Editor,
We can only hope that letting out the secret about the last sizeable undeveloped place in Bellingham, along its eastern city limits (CDN, April 13, 2024), may help promote a good outcome.
As one of the people who so enjoys the forested trails and unrivaled views from atop Samish Crest, I urge the city to move forward with providing roads and other infrastructure only if substantial portions of this precious ridgetop are left undisturbed and open for all to appreciate.
Places to wander and ponder, for solace and beauty, are rarely as close as is this ridgetop. Far more than just potential profit and gated luxury residences, the ecological fullness of Samish Crest represents potential for deepening shared community values of connectivity as well as stewardship.
Perhaps the complications that have delayed deforestation and “development” have in fact been beneficial. Safeguarding green spaces, acknowledging longstanding trails, and establishing rights of way will benefit not only the environment, but all community members and generations to come. If we are to become wiser in understanding that nature should never become real estate alone, our challenge is one of vision as well as fairness.
James Loucky
Bellingham
Editor,
While I generally agree with the platform of the Riveters Collective, the April 12 letter from their president was a little off-putting. Although the letter acknowledges that [Whatcom] County only began collecting taxes this month to support the proposed system, with jurisdictions receiving separate opioid settlement funds “almost simultaneously,” the collective expressed “dismay” that the county “appears” to be moving less-than-efficiently to staff a data collection team. How fast does the collective expect the county to move? They only just started to receive funds. And what is the actual evidence that the county is moving “less than efficiently?” It seems that it is actually the collective that is short on data for their accusations.
Also, the collective “charges” the county to prioritize hiring data staff to track compliance with the Justice Project Implementation Plan. But does the collective have some authority to “charge” a government body to do anything? Presumably, they mean to “ask” or “demand” compliance. The reference to “charging” the county suggests a confused, inflated sense of the collective’s own importance and authority.
Keep in mind that the Riveter’s Collective does not speak on behalf of any broad constituency. To my understanding, they are a self-appointed group of eight people from Bellingham (the board listed in the original Articles of Incorporation includes no people from other cities or the county). In addition, those articles state that the collective will have no “members,” so it does not appear that they represent anyone or anything other than the dreams and goals of their eight board members.
It’s also ironic that the collective calls for the county to show transparency when the collective’s own web page is far from transparent regarding the identity of board members and how or when they are chosen.
Hopefully, the Riveters Collective will find a more data-driven, thoughtful and collaborative approach to the Justice Project and other issues in our community.
Tim Baker
Bellingham
Editor,
Regarding the April 15 article on cougar attacks, Jason Martin wrote:
“That said, there is a correlation between chase behavior and mountain biking. In addition to the attacks noted here, there have been several reports of cougars chasing people on bikes.”
I never knew that cougars can ride bikes. Pretty scary stuff!
Abe Jacobson
Bellingham
Editor,
Benjamin Netanyahu has become Israel’s version of Donald Trump.
Israel is a parliamentary democracy, like Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Netherlands, Japan and others. Ukraine is a republic with a parliamentary system, similar to other established democracies, struggling to resist Putin and Russian autocrats gone mad.
Around the world, democracies are being attacked by those flirting with autocracy and fascism because sticking to democratic ideals is harder than struggling to find solutions and compromise.
Roughly 63% of Israelis disagree with Netanyahu’s policies of resisting the long-sought two-state solution that would guarantee Palestinians a homeland. There have been years of huge protests aimed at Netanyahu. Their struggle has been complicated by the bulk of Palestinians being unable or unwilling to control the radicals amongst them, like Hamas. Consequently, civilians are constantly caught in a crossfire.
In our our own fragile democracy, a huge percentage of our citizenry support a wannabe dictator. Even those Republicans expressing distaste for former President Donald Trump’s views, recognize their party has been overrun by shameless cultists espousing autocratic and fascist rhetoric, yet still plan to vote for him. MAGA is a dangerous, un-American cult.
When Saudi extremists brought down the Twin Towers [in New York City], our country struck many Middle Eastern countries that we felt gave shelter to the killers of thousands. The reprisals of Israel for the Oct. 7 attack and the ongoing hostage kidnappings are a similar response. But now there must be a ceasefire and halt to the deaths of Palestinians caught in the crossfire.
This year’s election is a pivotal point for our democracy. We must strive to set a better example for the world, but to do that those trying to reverse years of progress toward a more perfect union must be marginalized. Some like Trump belong in prison, not in office. Those who think differently do not represent the best of us, they are the least worthy among us to lecture anyone on integrity or morality.
Michael Waite
Sedro-Woolley
Editor,
It was wonderful to see Hannah Yerington’s article about locally sourced Passover Seder foods (CDN, April 19, 2024). Growing up in Brooklyn, a really long time ago, locally sourced for us was the Lower East Side full of pushcarts and the butcher where my grandmother shopped for 50 years. Our Passover Seder was a two-night gathering and feast for 25 relatives each night.
This year, it will be much smaller here in Bellingham and I have used some local sources for my meal. I noticed that wine wasn’t mentioned in the article. I was recently invited to present a tasting of Israeli wines for Congregation Beth Israel and, with the help of Seifert & Jones, selected wines representing the Golan Heights. Israel is one of the oldest wine regions in the world, dating back many centuries. Although interrupted by wars and domination, the industry now thrives, producing many distinctive wines.
Think about expanding your palate not just for the four glasses of wine consumed at Passover Seders, but to raise a glass any time of year.
L’chaim,
Holly Witte
Bellingham
Editor,
It’s a nonpartisan issue. There should be no exceptions.
I first read about Whatcom County paying $225,000 to settle sexual harassment complaints in an article published by Cascade PBS/Crosscut. The article subsequently appeared in Cascadia Daily News (CDN April 12, 2024).
Harassment in all its forms is unacceptable, perhaps even more so if it occurs in public employment, which is often subject to oversight by elected officials.
Suppose the harassment rises to actions of those in supervisory positions, and no appropriate action is taken. In that case, the lack of formal discipline and adjudication of the complaints erodes trust in our democratic processes.
Anti-harassment policies are intended to prevent incidents of harassment, create an environment where employees feel safe and valued, and provide guidance on reporting and addressing allegations of harassment.
I encourage the Whatcom County Council to take action to reassure public employees — and the public in general — that administrators and the public officials who supervise them will be answerable and accountable to those they serve.
Micki Jackson
Bellingham
Editor,
Congratulations on coalescing every misinformed comment on Facebook into a very succinct opinion about how drivers should freely rip through our downtown core at the expense of everyone and everything else.
During a morning constitutional, Google the terms “economic outcomes of bike lanes” to reveal a conclusion that has been reached over and over: bike lanes are good for business.
A downtown retail district that is bisected by gas-maxed cagers racing down three-lane roads to put away their Costco-sized grocery hauls within minutes is the result of the auto industry monopolizing public streets.
Paris recently reduced car trips by 45%. Converting vehicle lanes into bike lanes protected by granite curbing was wildly effective in getting the interested but concerned 60% out on two wheels. Imagine 45% fewer cars in downtown Bellingham.
More comfortable bike lanes are more likely to be used in inclement weather. Paint is not infrastructure. Add concrete barriers and usage would change overnight. They might dent the car of a distracted driver you say?
Urban planners know that vibrant downtowns thrive when diverting through traffic around the core. Driving through a downtown core should be painfully slow, and possibly not even allowed.
I appreciate the city making things safer for those who want to bike and walk, and those who cannot drive due to medical, legal or financial reasons. The other 40% aren’t a majority.
Sonja Max
Bellingham
Letters to the Editor are published online Wednesdays; a selection is published in print Fridays. Send to letters@cascadiadaily.com by 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Rules: Maximum 250 words, be civil, have a point and make it clearly. Preference is given to letters about local subjects. CDN reserves the right to reject letters or edit for length, clarity, grammar and style, or removal of personal attacks or offensive content. Letters must include an address/phone number to verify the writer's identity (not for publication).