City of Bellingham
Addressing priorities in public safety
Commentary: Bellingham’s challenges are in recruiting and retaining police officers, not lack of funding.
Will mitigation banking offset loss of valued wetlands?
Protection of sensitive Whatcom County wetlands may be enhanced, with approval of next steps toward a proposal for 608 acres in mitigation banking.
New parking rules on as Bellingham struggles with enforcement
New parking rules—and fees—take effect May 1, but enforcement resources are low.
City of Bellingham police chief hiring process — success or flop?
A local civic action group is hoping Bellingham’s next police chief will work to strengthen community cohesion and be transparent and accountable to the public.
Hope isn’t a strategy: Bellingham again seeks a new police chief
The City of Bellingham has renewed its search for a new police chief, and aims to choose from a short list of finalists by this summer.
Whatcom County to consider climate change goals in delay of natural gas franchise renewal
The Whatcom County Council voted to reschedule until early January a decision renewing a franchise agreement with Cascade Natural Gas, following testimony by climate activists regarding the franchise’s effect on climate change goals — and after spirited discussion among council members.
Homelessness, fossil fuels, food deserts: primary candidates face the issues in Bellingham, Whatcom forums
Candidates in the 2021 primary election for Bellingham city and Whatcom county council positions answered questions on topics from homelessness to fossil fuel in forums hosted by he League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County.
Search for new police chief surfaces questions about transparency and the public’s role
As the City of Bellingham, city council and the newly formed Racial Equity Commission seek to address systemic racism in and out of policing, some community members looking to engage in the selection process for a new police chief in good faith have raised questions about the city’s commitment to transparency.
Former Public Market on fast track for refit as emergency shelter
The City of Bellingham, Whatcom County and Lighthouse Mission Ministries are working to meet a July 15 deadline for refurbishing the former Public Market building at 1530 Cornwall Avenue into a “Base Camp” facility that can provide adequate care for area residents needing housing that enables following social distancing guidelines.
Solidarity rally, Cornwall landfill, Cherry Point occupy local officials during the week ending June 12
City officials praised organizers and participants of Bellingham’s Peaceful Solidarity Rally on June 6 at Maritime Heritage Park, in one of several local government meetings last week.
Economic recovery, shrinking local budgets, Cherry Point moratorium in the news for the week of May 29
Economic recovery, a shrinking budget and the Cherry Point fossil-fuel shipping moratorium were among topics discussed by Whatcom County and City of Bellingham councils this week.
In-person comment is out, for now: local governments adapt to life under COVID
City and county councils and commissions across Washington state are finding new ways to conduct their public meetings since Gov. Jay Inslee issued the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order March 23, requiring local governing bodies to temporarily halt their in-person meetings.