Noise Issue Reflects Larger City Infill Problems
Bellingham needs to do a better job of protecting quality of life and health impacts that flow from infill
Bellingham needs to do a better job of protecting quality of life and health impacts that flow from infill
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoRiley Sweeney examines Sen. Ericksen’s legislative methods
A variance request without merit is the centerpiece of a development proposal to construct a complex of four dormitory-style buildings among single family homes in the Puget Neighborhood
The County wants to exempt the Birch Bay UGA from the requirement to follow current version of stormwater standards in the DOE stormwater manual.
The County Council fails to enact updated stormwater standards that are 2 1/2 years overdue.
In what is becoming a hallmark of the Linville administration, the mayor is seeking funding for an off-site wetland mitigation program that has not yet been approved.
4 comments, most recent 11 years agoEdward Snowden is a very courageous patriot, in the opinion of the publisher of NWCitizen.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoIntersection art - the painting of a design on the actual streets - is being developed in the Happy Valley neighborhood.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoOver at the Political Junkie, Riley Sweeney has a report on one criteria the Herald uses to reject letters to the editor.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoD-Day forgotten.
City Council passes long-debated ban 4 to 3. It is effective in 2014.
Wherein various comments are compiled and compounded, and citizens encouraged to act
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoIdeologically Stubborn Council Majority Ignores Existing Industrial Zoning for Slaughter and Meat Processing Operations
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoLuba Pekisheva has been given a confusing run around in our Whatcom County courts for over three years. Judges, prosecutors and clerks have all participated.
1 comment, most recent 9 years agoJeffrey Margolis urges us to request the Nooksack South Fork Valley be included in the Coal Port environmental study.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoMarian Beddill provides a general guide for the public, with a look at the history of water rights in Washington state.
4 comments, most recent 11 years agoBy Guest Writer Nicole Brown. This is a call to action for county citizens as the county tries to ram through the slaughterhouse rezones.
7 comments, most recent 11 years agoYou can give your money, normally dished out to fireworks manufacturers and distributors, to organizations that help our disabled veterans. Change the way we celebrate Independence Day.
Tuesday morning and nothing in today’s Bellingham Herald. Nor online. We provide the basics to fill in this latest omission by our “daily” newspaper.
9 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe public process on the revised waterfront plans is an empty charade
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoThe political censor police are listening to you
5 comments, most recent 11 years agoSome very important issues with respect to the University Ridge private dormitory project in the Puget Neighborhood will not be considered in the approval process.
10 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe City Planning Commission Advocates “Free Market Capitalism” Approach to Waterfront Planning.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoA recent letter by the Parks Department fails to contain reassurance that the geese will be safe from extermination this year.
Ambling University Development has proposed building private, off-campus dormitory buildings in the Puget Neighborhood. Their revised proposal was submitted on 29 April.
Paul deArmond is remembered by his sister Claire. He was a Republican-at-Large.
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoHelp fund a scientific study looking for links between diesel locomotives, coal trains and unhealthy air.
Wendy Scherrer reminds all who support modest sized grade schools to try and attend the meeting Wed, May 8, in the evening.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe Humane Society is bringing herding dogs to control Silver Lake geese, but it is not an optimal situation for success.
The County Parks Department has allocated funding for playground equipment, but has not allocated funding for wildlife management planning.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoNew York Times columnist, Paul Krugman, has a masterful short article that explains why austerity is not working.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe only urgency underscored by the Silver Lake geese is the urgency of enacting a comprehensive wildlife strategy.
4 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe Gristle in today’s Cascadia Weekly is devoted to a tribute to Paul de Armond. Tim Johnson gets it right.
Riley attends Tea Party training and runs afoul of Rep. Overstreet
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoWell known political writer has died.
5 comments, most recent 11 years agoThere will be no due process for the Canada geese, or the public, before the County Parks Department lethally removes the geese from Silver Lake
4 comments, most recent 11 years agoWherein we see how the Ds do the work the Rs can’t get away with
7 comments, most recent 11 years agoWherein the people who call capping a clean-up say toxics safe enough for day care.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoThe Waterfront District Sub-Area Plan needs policies that favor adaptive reuse and preservation of historic waterfront structures
Wherein we complain about the City and Port stealing from the public
6 comments, most recent 11 years agoDangerous fireworks likely to continue being sold in Bellingham for this 4th of July
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoThe city’s proposed new Economic Development Chapter is based on an outdated economic theory
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoNew slaughterhouse proposal “wishes away” current agricultural zoning restrictions.
10 comments, most recent 11 years agoIt seems that for Apple products, you do not really own that hard drive… as a journalist recently discovered.
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoGovernment agencies responsible for the GPT project have completed review of the scoping comments.
A beneficial reuse provision in the Waterfront District Sub-Area Plan would allow construction materials that are contaminated with bioaccumulative toxins.
The City Planning Department has included a technical document in the waterfront proposal without disclosing important impacts.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoWherein the Cattlemen define ‘small scale’ as an unlimited number of facilities of up to 50 million live pounds per year.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoWherein the rate base gets a soaking while officials keep big-bubble toking
7 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe Bellingham Herald article today is wrong. There is no hearing tomorrow, March 20
Wendy Harris writes about the proposed $8 million concrete bridge along the Bellingham waterfront - using Greenways funds to build.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoSeveral complaints to the city seem to have occasioned a postponement of a height variance hearing until a complete development proposal is submitted.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoGuest writer Shane Roth writes in favor of the reconveyance of Lake Whatcom land back to the county.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoDelaine Clizbe guest writes. Whatcom County has 7,100 acres of park land, with 1,900 acres actually developed. Yet we keep adding land, and not developing our parks.
16 comments, most recent 11 years agoYou are not likely to escape the coming transfer of $billions from your pocket to the health insurance industry. You will get little, if anything, in return.
4 comments, most recent 11 years agoWherein it’s even worse when the legislation is about sausage
Do we need to recreate the sounds and sights of the battlefield when doing so brings pain and suffering to our combat veterans?
Wherein the ironies of life are explored and the necessities of life are contemplated
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoA variance request pending before the City could create a loophole for developers seeking to avoid compliance with development standards.
5 comments, most recent 11 years agoRiley details upcoming merger between PeaceHealth and a much more conservative entity
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoThere is a private sector development proposal to house approximately 600 students in the Puget Neighborhood on 11 acres to the east of Nevada St.
5 comments, most recent 11 years agoWherein artists have to eat, too!
Riley Sweeney has posted a great video clip of Sen. Doug Ericksen flouting rules and legal procedures at a Senate hearing in Olympia.
The election created a new park district with taxing power - but with NO control over Chuckanut Ridge - the 100 acre woods.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoAn “Updated Preferred Alternative” reduces the number of waterfront jobs and expands the boundary of the waterfront district.
Wherein the Slaughterhouse Ken and Barbie show present Slaughterville, their new vision for Whatcom County
9 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe Park District vote is close and we will not know final results until late ballots are counted.
6 comments, most recent 11 years agoParticipate in the public process by commenting on the new Economic Development chapter to the city comprehensive plan
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoThe proponents have avoided the issues on the Park District as the close of voting nears this weekend.
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoWhen is a vote No the most positive and common sense action? Check the park district opponents website to learn why.
15 comments, most recent 11 years agoThis Park District proposal has several ironic twists and facets - some involving the advocates.
9 comments, most recent 11 years agoNicholas Zaferatos explains why he is concerned about the park district and looks at the long and short term views if the issue.
11 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe Chuckanut Park District ballot issue has another 10 days to run. A few notes about NWCitizen and this issue.
11 comments, most recent 11 years agoDr. Gibb explains some history to the issue in a brief article.
8 comments, most recent 11 years agoPaul Leuthold and Byron Elmendorf explain why to vote NO on the Chuckanut Park District ballot measure.
19 comments, most recent 11 years agoGuest post by long time south side resident Marci (Hanson) Haskell on why to vote no on the Park District
5 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe 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, most recent 11 years agoThe planning commission no longer serves its purpose due to Council’s poor appointment choices
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoBill Geyer explains Transfer Development Rights and how they can be applied to the Chuckanut Ridge.
17 comments, most recent 11 years agoImproving ecosystem functions holistically is the best form of protection for the Lake Whatcom.
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoPhyllis McKee on why to oppose and the importance of voting no if you are against the Park District.
13 comments, most recent 11 years agoDan Remsen speaks to the beauty of the Chuckanut Park and why to vote for the Park District.
6 comments, most recent 11 years agoUpdated Sat, Jan 26. A primer on the special Parks District election - and where to find more info.
15 comments, most recent 11 years agoBy Bill Geyer. South Bellingham citizens vote over the next couple weeks on a self tax to form a park district and pay the Chuckanut Ridge debt.
30 comments, most recent 11 years agoLinks to a few noteworthy GPT scoping comments .
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoRiley looks into Ericksen’s legislative efforts this session
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoA proposed amendment to the Lake Whatcom watershed moratorium will increase water quality degradation
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoA digression from politics. Checking with Green Bay relatives turns up an unexpected hope by fans there.
Tim Johnson writes about the first recipient of the Paul deArmond Citizen Journalism award, Whatcom County writer Wendy Harris.
3 comments, most recent 10 years agoWatch the Whatcom County Council wiggle its way out of the latest round of GMA compliance requirements for Lake Whatcom
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoCouncil majority willing to spend, and spend, and spend public funds defending development rights
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoA needed correction and apology for an error in a story that has been pulled.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoA comparison of U.S. and Canadian attitudes and policies for taxes and fiscal integrity. By a Canadian citizen.
7 comments, most recent 11 years agoThe Tunnel Creek avalanche and three skiers’ deaths last February was a confusing tragedy. Experts killed. How did it happen?
A dramatic video of yet another mudslide near Everett - and what will be coming down on coal trains. Amtrak service to Bellingham is shut down.
4 comments, most recent 11 years agoIf you or a friend are in foreclosure, or an attorney defending someone, then hopefully you already know about this. If not… here it is.
2 comments, most recent 11 years agoPer capita, Washington is one of the top states nationwide for providing private business incentives.
A giant coal freighter went right through the long dock early Friday morning. Nothing in print edition of Herald
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoWherein citizens must hold their representatives’ feet to the fire
6 comments, most recent 11 years agoAn Ineffective Starling Control Contract That Provides A Subsidy To Farmers Should Be Removed From the County Council Budget
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoThe proposal to allow slaughterhouses and rendering plants in the agriculture zone ignores nearby, and more appropriate, rural industrial zoning.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoHoss Unplugged, November 30 will Honk the York Neighborhood’s Tonk
Wherein that local political junkie, Riley Sweeney, has written up a comprehensive analysis of 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Proposed Stormwater Standards For Lake Whatcom Watershed Protect Developers Rather Than Lake
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoRiley examines why the new jail site was selected without public input
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoA light and short take on the Democratic Party celebration at the VFW Post meeting hall. And a heavy bit on national politics.
18 comments, most recent 12 years agoThe Whatcom county Voters’ Pamphlet containing misleading and untrue statements by unregistered, unaccountable and anonymous front groups.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoAn letter to the County Council on opening the county to the slaughter industry
8 comments, most recent 12 years agoCounty Council ready to move forward despite the many remaining questions regaring public health and safety
8 comments, most recent 12 years agoHere’s your shot at fame and glory as a political pundit
4 comments, most recent 12 years agoWashington voters have wisely turned down three attempts to create charter schools in this state. They should replicate these defeats in 2012.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoRiley talks about the Seattle Times, Newsweek and the future of Print Media
Reduced public services and facilities yet another public cost for private development
The Lummi Nation Declares Their Sovereign Objectives at Cherry Point
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoRiley pores through Rep. Jason Overstreet’s legislative record
7 comments, most recent 12 years agoRiley examines Rep. Vincent Buys’ legislative record
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoHarriet Spanel and Ken Hertz on why we should vote YES to increase the Port of Bellingham to 5 commissioners.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoJack Petree, guest writer, points out serious flaws in Bellingham Prop 1, the Home Fund, that is intended to help the poor get housing.
18 comments, most recent 12 years agoBellingham Business Journal breaking story - Lummi’s to hold meeting today at noon to speak against the Cherry Point project.
7 comments, most recent 12 years agoA proposal to zone slaugherhouses on agricultural land will have negative consequences for farmers and residents.
12 comments, most recent 12 years agoPrecedent is plentiful of the Feds censoring free speech and videos - but double standard is protecting anti-Islam film.
6 comments, most recent 12 years agoIrrational and uninformed last minute opposition derails 5+ year effort to protect Lake Whatcom.
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoVoting intelligently seems too hard for many Americans. But in other countries they wish self government was so easy.
9 comments, most recent 12 years agoThe City has released its letter, but not its poor policy determination regarding exemption from the Public Records Act.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoThe Bellingham city attorney today released the full letter from mayor Kelli Linville to Costco in June.
Riley patiently explains to the Whatcom Excavator what a flowchart should look like
Marian Beddill will be reading from and signing copies of her recent autobiography. Expect thrills, danger, lust and adventure.
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoIs a popular but flawed philosophy affecting local government policy?
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoOver at the Political Junkie, Riley Sweeney has posted a long and interesting interview with our U.S. Congress Rep Rick Larsen
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoDavid Maas, a retired college prof, asks why the city of Bellingham is supposedly powerless to stop the development of a private project that will reshape our community?
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoRiley sits down with Matt Petryni with Power Past Coal to get the latest scoop
Wikileaks founder spoke from a safe open window to the people of the world. His words are important to the future of democracy and freedoms.
4 comments, most recent 12 years agoA radical truth trying to gain traction
10 comments, most recent 12 years agoExploring the myths and reality of accommodating population growth
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoSuzanne Ravet, a member of Coal-Free Bellingham, explains why she supports the Bellingham Community Bill of Rights
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoThe Mayor’s Negotiations With Costco Undercuts City Permit Procedures And Public Process
4 comments, most recent 12 years agoFewer development proposals will be subject to environmental review and public process under interim state law
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoQuestions raised by the Superior Court’s barring of the Bellingham Community Bill of Rights initiative from being placed on the ballot.
21 comments, most recent 12 years agoGraphics projected on building each night in effort to bring attention to threatened building
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoNew report suggests U.S. weather stations reporting higher temperatures because NOAA has poorly managed sensors and caused false higher readings.
11 comments, most recent 12 years ago… the person who recently had this to say about the Sunnyland Neighborhood rezone application
9 comments, most recent 12 years agoWhere a planning staff desire for view corridors in the Fairhaven plan yields a view corridor that does nothing for views.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoRiley gathers quotes, video footage and pictures from the recent tea party forum
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoWind towers disproportionately kill raptors and bats, which has the potential to create signficant ecosystem imbalance.
4 comments, most recent 12 years agoWherein we see the Railroad walking it’s walk while we get ready to talk our talk.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoWanted: Someone to interpret chamber president Oplinger’s remarks
13 comments, most recent 12 years agoRiley interviews judicial candidates, reviews campaign tactics, and discusses fireworks
A special - short notice - Port of Bellingham Commission meeting on Thursday, June 28 starting at 8:30 a.m.
6 comments, most recent 12 years agoPort Commissioner Scott Walker and attorney Frank Chmelik get caught ballot-rigging again
20 comments, most recent 12 years agoThe Northwest Business Club has invited Stoney Bird to speak at their meeting tomorrow, Wednesday. Here is their radio commercial as heard on KGMI.
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoHealthy ecosystems provide important benefits to humans and are sustained through wildlife corridors that protect biodiversity.
4 comments, most recent 12 years agoEfficient markets use available information to adjust prices. But consumers don’t have all the information. Here’s help.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoHereby hoping to stimulate discussion of what expanding the Port Commission is meant to achieve, what constitutes good government and how we might best achieve it.
18 comments, most recent 12 years agoThe recall of Wisconsin governor Scott Walker failed - failed big. Here is another 2 cents worth of opinion - from a Wisconsin conservative.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoWherein the port proves they are incompetent to do the public’s business
Port Commissioners plan to change their Port Expansion resolution on Tuesday - based on advice from port attorney Chmelik. No notice of this item on the agenda.
6 comments, most recent 12 years agoThe Birch Bay Watershed Action Plan needs to do a better job of protecting and restoring habitat.
A case for eliminating consumer fireworks in Bellingham city limits
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoAfter years of debate, the County Council may be requesting that DNR approve the Reconveyance
A short plea for public involvement from Riley
Footage overlooking the Fairhaven area
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoIn today’s Cascadia Weekly, Tim Johnson analyses the Port Commissioner meeting and the shenanigans of Walker and Chmelik.
A City staff memo on the Bloedel dock closure reads more like an advocacy brief
Port Commissioners McAuley and Jorgensen voted to put on November ballot the question of expanding commission from 3 to 5 members.
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoToday’s Cascadia Weekly rips the Port staff on changed waterfront plans and sees 5 commissioners as possible solution to poor decision making.
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoDioxin contaminated sediment dredged from Squalicum Harbor, dumped at the Cornwall Landfill, may be spread across the R.G. Haley site.
Treaty Rights and Public Rights Ignored During Joint Port/City Meeting on Status of Waterfront Redevelopment
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoThe Joe Show had John Servais on the air for a full hour on Thursday - and we link to the pod cast.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoBellingham Port Reform has a Facebook page, courtesy of Tip Johnson.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoPort of Bellingham signed lease a month ago to hoopla and now the boat builder is exiting for Anacortes.
11 comments, most recent 12 years agoSeveral people will be urging the Port of Bellingham commissioners to place the question of expanding to 5 commissioners on the ballot.
A county wide initiative will allow voters to decide whether to expand the Port of Bellingham commission from 3 to 5 commissioners.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoRiley attended the Whatcom GOP Convention and reports back
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoToday’s Bellingham Herald carries an article from Sheldon, with facts, falsehoods and his perspective on his forced resignation as Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham.
Developers are gaming the system with help from the county government - and big changes are made in multiple small changes.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoWill donuts prove more important than street trees?
10 comments, most recent 12 years agoA 26 minute video of the port commissioners explaining their positions on the firing of executive director Charlie Sheldon is posted.
7 comments, most recent 12 years agoAt 3 p.m. today - Tuesday, April 17 - the Port of Bellingham meets. Let’s attend and support rehiring Charlie Sheldon.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoThe Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 p.m. This post is non political - unless you want to draw a parallel with recent Port of Bellingham events.
Friday update: Herald reports Jim Jorgensen could change his mind on firing of Port of Bellingham Executive Director Charlie Sheldon
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoAn illegal serial Port Commission meeting should be investigated by the State Auditor, and two commissioners should be made accountable for their actions.
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoWherein the shenanigans start smelling too fishy to tolerate
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoThe issue is not sprawl or infill, but the money to be made by the type of infill and its placement
7 comments, most recent 12 years agoKen Mann writes a guest article of his personal support for the Padden Trails development inside the Bellingham city limits.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoAn Online petition has been posted where citizens can sign on to request the Port Commissioners revote on Charlie Sheldon’s termination.
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoState law allows us to pass an initiative and increase the number of port commissioners from three to five. Thanks to Harriet Spanel.
4 comments, most recent 12 years agoPort Commissioner Mike McAuley did everything he could do to change Jim Jorgensen’s mind. Jim and Scott Walker forced Charlie Sheldon out.
6 comments, most recent 12 years agoWhere to begin? Misinformation. Disinformation. Truths. Myths. Same old, same old. Paradigm shift. GMA. OFM. Growth pressures. Population loss. Growth subsidies. Proportionate share.
36 comments, most recent 12 years agoThis morning, Charlie Sheldon, unexpectedly resigned as Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham.
10 comments, most recent 12 years agoA thanks to Kelli Linville for her quiet and effective solution to the onerous red light cameras dilemma.
Development at Bloedel Park ignores impacts to important shoreline habitat
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoGuest writer Bill Geyer, who is the consultant for the Padden Trails Development, presents facts and perspective on the development.
34 comments, most recent 12 years agoA new private website displays crimes by dates, on a Bellingham map, or by graphs for all citizens to use.
5 comments, most recent 12 years agoBy guest writer Mike Rostron. Sunnyland residents support infill but not overfill. The old Department of Transportation site on Sunset is the development site.
40 comments, most recent 12 years agoJust a short note about nwcitizen past few weeks effort
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoThe City Council outlines their agenda for the coming year
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoRiley gets to the bottom of this in a NWCitizen Exclusive
4 comments, most recent 12 years agoYet another neighborhood wants the Planning Department to protect public health, safety, and general welfare
6 comments, most recent 12 years agoRiley at The Political Junkie attends a forum of Congressional Candidates, and a town hall meeting in Lynden