Will be posting election recommendations today. Have not had time for some good posts the past week.

Reliable rumor has it that another weekly newspaper will start publishing in early November in Bellingham. Will be named "The Independent" and offer better coverage of local politics and events than the Weekly. For many of us wanting an alternative news to the Herald, the Weekly has been a huge disappointment after six months of publishing. It mainly serves as a vehicle for the Skinny, which while entertaining is not news.

I tried to print Tip Johnson's excellent analysis of Mark Asmundson's record as mayor - a devastating analysis - in the Herald as an ad but they turned it down, saying they were not accepting any "negative" political ads. My my - such standards. Guess that does not apply to the letters they accept and the slanted news stories. The letters slandering Brett Bonner are amazing. Guess negative only applies to Mark. It also means that an incumbent's record while in office is immune from analysis. Some free press.

Have you heard about the write-in campaign for the many liberals and Democrats who will not vote for Mark but cannot bring themselves to vote for Brett? They are writing in "Dirty Dan Harris" on their ballots. They are distributing bumper stickers, buttons and other campaign materials. This was started by some card-carrying Democrats in the city - some well up in the organization.

Wish I had more time to research for this posting. Lots the Herald is missing that is important news of local politics and business. Hopefully the Independent will fill the huge gap for news in this community. And sorry for those who check daily that I am unable to provide daily nuggets of confirmed news that is ignored by the Herald. That was always my goal, but the work of verifying is immense.