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Independent, fact-based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties
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News from the Salish Current September 22, 2023
(Was this email forwarded to you? To receive this newsletter in your in-box every Friday, email salishcurrent@gmail.com —your name and email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.)
Dear Reader—
Just about the time the Autumn Equinox kicks in, so does the race to the finish line for the general election. Now’s your time to watch and listen, judge and vote. To that end, find here a full month’s schedule to help you do your part as a voter.
We hope you will find Richard Arlin Walker’s story about Elsie Mae, the northern elephant seal, both informative and inspirational. Who could resist those eyes?
Adam M. Sowards takes a deep dive into the 25-year arc of the local-driven Northwest Straits Initiative to show how local actions can make a difference in helping solve big problems. Both Richard’s and Adam’s stories provide inspiration for readers to get engaged as volunteers to make a difference in their communities.
We’ve been in several gatherings these past few weeks where themes of engagement and community have recurred. Salish Current is always open to partnerships and opportunities that expand community engagement. Write us and share some of your ideas.
Salish Current grows because we are free to read, fact-based and independent. Share this newsletter and ask others to subscribe and join our newsroom community. Thank you for your support.
—Amy Nelson, Publisher
Salish Current affirms its commitment to work for truth, justice,
equity and healing for all people.
#SayTheirNames #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace
Want more environmental news? Salish Sea News and Weather is a weekday curated compilation of news from Salish Sea news sources. Free via email or on the web.
Salish Sea News Week in Review Sept. 22, 2023: Astronomy Friday!, TM pipeline, WA cap-and-trade suit, WA litter, Oly Park fires, heat pumps, American Climate Corps, BC firefighters, Upper Columbia salmon.
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Elephant seal Elise Mae teaches, inspires during molting haulout
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The “soulful eyes” of an elephant seal who hauled out near the Guemes Island ferry terminal and on the island from June 16 to July 29 captivated many who saw her. The animal — federally protected from human hunting — shows very little fear of humans; both an opportunity to observe fairly closely but a challenge in keeping her safe. (Phil Sorensen photo © 2023)
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By Richard Arlen Walker
A quirky northern elephant seal had much to teach visitors to an Anacortes beach this summer.
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Locals in small operation take on 'tall order' in marine ecosystem
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Volunteer power is vital in protecting and restoring resources and habitat in the Salish Sea. Participating in a Skagit Marine Resources Committee project monitoring bull kelp at Coffin Rocks in Bowman Bay are (back to front) Taylor Umetsu, Vashon Nature Center; Jeff Whitty, Northwest Straits Commission project coordinator; and volunteers Steven Olsen and Catherine Houck (not pictured) (Photo courtesy Ron Larson, Skagit MRC)
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By Adam M. Sowards
Volunteer power is channeled into marine conservation by the Northwest Straits Initiative.
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From the Editor’s Desk / Watch, listen, judge, vote
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Get ready to vote by Nov. 7: forums on candidates and ballot issues over the next several weeks will give voters an opportunity to see and hear first-hand, and information they need to make up their own minds. (Salish Current file photo)
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By Mike Sato
Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan county forums kick off the final campaign dash.
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• Downtown situation greatly improved
• Thanks for excellent article
• Supports Sweeney for school board
Our policy: Salish Current welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Letters should be sent with the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. Those accepted for publication will focus on issues addressed in news articles or commentaries in Salish Current and be factual. No snark or put-downs will be acceptable; general nastiness will be rejected. Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for length and clarity. Letters represent the point of view of the writer. Publication by Salish Current does not represent endorsement. Salish Current will publish letters sent to the editor at its sole discretion.
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Salish Current affirms its commitment to work for truth, justice, equality and healing for all people.
#SayTheirNames #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace
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News from around the region...
(The links found here may have limited access for those who don’t subscribe to the source publication. Sorry for any inconvenience!)
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Health and Safety
Changing lives. A British Columbia experiment showing positive effects of giving a lump sum of $7,500 to people who recently became homeless is being followed up by a similar project with more people to refine research findings and strengthen the case for policy changes. (The Tyee)
COVID tests. The Biden administration's Department of Health and Human Services is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household starting Sept. 25, which will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service. (Associated Press)
Quiet skies. Jet Noise Report for June, July, August 2023. (Quiet Skies)
Greenhouse gas. The San Juan County Greenhouse Gas inventory baseline report is now available for measuring the county's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from community sources and municipal operations. (San Juan County)
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The Border and Beyond
B.C. pipe. The contentious Trans Mountain pipeline faces roadblocks, ballooning costs and legal actions, and impacts endangered species to bring oil out of Canada and through the Salish Sea. Should you care? (The Narwhal)
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Nature
River protection. The state Department of Ecology held a public hearing on providing additional protection of the Cascade River. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)
New estuary. The $4.2 million project to remove a culvert at the mouth of Little Squalicum Creek and build a wetland has created a new estuary habitat for salmon and other fish in Bellingham Bay. (Bellingham Herald/paywall)
Crabbers fined. Canadian crab fishers illegally setting traps since 2018 in Boundary Bay have been fined $287,000 by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (CBC)
Gravel pit. Approval of expansion of a Lake Erie gravel mining operation on Fidalgo Island from 17.78 acres to 53.5 acres by the Skagit County hearing examiner has been appealed by the Sunset Lane Association and the Evergreen Island environmental group. (Anacortes American/paywall)
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Business
Kayak closing. Eddyline Kayaks is closing its Burlington facility, relocating its headquarters to Arkansas and expanding its manufacturing operations in Mexico because it can't recruit new employees and there's not affordable housing. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)
Union vote. About 90 mid-level PeaceHealth clinicians, who work outside hospitals in Whatcom and Skagit counties, accepted a proposal to join the Union of American Physicians and Dentists with 75% of the vote. (CDN/paywall)
Grocer merger. Union leaders are denouncing the proposed sale of 413 Kroger and Albertsons stores (104 are in Washington state). Kroger and Albertsons say buyer C&S Wholesale Grocer is a well-capitalized company, and that no stores will close as a result of this divestiture plan. Will the stores stay open — or be sold for their land value? (KUOW)
Save farmland. About $65,000 of the $237,000 raised by Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland at its annual dinner and auction will go towards working to preserve 80 acres of farmland near Interstate 5 and Chuckanut Drive. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)
Blaine housing. The Blaine Planning Commission recommended to the city council that manufactured home parks that are five acres or larger be included as a permitted use within east Blaine as long as they are limited to a smaller zoning area. (The Northern Light)
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Community
Tokitae returns. Lummi Nation police on Saturday will escort the cremated remains of Tokitae to Fisherman's Cove in Bellingham Bay, where a traditional water ceremony will take place to scatter her ashes. (Fox13)
Water access. Port of Bellingham commissioners will receive at their Nov. 7 meeting results of a survey that found the top two public access requests were for “beach access” and “waterfront access.” (CDN/paywall)
Jansen director. Cluny Madison is the new executive director of the Jansen Art Center replacing Vin Quenneville, who resigned his post in March after six years at the Jansen. (Lynden Tribune/paywall)
Blaine RIF. The City of Blaine will eliminate 10% of its 65-person full-time staff and not fill a vacant IT position, planner and one of its two vacant police officer positions. (The Northern Light)
Save water. Water conservation rebates are now available to all Whatcom County single family homes that do not reside within City of Bellingham city limits. Information here. (City of Bellingham water customers can find rebates through the City's Water Use Efficiency Rebate Project page.)
Cop bonus. City of Mount Vernon police officers hired from another department are eligible for a $5,000 hiring bonus. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)
Forum. View the video of the Aug. 28 Bellingham City Club forum featuring candidates for Whatcom County executive, county council at-large position, and sheriff.
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Arts & Leisure
Doctober tickets. Get ready to celebrate the 16th year of ground-breaking nonfiction cinema in October at the Pickford Film Center. Look forward to seeing "Breaking the News" (Oct. 15, 21) and "Rather" (Oct. 13, 22). Tickets on sale Sept. 22. Information.
Love Movement. Woman in the Woods Productions presents “Love Movement," an original musical dance production featuring Michela Marino Lerman at the highest levels of musicianship and hoofing. Sept. 23, 5 p.m., Orcas Center. $56 admission includes appetizers at 5 p.m. from the Orcas Hotel and music of the Oliver Groenewald and Steve Alboucq Quintet in the Madrona Room until the show begins at 7 p.m. Information.
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Jump in!
Climate action! Bellingham hosts its ALL IN for Climate Action Week Sept. 22-30 featuring free events and activities for all ages. Information.
Island farm tours. Farms on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez are opening their gates and fields for over 32 delightful and informative farm walks, talks, workshops and special farm-to-fork dining events Sept. 22 through Oct. 8. The tours launch on San Juan, Sept. 22-24, continue on Orcas Sept. 29-Oct. 1, and rotate to Lopez on Oc.t 6, concluding the 8th. Farm Tour maps and guides.
To the rescue. Watch an exclusive, free, one-time showing of “Wild Pacific Rescue,” a film about Dr. Marty Haulena, head veterinarian of the Vancouver, B.C., Aquarium, and his dedicated team rescuing animals in the wild that have been harmed by human actions, especially plastic pollution. Sept. 23, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. Register here.
Home tour. The Lopez Island Virtual 2023 Home Tour, brought to eyes by friends of the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts, can be viewed until Sept. 24. Watch here.
Sing Me a Song. A free ukulele concert in memory of Joan Airoldi, ukulele enthusiast and champion of Whatcom County libraries. Deming Library, Sept. 24, 3–4:15 p.m. Info.
Hummers. Environmental sciences instructor and noted ecologist Gregory A. Green speaks on "Our Wintering Hummingbird" at the monthly meeting of the North Cascades Audubon Society, Sept. 26, 7 p.m., Old City Hall Museum, Bellingham. Read more.
Climate Action. Learn about impactful climate solutions at the local, state and federal levels at in-person and Zoom talks sponsored by The Madrona Institute and the Friday Harbor Labs. 5:30 p.m., Sept. 28: Climate Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience; Oct. 12: San Juan County's Climate Action Plan; and Oct. 26: Networking Sessions with Local Climate Groups. Info and RSVP here.
Refinery Ride. Visit the BP Cherry Point Refinery during its Sept. 29 open house, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVP for the bus ride.
Cleanup. Join the Great Islands Cleanup Sept. 30 on San Juan, Shaw, Lopez and Orcas islands. Information.
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Government
For the People:
San Juan County
The county council will meet on Sept. 26. Agenda and video link.
LWVSJ Observer Corps Notes:
• Board of Health September 2023
• SJ County Council September 18
• Joint SJ County Council and Friday Harbor Town Council Meeting September 19
• Friday Harbor Town Council September 21
City of Bellingham
The council will meet on Sept. 25. Agenda items include:
Public hearings
• Greenways V levy
• Public Health, Safety and Justice (Jail) Tax
Public Works and Natural Resources Committee
• Lake Whatcom Policy Group Meeting report. Notes.
• Fiber network update. Presentation.
Planning Committee
• Resolution endorsing Buildable Lands Report. Report.
Community and Economic Development Committee
• Housing cost burden for low-income renters. Staff memo.
Committee of the Whole
• Urban Forestry Management Plan — Phase 3, Status Update. Presentation.
The council will meet again on Oct. 16.
Whatcom County
The council will meet on Sept. 26. Agenda items are here.
Port of Bellingham
The commission met on Sept. 19. YouTube video. Agenda items included:
Public comment
• Riley Sweeney, ABC Recycling. [YouTube 5:04-7:50]
• Tyson King, citizen. [YouTube 8:15-10:48]
• Alex Mclean, citizen. [YouTube 11:02-14:45]
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was unanimously approved.
Presentation
• Long term leases. Elliot Smith, real estate director. [YouTube 21:50-38]
Action item
• The commission unanimously adopted, with one amendment, the Port Climate Action Strategy [YouTube 38:36-1:25:10]
Other business
• Commissioner Bell on threat to industrial jobs on the waterfront. [YouTube 1:31:40-1:35]
• Port Staff Mike Hogan on ABC "Autumn Sea" ship activity [YouTube 1:43:41-1:51:56]
The commission will meet again on Oct. 3.
Elections:
Candidates for the General election are listed at:
Whatcom County
Skagit County
San Juan County
Public Disclosure Commission report 9/22/23:
Whatcom County
Executive
Satpal Sidhu: Raised $92,772.75; Spent $74,872.51; Debt 0; Outside for $268.20; Outside against 0
Dan Purdy: Raised $42,147.64; Spent $17,955.20; Debt $6,560; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
Council District 4
Mark Stremler: Raised $35,257.18; Spent $21,600.86; Debt $480; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
Kathy Kershner: Raised $80,321.57; Spent $50,410.36; Debt 0; Outside for $268.20 Outside against 0
Council District 5
Ben Elenbaas: Raised $23,197.63; Spent $9,098.91; Debt 0; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
Jackie Dexter: Raised $7,363.33; Spent $5,178.81; Debt 0; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
At-Large Position B
Jon Scanlon: Raised $48,346.18; Spent $45,102.97; Debt $12,839; Outside for $268.20; Outside against 0
Hannah Ordos: Raised $25,441.08; Spent $10,765.10; Debt 0; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
Sheriff
Donnell “Tank” Tanksley: Raised $63,311.62; Spent $28,314.20; Debt 0; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
Doug Chadwick: Raised $71,572.76; Spent $27,586.68; Debt 0; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
City of Bellingham
Mayor
Seth Fleetwood: Raised 39,019.02; Spent $37,314.07; Debt $16,300; Outside for $268.20; Outside against 0
Kim Lund: Raised $67,829.48; Spent $51,069.31; Debt 0; Outside for $268.20; Outside against 0
Council Ward 1
Hannah Stone: Raised $3,980.12; Spent $974.84; Debt 0; Outside for $268.20; Outside against 0
Eamonn Collins: $9,420.12; Spent $10,991.61; Debt 0; Outside for $268.20; Outside against 0
Council Ward 3
Liz Darrow: Raised $17,242.83; Spent $11,982.15; Debt 0; Outside for $415.74; Outside against 0
Daniel Hammill: Raised $17,378.39; Spent $4,191.43; Debt 0; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
Council At-Large
Jace Cotton: Raised $17,790.98; Spent $14,711.28; Debt 0; Outside for $268.20; Outside against 0
Russ Whidbee: Raised $13,454.02; Spent $11,392.12; Debt 0; Outside for 0; Outside against 0
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Salish Current is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, online local news organization serving Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit Counties. Salish Current exists to protect and improve democratic governance by reporting and curating local news with independence and strict journalistic integrity.
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