Restore the Two-Thirds; a Freedom Foundation Petition

All hands on deck!  It’s time to get the grassroots, common sense people to let the will of the people be heard.  The Freedom Foundation has posted an online petition demanding our political leaders to “Restore the Two-Thirds,” requirement to raise taxes and make it permanent. 

All it takes to effect change is to raise our voices in unison for a common cause.  Washington State has increased spending above revenue projections far too long and now, due to an activist State Supreme Court (elections do have consequences) the will of the people (64% of them) has been subverted.  Since Initiative 601, the voters have passed the two-thirds requirement five times.  Each time it passes with an even greater majority than the last one.  It’s time to send the message straight to Olympia that We the People have spoken and no less than a State Constitutional Amendment requiring the two-thirds vote of the House and Senate will do.

Please check-out the Freedom Foundation’s petition to restore the two-thirds majority vote as a constitutional amendment.  And, please share this with all of your friends and family.

YiT ~  Shelly

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The State Supreme Court just made it a lot easier for the legislature to raise your taxes—and we know they’re going to try.
Washington voters have repeatedly (6 times) and overwhelmingly (64% in 2012) voted to require a super-majority vote for the legislature to increase taxes or fees. Yet six State Supreme Court justices sided with special interests to strike down this law.
Some politicians claim tax hikes are essential just to support basic services. It’s an outright lie. State revenue for the next budget is projected to be $2 billion more than in the last budget, yet politicians say it’s not enough. In fact, revenue has consistently increased over time. Washington State don’t have a revenue problem—we have a spending problem.
Let’s tell Olympia, loud and clear, that we don’t need more taxes.

LiveJournal Tags: Restore,Freedom Foundation,Taxes,Two-Thirds,Majority,Raise,Increase,Washington,Washington State,State of Washington,Whatcom County,Legislature,Budget,State Constitution

A Lesson in Political Aspirations and Property Rights

Glenn Morgan of the Freedom Foundation, and Stephen Pidgeon, atty., gave a presentation to the Snohomish County CAPR alliance.  This one is not only worth the time to view it, it is required of you to share with your friends and there friends and ad-finiem (don’t know if that’s a word, but it should be).

YiT ~  Shelly

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LiveJournal Tags: Glenn Morgan,Stephen Pidgeon,Property Rights,CAPR,Agenda 21,Freedom Foundation,Whatcom County,Snohomish County,Constitution Day,Environment,Patriotism,Politics,Regulations,Washington State

Update on the status of the Whatcom County, Lake Whatcom Reconveyance and Common Sense from the County Executive

There was a semi-victory in preventing a natural resource treasure from being stolen and placed under the control of Whatcom Land Trust (an NGO) to be forever restricted from public input and used as a productive and resourceful area that the birds, bees, flowers, trees and humans all enjoy and benefit from.  NGO’s are beholden to the United Nations “Agenda for the 21st Century,” aka Agenda 21.

Click on the image below to go to the editorial at “The Whatcom Excavator.”  If you are not already a regular reader of “WE” (the Whatcom Excavator), you should be.  The articles are insightful and packed with substantiated information that individual property owners and residents of this county need to know.

YiT ~ Shelly

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LiveJournal Tags: Agenda 21,Bellingham,Cap and Trade,Conservation Northwest,Environment,Progressives,Whatcom Land Trust,Whatcom County Council,Reconveyance,Taxes,Whatcom Excavator,WE,Regulations

Water, water, everywhere…nor any drop to drink.

“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” by S.T. Coleridge:

“Water, water, everywhere,

And all the boards did shrink.

Water, water, everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink.”

Whatcom County has many issues they are dealing with in regards to “water.”  You wouldn’t think that water should, could, would be an issue for the “Evergreen State,” would you?  The amount of water available to support humans, wildlife, industry and recreation is not in question.  The Whatcom County Council, the Whatcom County Executive, the City of Bellingham Council and Mayor, the local Public Utility District and the Nooksack and Lummi Tribes, have been working behind closed doors for “YEARS” and have not allowed “ALL” of the stakeholders a transparent seat at the table in these discussions. 

The State of Washington mandates that everyone has access to water without the need of a permit for these users:

• Provide water for livestock (no gallon per day limit)
• Watering non-commercial lawn or garden of 1/2 acre in size (no gallon per day limit)
• Provide water for single or groups of homes (limited to 5000 gallons per day)
• Provide water for industrial purposes, including irrigation (limited to 5000 gallons per day w/no limit on allowed acreage)

So, if we already have the rights to water use, why is this still an issue?  Who are the stakeholders?  It seems to me that anyone who uses water has an interest in seeing to it that we have access to plentiful, affordable, clean water.  The devil will be in the details of how much "”real” science is used to determine the outcome.  If the past is any indicator, there is a lot of questionable science being used to regulate us already…we don’t need more of that!

He who controls the water controls the world!

Click this link to learn:

• What are water rights?
• Why do water rights matter?
• Who will this affect?
• How do we know who to trust?

There are many groups who are seeking to make this an open and honest process.  Thus far it has potentially devolved into a federal court decision if the “tribes” succeed in bringing this to a federal judge willing to hear and make judgment on; “He who controls the water.”  Seems to me that this matter should be adjudicated at the State level, since this is a States issue.

YiT ~ Shelly

LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County,Water Rights,WRIA1,Water,Regulations,Politics,Nooksack River Water Rights

Local Blog, “Whatcom Excavator,” exposes blatant lies and collusion between City of Bellingham, Whatcom County Executive, Whatcom County Council, Conservation NW, Board of Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Others

Please, please, please…take the time to read, absorb and share this posting from the Whatcom Excavator.  On Sept. 11th, 2012, the Whatcom County Council may affirm the Reconveyance of 8,800 acres of forested, agricultural land, currently under the control of our elected officials for the benefit of public school construction, low impact recreational activities (including hunting, fishing, off road vehicles and those “nasty” non-sustainable sports), which will forever remove this land as an asset and convert it to a public expense.  The real goal is to hand over this land to the Whatcom Land Trust with a “Conservation Easement.”  Whatcom Land Trust will have all of the control and “We the People,” will have all the costs to pay to maintain thousands of acres.  Better yet, they plan to make an exemption to place “wind turbines” across the ridge line around Lake Whatcom.  Wonder who’s pockets get lined with this chummy deal?

Read the truth for yourself and contact your local Whatcom County Representatives, Whatcom County Executive, BNR and DNR, to share your opinion.

YiT ~ Shelly

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The Dirty Low Down - Reconveyance Records Unmask Deals and Secrecy

08/27/2012

WE just received a disk of public records that’s a scorcher.  Having looked through quite a few of these files (there are hundreds - it's good that this came with a list of “finds”) it looks like the county has done its best to evade the reality that significant collateral damage will befall the local economy if the “Lake Whatcom Reconveyance” moves forward.  What’s worse, the files reveal the Park Department’s constant and direct involvement in politics.  A lot of effort seems to have gone into putting direct pressure on elected officials near and far.  Instead of being objective, government has exhibited nothing but cold disregard for casualties on this steady march toward a predetermined outcome.  The disk is loaded with emails that urge secrecy.  Reading like a pulp fiction novel, tens of emails revealed deal making, back slapping, and substantial hypocrisy about environmental protection.  It seems a few key players have led an orchestrated campaign to drum up public support based on grandiose promises and emotion.

Click here to read the full post.

LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County,Conservation Northwest,Department of Natural Resources,Lake Whatcom Reconveyance,Whatcom Land Trust,Forestry

Local video depicts disturbing relationship between Whatcom County Planning and Development Services & Whatcom County Executive Louws

Some may find this video funny.  Others will find it disturbing.  If the story this animated video tells has even an element of truth to it, then “We the People” have an even bigger problem than we know.

YiT ~  Shelly

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LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County,Whatcom County Planning,Whatcom County PDS,Whatcom County Executive,Jack Louws

Citizen’s Petition to “Stop” Wind Turbine Proposal for Galbraith Mountian, in Whatcom County

Oo-oo-h!  Just found this local article from the Whatcom Excavator.  It is a beauty of an article, because it clearly defines everything “wrong” with large wind turbines in an area that has plentiful “clean” hydro-electrical energy, which is sold to the consumer at a lower rate than wind or solar can be.

Another gem to share with you and for you to share too!

YiT ~  Shelly

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Huge Wind Turbine Project on Galbraith Mountain Raises Questions

04/08/2012

Talk around town is that serious questions have been raised about an absolutely immense wind turbine project that's been proposed for installation at the top of Galbraith Mountain.   This mega-machine so far exceeds the County's recently enacted standards it requires a conditional use permit.   WE checked out the turbine specs, and learned that - yes indeed (see the particulars) - this has a 100 meter rotor diameter, that's 328 feet.
With all the outcry from our local eco-elite alarmists about retaining the county's scenic beauty, habitat, and rural character, in uber-green style most want to turn a totally blind eye away from this project's impacts, which would be many.
This machine will make an incredible amount of noise (the specs say 106 decibels) when it runs - well beyond safe limits.   And there's no question that this will slaughter birds like crazy for years if it's built.   At three times the height of Bellingham Towers it will need to have have aircraft warning lights.   So much for the Galbraith Mountain skyline, aesthetics, etc.    The foundation and earthwork will be significant, at a location right between the Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish watersheds.   These turbines are notorious for leaking oil, among other environmental impacts.   So much for watershed protection.   At a minimum, a very big buffer (perhaps 1000 feet) should be required around the thing.   Imagine how far a broken blade would fly (they weigh tons), and there's that pesky noise issue.

Two griffon vultures killed by turbines in Navarre, Spain. One of them has been sliced in half by the blade.

 

 

 

Kenersys K100 2.5MW Wind Turbine

To top it off, this wind turbine will require a tremendous amount of cash subsidy.   WE reported last fall how much power bills are already grossly inflated to stuff the pockets of windpower outfits.   This "industry" has been a gold-rush, unrestrained by reality.  Turbines don't turn all the time, and cost-benefit runs to the "highly inefficient end of the scale" almost everywhere.   WE have never been "NIMBY" types, but this looks like a one-way cash cow of the worst kind.

Click here to read the full article.

LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom Excavator,Whatcom County,Galbraith Mountain,Wind Turbine,Energy,Taxes,Grants,Subsidies,Petitions

Is this Crony Capitalism or Crony Socialism

When the argument is made that there is an unholy alliance between our local, publicly elected representatives and Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s), like Sustainable Connections, Futurewise, the Opportunity Council, ReSources for Sustainable Communities (see an underlining theme here?), we were not kidding.

It has recently come to my attention that there was a large hand-out given to “Sustainable Connections and The Opportunity Council” of federal stimulus funds from the Department of Energy (DOE).  These funds were tagged for the Community Enercy Challenge (CEC), granted to our Whatcom County government, to be administered through Banner Bank, a local bank.  These funds were expected to fly out the doors as small businesses and private individuals scooped up the $467,000.00 of grant money available for Whatcom County.  After approximately 2+ years, they had only given out 20% of these funds.  So, what did the Whatcom County Council, with the blessings of the Whatcom County Executive do?  They gave the remaining 80% of these funds over to Sustainable Connections and the Opportunity Council to give-away.

As I listen to the local radio stations, I hear numerous radio ads telling people how they can get “free” money to use for “green” energy projects and get “free” energy credits for years to come.  News flash; “Nothing is free!”  This money cost somebody, something and the funds came from the unspent stimulus package, that should’ve gone back to help pay down the skyrocketing debt our local, state and federal government is racking up.  Who is going to pay that debt?  The politicians who so blithely give it away?  No!  Those of us who actually pay taxes will be on the hook for every blessed penny.

Now before you say; “So what?”  Remember, the Whatcom County Council is obligated to make the distribution of these funds public.  Sustainable Connections and the Opportunity Council, are not required to make the distribution of these funds public.  Now the DOE has the authority to audit these funds, but that does not make this a transparent transaction for you and I to see that this money is spent as required.

When the public coffers are ripe with mismanagement, we are broke, TEA’d off, and frustrated by the unfettered spending in government at all levels, how come this continues to happen?

Well take a look at the Whatcom County Council’s own memo presented to the Whatcom County Council budget appropriations meeting, by the County Executive.

Now take a look at this screen shot from the Executive’s campaign website that has been saved for posterity.

Is this crony capitalism, or crony socialism?  I say, crony socialism, because these NGO’s are shutting down the U.S. Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, Whatcom County Charter and Bellingham City Charter, as they were originally written to promote growth, freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as inalienable rights of all “free” citizens.  How is this done?  Through fiscal, social manipulation of the tax dollars, which are increasingly used to pick life’s winners and losers.  No longer is it the hard work of an individual that gets rewarded.  It is whomever and however you can convince these NGO’s and their complicit political partners (PPP’s) to give tax dollars to the chosen few.

YiT,  Shelly

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I ask you to decide, did Whatcom County elect a true conservative who is dedicated to protect and defend your rights as a “private individual”?  Or, did Whatcom County elect a County Executive dedicated to “the Collective”?

LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County Executive,Whatcom County Council,Sustainable Connections,CEC,Community Energy Challenge,Crony Capitalism,Crony Socialism,Louws,Jack Louws

Will we ever know?

Earlier I posted a link to a local web-blog, “Wally Wonders Why”, that wrote about a possible illegal action by the Whatcom County Executive, Pete Kremen and Whatcom County’s Treasurer, Steve Oliver and a potential sexual harassment situation.  There does appear to be a cover-up and/or denial on the part of the County Treasurer, Steve Oliver.  But, can Mr. Oliver explain how his description of events is so out of sync with the County Executives comments at a local Northwest Business Club candidate debate, forum, held on October 12th, 2011 at the Bellingham Elks Club?

YiT,  Shelly

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This Story's Not Over - Public Statements About Scandal Conflict, What's True? 10/22/2011

Two days ago WE shared a local blog post that suggested there may have been a cover-up of a high-level scandal at the Whatcom County courthouse. Today, the Bellingham Herald published County Treasurer Steve Oliver's total denial that anything ever happened.
YET, we've received footage from the recent candidate debate that seems to confirm that something did happen. One of those "We report, you decide" moments? Point is, one of these accounts has got to be false. Watch the videos, and read the Herald article.

Click here to read the full article and more video.

LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County,Whatcom County Executive,Northwest Business Club,Candidate Debate,Pete Kremen,Tony Larson,Whatcom County Council,Whatcom County Treasurer,Steve Oliver

Will the local mainstream media’s do their job?

This posting comes from an online website “Wally’s Wonders Why”, who’s focus is on local news that doesn’t seem to make it out from the shadows and shed light for the voting citizen’s to make an informed decision on who deserves their vote!

Read, enjoy and share…please.

YiT,  Shelly

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In Hopes that Local Media will Shed Some Light

October 17th, 2011 |

I haven’t found the time to post much lately, homework, work, kids football and the list goes on, but as our next chance to vote fast approaches I’m finding that one crucial issue has not come fully to light.  The issue is whatever went on in the Whatcom County Treasurers Office between Steve Oliver and one of his employees as well as how our County Executive Pete Kremen handled it.   I can’t tell you what went on for sure, only that something apparently has gone on, but that is the point of this post.   I hope that our local media will shed some light on what has gone on, before we receive ballots asking us to again vote these men into public office.  The people of Whatcom County deserve to know.

For months now I’ve heard rumors of a scandal between County Treasurer Steve Oliver and one of his employees as well as a subsequent hush hush dealing with the situation by County Executive Pete Kremen.   I’ve seen no direct evidence of the situation, so these rumors have remained rumors from my standpoint; I’ve never repeated them.  I frankly had hoped that both County Executive Pete Kremen and County Treasurer Steve Oliver would quietly end their political careers by not seeking re-election this year, or  in Mr. Kremen’s case, election to a new position on the County Council.  Withdrawing candidacy could have left what is undoubtedly also a sensitive personal issue to be dealt with on a personal, not public level.   Sadly it doesn’t look like that is the way it will go down.

Both these men were recently questioned on this subject in open public forums and both seemed to acknowledge the situation, taking it out of the realm of gossip and rumor.  Yet, neither shed light on the facts of the situation and, as of several days later, I’ve read nothing in the news.  So in lieu of the real media at this point, I’ll pass along what I believe to know in hopes that we can make more informed decision.

At a recent NW Business Club forum, County Executive Kremen was asked if he bypassed the human resources department in dealing with a serious situation at the Whatcom County Treasurers office and his response apparently confirmed that he did.

Next, Whatcom County Treasurer Steve Oliver was asked at a Birch Bay candidate forum if he, while in office, did or did not engage in a relationship with a female employee that involved any form of affection, physical contact, sexual contact, or any other inappropriate conduct.  And as a follow up he was asked how that kind of behavior would affect his ability to conduct the duties of the Treasurer’s office.  His response was along the lines that there was no complaint, no grievance, no lawsuit, no threat of a lawsuit and that there had been no liability.  And as far as I know, he didn’t deny anything and as far as I know, he didn’t answer the followup about the effect of this on the Treasurer’s office.

The lack of denial by either Pete Kremen or Steve Oliver gives substance to what had been only  rumors.  Apparently scandal did occur at the County Treasurers office and apparently it was dealt with in a less than standard fashion at the County Executive level.

I think the smartest move at this point would be for Pete Kremen and Steve Oliver to withdraw themselves from candidacy, however I won’t be holding my breath.  But with ballots now close at hand, I sure hope that someone in our local media (Herald, KGMI, Cascadia) will step up and bring some facts to light so that voters may make more informed decisions.

LiveJournal Tags: Bellingham,Whatcom County,Whatcom,Elections,Whatcom County Elections,Kremen,Oliver,Whatcom County Executive,Pete Kremen,Steve Oliver,Whatcom County Treasurer,Treasurer

What a difference in a day!

What a difference a day makes!  Just yesterday the ink showed the Lake Whatcom land transfer as all but a done deal.  Today it would appear that the State of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources has no intention of pursuing the land transfer unless:

• The Whatcom County Council asks for it.
• Whatcom County can show how it will make-up for the lost tax revenues to the County from the loss of timber sales and to the local lumber mills.

Thank you to whomever came down on the side of reason for this stance.

Yours in Truth,  Shelly

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State board tables Lake Whatcom land transfer

JOHN STARK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

For the second time, the Washington Board of Natural Resources has tabled a land reorganization measure that would have cleared the way for transfer of about 8,000 acres of the Lake Whatcom watershed to Whatcom County for parks.

Advocates of the transfer to the county have argued that managing the land for recreation instead of timber harvest would help protect the quality of the lake's water, which is the drinking supply for Bellingham and outlying areas.

But the transfer is still being debated at the county level. Besides the potential loss of timber revenues to the county, school districts and other public agencies, opponents of the transfer have argued that the county isn't ready to take on the cost of managing the property and developing it for public use.  Click here to read the full story.

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LiveJournal Tags: Lake Whatcom,Whatcom County,Land Exchange,Lake Whatcom watershed,Forest Land,Department of Natural Resources,DNR

Lake Whatcom Land Exchange is Back!

Think that the Chuckanut Ridge land debacle is the worst thing that could happen to our community?  How about if the Whatcom County Executive and Council take over 9,000 acres of land in the Lake Whatcom watershed?  What’d be bad about that, you say?  Well currently the land is under the protection of the State of Washington’s, Department of Natural Resources and held to the highest standards of current public land uses.  Also, the County receives revenue from this land from managed commercial logging, and the County also benefits from the DNR’s logging roads that act as trails for light impact use by the public.  If Whatcom County takes over this property the tax payers will lose a lot of money from tax revenues, and take on the liabilities of any landslides, floods, fires, et al that could occur on this property.  The trails will either be removed or very likely reduced in number due to the costs of maintaining them.

The current Whatcom County Executive, Pete Kremen and Whatcom County Council President, Sam Crawford are all in on this one, in fact it’s popularly referred to as “Pete Kremen Park”.  Why is it that politicians who spend decades in the political system are only willing to leave after they have some public park, museum, library or facility named after themselves?

Yours in Truth, Shelly

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Lake Whatcom land exchange back on agenda at Board of Natural Resources

October 7th, 2011 9 AM PST by john - The Bellingham Herald

From Stark

A much-discussed plan to transfer state land around Lake Whatcom to Whatcom County for management as park land is back on the agenda of the state’s Board of Natural Resources on Monday, Oct. 10 in Olympia.

Mitch Friedman, executive director of Conservation Northwest, says a busload of environmentalists will be heading to the capital for the 9 a.m. meeting.

The critical vote on this transfer will be cast by the Whatcom County Council, but before that can happen, the state board must approve a complex intra-state transfer of the land among various categories of state management, to lay the legal groundwork for the transfer of nearly 9,000 acres to the county.

Click here to read the full story.

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LiveJournal Tags: Lake Whatcom,Whatcom County,Land Exchange,Lake Whatcom watershed,Forest Land,Department of Natural Resources,DNR

Whatcom County considering the implementation of Ruckelshaus & the Natural Resources Market Place; Hands Off Our HOMES / FARMS / BUSINESSES / CHURCHES / BODIES / PROPERTY!

A major article posted from a local source (wish the local newspapers provided this type of insight) covers an impending ACTION by the Whatcom County Council to move forward the implementation of the “Washington State Ruckelshaus, Watershed Advisory Commission Board; 2011-HB 1886” and the “Natural Resources Marketplace”.  “How do you say? Hello Cap and Trade!”  The WC Council sent out a quickie bid (available on the WC website for one week?) for a “Request for Proposal” on how they can meld these two property taking regulations into Whatcom County Code.

Here is a small taste of the article with a link to the full story and a great video of a courageous woman speaking to her Council about the dangers of Agenda 21/Sustainable Development.

Everything is an action plan:

• A – Agenda 21

• C – Community

• T – Teamwork

• I – In

• O – Operation

• N – Now

• !

  

Yours in Truth, Shelly

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Major Alarm - RFP Kick-Starting Ruckelshaus and NRM Supposedly for "Ag" Is Looming

10/03/2011

WE have previously alerted readers about eco-activist efforts to take “planning” to a shocking new level in Whatcom County.  We dredged on the “Natural Resources Marketplace” (NRM) and the “Ruckelshaus Bill.”
WE have just discovered that Whatcom County Planning has moved ahead like a rocket to kick-start both of these mechanisms.   How are they pulling this off?
Under the cover of “agricultural conservation,” proponents of central ecology control through the Natural Resources Marketplace and Ruckelshaus have steadily taken a very firm grip on the Whatcom County Agriculture Advisory Committee.   Through an elaborate protracted process including a special public-private partnership with eco-activist group Farm Friends, this committee authored the Agricultural Strategic Plan (ASP – yes, like the snake).   The ASP (read it) says Whatcom County government, working with the Natural Resources Marketplace group and others, should manipulate the tangible and intangible ecological resources of all property in the county.  They're talking watersheds.  And they're talking about public and private property.  And all has been framed saying the ASP will enhance and protect agriculture "for future generations."   A person would think this is nice, that it will assure that 100,000 acres of land will be actively farmed, but that's a figleaf.   It's a ruse for convoluted growth management that will be in the hands of a tight cadre that we don't elect, and can't eject.

Click here to read the full story.

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LiveJournal Tags: Agenda 21,Cap & Trade,Environmental Defense Fund,Farming,ICLEI,Politics,Regulations,Whatcom County,Natural Resources Marketplace,Agriculture Strategic Plan

“Whatcom County Political Events”

Local upcoming events of interest:

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Whatcom County Sheriff’s Forum: Oct 4th, 2011 / 6:30pm / Whatcom County Courthous / Council Chambers / 311 Grand Ave / Bellingham / WA / 98225

Dr. Carol Swain / Author of: “Be the People” / Western Washington University / Arntzen Hall 100 / Oct 13th, 2011 / 7:00pm – 8:30pm /

Whatcom County Political Debate: Sponsored by the “Bellingham Tea Party” / Oct  18th, 2011 / Lynden Middle School / 516 Main Street / Lynden / WA / 98264 / Format: Debate

• Whatcom County Executive: Jack Louws vs. Wash State Senator Doug Ericksen
• Whatcom County Council: Christina Magginis vs. WC Councilman Sam Crawford
• Whatcom County Treasurer: Steve Oliver vs. Brian Smith

This is a unique opportunity to judge the differences of the candidates, especially the Treasurer’s office.  The Treasurer’s rarely have the opportunity to show their stuff?

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LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County,Politics,Sheriff Elfo,Deputy Harris,Sam Crawford,Christina Magginis,Steve Oliver,Brian Smith,Candidates,Whatcom County Council,Whatcom County Treasurer

“Wanted” ~ Principled Politicians!

What was that I said about principled politicians?  Anyone else out there who thinks that this type of behind the scenes activity isn’t going on all the time needs to have their head examined.  If there were term limits on all political offices, this would not become an issue.  “Full-time” political office is what “We the People” do not want!  The people need average citizen’s to serve in public office and use their experience from within the marketplace to keep a common sense level of knowledge in place, as it was intended and known by those who’d already lived under the tyranny of life-time politicians and monarchies.

“Kremen, Crawford, Mann and any others who may have taken part in this should be ashamed to be seen in public office.”

Great catch by whomever ousted this scam!

Yours In Truth    Shelly

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Key backer of Whatcom County salary commission admits lying about reason behind it

JARED PABEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

When Bellingham businessman Jack Hovenier first proposed Whatcom County should create a salary commission, he publicly said the goal was to establish a more transparent system for setting elected officials' pay.

But according to a voicemail transcript obtained by The Bellingham Herald from Whatcom County, he told County Executive Pete Kremen the real goal was to change county law so the council members could get raises.

When asked about the voicemail this week, Hovenier lied and said he hadn't called Kremen.

• ABOUT THE COMMISSION

  State law governs how the salary commission would work. It would require the following:

  • Six of the 10 members would be chosen at random from the pool of registered voters. The remaining four would be proposed by the executive and approved by the council. The four would be drawn from the sectors of business, personnel management, law and organized labor. Commission members would serve two-year terms.

  • The body would meet once every two years and create a salary schedule for elected officials. They would submit a schedule by May 1, and it would go into effect the following January.

  • Raises could go into effect when the schedule is approved, but pay cuts wouldn't take effect until after the next election for that seat.

  • The salary schedule would be subject to the citizen referendum process. Signature gatherers would have 30 days after the salary schedule is submitted to gather enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

  • The commission wouldn't be paid, but it could be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members could only be removed from the commission because of "incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, or for a disqualifying change of residence," according to state law.

Nearly 120,000 voters in November will be asked whether they want to change the county charter to direct the creation of a 10-person commission. The commission would set pay for the following county officials: executive, auditor, assessor, treasurer, sheriff, prosecuting attorney and council members.

Currently, the seven-member County Council sets pay for all of them.

The charter currently limits council members' pay to up to 15 percent of what the executive gets paid. The council members make about $20,000 a year, the lowest of all county elected officials, and the executive makes the highest at $147,000 a year. The ballot measure would remove the 15 percent limit, so the independent commission could boost salaries.

Click here to read full article here.

LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County,Executive,Council,Politics,Kremen,Crawfor,Mann,Hovenier,Salary Commission

“Re Sources” throws an Anchor on the “Gateway Pacific Terminal Project”

Ever wonder why nothing ever comes of “new” manufacturing or production jobs” in Whatcom County?  With the urging of “Re-Sources for Sustainable Communities, the environmental law firm “Earthjustice” is throwing the process back to the permit level.  Based on SSA’s original permit’s “lack” of inclusion for the word “coal” and the “under stated” potential increase in train traffic at it’s maximum projected potential not documented in their original 1992 permit.  You need to understand that Re-Sources for Sustainable Communities only exist because they have professional grant writers.  These professional’s milk the tax payers for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars to fund their efforts to “kill” all manufacturing and production that isn’t of a “socially” acceptable, green variety.  These “Eco-Fads” are killing American jobs and America’s ability to have a vibrant, sustainable economy.  An economy solely based on “green” is doomed for bankruptcy because you must have a diverse economy that relies on a multi-layered field of businesses, if we are to provide jobs for the masses.  A diverse economy is capable of withstanding the booms and busts of business cycles and yes, those rascally evil “economic bubbles”, like the internet and housing markets.

The links I’ve provided below will give you some good research to see how these NGO’s are taking government money to use against “YOU” and is a huge part of the jobless recovery we have been experiencing of late.

Re Sources for Sustainable Communities; “Stormwater University”: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3968437/Green%20Tea/20110060%20%28Stormwater%20University%29.pdf

Found as Re Sources:  http://www.cob.org/cob/Contracts.nsf/srch?SearchView&Query=Re%20Sources

Found as Re sources: http://www.cob.org/cob/Contracts.nsf/srch?SearchView&Query=Re%20sources

Found as Sustainable Connections 2010: http://www.cob.org/cob/Contracts.nsf/srch?SearchView&Query=Sustainable%20Connections%202010

Found as Sustainable Connections: http://www.cob.org/cob/Contracts.nsf/srch?SearchView&Query=Sustainable%20Connections

Yours In Truth    Shelly

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Please enjoy the article in today’s Bellingham Herald confirming that Re-Sources for Sustainable Communities has contracted with the law firm “Earthjustice” to stall/prevent the Gateway Pacific Terminal from moving forward on development of the cargo terminal proposal for Cherry Point.  These organizations want “all” petroleum, carbon based industries to be shut down in the United States, yet there is no viable alternative to replace these energy sources for the next 5+ decades, as documented by the renowned physics professor Dr.Richard R Muller.  How will the “human” population feed and cloth themselves and their children if we are forced to return to the pre-industrialized ages?

POSTED: Thursday, Jun. 23, 2011

Whatcom County: Gateway Pacific cargo terminal needs new permit

JARED PABEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Developers of the Gateway Pacific Terminal must apply for an entirely new shoreline permit if they want to build a facility capable of handling up to 54 million tons of cargo a year, including coal.

The decision from Whatcom County planners deals a setback to SSA Marine of Seattle, which proposes to build the terminal at Cherry Point, west of Ferndale.

The company says it has a valid 1997 permit for a smaller facility that could handle up to 8.2 million tons of cargo a year, not including coal (the permit mentions moving petroleum coke, iron ore, sulfur, potash and wood chips).

The company argues that the larger facility would simply require processing the application as a "revision" to the existing permit, and that the revisions would undergo the same level of scrutiny as a new application.

Environmental groups, including Earthjustice, an environmental law firm, dispute that. The group said accepting the application as a revision would mean less public scrutiny, and would mean the project could avoid tough environmental standards because it would be reviewed under 1992 shorelines laws instead of newer ones.

The law firm represents Sierra Club, Climate Solutions, and Re-Sources for Sustainable Communities, a Bellingham nonprofit that opposes SSA's plans.

Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/06/23/2073486/whatcom-county-gateway-pacific.html#ixzz1QD50x2qQ

2011 ~ the year for local elections

Whatcom County and Bellingham are gearing up for a big election cycle that will guide the direction of each for decades.  There will be many opportunities to ask the candidates questions.  The Bellingham Tea Party has sent out certified letters and reserved the Whatcom Community College, “Syre Center”, to host their 2nd Annual Candidate Forum.  Last years forum was well run with a wide variety of questions, so I trust this years will provide the same opportunity to see the Candidates and hear what each of them envision for Bellingham/Whatcom County.

Click here for a link to all of the Candidate filings for 2011 in Whatcom County:

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July 12 -- Mayor of Bellingham & City Council Candidate Forum

On Tuesday July 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., candidates of all parties running for Mayor of Bellingham and Bellingham City Council will have an opportunity to present their positions on various issues and answer questions from an audience of interested citizens.

This event will be moderated by Dr. Robert Thorndike, professor emeritus of Western Washington University. It is being hosted by the Bellingham Tea Party which is a local non-partisan organization.

• Whatcom Community College Syre Auditorium
• 237 West Kellogg Road
• Bellingham WA

Campus parking is ample, and doors will open early, at 5:30 p.m.

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July 19 -- Whatcom County Executive & County Council Candidate Forum

On Tuesday July 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., candidates of all parties running for Whatcom County Executive and Whatcom County Council will have an opportunity to present their positions on various issues and answer questions from an audience of interested citizens.

This event will be moderated by Dr. Robert Thorndike, professor emeritus of Western Washington University. It is being hosted by the Bellingham Tea Party which is a local non-partisan organization.

• Whatcom Community College Syre Auditorium
• 237 West Kellogg Road
• Bellingham WA

Campus parking is ample, and doors will open early, at 5:30 p.m.

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The big races (as I see them now) will be:

Mayor of Bellingham:

• Kelli Linville (former Washington State Legislator)
• Steve Moore (private businessman, Realtor http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/politics/steve-moore-stakes-out-his-mayoral-campaign-issues/)
• Mayor Dan Pike (former WWU professor http://www.cob.org/government/mayor/index.aspx)
• Clayton Petree (private businessman, Public Policy Perspectives)

Whatcom County Executive:

• Tom Anderson (local businessman – member of Transition Whatcom http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/TomAnderson?xg_source=profiles_memberList)
• Jack Louws (local businessman – Louws Truss http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/05/24/2029093/jack-louws-former-lynden-mayor.html)
• David Stalheim (former head of Whatcom County Planning Dept – with strong ties to Futurewise http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/politics/david-stalheim-files-for-whatcom-county-executive/#comment-130676)
• Doug Erickson (long-time Washington State Legislator, newly elected to the Washington State Senate http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/politics/sen-ericksen-confirms-hell-run-for-county-executive/)

Just for fun you should follow these ‘2’ races for the Whatcom County Council positions:

District 1 – Position B:

• Tony Larson (local businessman – Northwest Business Monthly aka:Business Pulse)
• Pete Kremen (Whatcom County Executive – 4 terms http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/politics/pete-kremen-challenges-tony-larson-for-whatcom-county-council-seat/)

District 3 – Position B:

• Barbara Brenner (Whatcom County Council – many terms bbgun1010@aol.com )
• Allan Black (Blaine City Council – partial term – undergoing Democrat certification

Just found this link to what appears to be a conservative site that is also doing their job to vet the local political races and their connection to the communities socio-political-economic trends: WallyWondersWhy.com  We could use more websites that are dedicated to watching over Whatcom County from a “conservative” bent.

Yours In Truth    Shelly

LiveJournal Tags: Elections,Whatcom County,Bellingham Washington,City of Bellingham,Mayor of Bellingham,Whatcom County Executive,Whatcom County Council

Agenda 21 – planning a new world order

Many of you know a little bit about Agenda 21 and it’s progeny ICLEI.  The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County are proud members of this individual property rights abuser.  Please take a moment to read this well written article about what I believe to be the #1 concern for all local communities.  They can only exist with our permission and our tax dollars.  This upcoming election being of a critical local nature for County Executive, City Mayor and many Council positions, please take the time to ask each of the candidates if they support Agenda 21 and ICLEI?  Will they be willing to withdraw our membership support of these international agendas which usurp our individual property rights and probably a whole lot more that we are not aware of as of yet.

I have provided a lead in to the April 18, 2011 article from the Evergreen Freedom Foundation (aka Freedom Foundation) with a link to the full article for your perusal.

Yours in Truth    Shelly

Agenda 21 – planning a new world order

Americans that read Agenda 21 are outraged—and rightfully so. Even a quick glimpse of Agenda 21 and the most casual observer will recognize it as socialist engineering. Its strongest critics call it planned genocide.

Agenda 21 was unveiled at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, in Rio de Janeiro on June 13, 1992. The Rio conference was known as the Earth Summit. Since then the United Nations convened in Johannesburg at the 2002 Earth Summit. And they plan to gather again in Rio for the 2012 Earth Summit.

The purpose of Agenda 21 is to create policy that protects the global environment.

It’s stunning, however, how broad Agenda 21 is—and how it aims to control all aspects of society—using the excuse of protecting the environment. If Karl Marx was asked to author a global planning document, it very may well have looked like Agenda 21.

To read the full story click here.

LiveJournal Tags: agenda 21,iclEI,efF,evergreen Freedom Foundation,property Rights,bellingham,whatcom county,elections

“Is Whatcom County flush with cash?”

Please take a moment to look over the boondoggle on the wish list of the Whatcom County Council.  If only the County (that means me and You) can convince a few good politicians to support us in these purchases we can all go home happy in having completed a good days work.  The problem is this, we’ve been told by, the County, the City, the State and the Federal government that we’re broke!  The problem is that every year they say they’ve cut spending when all they’ve done is reduce the amount of their planned spending increase, which they want us to believe is a “cut”.  The problem is that the County, the City, the State and the Federal government are raising taxes where they can, or adding fees where they shouldn’t, which takes away the fruits of labor from everyone as we are forced to pay these taxes and fees at ever increasing and unsustainable amounts.  The answer is that “We the People” must stay connected and involved.  “We the People” must raise our voices and demand to be heard.  “We the People” must research the candidates and vote for the person who has a track record for doing what they say they will do for “We the People” that is fiscally sound and constitutionally legal.

Yours In Truth    Shelly

Click on the image to open the PDF file of “all” the land the Whatcom County Council has their eyes on for new park land.  Watch Out Whatcom County!  Your property tax bill is going to get bigger if we continue to be silent on this one.

LiveJournal Tags: Whatcom County,Budget,Environment,Finance,Fiscal,Taxes,Planning Department,Whatcom County Planning Department