you want the details, you can review the Bellingham Herald Blog where my comments originated, at http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/mayor-linville-endorses-pinky-vargas-in-bellingham-council-race/#comments, or the Represent! page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/319937971420022/467619489985202/?notif_t=group_comment_reply.) 

Here is why I think this bears discussion. I have criticized other public officials in the past.  Not much was ever said to me about it.   Yet, when I recently began to criticize Mayor Linville, most notably in articles critical of the waterfront planning process, people told me to be careful and to watch out for repercussions. I had certainly criticized the prior mayor and no one ever felt the need to warn me before.  

My comments about the mayor were taken out of context by one of the mayor’s most powerful supporters in an attempt to discredit me and silence me.  And this tactic also sends a very strong message to the public….if you get out of line and criticize the wrong people, you will also be bullied.    

So, we can sit here quietly while the mayor engages in more backroom deals with developers while her supporters attempt to repress public criticism, or we can be courageous and speak up when action is taken that is contrary to the public’s interest.  As for me, I will still be commenting and complaining about the mayor’s attempt to override a decade of public planning for the waterfront.