Valuable Article in the Whatcom Watch
Permalink +Sun, Mar 17, 2013, 9:42 pm // John Servais
Wendy Harris has a revealing article in the March issue of Whatcom Watch about the proposed boardwalk connecting Boulevard Park and the south end of Cornwall Avenue. This is an estimated $8 million project that, in my opinion, is not needed and will hurt our waterfront environment. Wendy's long article does a thorough examination. The article title is "The Other Eight-Million Dollar Park Project" and starts on page 8 of the paper edition.
The city website says construction will start this summer - 2013. If you also think this is a complete waste of money, let your city council rep know.
This bridge to nowhere uses Greenways funds. Yep, our Greenways Committee and our parks department have decided to use Greenways funds to build a concrete bridge to replace a wonderful walk along the shore on the old railroad right of way. Go figure. This project is supposedly a lock for being built. But in reality, our city council could vote it out of existence if they wanted to.
So strange - the Greenways Committee could not find the money to purchase Chuckanut Ridge but can fund a concrete bridge. Gee - I wonder if this frees up some city land at the north end of the existing trail to be sold to developers for condos? And just how does the Greenways Committee explain this.
Thank you Wendy for bringing this issue to some public discussion. The Watch website does not yet enable comments, so feel free to comment on Wendy's article below. And support the advertisers in the Watch. They put their money into the Watch to attract business and keep the Watch publishing. This spring marks 20 years since Sherilyn Wells, Rebecca Meloy and Lorena Haven started the Watch. They have gone their separate ways since then but their environmental monthly newspaper lives on. Pick up a copy.
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-> No Net Loss - about the proposed concrete boardwalkDelaine Clizbe // Mon, Mar 18, 2013, 7:01 pm
I agree with Wendy! This is a complete waste of money! I looked over the plans for the waterfront that was in the paper. My only comment is this stupid bridge. I think it is unnecessary as the railroad trail is right there, it is an unneeded eyesore on our waterfront and a complete waste of taxpayer money. I run on the waterfront weekly…..and I don’t see a need for this!
Bill Black // Mon, Mar 18, 2013, 7:27 pm
There are currently hard copies of the latest Watch available at the downtown public library, the Public Market and the Community Food Co-op.
Clayton Petree // Wed, Mar 20, 2013, 8:52 am
I agree, the overwater walkway is a bad use of our money and $8 MILLION!?!? We have a nice trail that serves the same function. If only they would trim the trees again or at least some of them.
Valuable Article in the Whatcom Watch
Sun, Mar 17, 2013, 9:42 pm // John Servais
3 comments; last on Mar 20, 2013
City Controls Chuckanut Park - Not New Park District
Fri, Feb 22, 2013, 3:47 pm // John Servais
The election created a new park district with taxing power - but with NO control over Chuckanut Ridge - the 100 acre woods.1 comments; last on Feb 23, 2013
Johns Repair
Thoughts on the Park District Vote
Wed, Feb 13, 2013, 4:42 pm // John Servais
The Park District vote is close and we will not know final results until late ballots are counted.6 comments; last on Feb 19, 2013
Time to Vote on Park District
Sat, Feb 09, 2013, 1:14 am // John Servais
The proponents have avoided the issues on the Park District as the close of voting nears this weekend.2 comments; last on Feb 12, 2013
Check the Protect Bellingham Parks Website
Wed, Feb 06, 2013, 11:42 pm // John Servais
When is a vote No the most positive and common sense action? Check the park district opponents website to learn why.15 comments; last on Feb 10, 2013
Ironies With the Park District
Tue, Feb 05, 2013, 1:59 pm // John Servais
10 comments; last on Feb 07, 2013
The Big Picture on Chuckanut Ridge
Sun, Feb 03, 2013, 4:05 pm // Guest writer
Nicholas Zaferatos explains why he is concerned about the park district and looks at the long and short term views if the issue.11 comments; last on Feb 06, 2013
A note from the publisher
Sat, Feb 02, 2013, 12:18 pm // John Servais
The Chuckanut Park District ballot issue has another 10 days to run. A few notes about NWCitizen and this issue.11 comments; last on Feb 05, 2013
Chuckanut Mountains and the Park District
Fri, Feb 01, 2013, 4:16 pm // Guest writer
Dr. Gibb explains some history to the issue in a brief article.8 comments; last on Feb 03, 2013
Former Park Directors Against Park District Proposal
Thu, Jan 31, 2013, 1:36 pm // Guest writer
Paul Leuthold and Byron Elmendorf explain why to vote NO on the Chuckanut Park District ballot measure.19 comments; last on Feb 12, 2013
It Is Not a Vote to Save The Forest
Thu, Jan 31, 2013, 1:26 am // Guest writer
Guest post by long time south side resident Marci (Hanson) Haskell on why to vote no on the Park District5 comments; last on Feb 01, 2013
Why I am voting NO on the Park Disttict
Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 10:40 am // John Servais
The Park District is a panic action that over taxes a small group. A city wide solution is by far the better way to proceed.13 comments; last on Jan 31, 2013
Wise Owl Knows What to Do
Tue, Jan 29, 2013, 6:25 pm // Guest writer
Bill Geyer explains Transfer Development Rights and how they can be applied to the Chuckanut Ridge.17 comments; last on Feb 05, 2013
Why to vote NO on proposed Park District
Sat, Jan 26, 2013, 9:18 pm // Guest writer
Phyllis McKee on why to oppose and the importance of voting no if you are against the Park District.13 comments; last on Jan 29, 2013
Beautiful Park
Sat, Jan 26, 2013, 12:49 pm // Guest writer
6 comments; last on Feb 05, 2013
Feb 12 election: Bham Southside Only
Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 5:09 pm // John Servais
15 comments; last on Jan 31, 2013
Prop 1: New Parks District is Wrong Approach
Thu, Jan 24, 2013, 10:49 am // Guest writer
30 comments; last on Jan 31, 2013
Chuckanut Ridge: Due diligence or negligence?
Sun, Oct 02, 2011, 9:29 am // Larry Horowitz
How spending $1,000 could save millions on the acquisition of Chuckanut Ridge11 comments; last on Oct 03, 2011
Chuckanut Ridge: Good Deal, Bad Deal?
Mon, Sep 26, 2011, 12:59 am // Tip Johnson
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe15 comments; last on Sep 29, 2011
A People’s Victory - and a Rare One
Thu, Sep 01, 2011, 11:21 pm // John Servais
7 comments; last on Sep 09, 2011
City to buy Chuckanut Ridge for $8.2 million
Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 9:26 am // John Servais
Last night the Bellingham City Council approved the purchase of Chuckanut Ridge for $8.2 million3 comments; last on Aug 16, 2011
It’s finally done…except the lessons
Mon, Aug 15, 2011, 11:49 pm // Tip Johnson
Should we accept or dig into Chuckanut Ridge?21 comments; last on Aug 30, 2011
Chuckanut Ridge now fully owned by bank
Fri, Jul 22, 2011, 4:52 pm // John Servais
Washington Federal has bought out Greenbriar's interest in Chuckanut Ridge.3 comments; last on Jul 25, 2011
Washington Federal forecloses on Fairhaven Highlands
Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 2:38 pm // John Servais
Bank opens way to sell Chuckanut 100 Acre Woods to city.6 comments; last on Mar 16, 2011
Eric Hirst Resigns Greenways Committee
Tue, Nov 09, 2010, 6:04 pm // Guest writer
Eric explains his resignation from the Greenways Advisory Committee and lists his concerns.1 comments; last on Nov 10, 2010
WAFed’s best option: Accept City’s offer on Chuckanut Ridge
Sat, Nov 06, 2010, 11:22 am // Larry Horowitz
Why Washington Federal's best option is to accept Bellingham's offer to take Fairhaven Highlands off its hands6 comments; last on Nov 14, 2010
Open letter to Bellingham Planning Director Jeff Thomas re: Fairhaven Highlands application deadline
Sun, Oct 31, 2010, 7:20 pm // Larry Horowitz
Updated Sun, Oct 31. An open letter to Bellingham Planning Director Jeff Thomas re: Fairhaven Highlands application deadline12 comments; last on Oct 28, 2010
A letter to the Bellingham City Council
Thu, Aug 05, 2010, 10:28 am // John Servais
We ask why the EIS extension was given to the Chuckanut Ridge developers when the city is negotiating to buy the property.0 comments
City bumbles on Chuckanut Ridge extension
Wed, Aug 04, 2010, 10:12 am // John Servais
Bellingham Planning Department is giving quiet extensions to the Chuckanut Ridge developer - propping up the property value.1 comments; last on Aug 04, 2010
Chuckanut Ridge Development Gets Extension
Mon, Aug 02, 2010, 3:30 pm // John Servais
Bellingham Planning Department gave a three month extension, till Oct 29, to Greenbriar2 comments; last on Aug 02, 2010
City working to buy Chuckanut Ridge
Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 6:21 pm // John Servais
Bellingham council and mayor are working to buy the 80 acres of Chuckanut Ridge development for a bargain price. Washington Federal does not want the land.1 comments; last on Jan 12, 2010
Horizon Bank closed by FDIC
Fri, Jan 08, 2010, 9:02 pm // John Servais
Fate of proposed Chuckanut Ridge development continues to be a concern.2 comments; last on Jan 09, 2010
Fairhaven Highlands killed by FDIC?
Tue, Dec 08, 2009, 2:29 pm // Larry Horowitz
BREAKING:On Dec 3, the FDIC issued a Supervisory Prompt Corrective Action Directive to Horizon Bank due to the bank’s critically undercapitalized status as of Sep
8 comments; last on Dec 09, 2009
The Elusive Truth About Chuckanut Ridge/Fairhaven Highlands
Sat, Dec 05, 2009, 9:00 am // Tip Johnson
I always hate public issues that involve decades of history and require integration of multiple points. I refer to it as 'the indignity of explanation.' Public interest advocates…9 comments; last on Dec 09, 2009
City negligence spawns class-action lawsuit
Fri, Dec 04, 2009, 11:50 am // Larry Horowitz
Bellingham, WA
A series of recent landslides around the perimeter of Chuckanut Ridge, which caused substantial property damage, several injuries a
9 comments; last on Dec 08, 2009
Know your…friends?
Tue, Oct 27, 2009, 1:20 pm // Tip Johnson
This is probably old news to Responsible Development advocates, but just in case, here's a little heads up on TIm Stewart. He appears to have experience with developments…3 comments; last on Oct 28, 2009
Crosscut publishes article on Fairhaven Highlands
Mon, Oct 26, 2009, 12:02 pm // Larry Horowitz
Professional journalist and local resident, Bob Simmons, has published an article entitled Horizon Bank and the fate of Fairhaven Highlands on the Seattle-based Crosscut.com3 comments; last on Oct 29, 2009Thoughts on the Fairhaven Highlands Draft EIS
Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 4:11 pm // Larry Horowitz
Channel 10…
1 comments; last on Oct 30, 2009
Public Hearing tonight on Fairhaven Highlands
Tue, Oct 20, 2009, 4:39 pm // John Servais
Public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Fairhaven Highlands is tonight, Tuesday, October 20 at 6 pm at the Whatcom County Courthouse.You wo
1 comments; last on Oct 20, 2009
Why the Fairhaven Highlands Draft EIS violates SEPA law
Sun, Oct 18, 2009, 10:58 am // Larry Horowitz
And it’s not for the obvious reasons. Sure,
4 comments; last on Oct 19, 2009
Hope for Chuckanut Ridge
Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 5:20 pm // Larry Horowitz
If you are interested in saving Chuckanut Ridge, there is some glimmer of hope for preserving this ecologically-rich and environmentally-sensitive property. If you are willing to make a…3 comments; last on Oct 04, 2009
Divesting Fairhaven Highlands: An open letter to Tim Stewart, Bellingham Director of Planning
Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 9:41 am // Larry Horowitz
As I write this letter, I am reminded of a comment by a former planning department staffer who claimed he knew he had done his job…
2 comments; last on Apr 11, 2009
Opinion for hire: Part 2 - Admission of errors
Sat, Apr 04, 2009, 12:30 pm // Larry Horowitz
On February 20th, I wrote a column about the Chuckanut Ridge / Fairhaven Highlands mature forested wetlands and the failure of Horizon Bank’s wetland consultant to properly rate…4 comments; last on Apr 06, 2009
Barbara’s response
Mon, Mar 02, 2009, 12:33 am // Guest writer
Jack Weiss, a member of the Bellingham City Council, has submitted this response to the Feb 27 post.----------
Barbara, as the author of this piece, tries to state a…
4 comments; last on Mar 17, 2009
Greenways III: Policy and Practice Disaster
Fri, Feb 27, 2009, 7:11 pm // Guest writer
Barbara Ryan, Terry Bornemann and Gene Knutson, all members of the Bellingham City Council, have submitted this guest article.--------
Until now, we have chosen to let our record…
4 comments; last on Mar 01, 2009
Opinion for hire: Part 1
Fri, Feb 20, 2009, 9:57 am // Larry Horowitz
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Jungle, Upton Sinclair observed, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.”4 comments; last on Feb 23, 2009
Top ten list for the next buyer of Chuckanut Ridge / Fairhaven Highlands
Sat, Feb 07, 2009, 11:17 am // Larry Horowitz
If you happen to find yourself in the market for an 82-acre hilly swamp wholly encumbered by critical areas like steep slopes and mature-forested Category 1 wetlands in…0 comments
Much ado about nothing … or… Why the Fairhaven Highlands EIS is meaningless
Wed, Feb 04, 2009, 12:54 pm // Larry Horowitz
Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not claiming that the Fairhaven Highlands environmental impact statement (EIS) does not have the potential to be meaningful. However, in its present form,9 comments; last on Feb 05, 2009
How Horizon Bank chose greed over the safety of its community
Tue, Feb 03, 2009, 1:05 am // Larry Horowitz
I really pity Horizon Bank’s CEO Rich Jacobson. His predecessor, Laury Evans, sure left him a bad hand to play. Not only is Mr. Jacobson faced with the…2 comments; last on Mar 02, 2009
Chuckanut Ridge in a nutshell
Sun, Jan 25, 2009, 9:59 pm // Larry Horowitz
In recent weeks, the Chuckanut Ridge / Greenways 3 mêlée has been blown way out of proportion and has become nothing more than an irritating sideshow. Personally, I…0 comments
Deconstructing Chuckanut Ridge
Wed, Jan 14, 2009, 8:28 pm // John Servais
23 comments; last on Jan 17, 2009
Chuckanut Ridge: The real land supply implications
Sat, Aug 09, 2008, 7:10 pm // Larry Horowitz
On his personal blog, former City Councilman John Watts has written a column entitled, “Chuckanut Ridge: Land Supply Implications” in which he concludes, “without a reasonable level12 comments; last on Aug 11, 2008
Neiner, Neiner - The private benefits of avoiding public dialog
Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 6:18 pm // Tip Johnson
The dialog over the proposed Fairhaven Highlands development has deteriorated into a childish "neiner-neiner" squabble. Opponents continuously propose a host of rational objections while a few propon2 comments; last on Apr 15, 2008
More government waste on the Horizon?
Sat, Mar 01, 2008, 12:28 pm // Larry Horowitz
You don’t need to be Nostradamus to make this prediction: Bellingham city officials are about to waste precious staff time and taxpayer resources preparing an environmental impact statem6 comments; last on Mar 03, 2008
To vest or not to vest: Chuckanut Ridge & the CAO
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 10:13 pm // Larry Horowitz
After an extended hiatus, the battle over Chuckanut Ridge has begun to heat up again. In one corner: landowners Horizon Bank and David Edelstein. In the other corner:…2 comments; last on Feb 19, 2008
Save the Woods?
Wed, Jan 16, 2008, 3:33 pm // Tip Johnson
Or how to mitigate the illegitimacies of Fairhaven Highlands, AKA Chuckanut Ridge and the Hundred Acre Woods.Sorry, I didn't have time to write something short!
Tonight (1/16/2008) a
2 comments; last on Jan 16, 2008
Candidates and candidon’ts
Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 9:40 pm // John Servais
Podcasts of last night's forum will be posted online by KGMI about noon tomorrow. I will post links here when they go up. Meanwhile, you might check Sam…0 comments
Deja vu of 1996
Sun, Jun 12, 2005, 5:35 pm // Site Management
Chuckanut Ridge is a controversy now - and it is deja vu of 1996. On October '96, NwCitizen broke new information and posted three reports that helped to…0 comments
Herald Distorts Facts In Favor Of Developer
Sun, Oct 20, 1996, 12:00 pm // John Servais
With Facts Wrong, Discussion Is Skewed0 comments
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