This is a correction to an article posted here on Monday evening. The article has been pulled. In the article I said the retiring Bellingham fire chief was asked to resign because of private consulting work he was doing. While I did not name him, it was clear who I meant. Last evening, the retired chief, Bill Boyd, called me and categorically denied both working outside the department and being asked to resign. While I thought my story was sufficiently sourced before posting it, I have pulled the article and am posting this correction. I have also apologized to him personally.
In the 17 years of posting NWCitizen, I think this is the only major correction I've had to make. Still, I regret the apparent error very much and know what I have to adjust in order to avoid this in the future. The purpose of this site is to further the efforts of us citizens to know what is happening in our local governments - beyond what the news media tell us. I think complacency crept in and this is a good wakeup call. I will heed it.
Comments by Readers
Tip Johnson
Jan 02, 2013Spanking!
Michelle Luke
Jan 02, 2013To error is human, thank you for your prompt attention to correction. I am one reader who appreciates a stand up guy, or gal.
Wendy Harris
Jan 02, 2013I agree with Michelle. Thanks for the correction. I think that your article still stands on its own. Even without the COB employment issues, we lack open government at the local level.