Welcome. At 8:45 pm this evening, this website went live with its transformed design. You are looking at it. Yes, this is the Northwest Citizen that has been a political comment site since September 1995. And, yes, I'm John Servais the owner and until now the only writer of this site, with some help in the past from Tip Johnson. And what you are looking at is the result of many months of thinking how a citizen activated site should work.
You will see new writers. I will be one of several. You will be able to comment - so long as we actually know who you are. Those few persons in sensitive jobs who normally do not enjoy freedom of speech - those employed by government agencies and WWU - can register to use an anon handle. But I need to know who they are. If they do not want me to know then we are making arrangements for a law firm to register them - so long as an attorney knows who they are. You can apply online - but we only activate commenting ability after we have verified you are you. We are not trying to be a blog where all can comment. This site wants to present good articles and intelligent comments that inform the citizens who come to this site.
This site aims for candid, informed and lively political writing and comments. We will also have writing about sports, arts, travel and every subject that humans are interested in - but the politics will dominate. Local Bellingham and Whatcom County politics is our prime focus. We certainly have our work cut out for us.
We are posting up all the articles from the old site - but this will take a couple weeks or more. If you want to visit the old site, go to [url=http://www.nwcitizen.us/oldsite]http://www.nwcitizen.us/oldsite[/url] and you can browse it. We will provide a link to it soon.
So - welcome. You find articles by searching. There are no archives to endlessly scroll through. The Northwest Citizen Experience will be a bit different from any site you have visited - but it will provide you with what you want to read with a few quick search actions. I hope it meets your online political reading expectations.
the New Northwest Citizen Experience
Welcome. At 8:45 pm this evening, this website went live with its transformed design. You are looking at it. Yes, this is the Northwest Citizen that has been a political comment site since Septembe
Welcome. At 8:45 pm this evening, this website went live with its transformed design. You are looking at it. Yes, this is the Northwest Citizen that has been a political comment site since Septembe
About John Servais
John started Northwest Citizen in 1995 to inform fellow citizens of serious local political issues that the Bellingham Herald was ignoring. With the help of donors from the beginning, he has [...]
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Comments by Readers
Garin Wallace, aka Wally
Jan 16, 2008John,
Looks great! I don’t know what went on with Firefox before, but this morning everything seems to be in place. I’m sure the rave reviews will be piling up throughout the day.
Let me the first to weigh in on the rules and registration; way to go!
And the logo is cool, too
Larry Horowitz
Jan 16, 2008John,
I know it has been a long and hard road redesigning your website, but I believe it will be worth the effort in the long run. Congratulations!
A true community blog is a great place to promote a meeting of the minds, and I hope the NW Citizen blog exceeds your expecations.
I’m especially interested in a dialogue on:
1) The city’s population projections, land supply analysis and UGA expansion;
2) The efforts to preserve Chuckanut Ridge; and
3) The waterfront redevelopment.
Thanks for your persistence, and thanks for providing a great service to the community.
My best to you,
Larry
Bob Aegerter
Jan 16, 2008Congratulations John!
The site looks and works great!
Thank You John for the work and expense of making this possible. It is what we need.
I am looking forward to information and discussion on the update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
Tip Johnson
Jan 16, 2008Geez, John, can’t you reduce the size of my photo? It scared the heck out of me when I clicked on my contributing writer link. Whoa!