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Candidate statement: Liz Darrow for Bellingham Council

Ward 3 position on the Bellingham City Council

Ward 3 position on the Bellingham City Council

By
• Topics: Bellingham, Elections,

For 24 years, I have lived, raised my family and worked in Bellingham. I’m proud of this community, and I want everyone who lives here to lead a vibrant and dignified life. This campaign is inspired by families, workers, neighborhoods, our homes - in short, I’m running for our community. I’m running especially for those who are not currently adequately represented by local elected officials. I believe real representation is essential for good governance. I envision a political environment where every person who lives in Bellingham can access and participate in the governing spaces that impact their daily lives.

As a legislative advocate with Community to Community Development, I work on policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Some of the “wins” that I have helped to achieve include blocking the Farm Workforce Modernization Act at the federal level; passing the first overtime bill for farmworkers in the nation in 2019 through the state legislature; and co-writing the ordinance that established the Immigration Advisory Board with the City of Bellingham. I also worked with impacted families to establish Raid Relief to Reunite Families after the ICE raid on Granite Precast in 2018. As co-chair of the Lettered Streets Neighborhood Association, I advocated for the first ever youth representative to be elected to our board, and work to include underrepresented voices in our neighborhood.

I am proud to be endorsed by the Lummi Nation, Representative Debra Lekanoff, The 42nd Legislative District Democrats, Bellingham Tenants Union, and many others who recognize the need for truly responsive governance in this moment. To me, endorsements are more than just a transactional way to get elected, they are about relationships and accountability. When elected, I will continue to work with and for every person who calls Bellingham home. 

It is time for bold leadership with integrity, to implement the solutions that the community is demanding. Bellingham is experiencing crises at every level - climate, housing, mental health and drug addiction, poverty and unmitigated trauma. We have an opportunity right now to elect leaders who will not rely on old systems of punishment and comfort-seeking governance. I am motivated to integrate the priorities and solutions of the people living here who are most impacted by these crises, and to find and release funding immediately to address our critical needs. 

Earlier this year, I had the honor of being invited to help draft a housing platform called The Big Lift, which offers a framework to provide shelter for every person living here. As ambitious as that sounds, I believe it is our government’s responsibility to provide a floor beneath which we will not let people fall. It is unconscionable that sixty four people (that we know of) died last year from living outside. It is unacceptable that families have to choose between paying skyrocketing rents and providing food or health care for their children. We have an obligation as a community to take care of each other, and I believe that the budgetary and policy tools are right in front of us to do it.  

The challenges we face are systemic, and global. And systems can’t stop for people. We the people are the only ones that can change our systems. Today we have to be more creative than ever, and more patient with each other, and more steadfast in the ways we show up for and with each other. Ballots come out this week. Right now we have a unique opportunity to decide how we want to move forward together. I’m ready and excited to engage our whole community in this work, and I expect this community to hold me accountable, especially after I am elected to city council. Please reach out to me at www.lizdarrow.com to continue the conversation. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent you.  

Candidate statement: Liz Darrow for Bellingham Council

By CandidateOn Oct 19, 2023

Ward 3 position on the Bellingham City Council

Memorial Event for Wendy Harris

By Dick ConoboyOn Oct 19, 2023

Wendy was an intrepid voice for the environment and the humane treatment of animals. May her memory be for a blessing.

3 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Candidate Statement: Donnell ‘Tank’ Tanksley for Sheriff

By CandidateOn Oct 19, 2023

Whatcom County Sheriff is elected by all county voters, including those in Bellingham, Ferndale and other towns.

Signing On To Medicare Advantage?  Don’t!

By Dick ConoboyOn Oct 18, 2023

Or at least, take a moment to learn about the privatization of Medicare, commonly called Medicare [Dis]Advantage.

1 comment, most recent 1 year ago

Housing: Problems AND Solutions

By Guest WriterOn Oct 15, 2023

An in-depth look at local housing: insightful, researched, and provocative.

5 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Candidate Statement: Doug Chadwick for Whatcom County Sheriff

By CandidateOn Oct 02, 2023

Whatcom County Sheriff voted on by registered voters in Whatcom County

The Hazards of Metal Shredding near Bellingham: Cancer, Pollution and Fire

By Guest WriterOn Oct 02, 2023

The passage of time alone will not save Bellingham from this dangerous situation. Only strong and persistent action on the part of its citizens will be effective against this menace.

Scrap Metal Pile Includes Many Hazards and Few Benefits

By Guest WriterOn Sep 27, 2023

[Our Guest Writer, Scott Jones, is a Bellingham resident along with his family.  He is President of ...

7 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Proposed Congressional Gold Medal For The Donut Dollies Gets a Boost

By Dick ConoboyOn Sep 24, 2023

The President of the American Red Cross has come out in support of the Gold Medal for the Dollies who served in Vietnam

A Tribute to Wendy Harris

By NWCitizen ManagementOn Sep 05, 2023

We reprint the 2014 speech she gave upon accepting the Paul deArmond Award.

6 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Getting What You Pay For

By Jon HumphreyOn Aug 28, 2023

$3.5 million Point Roberts Broadband project: is it worth it?

1 comment, most recent 1 year ago

Renewed Push for a National Infrastructure Bank

By Dick ConoboyOn Jul 28, 2023

This legislation calls for a $5 trillion National Infrastructure Bank that will finance the nation’s infrastructure needs without involving the budget or adding to the national debt.

4 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Candidate Statement: Katherine Orlowski for County Council District 4

By CandidateOn Jul 28, 2023

Whatcom County Council District 4 position is voted for only by those living in the 4th District, the center of the county including Lynden.

1 comment, most recent 1 year ago

Candidate statement: Sukhwant Gill for County Executive

By CandidateOn Jul 24, 2023

Whatcom County Executive election, voted on by all residents of our county

Candidate Statement: Atul Deshmane for County Council

By CandidateOn Jul 14, 2023

Whatcom County Council At Large position, voted on by all residents of the county.

Support Russ Whidbee For City Council At-Large

By Dick ConoboyOn Jul 07, 2023

Experience counts.

3 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Flippin’ CityView

By Dick ConoboyOn Jun 29, 2023

The developer, who bought the property to build the private student dormitory, CityView, now has a very, very large white elephant on his hands.

3 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Define “Mandate”

By David Netboy On Jun 15, 2023

The Port contends it is mandated to increase revenue and jobs for the Port. But just what does that mean?

18 comments, most recent 1 year ago

Candidate statement: Garrett O’Brien for Bellingham City Council

By CandidateOn Jun 11, 2023

Bellingham City Council, At Large position, voted on by all residents of Bellingham.

Candidate statement: Riley Sweeney for Meridian School Board

By CandidateOn May 31, 2023

Meridian School Board election, position 5