Wishing you Peace, Love
and (hopefully) Prosperity
now and in the coming year.
Al & Ruth
Al & Ruth
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Prevention Trumps Detention
Last last Tuesday afternoon, as others were preparing to go to the five-hour discussion of Whatcom County’s budget to successfully argue for retention of our neighborhood sheriff, we sat down with Deputy Sheriff Cliff Langley. He has been looking after Birch Bay since May of 2007. The conversation further convinced us that the community is fortunate to have this officer in our presence.
While no figures are yet available to compare crime in Birch Bay before and after he was assigned, Deputy Cliff does not think crime is a major problem here now. But he cautions, “If people want a safe community, they need to be involved.”
He cites the experience of a man who saw a group of youths checking car doors. They were out of his sight before they found a vehicle to ransack. Asked why he didn’t report what he saw, the man said, “Nothing was happening.”
Deputy Cliff’s point is that had the man called 9-1-1, the break-in might have been prevented. “Too many are apathetic.” He would like to see a Block Watch or Map Your Neighborhood program to enhance citizen involvement.
Those who don’t want to “snitch” can take comfort from the deputy’s approach. When neighbors complained about young people throwing loud parties, he talked with the parents. The noisy parties stopped. “My goal is to educate and keep kids out of trouble, rather than to make arrests,” he explains.
Deputy Cliff has mixed views about speeding. Naturally, he welcomes reports but he cautions that cars seem to be going faster than they actually are. In one case, he was talking to a resident who said, “Look how that car is speeding.” The deputy checked his radar to find that the car was well within the posted limit.
While no figures are yet available to compare crime in Birch Bay before and after he was assigned, Deputy Cliff does not think crime is a major problem here now. But he cautions, “If people want a safe community, they need to be involved.”
He cites the experience of a man who saw a group of youths checking car doors. They were out of his sight before they found a vehicle to ransack. Asked why he didn’t report what he saw, the man said, “Nothing was happening.”
Deputy Cliff’s point is that had the man called 9-1-1, the break-in might have been prevented. “Too many are apathetic.” He would like to see a Block Watch or Map Your Neighborhood program to enhance citizen involvement.
Those who don’t want to “snitch” can take comfort from the deputy’s approach. When neighbors complained about young people throwing loud parties, he talked with the parents. The noisy parties stopped. “My goal is to educate and keep kids out of trouble, rather than to make arrests,” he explains.
Deputy Cliff has mixed views about speeding. Naturally, he welcomes reports but he cautions that cars seem to be going faster than they actually are. In one case, he was talking to a resident who said, “Look how that car is speeding.” The deputy checked his radar to find that the car was well within the posted limit.
The most difficult issues are domestic disputes, “Sometimes you can’t be sure which party will pull a gun.” In 24 years in law enforcement, Deputy Cliff has never had to fire his weapon in action. But every time he puts on his uniform, he says he thinks, “Today might be the day.” He taps his protective vest.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Postscript for Park & Rec
Few things are more disturbing for a commentator than to learn that a phrase 
meant to be simply provocative turns out offensive. So it was with “too busy to attend” in last week’s comment about two Northwest Park & Rec commissioners who were not at the 11/17 meeting. Commissioner Terry Johnston, shown at right, did explain that Ted Morris was called away for a state parks meeting, but to my knowledge said nothing about Richard Sturgill, who--I soon learned – had suffered a heart attack the previous weekend. Naturally, he and his family are angry even though I did not name Richard as absent.
“Too busy to attend” at the time was not meant as a pejorative. The phrase was meant to express that many concerned people are not able to attend some meetings as in, “The mother with three children busy with homework and a husband resting before the night shift at the refinery is too busy to attend a meeting.” My purpose was to convey that the commissioners and their consultants should find ways to inform those affected about the commission’s activity. (Of course, now I realize that wasn’t how the message was received.)
I certainly didn’t want to offend Mr. Sturgill or his family. At the first Park & Rec brainstorming meeting at Semiahmoo, he greeted me, then a stranger, warmly. At subsequent meetings, I have looked forward to seeing him.
Along with feeling remorse, I’ve been pondering how concerned citizens of the community can be informed about significant meetings when they are, indeed, too busy to attend. Such processes need more people to be watchdogs as well as participants.
An analysis of the Obama campaign pointed out that its success was in the use of technology and old-fashioned grass roots organization. Few meetings in Birch Bay – and most other communities – are well attended. In many cases, those attending have a personal interest rather than concern for the community as a whole.
What if the presidents of the various homeowner associations informally chose interested members to attend meetings and report to their constituents via e-mail? Along with Park & Rec, I am thinking that the Steering Committee and its various sub-committees, the fire district, the school board, BBWARM and even water and sewer could benefit from more active community involvement. That is, involvement by more members of the community; I applaud those who have faithfully attended innumerable meetings over many years. Representatives of the Steering Committee were originally elected by neighborhood, but only some of the chosen representatives attend regularly.
Participation is a duty of citizenship – isn’t it?
meant to be simply provocative turns out offensive. So it was with “too busy to attend” in last week’s comment about two Northwest Park & Rec commissioners who were not at the 11/17 meeting. Commissioner Terry Johnston, shown at right, did explain that Ted Morris was called away for a state parks meeting, but to my knowledge said nothing about Richard Sturgill, who--I soon learned – had suffered a heart attack the previous weekend. Naturally, he and his family are angry even though I did not name Richard as absent.“Too busy to attend” at the time was not meant as a pejorative. The phrase was meant to express that many concerned people are not able to attend some meetings as in, “The mother with three children busy with homework and a husband resting before the night shift at the refinery is too busy to attend a meeting.” My purpose was to convey that the commissioners and their consultants should find ways to inform those affected about the commission’s activity. (Of course, now I realize that wasn’t how the message was received.)
I certainly didn’t want to offend Mr. Sturgill or his family. At the first Park & Rec brainstorming meeting at Semiahmoo, he greeted me, then a stranger, warmly. At subsequent meetings, I have looked forward to seeing him.
Along with feeling remorse, I’ve been pondering how concerned citizens of the community can be informed about significant meetings when they are, indeed, too busy to attend. Such processes need more people to be watchdogs as well as participants.
An analysis of the Obama campaign pointed out that its success was in the use of technology and old-fashioned grass roots organization. Few meetings in Birch Bay – and most other communities – are well attended. In many cases, those attending have a personal interest rather than concern for the community as a whole.
What if the presidents of the various homeowner associations informally chose interested members to attend meetings and report to their constituents via e-mail? Along with Park & Rec, I am thinking that the Steering Committee and its various sub-committees, the fire district, the school board, BBWARM and even water and sewer could benefit from more active community involvement. That is, involvement by more members of the community; I applaud those who have faithfully attended innumerable meetings over many years. Representatives of the Steering Committee were originally elected by neighborhood, but only some of the chosen representatives attend regularly.
Participation is a duty of citizenship – isn’t it?
ak
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
It's time for you to join the 21st Century
To: The Commissioners of the Northwest Park & Rec District:
Reading from e-mails sent by Alan Friedlob and Kathy Berg, who were unable to attend the meeting on November 17 at Birch Bay Bible Community Church, I argued for the restoration of Bay Horizon Park.
Bay Horizon won six stickers, one behind a trail connecting Birch Bay and Blaine. Another runner-up, a Saltwater Recreation Center at the end of the Semiahmoo Spit, also gained six stickers.
I could certainly be comfortable with those three priorities – which got a total of 19 votes of the 30 people attending the meeting. But my argument is not with the product of the three community meetings that altogether attracted a bare one percent of the District’s population. Rather, my argument is about the process that attracted so few participants. You are going to need many more people to approve of, work for whichever projects you select and, eventually, vote for the next levy.
I know the value of putting paper on the wall and making lists. About 25 years ago, I publicized the work of Michael Doyle and David Strauss, authors of the book that started that stuff, “How to Make Meetings Work.” In return for work trying to get their ideas about the importance of neutral facilitation and other factors for success into magazines, I received training that changed the ways I encouraged clients to relate to editors. For my internship, I facilitated meetings of a group of Berkeley professors attempting to save endangered plant species. But, as you may have sensed last evening, I am not very good at being neutral.
My argument isn’t that the 131 people who attended your three meetings aren’t good people, but that you need to find ways to involve more people in what you are trying to do. Too many people, particularly people who can benefit from Park and Rec, are too busy to attend meetings -- witness that two of your four commissioners were absent last evening.
In short, I think consultant Paul George’s techniques are stuck in the last century, before the Internet and all its permutations.
A lot of 20th Century folks were stunned by how Barack Obama was able to raise more money from more people than any candidate in history. A key step was attracting youth from Face Book. (Obama is going to have Saturday radio broadcasts, like previous presidents, and he’s going to put his talk on Face Book.)
What if you pulled together a variety of robust e-mail lists, such as those maintained by Kathy Berg and the Birch Bay and Blaine Chambers of Commerce to bring people to your web site? You might even put up Face Book-type programs to stimulate more interaction. There are many possibilities.
This isn’t about budget; it’s about smarts.
ak
Reading from e-mails sent by Alan Friedlob and Kathy Berg, who were unable to attend the meeting on November 17 at Birch Bay Bible Community Church, I argued for the restoration of Bay Horizon Park.
Bay Horizon won six stickers, one behind a trail connecting Birch Bay and Blaine. Another runner-up, a Saltwater Recreation Center at the end of the Semiahmoo Spit, also gained six stickers.
I could certainly be comfortable with those three priorities – which got a total of 19 votes of the 30 people attending the meeting. But my argument is not with the product of the three community meetings that altogether attracted a bare one percent of the District’s population. Rather, my argument is about the process that attracted so few participants. You are going to need many more people to approve of, work for whichever projects you select and, eventually, vote for the next levy.
I know the value of putting paper on the wall and making lists. About 25 years ago, I publicized the work of Michael Doyle and David Strauss, authors of the book that started that stuff, “How to Make Meetings Work.” In return for work trying to get their ideas about the importance of neutral facilitation and other factors for success into magazines, I received training that changed the ways I encouraged clients to relate to editors. For my internship, I facilitated meetings of a group of Berkeley professors attempting to save endangered plant species. But, as you may have sensed last evening, I am not very good at being neutral.
My argument isn’t that the 131 people who attended your three meetings aren’t good people, but that you need to find ways to involve more people in what you are trying to do. Too many people, particularly people who can benefit from Park and Rec, are too busy to attend meetings -- witness that two of your four commissioners were absent last evening.
In short, I think consultant Paul George’s techniques are stuck in the last century, before the Internet and all its permutations.
A lot of 20th Century folks were stunned by how Barack Obama was able to raise more money from more people than any candidate in history. A key step was attracting youth from Face Book. (Obama is going to have Saturday radio broadcasts, like previous presidents, and he’s going to put his talk on Face Book.)
What if you pulled together a variety of robust e-mail lists, such as those maintained by Kathy Berg and the Birch Bay and Blaine Chambers of Commerce to bring people to your web site? You might even put up Face Book-type programs to stimulate more interaction. There are many possibilities.
This isn’t about budget; it’s about smarts.
ak
Sunday, November 9, 2008
What is the Future of the Middle East?
Mr. President, in the next four to eight years you will face five challenges, the worst of which is Iran. Thus said the diminutive diplomatic correspondent Robin Wright in reference to her letter to the next president from her new book "Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East".
Wright outlined her concerns in October as part of the President's Distinguished Lecture Series, a decades-old Western Washington University tradition. Raising one finger at a time, she ticked off the foremost global challenges: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine/Israel and Iran. Of these, Iraq will be the easiest, Iran the most daunting.
Wright sta
tes that the good news about Iran is that the multinational resolutions are moving forward, albeit slowly. The bad news far outweighs the good.
The downside in Iran includes Tehran not budging from its position on nuclear power; the military making deeper incursions into Iraq and Afghanistan; Hezbollah re-arming and strengthening; and the leadership striving to become the super-power of the region. Over all these issues loom the Supreme Law and the Supreme Leader, the structure and power paralleling, and trumping, the elected government and secular law.
For her views on the other four trouble spots, see "Dreams and Shadows".
Wright recognizes that oil is the reason the United States is committed to the Middle East. We must develop alternative energy sources, she says, and that does not mean drilling in Alaska. “If we don’t wean ourselves from oil, we’ll be in real trouble."
Wright defines herself as the ultimate pessimist, not debating whether the glass is half full or half empty, but asking, “Is there really any water in the glass at all?” She ponders why anyone would want the job of president of the United States and concludes her letter to the next one with, “I wish you lots of luck, because you’re going to need it.”
[“Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East,” by Robin Wright. Penquin Press. For more on Wright and her views, see Anthropology Professor Kathleen Young moderate a talk show with Wright, using questions posted to the internet at http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/wright/]
rah
Wright outlined her concerns in October as part of the President's Distinguished Lecture Series, a decades-old Western Washington University tradition. Raising one finger at a time, she ticked off the foremost global challenges: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine/Israel and Iran. Of these, Iraq will be the easiest, Iran the most daunting.
Wright sta
tes that the good news about Iran is that the multinational resolutions are moving forward, albeit slowly. The bad news far outweighs the good.The downside in Iran includes Tehran not budging from its position on nuclear power; the military making deeper incursions into Iraq and Afghanistan; Hezbollah re-arming and strengthening; and the leadership striving to become the super-power of the region. Over all these issues loom the Supreme Law and the Supreme Leader, the structure and power paralleling, and trumping, the elected government and secular law.
For her views on the other four trouble spots, see "Dreams and Shadows".
Wright recognizes that oil is the reason the United States is committed to the Middle East. We must develop alternative energy sources, she says, and that does not mean drilling in Alaska. “If we don’t wean ourselves from oil, we’ll be in real trouble."
Wright defines herself as the ultimate pessimist, not debating whether the glass is half full or half empty, but asking, “Is there really any water in the glass at all?” She ponders why anyone would want the job of president of the United States and concludes her letter to the next one with, “I wish you lots of luck, because you’re going to need it.”
[“Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East,” by Robin Wright. Penquin Press. For more on Wright and her views, see Anthropology Professor Kathleen Young moderate a talk show with Wright, using questions posted to the internet at http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/wright/]
rah
Monday, November 3, 2008
Fly the Flag – for Unity!
In knocking on doors for Obama in our Precinct 109, we concluded that all those who have flags on their porches are voting for McCain. We stopped knocking on those doors.
As we thought and talked about this, we realized that patriotism belongs to all Americans and – although the flag has become a symbol of military action that is largely associated with Republicans – love of country is a much larger subject.
Then we saw that one of our neighbors who is voting for Obama had a small flag in front of her cottage, and the C-Shop is flying a row of flags. The proprietors, Patrick and Patricia Alesse, are Obama supporters.
After the first and second Obama signs that we put up on our vacant Birch Bay Drive lot were stolen, we cemented in four signs with small U.S. flags on top. They stayed for a month. Then last week they began disappearing. Yesterday there was only one.
It’s time to stop thinking like partisans. We prefer to think that the folks taking those signs are also Obama supporters who want to make a statement in front of their homes or put the signs in safe keeping for their grandchildren to sell to a museum or on e-Bay.
Just as Barack Obama says there should be no red states or blue states but United States, we say that as an expression of unity, regardless of who wins this election, we should all fly the Stars and Stripes.
Yesterday we nailed up a small flag near the entrance to our home.
“Yes we can!”
ak
As we thought and talked about this, we realized that patriotism belongs to all Americans and – although the flag has become a symbol of military action that is largely associated with Republicans – love of country is a much larger subject.
Then we saw that one of our neighbors who is voting for Obama had a small flag in front of her cottage, and the C-Shop is flying a row of flags. The proprietors, Patrick and Patricia Alesse, are Obama supporters.
After the first and second Obama signs that we put up on our vacant Birch Bay Drive lot were stolen, we cemented in four signs with small U.S. flags on top. They stayed for a month. Then last week they began disappearing. Yesterday there was only one.
It’s time to stop thinking like partisans. We prefer to think that the folks taking those signs are also Obama supporters who want to make a statement in front of their homes or put the signs in safe keeping for their grandchildren to sell to a museum or on e-Bay.
Just as Barack Obama says there should be no red states or blue states but United States, we say that as an expression of unity, regardless of who wins this election, we should all fly the Stars and Stripes.
Yesterday we nailed up a small flag near the entrance to our home.
“Yes we can!”
ak
Monday, October 27, 2008
Halloween on the Crest
For many of us, the excitement is about the election (finally, the ads will be off TV), the World Series or the start of the NBA season.
But up at Bay Crest, that growing community of families, it’s all about Halloween.
Decorated houses line Seashell, Sandcastle, Clamdigger and other streets in the development.
One mother said she is making sure to have enough candy this year. "Last year," she said, "I thought I had enough -- but it was all gone in 15 minutes." Her husband had to rush out to buy some more.
Such energy bodes well for Birch Bay. A lot of change is expected – more retirees, more condos, more shops and restaurants – but the biggest change may be more young people.
ak
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Collected Brief - for those still undecided voters
In phone calls and visits to voters in our precinct, we find a number – albeit small – of prospective voters who remain uncertain. This report is for them.
The strongest and most detailed arguments for Obama’s election were published by the New Yorker magazine on October 13 and are still available at the free site: NewYorker.com Among the many points you will find is: “On almost every issue McCain and Obama speak the generalized language of reform but only Obama has provided a convincing, rational, and fully developed vision.”
Of course, the New Yorker is the epitome of liberal, elitist journalism. So here are comments from leading conservative commentators.
In a Washington Post column titled “McCain Loses His Head” George Will wrote: “For McCain, politics is always operatic, pitting people who agree with him against those who are ‘corrupt’ or ‘betray the public trust.”
Christopher Buckley, whose father was one of the titans of the post-Goldwater Republican Party wrote: “The campaign has changed John McCain. It has made him unauthentic. A once first-class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence…”
David Brooks, the New York Times Republican, who is as much sociologist as journalist, wrote of Obama: “It is easy to sketch out a scenario in which he could be a great president. He would be untroubled by self-destructive demons or indiscipline. What that cool manner, he would see reality unfiltered. He could gather – already has gathered – some of the smartest minds in public life, and, untroubled by intellectual insecurity, he could give them free rein. Though he is young, it is easy to imagine him at the cabinet table, leading a subtle discussion of some long-term problem.”
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, also a loyal Republican, visualized Obama as a “transformational figure.” We don’t need to quote more. Since he spoke on "Meet the Press" on Sunday, it is impossible to overlook his comments that continue to be quoted on broadcasts and in print. This endorsement may be the most significant in the history of modern politics.
Be sure to use your ballot.
ak
The strongest and most detailed arguments for Obama’s election were published by the New Yorker magazine on October 13 and are still available at the free site: NewYorker.com Among the many points you will find is: “On almost every issue McCain and Obama speak the generalized language of reform but only Obama has provided a convincing, rational, and fully developed vision.”
Of course, the New Yorker is the epitome of liberal, elitist journalism. So here are comments from leading conservative commentators.
In a Washington Post column titled “McCain Loses His Head” George Will wrote: “For McCain, politics is always operatic, pitting people who agree with him against those who are ‘corrupt’ or ‘betray the public trust.”
Christopher Buckley, whose father was one of the titans of the post-Goldwater Republican Party wrote: “The campaign has changed John McCain. It has made him unauthentic. A once first-class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence…”
David Brooks, the New York Times Republican, who is as much sociologist as journalist, wrote of Obama: “It is easy to sketch out a scenario in which he could be a great president. He would be untroubled by self-destructive demons or indiscipline. What that cool manner, he would see reality unfiltered. He could gather – already has gathered – some of the smartest minds in public life, and, untroubled by intellectual insecurity, he could give them free rein. Though he is young, it is easy to imagine him at the cabinet table, leading a subtle discussion of some long-term problem.”
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, also a loyal Republican, visualized Obama as a “transformational figure.” We don’t need to quote more. Since he spoke on "Meet the Press" on Sunday, it is impossible to overlook his comments that continue to be quoted on broadcasts and in print. This endorsement may be the most significant in the history of modern politics.
Be sure to use your ballot.
ak
Monday, October 6, 2008
Flying the Stars and Stripes for Obama
Two weeks ago we caught ourselves saying, “Look, there are McCain voters,” when we saw a flag on a house. Then we realized that no party owns the flag and decided to do what we could to erase that general impression.
This was just after the first of our Obama yard signs was stolen. (We joked that the culprit probably wanted it for his yard.)
We got another sign, dug a deep hole, inserted the flag, added stones and poured cement around the post. The second night the whole thing was ripped out.
Buying four more signs at Whatcom Demo headquarters, we asked where we could get American flags. A woman there suggested Fred Meyer, where we found some just the right size.
With the flags attached to the signs, we cemented them into the ground last Monday. After seven nights they’re still standing tall.
This was just after the first of our Obama yard signs was stolen. (We joked that the culprit probably wanted it for his yard.)
We got another sign, dug a deep hole, inserted the flag, added stones and poured cement around the post. The second night the whole thing was ripped out.
Buying four more signs at Whatcom Demo headquarters, we asked where we could get American flags. A woman there suggested Fred Meyer, where we found some just the right size.
With the flags attached to the signs, we cemented them into the ground last Monday. After seven nights they’re still standing tall.
Would the divide that this very bitter election is creating be reduced if more Obama supporters put flags with their signs?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Sheriff Elfo on Birch Bay Incorporation
The good sheriff was applauded warmly at the Birch Bay Steering Committee last Wednesday evening for resisting the County Executive’s budget reduction that would have cut the neighborhood deputy who serves 40 hours a week in the community. 
Then he was asked about the incorporation feasibility study that would use the tax money from Birch Bay that now goes to the county for law enforcement. Sheriff Elfo explained that he had advised the consultant he could provide enough officers for coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the same tax dollars.
This possibility represents the, “Mosquito Lake Road factor.” The sheriff’s services are spread throughout the rural areas of Whatcom County. He needs to provide the same coverage for Mosquito Lake Road and other remote areas with few residents as provided to Birch Bay Drive.
The officers in the city of Birch Bay, while employees of the Sheriff’s Department, would wear uniforms and drive cars with Birch Bay identification. The practice is well established in other counties in Washington.
Those who say security is their greatest concern are glad for the 40-hours-a-week deputy coverage and wish there were more; they see the sheriff’s explanation as a dramatic argument for incorporation.
The next meeting of “Exploreincorp-BB,” the forum that discusses the subject, will be Monday, October 13, at 7 o’clock at the Community Bible Church on Jackson Road. The participants who get and give the most from and to these meetings have read the feasibility study and done their homework – see birchbayinfo.org, click on Incorporation.
Then he was asked about the incorporation feasibility study that would use the tax money from Birch Bay that now goes to the county for law enforcement. Sheriff Elfo explained that he had advised the consultant he could provide enough officers for coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the same tax dollars.This possibility represents the, “Mosquito Lake Road factor.” The sheriff’s services are spread throughout the rural areas of Whatcom County. He needs to provide the same coverage for Mosquito Lake Road and other remote areas with few residents as provided to Birch Bay Drive.
The officers in the city of Birch Bay, while employees of the Sheriff’s Department, would wear uniforms and drive cars with Birch Bay identification. The practice is well established in other counties in Washington.
Those who say security is their greatest concern are glad for the 40-hours-a-week deputy coverage and wish there were more; they see the sheriff’s explanation as a dramatic argument for incorporation.
The next meeting of “Exploreincorp-BB,” the forum that discusses the subject, will be Monday, October 13, at 7 o’clock at the Community Bible Church on Jackson Road. The participants who get and give the most from and to these meetings have read the feasibility study and done their homework – see birchbayinfo.org, click on Incorporation.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Kathy Berg Coming on Strong
The leader of the Birch Bay Steering Committee, who also has started “ExploreIncorpBB” promoting incorporation, demonstrated the strongest advocacy in our experience with her when speaking to the Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Tuesday, September 16.
Kathy Berg was robust, enthusiastic and, as usual, articulate. In addition to arguing that it is time for Birch Bay to become a city, she challenged Council members to get behind the drive to join the Blaine Chamber and other groups to establish a scenic byway (see byways.org) that would wind along the water through Blaine, Birch Bay and Bellingham, connecting to Chuckanut Drive.
The following Thursday, Tara Nelson gave the concept a boost with a front-page article in the Northern Light. But the next week, two letters to the editor threw cold water on the idea.
The following Thursday, Tara Nelson gave the concept a boost with a front-page article in the Northern Light. But the next week, two letters to the editor threw cold water on the idea.
We are curious to see how members of the Birch Bay Chamber will react. This could be a real boon to business along Birch Bay Drive. But does the Chamber have the muscle to make it happen versus folks who argue there’s too much traffic already?
Time for this blog to change gears
While we will continue to address community issues, for the next month we will be concentrating on the state and national elections. We were drafted to work for Obama, re-election of Gov. Chris Gregoire, and Mark Flanders, state legislator for district 42 in our precinct, No. 109, that extends along the Bay from Harborview and Lynden Roads to Bay Road; the eastern border runs north and south between Blaine and Kickerville Roads.
We've been assigned 11 "turfs" within the precinct. Already we have eight turf captains and we are looking for more. The immediate challenge is to get every qualified person registered to vote – by mail or online at www.secstate.wa.gov.elections/2008/aspx by October 4, or new registrants in person at the court house in Bellingham by October 20. On this we are non-partisan – we’re glad to help those who are inclined to vote for McCain.
We've been assigned 11 "turfs" within the precinct. Already we have eight turf captains and we are looking for more. The immediate challenge is to get every qualified person registered to vote – by mail or online at www.secstate.wa.gov.elections/2008/aspx by October 4, or new registrants in person at the court house in Bellingham by October 20. On this we are non-partisan – we’re glad to help those who are inclined to vote for McCain.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
A Forum, Not a Crusade
The “ExploreIncorp-BB” process that Kathy Berg and her cohorts are conducting to work toward making Birch Bay a city held its second meeting last Monday, with emphasis on civility and openness to contrary opinions. Nonetheless, the small group is emphasizing information, particularly the consultants’ report on incorporation feasibility. Many of the participants bring the report in ring binders that they consult during the discussions. In her e-mails inviting participants, Berg emphasizes the availability of information at http://www.birchbayinfo.org/
So it is remarkable that naysayers show up willing to contest on the basis of unsubantiated perceptions. What is remarkable is that the most vocal are coming from Birch Bay Village, the upscale, gated community where astuteness would be expected. One woman, attending for the second time, was adamant that the feasibility study’s information that costs of personnel and services could be provided for the same tax dollars, as now paid to the county, could not be accurate. And she didn’t give up when confronted with facts from the study.
More remarkable is that she wasn’t driven from the meeting with ridicule. Berg is adamant that all voices should be heard. She is encouraging debate and patience with conflicting opinions, apparently recognizing that reaching agreement will be a time-consuming process. As we’ve noted before, she seems to be awaiting unexpected tipping points.
One might be an accident at the cumbersome bend on Birch Point Drive near the entrance to Birch Bay Village that causes so many complaints. Some are calling this “Dead Man’s Curve.” Not wishing to suggest a tragedy, we think a better name is “Pete’s Folly”, personifying anger toward county management.
Many of the ‘pros’ for incorporation discussed at these meetings can be summarized as local control – over development and police protection. Birch Bay Village, with its own security service and a building review process, has control over those issues, but that stupid curve makes clear that the Village isn’t an island with complete control.
A ‘con’ argument is that Birch Bay doesn’t have people who could run a successful government. “It would be like Blaine,” they say. The easy retort is: “Compare water and sewer. Birch Bay’s is free of debt and well operated; Blaine’s is deep in the red and polluting Drayton Harbor.”
It is easy to visualize a future city council discussing issues responsibly. We are especially impressed with Doug Robertson. Having spent 26 years as a fireman, now working in construction, he is well informed on local government issues. And most impressive is his demeanor. Like a St. Bernard, he maintains calm when the terriers start barking.
As for those who say Kathy Berg isn’t executive material, we say come and watch. We’ve been observing her for five years and we’re catching on to her sagacity. While she wouldn’t use a big word like that, this modest soul is up to the challenge.
Come, yourself, and observe – and participate.
The next meeting is Monday, September 8 at 7 o’clock in the Birch Bay Bible Community Church on Jackson Road.
So it is remarkable that naysayers show up willing to contest on the basis of unsubantiated perceptions. What is remarkable is that the most vocal are coming from Birch Bay Village, the upscale, gated community where astuteness would be expected. One woman, attending for the second time, was adamant that the feasibility study’s information that costs of personnel and services could be provided for the same tax dollars, as now paid to the county, could not be accurate. And she didn’t give up when confronted with facts from the study.
More remarkable is that she wasn’t driven from the meeting with ridicule. Berg is adamant that all voices should be heard. She is encouraging debate and patience with conflicting opinions, apparently recognizing that reaching agreement will be a time-consuming process. As we’ve noted before, she seems to be awaiting unexpected tipping points.
One might be an accident at the cumbersome bend on Birch Point Drive near the entrance to Birch Bay Village that causes so many complaints. Some are calling this “Dead Man’s Curve.” Not wishing to suggest a tragedy, we think a better name is “Pete’s Folly”, personifying anger toward county management.
Many of the ‘pros’ for incorporation discussed at these meetings can be summarized as local control – over development and police protection. Birch Bay Village, with its own security service and a building review process, has control over those issues, but that stupid curve makes clear that the Village isn’t an island with complete control.
A ‘con’ argument is that Birch Bay doesn’t have people who could run a successful government. “It would be like Blaine,” they say. The easy retort is: “Compare water and sewer. Birch Bay’s is free of debt and well operated; Blaine’s is deep in the red and polluting Drayton Harbor.”
It is easy to visualize a future city council discussing issues responsibly. We are especially impressed with Doug Robertson. Having spent 26 years as a fireman, now working in construction, he is well informed on local government issues. And most impressive is his demeanor. Like a St. Bernard, he maintains calm when the terriers start barking.
As for those who say Kathy Berg isn’t executive material, we say come and watch. We’ve been observing her for five years and we’re catching on to her sagacity. While she wouldn’t use a big word like that, this modest soul is up to the challenge.
Come, yourself, and observe – and participate.
The next meeting is Monday, September 8 at 7 o’clock in the Birch Bay Bible Community Church on Jackson Road.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mystical Interlude
Almost every day we tell each other how happy we are that we decided to live in Birch Bay. How, when we couldn’t get a house on the beach or on the ridge, we settled for a cottage on Terrell Creek where we are happy with a view of the bay and the wildlife that entertains us on the creek.
Once in a while there is something special like the nesting gulls on the roof of the cottage across the creek, whose chicks are now walking about the steep roof and testing their wings – soon they will be flying.
We were watching them from our deck last Sunday evening when a rubber raft appeared in the stream. Unlike kayakers who padded vigorously, the occupant was mostly drifting. The combination of blacks in the pink raft was stunning When the boat turned we saw that she was writing. After watching a while Al got up courage to call out: “Novel or short story?”
Rather than be perturbed, she smiled, and before long she was reading to us. Here is a segment from her journal:
“I had some thoughts about humans and their experience of love while I was driving today. The gift of love is the act of feeling it. This is the only love we experience. It is our own love. So why do we place so much on whether or not we are loved? Where did this confusion come from? It is so simple. And we may take solace in knowing that we may love something or someone whether or not we are with them or they love us back or they want us or don’t or whatever.
“The only love for us is the love we get to experience for another. And that has nothing to do with attachment or reciprocal feelings or anything whatsoever! With this knowledge comes the responsibility to allow others to love us. We may have the ability to offer that – or make it somehow easier for being a genuine person in the world and being able to invite love. This may help others to have an experience of love that they may otherwise not have. The duty comes with this knowledge of love.”
Her name is Shannon Maddox. She has been coming to Birch Bay for 33 years, first to visit her grandparents. "I miss my grandparents very much and the wonderful memories of my Grandma teaching me to gamble with her while we played cards and she drank wine, and my Grandpa’s quiet strength as he took us to the beach to play and build castles. And of course the C-Shop where we were always buying candy with coins that my Grandpa would save for us in a sock drawer. They are some of the best parts of what makes me who I am today."
Shannon now lives in Seattle where she works with people who are homeless and well as in a psychiatric hospital. In September she begins three years of graduate school.
Once in a while there is something special like the nesting gulls on the roof of the cottage across the creek, whose chicks are now walking about the steep roof and testing their wings – soon they will be flying.
We were watching them from our deck last Sunday evening when a rubber raft appeared in the stream. Unlike kayakers who padded vigorously, the occupant was mostly drifting. The combination of blacks in the pink raft was stunning When the boat turned we saw that she was writing. After watching a while Al got up courage to call out: “Novel or short story?”
Rather than be perturbed, she smiled, and before long she was reading to us. Here is a segment from her journal:
“I had some thoughts about humans and their experience of love while I was driving today. The gift of love is the act of feeling it. This is the only love we experience. It is our own love. So why do we place so much on whether or not we are loved? Where did this confusion come from? It is so simple. And we may take solace in knowing that we may love something or someone whether or not we are with them or they love us back or they want us or don’t or whatever.
“The only love for us is the love we get to experience for another. And that has nothing to do with attachment or reciprocal feelings or anything whatsoever! With this knowledge comes the responsibility to allow others to love us. We may have the ability to offer that – or make it somehow easier for being a genuine person in the world and being able to invite love. This may help others to have an experience of love that they may otherwise not have. The duty comes with this knowledge of love.”
Her name is Shannon Maddox. She has been coming to Birch Bay for 33 years, first to visit her grandparents. "I miss my grandparents very much and the wonderful memories of my Grandma teaching me to gamble with her while we played cards and she drank wine, and my Grandpa’s quiet strength as he took us to the beach to play and build castles. And of course the C-Shop where we were always buying candy with coins that my Grandpa would save for us in a sock drawer. They are some of the best parts of what makes me who I am today."
Shannon now lives in Seattle where she works with people who are homeless and well as in a psychiatric hospital. In September she begins three years of graduate school.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Finally Showing Her Hand
Many who watched the progress of the Birch Bay Steering Committee have wondered why no drive was mounted for incorporation once the consultants’ positive report was completed. Kathy Berg, the chair of the committee, said the time wasn’t right, and maintained public neutrality, although some suspected she was for Birch Bay becoming a city.
As we were writing an article for the January issue of the Cascadia Weekly about the lack of enthusiasm for incorporation, Berg told us, “The tipping point will come when something happens that gets folks pissed off.” (A few days later when we asked if she could live with that quote, her answer was, “That’s what I said.”)
At the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on July 15, Berg and her long-time cohort, Doralee Booth, said they are angry now because the Whatcom County government -- particularly Pete Kremen, the county executive, and his adjutant Dewey Desler -- is reneging on promises to pay for Birch Bay road improvements this year. The reason given is that the county is out of money. But, as one chamber member at the meeting called out, “They can fix a dip on Slater Road that floods twice a year to make sure gamblers can get to the casino!”
Berg and Booth are particularly incensed about cancellation of a $400,000 engineering study for development of the berm along Birch Bay Drive that has been waiting since first proposed in the 1970s by Wolf Bauer, whose vision of a more welcoming beach and walking promenade is well remembered.
So Berg has called a meeting, not of the Steering Committee, rather of “some members of the Birch Bay UGA community wishing to explore incorporation.” The meeting is next Monday, August 4, at (where else?) the Birch Bay Community Bible Church on Jackson Road. At 7 o’clock.
Many see incorporation as a giant challenge that Berg & Booth can’t be expected to achieve. Isn’t that what they said about George Washington?
As we were writing an article for the January issue of the Cascadia Weekly about the lack of enthusiasm for incorporation, Berg told us, “The tipping point will come when something happens that gets folks pissed off.” (A few days later when we asked if she could live with that quote, her answer was, “That’s what I said.”)
At the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on July 15, Berg and her long-time cohort, Doralee Booth, said they are angry now because the Whatcom County government -- particularly Pete Kremen, the county executive, and his adjutant Dewey Desler -- is reneging on promises to pay for Birch Bay road improvements this year. The reason given is that the county is out of money. But, as one chamber member at the meeting called out, “They can fix a dip on Slater Road that floods twice a year to make sure gamblers can get to the casino!”
Berg and Booth are particularly incensed about cancellation of a $400,000 engineering study for development of the berm along Birch Bay Drive that has been waiting since first proposed in the 1970s by Wolf Bauer, whose vision of a more welcoming beach and walking promenade is well remembered.
So Berg has called a meeting, not of the Steering Committee, rather of “some members of the Birch Bay UGA community wishing to explore incorporation.” The meeting is next Monday, August 4, at (where else?) the Birch Bay Community Bible Church on Jackson Road. At 7 o’clock.
Many see incorporation as a giant challenge that Berg & Booth can’t be expected to achieve. Isn’t that what they said about George Washington?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Think Local
Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local
My Customer is My Community
These are the Sustainable Connections headlines on the Cost Cutter/Food Pavilion plastic bags.
Some of the steps are:
1. Support other community businesses and strengthen our local community.
2. Create more jobs. Locally owned businesses create most jobs in a community.
3. Invest in the community. Local businesses are owned by people that live here.
4. Provide more choices. Local businesses select products based on their customers needs.
Friends and neighbors depend on each other. Think Local First!
One blazing example of how we all can BE more local comes from the International Mall at 1733 H Street in Blaine. The new management there, Phillips Edison & Company, recently leased space to The Dollar Tree, a national chain of discount stores. Their location is two doors down from the Dollar Plus store operated by Sukhwant Singh Gill for the past 13 years. The Dollar Tree is bright, shiny and new. It can probably offer a variety of goods at a very good price (we won't be shopping there, so we won't know). Nevertheless, Gill has been steadfastly providing rock-bottom prices on a wide array of goods from gift-wrap to spices, from hand-tools to knick-knacks, from sox and underwear to sponges and tin foil for residents and visitors consistently for those 13 years.
Gill left India in 1993 to seek a better life for his family. He spent four months searching for work. As a practicing Sikh, he kept his beard and turban. That may have been a handicap, but finally, with the help of two Sikh friends, he got a job at a nursing home. He proved to be a very competent nurse’s aide; his wife got work in the nursing home’s laundry. They saved and saved and, with loans from friends and relatives, eventually got the Dollar Plus stores in Blaine and Lynden. “I wanted to have my own business and prove that the turban guy is okay,” says Gill.
Now, all his efforts are threatened by the buying power and glitz of a national chain. The only hope for him is a loyal following of customers who believe in him and in the principles of Think Local First!
My Customer is My Community
These are the Sustainable Connections headlines on the Cost Cutter/Food Pavilion plastic bags.
Some of the steps are:
1. Support other community businesses and strengthen our local community.
2. Create more jobs. Locally owned businesses create most jobs in a community.
3. Invest in the community. Local businesses are owned by people that live here.
4. Provide more choices. Local businesses select products based on their customers needs.
Friends and neighbors depend on each other. Think Local First!
One blazing example of how we all can BE more local comes from the International Mall at 1733 H Street in Blaine. The new management there, Phillips Edison & Company, recently leased space to The Dollar Tree, a national chain of discount stores. Their location is two doors down from the Dollar Plus store operated by Sukhwant Singh Gill for the past 13 years. The Dollar Tree is bright, shiny and new. It can probably offer a variety of goods at a very good price (we won't be shopping there, so we won't know). Nevertheless, Gill has been steadfastly providing rock-bottom prices on a wide array of goods from gift-wrap to spices, from hand-tools to knick-knacks, from sox and underwear to sponges and tin foil for residents and visitors consistently for those 13 years.
Gill left India in 1993 to seek a better life for his family. He spent four months searching for work. As a practicing Sikh, he kept his beard and turban. That may have been a handicap, but finally, with the help of two Sikh friends, he got a job at a nursing home. He proved to be a very competent nurse’s aide; his wife got work in the nursing home’s laundry. They saved and saved and, with loans from friends and relatives, eventually got the Dollar Plus stores in Blaine and Lynden. “I wanted to have my own business and prove that the turban guy is okay,” says Gill.
Now, all his efforts are threatened by the buying power and glitz of a national chain. The only hope for him is a loyal following of customers who believe in him and in the principles of Think Local First!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Chaos Over Storm Water Management
It has been said that 10 percent of the population is irrational. Wednesday evening, May 21, the proportion was about 87 percent.
This at a public meeting sponsored by Whatcom County Public Works to discuss the draft funding plan for BBWARM, the Birch Bay Watershed Aquatic Resources Management district. The County Council approved formation of the district in 2006, and the funding plan will soon go to the Council for approval. The plan in the first year will generate over seven hundred thousand dollars to combat increased flooding, erosion, declining water quality and loss of aquatic habitat in the bay.
The Council has the power to establish a fee – without citizen vote – that will be collected with property and other taxes beginning in 2009. For most homeowners the monthly charge will range from $5.02 to $8.72 depending on the amount of impervious surface on their property. Fees for commercial enterprises are related to the size of their individual impervious surfaces. Every property owner in the Birch Bay watershed is included. Some whose mailing address is Ferndale didn’t know they are part of the watershed.
John Ghilarducci, the lead consultant at FCS Group in Redmond that created the funding plan, was only halfway through his power point presentation when the eruption started. From the back sanctuary of the Birch Bay Bible Community Church a woman in a red dress called out. “This is just gibberish.” Kraig Olason, the public works manager who is shepherding the plan, decided it was time to take comment.
A man from Latitude 49 described their superior ditch system. Birch Bay Village argued that three developments – one from Blaine – feed water into their Roger's Slough.
A man from Point Whitehorn, site of many recently-built large homes said, “Charge the developers.”
“The thousands of people who come to Birch Bay from throughout the state should pay,” said one woman.
On and on it went.
A woman, who runs a storage business with many low buildings and paved areas, said the fee would be three percent of her revenues. No one suggested her customers should be willing to pay a higher rate.
There was virtually no rebuttal from Olason or Ghilarducci. Both were models of composure. (For more information: www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/birchbay)
Toward the end of the meeting, Jerry Larson, a vigorous protector of water quality in the bay, passed out a detailed report on the situation first published a year ago.
The picture above is from an orientation on October 1, 2005 by Bill Derry, the lead consultant of CH2M Hill, who researched storm water problems and developed the abatement plan, shown with Roland Middleton, Whatcom County Planning Department.
At several points Mr. Ghilarducci made the case for the greater good – that everyone would benefit from clean water and edible seafood. But an angry woman countered with, “The whole thing sucks.”
Carl Weimer, president of the County Council, did not rise. Long-time members of the Storm Water implementation subcommittee of the Birch Bay Steering Committee, who have been working for this cause for years, were relaxed. They can be confident the measure will pass the County Council.
But what does this say about the irrationals? In this context we define “irrational” as those who disregard civic responsibility. Do they not care if clams are no longer dug on the beach? If crabs are no longer edible? If parents fear allowing their children to go into the water? If visitors stop coming, what will that do for their property values? Do they expect such perils are far off – no cause for their concern? (Two days after the meeting, the Whatcom County Health Department closed Birch Bay to clam digging.)
What does this say about the potential for self-government? Yes, some of the irrationals are from outside the community. But others are within sight and walking distance of the bay. Do they care for nothing but their money?
This at a public meeting sponsored by Whatcom County Public Works to discuss the draft funding plan for BBWARM, the Birch Bay Watershed Aquatic Resources Management district. The County Council approved formation of the district in 2006, and the funding plan will soon go to the Council for approval. The plan in the first year will generate over seven hundred thousand dollars to combat increased flooding, erosion, declining water quality and loss of aquatic habitat in the bay.
The Council has the power to establish a fee – without citizen vote – that will be collected with property and other taxes beginning in 2009. For most homeowners the monthly charge will range from $5.02 to $8.72 depending on the amount of impervious surface on their property. Fees for commercial enterprises are related to the size of their individual impervious surfaces. Every property owner in the Birch Bay watershed is included. Some whose mailing address is Ferndale didn’t know they are part of the watershed.
John Ghilarducci, the lead consultant at FCS Group in Redmond that created the funding plan, was only halfway through his power point presentation when the eruption started. From the back sanctuary of the Birch Bay Bible Community Church a woman in a red dress called out. “This is just gibberish.” Kraig Olason, the public works manager who is shepherding the plan, decided it was time to take comment.
A man from Latitude 49 described their superior ditch system. Birch Bay Village argued that three developments – one from Blaine – feed water into their Roger's Slough.
A man from Point Whitehorn, site of many recently-built large homes said, “Charge the developers.”
“The thousands of people who come to Birch Bay from throughout the state should pay,” said one woman.
On and on it went.
A woman, who runs a storage business with many low buildings and paved areas, said the fee would be three percent of her revenues. No one suggested her customers should be willing to pay a higher rate.
There was virtually no rebuttal from Olason or Ghilarducci. Both were models of composure. (For more information: www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/birchbay)
Toward the end of the meeting, Jerry Larson, a vigorous protector of water quality in the bay, passed out a detailed report on the situation first published a year ago.
The picture above is from an orientation on October 1, 2005 by Bill Derry, the lead consultant of CH2M Hill, who researched storm water problems and developed the abatement plan, shown with Roland Middleton, Whatcom County Planning Department.
At several points Mr. Ghilarducci made the case for the greater good – that everyone would benefit from clean water and edible seafood. But an angry woman countered with, “The whole thing sucks.”
Carl Weimer, president of the County Council, did not rise. Long-time members of the Storm Water implementation subcommittee of the Birch Bay Steering Committee, who have been working for this cause for years, were relaxed. They can be confident the measure will pass the County Council.
But what does this say about the irrationals? In this context we define “irrational” as those who disregard civic responsibility. Do they not care if clams are no longer dug on the beach? If crabs are no longer edible? If parents fear allowing their children to go into the water? If visitors stop coming, what will that do for their property values? Do they expect such perils are far off – no cause for their concern? (Two days after the meeting, the Whatcom County Health Department closed Birch Bay to clam digging.)
What does this say about the potential for self-government? Yes, some of the irrationals are from outside the community. But others are within sight and walking distance of the bay. Do they care for nothing but their money?
Monday, April 14, 2008
What BBCC Needs to Do
You can’t say the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce has gone down hill because in our five years' experience it was never up.
What the Chamber does well is to organize and manage successful events – the Polar Bear Swim, Discovery Days parade and fair, the Sand Castle contest and the New Year’s Eve Ring of Fire and Hope. The Ring promises to be a fantastic event when more participants plant flares to create a continuous rim of red around the bay.
What the Chamber doesn’t do is to make these events profitable for the entire community. What’s needed is more business for the merchants and profits to help pay for essential amenities, such as a bathhouse, a community center (perhaps including a city hall), and – most of all – The Berm.
When it was suggested more could be charged for Polar Bear T-shirts, the answer was that the Chamber is “non-profit.” Well, many non-profits raise significant amounts of money, starting with chicken dinners to pay off church mortgages.
Speakers at the monthly luncheon meetings, who can be categorized as poor presenters selling what few people want, are the weakest aspect. Recent meetings became “networking opportunities” – members selling other members. Three of them are enough.
The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce could provide a platform for discussion of the major needs of the community:
1) Kathy Berg, leader of the Steering Committee, to discuss the recently completed feasibility study: “How Birch Bay Can Become a City.”
2) County Executive Pete Kremen on Whatcom’s finances: “What the County Can and Can’t Do for Birch Bay”
3) Congressman Rick Larsen on funding: “What Birch Bay Needs to Do for Me to Earmark Money for Your Berm.”
4) Ditto our state legislators, State Senator Dale Brand and Representatives Kelli Linville and Doug Erickson.
5) Messrs. Wynstra, Bovenkamp and Kent: “How We See Development in Birch Bay in the Next Ten Years.”
We would bet these programs could fill the big room at the top of the Sand Castle resort and nobody would complain about the cost of the meal.
The survey included with the April newsletter also asked for comments about other meetings. We would vote for breakfast workshops on “How to Gain Leads and Make the Sale”. Reinstating the 5:31 socials would be good way for members to learn more about other members and for newcomers to meet leaders of the community.
We’ve put our answers to the survey on this blog because BBCC at its peak will benefit the whole community.
What the Chamber does well is to organize and manage successful events – the Polar Bear Swim, Discovery Days parade and fair, the Sand Castle contest and the New Year’s Eve Ring of Fire and Hope. The Ring promises to be a fantastic event when more participants plant flares to create a continuous rim of red around the bay.
What the Chamber doesn’t do is to make these events profitable for the entire community. What’s needed is more business for the merchants and profits to help pay for essential amenities, such as a bathhouse, a community center (perhaps including a city hall), and – most of all – The Berm.
When it was suggested more could be charged for Polar Bear T-shirts, the answer was that the Chamber is “non-profit.” Well, many non-profits raise significant amounts of money, starting with chicken dinners to pay off church mortgages.
Speakers at the monthly luncheon meetings, who can be categorized as poor presenters selling what few people want, are the weakest aspect. Recent meetings became “networking opportunities” – members selling other members. Three of them are enough.
The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce could provide a platform for discussion of the major needs of the community:
1) Kathy Berg, leader of the Steering Committee, to discuss the recently completed feasibility study: “How Birch Bay Can Become a City.”
2) County Executive Pete Kremen on Whatcom’s finances: “What the County Can and Can’t Do for Birch Bay”
3) Congressman Rick Larsen on funding: “What Birch Bay Needs to Do for Me to Earmark Money for Your Berm.”
4) Ditto our state legislators, State Senator Dale Brand and Representatives Kelli Linville and Doug Erickson.
5) Messrs. Wynstra, Bovenkamp and Kent: “How We See Development in Birch Bay in the Next Ten Years.”
We would bet these programs could fill the big room at the top of the Sand Castle resort and nobody would complain about the cost of the meal.
The survey included with the April newsletter also asked for comments about other meetings. We would vote for breakfast workshops on “How to Gain Leads and Make the Sale”. Reinstating the 5:31 socials would be good way for members to learn more about other members and for newcomers to meet leaders of the community.
We’ve put our answers to the survey on this blog because BBCC at its peak will benefit the whole community.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Parks & Rec – Milestone for the Community
Is there significance that the first community-planning meeting for the revived Northwest Parks and Recreation District took place on the same Saturday as the Birch Bay Road Race?
Maybe that’s a stretch. But there were more runners out in the rain than participants at the meeting held in the warm and pleasantly restored facility of the county park at the west end of the Semiahmoo spit.
Of course, not all of runners were from Blaine and Birch Bay. Whatever, the enthusiasm of about 35 participants in the meeting – not near one percent of population that will benefit when the plans discussed materialize – made up for the small number.
The commissioners are obviously intent on building a program that will appeal to the community that covers area of the Blaine school district, excepting for Pt. Roberts. They got a 10-cent levy passed in November to restart the district that began in 1982with active programs, and then fell dormant when a renewal levy failed in 1986.
For most of the two hours the commissioners listened to suggestions from participants. First, groups sitting at round tables brainstormed ideas. Then one person from each table reported to the room. Suggestions varied widely, including walking trails and classes for older people well as youth and even softball for seniors. Swimming lessons were suggested with the hope that a pool – perhaps at Semiahmoo Resort – would be made available.
Several qualified instructors have volunteered to teach various classes. The first scheduled session is free golf lessons for six youngsters with Brian Southwick, the pro at Sealinks Golf Course.
Much of the discussion centered on a ball field at Horizon Park, a World War II military facility that is now in the Whatcom County park system. It is located off Alderson Road in Birch Bay, west of Blaine Road and near the large Bay Crest development and other family homes nearby.
Commissioner Richard Sturgill mentioned an unused utility right-of-way that could be utilized for a trail between Blaine and Birch Bay, creating a leg of the Millennium Trail that will someday connect Vancouver with Seattle.
James Bolick and Christie Rector were there to speak for Blaine Youth Baseball that involves some 200 boys and girls from age seven to 13. They explain their teams are now limited to a short season. Their only fields are at the school district’s Pipeline facility that closes down in mid June with the end of the school year. Mr. Bolick, who lives in Birch Bay Village, played baseball at Horizon as a youth. While now it is very much a diamond in the rough, there is plenty of unused space.
Ms. Rector, who lives in Blaine, explained that the Mariners as well as the Babe Ruth and Cal Ripkin junior baseball organizations make funds available to pay for amenities such as bleachers and backstops if the facility is unrelated to a school district. Both agreed that Blaine parents would have no more trouble getting their kids to a Birch Bay field than Birch Bay parents have getting their kids to Blaine.
Another advantage is that Horizon Park is under-utilized except for a hostel and Lions program for disadvantaged youth in the summer. Along with kitchen and showers, there is a small gym and a one-lane bowling alley. Jim Bolick, who thinks like an entrepreneur, says there is a modest moneymaking opportunity to attract visitors with tournaments. Commissioner Terry Johnson said that when he lived in Southern California he built a number of ball fields with volunteers.
First on the agenda is a master plan. Qualified consultants are being invited to submit proposals. Commissioner Ted Morris, our leading donation-getter, is confident that the levy amount of approximately $325,000 per year can be extended by contributions and volunteer workers to a value of $450,000.
After this good meeting, it is easy to imagine a Blaine-Birch BayTrail Race in 2010 race over a new leg of Millennium Trail. Then a party at Horizon Park!
Dear Reader: What do you think?
Maybe that’s a stretch. But there were more runners out in the rain than participants at the meeting held in the warm and pleasantly restored facility of the county park at the west end of the Semiahmoo spit.
Of course, not all of runners were from Blaine and Birch Bay. Whatever, the enthusiasm of about 35 participants in the meeting – not near one percent of population that will benefit when the plans discussed materialize – made up for the small number.
The commissioners are obviously intent on building a program that will appeal to the community that covers area of the Blaine school district, excepting for Pt. Roberts. They got a 10-cent levy passed in November to restart the district that began in 1982with active programs, and then fell dormant when a renewal levy failed in 1986.
For most of the two hours the commissioners listened to suggestions from participants. First, groups sitting at round tables brainstormed ideas. Then one person from each table reported to the room. Suggestions varied widely, including walking trails and classes for older people well as youth and even softball for seniors. Swimming lessons were suggested with the hope that a pool – perhaps at Semiahmoo Resort – would be made available.
Several qualified instructors have volunteered to teach various classes. The first scheduled session is free golf lessons for six youngsters with Brian Southwick, the pro at Sealinks Golf Course.
Much of the discussion centered on a ball field at Horizon Park, a World War II military facility that is now in the Whatcom County park system. It is located off Alderson Road in Birch Bay, west of Blaine Road and near the large Bay Crest development and other family homes nearby.
Commissioner Richard Sturgill mentioned an unused utility right-of-way that could be utilized for a trail between Blaine and Birch Bay, creating a leg of the Millennium Trail that will someday connect Vancouver with Seattle.James Bolick and Christie Rector were there to speak for Blaine Youth Baseball that involves some 200 boys and girls from age seven to 13. They explain their teams are now limited to a short season. Their only fields are at the school district’s Pipeline facility that closes down in mid June with the end of the school year. Mr. Bolick, who lives in Birch Bay Village, played baseball at Horizon as a youth. While now it is very much a diamond in the rough, there is plenty of unused space.
Ms. Rector, who lives in Blaine, explained that the Mariners as well as the Babe Ruth and Cal Ripkin junior baseball organizations make funds available to pay for amenities such as bleachers and backstops if the facility is unrelated to a school district. Both agreed that Blaine parents would have no more trouble getting their kids to a Birch Bay field than Birch Bay parents have getting their kids to Blaine.
Another advantage is that Horizon Park is under-utilized except for a hostel and Lions program for disadvantaged youth in the summer. Along with kitchen and showers, there is a small gym and a one-lane bowling alley. Jim Bolick, who thinks like an entrepreneur, says there is a modest moneymaking opportunity to attract visitors with tournaments. Commissioner Terry Johnson said that when he lived in Southern California he built a number of ball fields with volunteers.
First on the agenda is a master plan. Qualified consultants are being invited to submit proposals. Commissioner Ted Morris, our leading donation-getter, is confident that the levy amount of approximately $325,000 per year can be extended by contributions and volunteer workers to a value of $450,000.
After this good meeting, it is easy to imagine a Blaine-Birch BayTrail Race in 2010 race over a new leg of Millennium Trail. Then a party at Horizon Park!
Dear Reader: What do you think?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Birch Bay's Viability as a City
Brett Sheckler is fond of saying that almost every community can incorporate if it is willing to accept the level of service it can afford. He is a consultant at Berk & Associates, the firm that Washington cities go for answers to financial questions, and he is the leader of the team that evaluated Birch Bay’s feasibility. The final report was released March 31.
Many people, even some who go to Steering Committee meetings, believe Birch Bay is not viable as a city because we have few retail businesses to generate sales taxes. But Mr. Sheckler shows that there are other revenues available to Birch Bay, and the city “would generate enough revenues to provide a slightly higher level of service than residents currently receive.”
The report explains that under a tax that held Birch Bay residents’ tax burdens equal to what they pay as residents of Whatcom County, the city would generate $3,181,000 in ‘core’ operating revenues (in 2009), able to provide slightly higher levels of service over those currently received for $ 2,963,000. That would leave $218,000 in revenues (7%) remaining to increase levels of services.
At the outset, the report goes on to say, Birch Bay’s government would be a bare bones operation, most likely renting space for a “city hall.” Police services would be provided by the county sheriff with police cars with Birch Bay insignia and officers in Birch Bay uniforms. The important difference, advocates of incorporation can argue, would be that decisions would be made by a Birch Bay city council with local boards and more opportunity for resident participation.
Berk and Associates also compared the property tax base and sales tax revenues of Birch Bay with those of 11 Washington cities that incorporated in the past 15 years. Birch Bay’s property and sales tax base per resident would rank above that of eight of the 11 recently incorporated cities, indicating that a Birch Bay city would have a relatively strong financial base.
The full 87-page report can be read at the Incorporation pages of wwwbirchbayinfo.org.
Our purpose is to build awareness and understanding for informed discussion.
All comments are welcomed.
Many people, even some who go to Steering Committee meetings, believe Birch Bay is not viable as a city because we have few retail businesses to generate sales taxes. But Mr. Sheckler shows that there are other revenues available to Birch Bay, and the city “would generate enough revenues to provide a slightly higher level of service than residents currently receive.”
The report explains that under a tax that held Birch Bay residents’ tax burdens equal to what they pay as residents of Whatcom County, the city would generate $3,181,000 in ‘core’ operating revenues (in 2009), able to provide slightly higher levels of service over those currently received for $ 2,963,000. That would leave $218,000 in revenues (7%) remaining to increase levels of services.
At the outset, the report goes on to say, Birch Bay’s government would be a bare bones operation, most likely renting space for a “city hall.” Police services would be provided by the county sheriff with police cars with Birch Bay insignia and officers in Birch Bay uniforms. The important difference, advocates of incorporation can argue, would be that decisions would be made by a Birch Bay city council with local boards and more opportunity for resident participation.
Berk and Associates also compared the property tax base and sales tax revenues of Birch Bay with those of 11 Washington cities that incorporated in the past 15 years. Birch Bay’s property and sales tax base per resident would rank above that of eight of the 11 recently incorporated cities, indicating that a Birch Bay city would have a relatively strong financial base.
The full 87-page report can be read at the Incorporation pages of wwwbirchbayinfo.org.
Our purpose is to build awareness and understanding for informed discussion.
All comments are welcomed.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
New Construction
At a memorable meeting of the Steering Committee Patrick Alesse said that the business of Birch Bay is building homes, primary homes and vacation homes.
Last year new construction dropped off. New hookups for the Water and Sewer District – which only approximates the UGA – were less than a hundred, yet enough to match the minimum of 85 used by Berk Consultants in the tax-revenue estimates of the incorporation feasibility study. In previous years that average was about 200 per year.
At last Wednesday’s meeting (2.27) of the Steering Committee, Bill Grant, builder of the TrendWest and Whiskie Jack complexes, took the microphone to report that with the economy off he gained a two-year extension for the permit he has to build six to eight more condos. Lisa Guthrie, the smiling face of Homestead Northwest stood up to say they have broken ground for a 19-unit addition to the Grand Bay condos. Half of the initial units are sold.
Meanwhile three homes are being built in what we call the Terrell Cree
k District, between the Jackson Road and Alderson Road bridges. On the west side of the creek, Lee Barma and his wife, who’ve lived in Birch Bay more than 20 years, are rebuilding the cottage they’ve owned at 7540 Birch Bay Drive. Leaving only the front walls, Tandem Design & Construction is adding a second story. For now, the Barmas are living in the cottage they own next door.
Across the creek at what will be 7589 Wooldridge (although his sign, based on information he got from the county, says Morrison), Charlie Gorsak and his wife, Linda, poured
a pad that will hold a modular factory-built whose exterior Charlie will cover with shakes and add other enhancements. Included in this long narrow strip will be a garden with native plants and evergreens. (Some from the free offer from A Lot of Trees.) Included in the landscaping will be the stumps now on the property that came from Birch Bay Village where they currently live. Yes, their home is going to be close to the creek as well as the road – Charlie persevered through three variance hearings.
Overlooking both at the top of the Sunset hill, Credo Construction is building a neat three-level house for Joel DiManno and his family. This home is the fruition of a dream that began six years ago when they visited friends of Mrs. DiManno’s parents in Birch Bay Village. They looked in the Village, but wanted a better view, then found the Sunset property on http://www.birchbay.com/. Mr. DiManno is pleased with the cement structure that he explains includes high-tech innovation to support the hillside home.
All of these projects are now farther along than the pictures indicate. The builders work faster than our photog.
Last year new construction dropped off. New hookups for the Water and Sewer District – which only approximates the UGA – were less than a hundred, yet enough to match the minimum of 85 used by Berk Consultants in the tax-revenue estimates of the incorporation feasibility study. In previous years that average was about 200 per year.
At last Wednesday’s meeting (2.27) of the Steering Committee, Bill Grant, builder of the TrendWest and Whiskie Jack complexes, took the microphone to report that with the economy off he gained a two-year extension for the permit he has to build six to eight more condos. Lisa Guthrie, the smiling face of Homestead Northwest stood up to say they have broken ground for a 19-unit addition to the Grand Bay condos. Half of the initial units are sold.
Meanwhile three homes are being built in what we call the Terrell Cree
k District, between the Jackson Road and Alderson Road bridges. On the west side of the creek, Lee Barma and his wife, who’ve lived in Birch Bay more than 20 years, are rebuilding the cottage they’ve owned at 7540 Birch Bay Drive. Leaving only the front walls, Tandem Design & Construction is adding a second story. For now, the Barmas are living in the cottage they own next door.Across the creek at what will be 7589 Wooldridge (although his sign, based on information he got from the county, says Morrison), Charlie Gorsak and his wife, Linda, poured
a pad that will hold a modular factory-built whose exterior Charlie will cover with shakes and add other enhancements. Included in this long narrow strip will be a garden with native plants and evergreens. (Some from the free offer from A Lot of Trees.) Included in the landscaping will be the stumps now on the property that came from Birch Bay Village where they currently live. Yes, their home is going to be close to the creek as well as the road – Charlie persevered through three variance hearings.
Overlooking both at the top of the Sunset hill, Credo Construction is building a neat three-level house for Joel DiManno and his family. This home is the fruition of a dream that began six years ago when they visited friends of Mrs. DiManno’s parents in Birch Bay Village. They looked in the Village, but wanted a better view, then found the Sunset property on http://www.birchbay.com/. Mr. DiManno is pleased with the cement structure that he explains includes high-tech innovation to support the hillside home.
All of these projects are now farther along than the pictures indicate. The builders work faster than our photog.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
FORUM – Kathy Berg on Incorporation Feasibility
Here is response from Kathy Berg, chair of the Birch Bay Steering Committee and Governance Sub-Committee on Alan Friedlob’s comments:
With the incorporation feasibility study showing that Birch Bay could be a viable city, the question now is, "Do we want to keep the majority of our property taxes here at home to spend as we choose/prioritize locally or do we want to continue to subsidize all of Whatcom County at the expense of needed projects here?" It is about self-determination and home rule.
The Birch Bay community and Whatcom County Council determined back in 2004 with the adoption of the sub area plan that low impact development standards would be a high priority for maintaining a clean Bay. Those kinds of standards have yet to be adopted for the Birch Bay urban growth area (UGA) or anyplace else in the County.
Whatcom County declared Birch Bay an urban area where development should be concentrated back in 1997 but still calls our roads "rural" and continues to design and build them accordingly. The fire district considers only certain areas of the Birch Bay UGA as "urban" with their goal of providing an "urban" level of service (LOS)/response time goal. The rest of the UGA is considered "suburban" and all areas outside the UGA are "rural" with commensurately greater LOS/response time goals.
Counties are set up and meant to take care of the rural areas while cities are set up and meant to take care of the urban areas. Frankly, Whatcom County does not know how to take care of an urban area nor is there any indication that County has any intention of learning how or is willing to provide staff to treat urban areas differently with higher, urban levels of service. The notion that Birch Bay should have an urban LOS for it's roads was immediately and soundly thrown out back in 2004.
County does not now, nor has it ever in my experience, enforced with any consistency or timeliness it's existing codes such as, "WCC 20.80.540 Non-permitted storage... in Residential and Commercial Zone Districts." I consider it highly unlikely that Whatcom County would ever adopt, let alone train staff to administer, the "Birch Bay Design Guidelines for Commercial Development" published in June of 2007, since it is so far behind in the enforcement of existing code complaints.
How important is it to have public servants responding in a timely manner with sufficient local knowledge to deal with the situation appropriately? Taxes will go up as taxes always do, no matter as a city, in the county or in special districts. Would you like to have more, or continue to have less, control over the amount of your taxes and the spending of same? That is the question.”
More comments are welcome.
Friday, February 15, 2008
FORUM – Alan Friedlob on Incorporation
Two weeks ago, members of the Governance sub-committee of the Birch Bay Steering Committee met for the last time with the consultants who produced the incorporation feasibility study. At the end of the meeting, the question asked was: “What’s next?” So far, no one is coming forth to circulate petitions that would put incorporation to a vote.
In our article published last month in the Cascadia Weekly three paragraphs were devoted to Alan Friedlob’s reasons for being unwilling to vote for incorporation now. Previously a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, Alan has been active in this community over the past several years. Following is the full text of the memo he provided to us as we were working on the article:
"Having participated in the smaller group which has worked closely in the design and conduct of the financial feasibility study, we must realize that this analysis does not, and will not address whether the citizens of Birch Bay's quality of life will be better off if we incorporate. I for one believe that we do not have to incorporate to enhance the high quality of life we treasure here. My experience over the last five years leads me to have guarded confidence that we can continue to collaborate with the County and our elected officials to achieve those outcomes which will enhance and sustain Birch Bay as a unique place to live. In my opinion these outcomes are:
1. Clean water quality in Birch Bay so that we can continue to enjoy the Bay's bounty and beauty for generations to come. The efforts to establish the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District is the way to go in this regard as its efforts will take in all of the Birch Bay watershed, not just the UGA.
2. Revitalizing the Birch Bay Central Reach through designing and implementing environmental sustainable and people-friendly public places, including a walking and biking path on Birch Bay Drive that we can be proud of, and that will attract persons from throughout the County to Birch Bay. To this end, the Country appropriated $400,000 to do the design work for managing Birch Bay's Central Reach shoreline. [Editors Note: At the sub-committee meeting, Kathy Berg held up a report she had just received for this project that provides cost and time estimates.]
3. Working with developers and builders to promote green building and low-impact development design guidelines. In 2006-2007, citizens and the County invested considerable time and energy in developing design guidelines for a town center and for our waterfront. Such guidelines could be adopted now if we introduce them to County Council, and hold public hearings. What are we waiting for? No city of Birch Bay needed.
4. We just passed a parks levy to support the Northwest Parks and Rec District. Citizens now need to engage in a public dialogue about how these monies should be spent to design and implement recreational activities, especially for Birch Bay's middle school and early teens whose families may not have the resources to provide structured recreational opportunities. In this regard, we need to work closely with the Blaine School District to develop such programming. Let's look at our recreational assets and develop these, such as Bay Horizon Park. Why do we need $1 million a year investment in a Birch Bay police force when we can prevent vandalism by offering recreational outlets.
None of my priorities, which I believe will enhance Birch Bay's quality of life, require that we move forward with an incorporation effort. Maybe the County now wishes Birch Bay to move in this direction so that it no longer has to engage an active citizenry that has been quite effective in recent years in getting the County Executive and administrators to listen to our wants and needs. We do have clout, and let's continue to use our substantial tax base to influence our future. We are doing this now, and it is working."
We’re offering this Forum for others to express their opinions on incorporation and other subjects that are important for the Birch Bay community. Our objective is to start and continue conversations rather than provide final answers.
In our article published last month in the Cascadia Weekly three paragraphs were devoted to Alan Friedlob’s reasons for being unwilling to vote for incorporation now. Previously a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, Alan has been active in this community over the past several years. Following is the full text of the memo he provided to us as we were working on the article:
"Having participated in the smaller group which has worked closely in the design and conduct of the financial feasibility study, we must realize that this analysis does not, and will not address whether the citizens of Birch Bay's quality of life will be better off if we incorporate. I for one believe that we do not have to incorporate to enhance the high quality of life we treasure here. My experience over the last five years leads me to have guarded confidence that we can continue to collaborate with the County and our elected officials to achieve those outcomes which will enhance and sustain Birch Bay as a unique place to live. In my opinion these outcomes are:
1. Clean water quality in Birch Bay so that we can continue to enjoy the Bay's bounty and beauty for generations to come. The efforts to establish the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District is the way to go in this regard as its efforts will take in all of the Birch Bay watershed, not just the UGA.
2. Revitalizing the Birch Bay Central Reach through designing and implementing environmental sustainable and people-friendly public places, including a walking and biking path on Birch Bay Drive that we can be proud of, and that will attract persons from throughout the County to Birch Bay. To this end, the Country appropriated $400,000 to do the design work for managing Birch Bay's Central Reach shoreline. [Editors Note: At the sub-committee meeting, Kathy Berg held up a report she had just received for this project that provides cost and time estimates.]
3. Working with developers and builders to promote green building and low-impact development design guidelines. In 2006-2007, citizens and the County invested considerable time and energy in developing design guidelines for a town center and for our waterfront. Such guidelines could be adopted now if we introduce them to County Council, and hold public hearings. What are we waiting for? No city of Birch Bay needed.
4. We just passed a parks levy to support the Northwest Parks and Rec District. Citizens now need to engage in a public dialogue about how these monies should be spent to design and implement recreational activities, especially for Birch Bay's middle school and early teens whose families may not have the resources to provide structured recreational opportunities. In this regard, we need to work closely with the Blaine School District to develop such programming. Let's look at our recreational assets and develop these, such as Bay Horizon Park. Why do we need $1 million a year investment in a Birch Bay police force when we can prevent vandalism by offering recreational outlets.
None of my priorities, which I believe will enhance Birch Bay's quality of life, require that we move forward with an incorporation effort. Maybe the County now wishes Birch Bay to move in this direction so that it no longer has to engage an active citizenry that has been quite effective in recent years in getting the County Executive and administrators to listen to our wants and needs. We do have clout, and let's continue to use our substantial tax base to influence our future. We are doing this now, and it is working."
We’re offering this Forum for others to express their opinions on incorporation and other subjects that are important for the Birch Bay community. Our objective is to start and continue conversations rather than provide final answers.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Faces from the Caucus
Legend has it there were two participants at the 2000 caucus, and 220 in 2004 at the Senior Center in Blaine. Saturday, the cavernous American Legion Hall in Birch Bay was packed. There were so many people and so few chairs that Bob Hendricks, the site manager, was moving so fast the camera couldn’t catch him in focus.
This Blaine High School Track & Field team sweatshirt described the situation. The wearer, Brandon Utter, now studies engineering at Whatcom Community College.
His friend Bobby King, a freshman at WWU, may have been the youngest voter of the few young registrants at the caucus.
The Obama people showed they know how to organize a campaign. Credit Richard May, an Obama field organizer who calls Blaine home. (He previously worked in Iowa, Nevada and Oregon.)
Obama signs lined the roads leading to the Legion. Obama posters studded the Legion’s walls. Standing by this one was the Whatcom Democratic Party stalwart, Bryan Dixon, precinct captain of #303. (Clinton supporters drew a few crude signs.)
One enthusiastic Clinton supporter, Sylvia Rhoads, stood firm. After reading an offered article by Peggy Noonan, an important speechwriter for Ronald Regan, concluding that Obama is “bullet proof“, she exuberantly stuck with Clinton.
Elsie Babcock came to decide between parties. Leaving the building before the vote, she said she had decided to be a Republican. However, “I could vote for Obama in the general election, but not Clinton.”
Hendricks mentioned the party in Whatcom County strives for diversity. We found these two people with distinctive hats. Could they be from Turkey or Finland? No, Chris Camp and Kim Coscarart are from Birch Bay. The hats hail from Nepal, purchased at Fair Trade Haven in Fairhaven. Camp became a delegate.
After the vote, came the appeal for money to support the Whatcom Democratic Party. Our precinct captain, Trudee Smith collected handfuls of contribution envelopes.
Despite being packed in like sardines, with little to do after signing up, most seemed to enjoy the experience.
Mine’ Hakim estimated the crowd at 700. Now a fragrance chemist who makes new leather scents for used car dealers, she previously worked conferences and learned to count in batches of 30.
Would 700 be 10 percent of the registered Democrats in the nine precincts? How will 700 compare with the number of voters in the primary whose vote won’t count for anything but headlines?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Is a Primary vote for Barak worth a 41-cent stamp?
Not if you want your vote to count at the Democrat convention in August. What you’re voting for is a headline after the Primary closes February 19. (We did send in our ballots. When we were packing to move here, we found some old stamps and we're using them up. One of our envelopes had six 6-cent stamps and one 5-cent stamp.)
The ballot you received last week didn’t say this election for the Democrats is only a “straw vote”, but it is. (If you want to vote for Ron Paul, your Republican ballot will count, partially – go to www.wsrp.org for information.)
If you want to help decide who the Democrats run in the November election, go to the caucus on Saturday. Nine precincts from this corner of the county will meet at the American Legion Hall in Birch Bay, sign up from 12 noon to 1 p.m. (or maybe 1:30 by some accounts, but you don't want to be late).
As the Seattle Times explained in a good article on January 28, Saturday’s local caucuses, the first level of a five-step process, will select 33,000 delegates to legislative-district caucuses. On April 5, these legislative-district delegates select 2,000 regular delegates and 1,000 alternates to congressional-district caucuses and the state party convention. On May 17, the congressional-district delegates select 51 delegates to serve as the State Democratic party’s Election Committee; these delegates also go to the national convention. On June 14-15, at the state convention in Spokane, the Election Committee selects 29 additional delegates to join them at the national convention. Also joining the delegation will be 17 “super delegates” – party leaders and election officials. The final step, on August 25-28, finds 97 delegates and 13 alternates from Washington attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Of those 97 delegates, 46 of them, almost half of the total, will be uncommited to the initial voters – no wonder the U.S. loses out to Sweden in lists of “pure” Democracies. This uncommitted factor may be important. As Jonathan Alter of Newsweek explained to Keith Oberman on MSNBC’s ‘Countdown’ Monday evening, “Whatever happens on ‘Super Tuesday’, this thing will go on.”
For now, let us honor our local volunteers. Bob Henricks, whose home is in Blaine, is the site leader for the Democrat caucus at the Legion on Saturday. He’s captain for Precinct #301. Other captains are: #302, Wendy Davis; #303, Fay Adams and Bryan Dickson; #102, Ronda Fleming and Julie Pruitt; #103, Jean Savidge and Alexis Staley; #104, Karen Dolphin, #106, Pat Brush; #107, Elizabeth Ivory; #109, Rick Poitras and Trudee Smith.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Last Friday evening, we were among 20 guests in the elegant home of Larry a
nd Barbara Daugert, who have a horse farm west of Ferndale. There we had the opportunity to meet Dean Fluker, a field organizer in the Obama campaign.
Most of the guests were committed to Barak. Barbara Daugert said this is the first election since Eugene McCarthy that she doesn’t need to hold her nose. One man with a full head of biblical white hair – a well-aged hippie – spoke passionately about the need to change the direction of the country, to get out of the many military bases the U.S. has in foreign countries and to support other elements of the progressive agenda. (Asked if he has read books by Chalmers Johnson, ‘Blowback,’ ‘The Sorrows of Empire’ and ‘Hubris’, he laughed and said his wife tells him about them.)
We were there mainly to see what an Obama organizer is like, and we weren’t disappointed. Here is a young man – at 23, young enough to be grandson of some of the participants -- who’s been in the state only a few days, assigned to cover five counties. Ten days before the caucuse,s he’s sitting there relaxed as if nothing more is on his mind than the people in this living room.
Two younger women said they were uncertain. One asked many questions, seeking ammunition for arguments with her older sister. Fluker asked the other woman to describe what she wanted in a President. Her answer sounded like she could be Al Gore’s sister. Fluker said, “You’ve just described Barak Obama.” He elaborated a bit but didn’t dominate the discussion.
His most salient point was that the anti-war speech Obama made in 2002 came as he was preparing to run for the Senate; many Illinois politicians said being against the war would be disastrous for his candidacy. Wrong.
This meeting was informational. There was no request for money. When we asked Fluker if he had enough, he said, “I think so but I haven’t checked my bank account lately.” He said contributions should be made via the Internet at http://www.barackobama.com.
Would you want your granddaughter to date an Obama organizer?
“Absolutely,” says Ruth.
The ballot you received last week didn’t say this election for the Democrats is only a “straw vote”, but it is. (If you want to vote for Ron Paul, your Republican ballot will count, partially – go to www.wsrp.org for information.)
If you want to help decide who the Democrats run in the November election, go to the caucus on Saturday. Nine precincts from this corner of the county will meet at the American Legion Hall in Birch Bay, sign up from 12 noon to 1 p.m. (or maybe 1:30 by some accounts, but you don't want to be late).
As the Seattle Times explained in a good article on January 28, Saturday’s local caucuses, the first level of a five-step process, will select 33,000 delegates to legislative-district caucuses. On April 5, these legislative-district delegates select 2,000 regular delegates and 1,000 alternates to congressional-district caucuses and the state party convention. On May 17, the congressional-district delegates select 51 delegates to serve as the State Democratic party’s Election Committee; these delegates also go to the national convention. On June 14-15, at the state convention in Spokane, the Election Committee selects 29 additional delegates to join them at the national convention. Also joining the delegation will be 17 “super delegates” – party leaders and election officials. The final step, on August 25-28, finds 97 delegates and 13 alternates from Washington attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Of those 97 delegates, 46 of them, almost half of the total, will be uncommited to the initial voters – no wonder the U.S. loses out to Sweden in lists of “pure” Democracies. This uncommitted factor may be important. As Jonathan Alter of Newsweek explained to Keith Oberman on MSNBC’s ‘Countdown’ Monday evening, “Whatever happens on ‘Super Tuesday’, this thing will go on.”
For now, let us honor our local volunteers. Bob Henricks, whose home is in Blaine, is the site leader for the Democrat caucus at the Legion on Saturday. He’s captain for Precinct #301. Other captains are: #302, Wendy Davis; #303, Fay Adams and Bryan Dickson; #102, Ronda Fleming and Julie Pruitt; #103, Jean Savidge and Alexis Staley; #104, Karen Dolphin, #106, Pat Brush; #107, Elizabeth Ivory; #109, Rick Poitras and Trudee Smith.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Last Friday evening, we were among 20 guests in the elegant home of Larry a
nd Barbara Daugert, who have a horse farm west of Ferndale. There we had the opportunity to meet Dean Fluker, a field organizer in the Obama campaign.Most of the guests were committed to Barak. Barbara Daugert said this is the first election since Eugene McCarthy that she doesn’t need to hold her nose. One man with a full head of biblical white hair – a well-aged hippie – spoke passionately about the need to change the direction of the country, to get out of the many military bases the U.S. has in foreign countries and to support other elements of the progressive agenda. (Asked if he has read books by Chalmers Johnson, ‘Blowback,’ ‘The Sorrows of Empire’ and ‘Hubris’, he laughed and said his wife tells him about them.)
We were there mainly to see what an Obama organizer is like, and we weren’t disappointed. Here is a young man – at 23, young enough to be grandson of some of the participants -- who’s been in the state only a few days, assigned to cover five counties. Ten days before the caucuse,s he’s sitting there relaxed as if nothing more is on his mind than the people in this living room.
Two younger women said they were uncertain. One asked many questions, seeking ammunition for arguments with her older sister. Fluker asked the other woman to describe what she wanted in a President. Her answer sounded like she could be Al Gore’s sister. Fluker said, “You’ve just described Barak Obama.” He elaborated a bit but didn’t dominate the discussion.
His most salient point was that the anti-war speech Obama made in 2002 came as he was preparing to run for the Senate; many Illinois politicians said being against the war would be disastrous for his candidacy. Wrong.
This meeting was informational. There was no request for money. When we asked Fluker if he had enough, he said, “I think so but I haven’t checked my bank account lately.” He said contributions should be made via the Internet at http://www.barackobama.com.
Would you want your granddaughter to date an Obama organizer?
“Absolutely,” says Ruth.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
'Is this seaside community ready to be a city?" ...
... is the title of our article about Birch Bay, published by the Cascadia Weekly, Bellingham's alternative weekly -- available at pickup locations through next Wednesday.
Also available on the web at: www.cascadiaweekly.com/pdfs/issues/2000805.pdf
-- pages 8-10.
Also available on the web at: www.cascadiaweekly.com/pdfs/issues/2000805.pdf
-- pages 8-10.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Support the Blue Fish
When we learned about the problem with the Liquor Control Board, we were about to write an obituary, expecting that the restaurant would be forced to close. But Genee’ Haws Kay of the Chamber of Commerce reported in an e-mail that Larry Campbell, the general manager, advised they would stay open, inviting people to try their new menu. Then came the message that the Blue Fish would host the Chamber’s February luncheon meeting. This was good news for members concerned that the restaurant was not participating in Chamber activities. “They’re a different culture,” said one.
We’re from San Francisco where everyone is a minority and everyone eats all cultures. Al learned to use chopsticks in Seoul, at the only on-limits restaurant for GIs at the time, 1956. And he well remembers Wendell Wilke’s ‘One World’ speech in the 1940 Presidential Campaign. If you put all the Asian-owned businesses in Birch Bay in one column and all the others in another, which column do you think is generating the most retail sales tax -- income that we need to support a city government or to get our way with the County?
Grant Cho, the current owner, grew up in Seoul. From two brief conversations, we expect he could be a respected member of the community. (He’s tall enough to be a pillar.) The first conversation was when we crossed the Drive after an unsatisfactory meal at another restaurant. Mr. Cho handed us his business card saying, “Have a free meal on us.” Several days later, we enjoyed a baked salmon. The next time we visited on our own check, we had bacon-wrapped prawns and baked oysters. Both first rate.
Lisa Guthrie, of Homestead, who was involved in the development of CJ’s Beach House, says a place like Birch Bay needs at least two good restaurants to be a destination for folks from Bellingham and other parts of the county.
We’ll be back for a Valentine’s dinner when there will be a piano player. We can drink wine when we get home.
Try the Blue Fish for yourselves and tell us about your experience at birchbayblog@hotmail.com
Is there enough talent for a Birch Bay government?
1.21.08
About eventual incorporation, Bob Aiken wrote a letter published in The Northern Light stating, “I don’t see any good coming from this.’’ Then he attended his first meeting of the governance subcommittee and questioned the talent pool available to run a city.
This Bob Aiken should not be confused with respected former aerospace engineer who is active in the Chamber of Commerce and leader of the popular 49th Parallel Dixieland Jazz Band. This Bob Aiken is a determined letter writer who wanted to save the Blaine airport. But we shouldn’t be too quick to put him down because some others in the community agree with him about potential office holders.
But compared to what? In our view, public people are about the same – a combination of strengths and weaknesses – whether it’s in the local school board or the U.S. Congress.
Here’s a list of people we know who we expect would be thoughtful and dependable in leading a city government:
Kathy Berg and Doralee Booth, who’ve kept the Steering Committee going;
Kelvin Barton, who has 30 years experience in the Everett city government;
Elie and Alan Friedlob, who early on began working on storm water problems and are making BBWARM happen;
Jerry Larson, their collaborator, and defender of shellfish in the Bay;
Ted Morris, the Northwest Parks and Recreation commissioner, who worked hard for passage of the levy in the last election;
Cynthia DeJong Colinaris, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Tammy Pearce, the Chamber's vice president and the dynamo of the Bay Café;
Lisa Guthrie, chair of this year’s successful Polar Bear Plunge, who, while representing Homestead, demonstrates a broad view;
Mike Kent, the inspiration and enabler of the New Year’s Eve Ring of Fire and Hope;
Bruce Montegani, who made sense when he spoke during the first open meeting with the Feasibility Study consultants;
Valery Anderson, president of Birch Bay Village Homeowners Association, a steady participant in Steering Committee meetings;
Jeri Smith and Tom Vuyovich, if they ever come back.
Tell us your candidates at birchbayblog@hotmail.com
About eventual incorporation, Bob Aiken wrote a letter published in The Northern Light stating, “I don’t see any good coming from this.’’ Then he attended his first meeting of the governance subcommittee and questioned the talent pool available to run a city.
This Bob Aiken should not be confused with respected former aerospace engineer who is active in the Chamber of Commerce and leader of the popular 49th Parallel Dixieland Jazz Band. This Bob Aiken is a determined letter writer who wanted to save the Blaine airport. But we shouldn’t be too quick to put him down because some others in the community agree with him about potential office holders.
But compared to what? In our view, public people are about the same – a combination of strengths and weaknesses – whether it’s in the local school board or the U.S. Congress.
Here’s a list of people we know who we expect would be thoughtful and dependable in leading a city government:
Kathy Berg and Doralee Booth, who’ve kept the Steering Committee going;
Kelvin Barton, who has 30 years experience in the Everett city government;
Elie and Alan Friedlob, who early on began working on storm water problems and are making BBWARM happen;
Jerry Larson, their collaborator, and defender of shellfish in the Bay;
Ted Morris, the Northwest Parks and Recreation commissioner, who worked hard for passage of the levy in the last election;
Cynthia DeJong Colinaris, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Tammy Pearce, the Chamber's vice president and the dynamo of the Bay Café;
Lisa Guthrie, chair of this year’s successful Polar Bear Plunge, who, while representing Homestead, demonstrates a broad view;
Mike Kent, the inspiration and enabler of the New Year’s Eve Ring of Fire and Hope;
Bruce Montegani, who made sense when he spoke during the first open meeting with the Feasibility Study consultants;
Valery Anderson, president of Birch Bay Village Homeowners Association, a steady participant in Steering Committee meetings;
Jeri Smith and Tom Vuyovich, if they ever come back.
Tell us your candidates at birchbayblog@hotmail.com
Applause for BBCC
1.14.08
When the Urban Growth Plan was completed four years ago, Kathy Berg proposed that the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce be responsible for economic development. But one of the Elders said, “The wheels are off there.” At the time, the Chamber was in turmoil. A number of officers and members quit. However, Genee’ Haws Kay accepted responsibility to hold the organization together and prevailed. Now, with the title of executive director, she counts 145 members, a record number. Leadership of the current president, Cynthia De Jong Colinares, indicates potential for greater responsibility in the community.
The Chamber’s organizational strength was on display at the start of this year. The New Years Eve ‘Ring of Fire and Hope’, conceived and nourished by Mike Kent, is becoming a tradition that brings folks from throughout the county to light flares. Ditto the ‘Polar Bear Plunge’, which, despite a cold, gray day, attracted a record number of 280 registrants. Included in the successes was a flyer offering food and other deals from merchants. (A negative was that several cafes near the event did not participate.)
The Plunge committee was headed by Lisa Guthrie, the face and voice of Homestead Northwest, whose tremendous energy in organizing the event demonstrated abilities to serve the entire community as well as her employer.
Special applause goes to Jeb Warsinske, manager of the Sand Castle Resort, who invited chilled plungers to use warm rooms in his building. Few accepted the unexpected offer – most are accustomed to changing clothes on the fly in cars, etc. But it’s the spirit of the offer than counts. Jeb, who purchased a home here and is on the board of the Chamber, is a valuable addition to the community.
When the Urban Growth Plan was completed four years ago, Kathy Berg proposed that the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce be responsible for economic development. But one of the Elders said, “The wheels are off there.” At the time, the Chamber was in turmoil. A number of officers and members quit. However, Genee’ Haws Kay accepted responsibility to hold the organization together and prevailed. Now, with the title of executive director, she counts 145 members, a record number. Leadership of the current president, Cynthia De Jong Colinares, indicates potential for greater responsibility in the community.
The Chamber’s organizational strength was on display at the start of this year. The New Years Eve ‘Ring of Fire and Hope’, conceived and nourished by Mike Kent, is becoming a tradition that brings folks from throughout the county to light flares. Ditto the ‘Polar Bear Plunge’, which, despite a cold, gray day, attracted a record number of 280 registrants. Included in the successes was a flyer offering food and other deals from merchants. (A negative was that several cafes near the event did not participate.)
The Plunge committee was headed by Lisa Guthrie, the face and voice of Homestead Northwest, whose tremendous energy in organizing the event demonstrated abilities to serve the entire community as well as her employer.
Special applause goes to Jeb Warsinske, manager of the Sand Castle Resort, who invited chilled plungers to use warm rooms in his building. Few accepted the unexpected offer – most are accustomed to changing clothes on the fly in cars, etc. But it’s the spirit of the offer than counts. Jeb, who purchased a home here and is on the board of the Chamber, is a valuable addition to the community.
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