We need two new Port Commissioners
We need two new Port Commissioners
Lets vote in two new Port of Bellingham commissioners. There is one very good reason - to return the Port to economic stimulation and job creation in Whatcom County. For the past 15 years or
Lets vote in two new Port of Bellingham commissioners. There is one very good reason - to return the Port to economic stimulation and job creation in Whatcom County. For the past 15 years or so, the three commissioners have focused on stimulating revenue for the Port itself instead of for private local industries and businesses. This has been led by Scott Walker who now has 18 years on a Port that has turned its back on helping local businesses.
Are there examples to back this statement up? You bet. Many. Here is one.
Over the past 10 years, the Port commissioners have awarded $180 million in Industrial Development Bonds to Scott Walker's employer - the BP refinery. Scott retired from BP a few years ago but has continued to do consulting work for them. Scott needs to explain clearly why this is not corruption. The reason is clear with the dropping of the other shoe. During this time, the Port has awarded only $13 million to all other businesses in Whatcom County. Thus, 93% of the bonds went to BP. None to Conoco, none to Intalco and none to many other businesses that could have used it.
The Port has authority from the state to allocate about $20 million a year. Over the past 10 years it has allocated $193 million. Any business receiving approval by the three Port commissioners can then sell bonds to raise money for new equipment or facilities. The beauty of these is the lower than market rate interest that they carry because the bonds are 100% backed by the Federal Government and are tax exempt for those who buy them. Think about that. The buyer of the bonds is fully insured for full repayment by the Feds. No risk. Zero risk. Of course BP, previously the Arco refinery, is a very profitable multi-national company that enjoyed using up most of our county quota. How cozy for Scott.
Tech trivia to head off Walker's dissembling response:
The yearly quota is vague and controlled by the state. But the program allocates about $80 per person to counties. Also, the Port submits its recommendations to the state for final approval - but the state has never countered the Port. Another trivia - any company in the county can apply. The problem is, of course, the Port does not inform companies of the program. Scott recuses himself from the final vote of approval each time - and maybe he expects us to buy that.
Bill Mize forum tonight:
Tonight is the Bill Mize forum at the Rome Grange on the Mt Baker highway at 7 pm. Walker can fully explain this tonight. At a forum on Monday he simply ranted against Ham Hayes who brought the facts to light. Ham did not name Scott nor his past employer, simply noting that the Port was favoring one company over all others. Scott lamely said Ham did not "understand" the program. We pray that Scott will explain what Ham has wrong and exactly why Scott favored his own firm for at least the past 10 years.
Ham Hayes and John Blethen are running against Scott Walker in the 1st County Council District. Mike McAuley and Doug Karlberg are running against Doug Smith in the 2nd. We need Port Reform and all four of the challengers are qualified. Choose your challenger and give them your vote. We can dream of having a choice of two challengers in each race for the election this November. It would mean a much better economic future for Whatcom County.
Misc Herald notes:
Nothing at all in today's Bellingham Herald about tonight's Bill Mize forum. KGMI will broadcast this live starting at 7 pm.
I heard that John Stark, Herald Port reporter, assured the two incumbents he would not cover any forums they did not attend. He has done just that so maybe the rumor is true. Stark's article Tuesday failed to report on Ham Hayes accusation that the Port has favored one company with the awarding of bonds. It drew gasps from the audience of 100. That charge caused Scott Walker to come back again to the issue to charge Ham with not knowing what he was talking about. This is a clear example of Stark and the Herald skewing the reporting to favor the incumbents.
Are there examples to back this statement up? You bet. Many. Here is one.
Over the past 10 years, the Port commissioners have awarded $180 million in Industrial Development Bonds to Scott Walker's employer - the BP refinery. Scott retired from BP a few years ago but has continued to do consulting work for them. Scott needs to explain clearly why this is not corruption. The reason is clear with the dropping of the other shoe. During this time, the Port has awarded only $13 million to all other businesses in Whatcom County. Thus, 93% of the bonds went to BP. None to Conoco, none to Intalco and none to many other businesses that could have used it.
The Port has authority from the state to allocate about $20 million a year. Over the past 10 years it has allocated $193 million. Any business receiving approval by the three Port commissioners can then sell bonds to raise money for new equipment or facilities. The beauty of these is the lower than market rate interest that they carry because the bonds are 100% backed by the Federal Government and are tax exempt for those who buy them. Think about that. The buyer of the bonds is fully insured for full repayment by the Feds. No risk. Zero risk. Of course BP, previously the Arco refinery, is a very profitable multi-national company that enjoyed using up most of our county quota. How cozy for Scott.
Tech trivia to head off Walker's dissembling response:
The yearly quota is vague and controlled by the state. But the program allocates about $80 per person to counties. Also, the Port submits its recommendations to the state for final approval - but the state has never countered the Port. Another trivia - any company in the county can apply. The problem is, of course, the Port does not inform companies of the program. Scott recuses himself from the final vote of approval each time - and maybe he expects us to buy that.
Bill Mize forum tonight:
Tonight is the Bill Mize forum at the Rome Grange on the Mt Baker highway at 7 pm. Walker can fully explain this tonight. At a forum on Monday he simply ranted against Ham Hayes who brought the facts to light. Ham did not name Scott nor his past employer, simply noting that the Port was favoring one company over all others. Scott lamely said Ham did not "understand" the program. We pray that Scott will explain what Ham has wrong and exactly why Scott favored his own firm for at least the past 10 years.
Ham Hayes and John Blethen are running against Scott Walker in the 1st County Council District. Mike McAuley and Doug Karlberg are running against Doug Smith in the 2nd. We need Port Reform and all four of the challengers are qualified. Choose your challenger and give them your vote. We can dream of having a choice of two challengers in each race for the election this November. It would mean a much better economic future for Whatcom County.
Misc Herald notes:
Nothing at all in today's Bellingham Herald about tonight's Bill Mize forum. KGMI will broadcast this live starting at 7 pm.
I heard that John Stark, Herald Port reporter, assured the two incumbents he would not cover any forums they did not attend. He has done just that so maybe the rumor is true. Stark's article Tuesday failed to report on Ham Hayes accusation that the Port has favored one company with the awarding of bonds. It drew gasps from the audience of 100. That charge caused Scott Walker to come back again to the issue to charge Ham with not knowing what he was talking about. This is a clear example of Stark and the Herald skewing the reporting to favor the incumbents.
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