Personal Property vs. Social Consciousness

If there's not enough rancor for you watching the arguments on TV about the health care bill, come to the meetings about pollution in Birch Bay.

Last Saturday morning, 11.21, the Whatcom County Planning Department held an open house to explain the Birch Bay Watershed Action Plan, a yearlong study of the causes of pollution affecting the bay.

In addition to the usual attendees of meetings of the Birch Bay Steering Committee who come smiling, there were the strangers with sullen faces. As one woman explained, while looking at a large map of the watershed, “Those of us who live in this area have nothing in common with you folks in Birch Bay.” She was pointing to the basin that drains into Terrell Lake. The lake for fishing and bird hunting was formed by damming Terrell Creek. The spillover flows into the creek and on to Birch Bay.  Apparently this woman doesn't bring visiting relatives to the bay to dig for clams.

Pollution is one sacred subject that unites most everyone who lives within walking distance of the bay. Many folks who live out in the county don't recognize – or don't want to recognize – that water from their properties, fouled by pesticides, animal waste and faulty septic tanks, is a problem. So they're angry about the tax, passed by the County Council last year, to fund BBWARM, the special Birch Bay Watershed Aquatic and Resource District.  They're looking for opportunities to protest, including the recent election where several of the “seven dwarfs” were replaced by insurgents who said they would defend “property rights.”

"The study that was discussed Saturday isn't costing any Whatcom County taxpayer money. It is funded by a Federal EPA grant, perhaps to create a model for how water pollution issues can be handled. Margaret Clancy, a consultant from FSA  Adolfson and Peter Gill of the county planning department, are managers of the study who explained that their objectives are two-fold. One objective is to develop better maps of the watershed, and the other is to help developers with problem areas. One such action is offering “cap and trade” solutions to problems such as impervious surfaces and mitigation of wetlands.

Mention of wetlands caused one irate man to tell how he bought property from the county without disclosure. He said he's been required to spend thousands of dollars on changes to his small lot that he didn't know was wetland. He ranted against the treatment by a county planning department member who, he says, offers only sarcasm.

David Stalheim, director of the planning department, identified himself, and after an exchange that caused some to fear for David's well-being, the two adjourned to another room. David came back without apparent harm; the angry property owner didn't.

Ms. Clancy’s presentation was devoid of any horror stories or emotional appeals. It was left to Bob Hendricks, a Bay Keeper, to rise and explain perils to the bay, which was closed for a period this past summer because of pollution.

Ms. Clancy reiterated the fact-finding nature of the mission, explaining that there would be three more meetings during the winter, spring and summer with recommendations going to the County Council in the fall.

One of the critics said, “We don't need more presentations; you need to come and talk to us.” Ms. Clancy suggested a focus group.

That may be a step in a good direction.

AK

Cell phones and cancer

On "The Dr. Oz Show", ABC network, November 17, Dr. Oz discussed a study showing a connection between long term cell phone use and some cancers. While he feels more research needs to be done, he suggests these five ways to minimize your risk:

1. Put it on speaker. Because your exposure drops exponentially as you move the phone away from your head, you don’t have to keep the phone very far away to reduce your exposure by 1,000 to 10,000 times.
2. Go wired. In crowded, noisy areas, use a wired headset instead. If you must use a wireless headset, turn it off when you’re not using it.
3. Store it. Unless you’re on it, stow the phone in your purse or bag. If you keep it on your waist, keep it turned off. Studies have shown that keeping a cell phone in your pocket can decrease sperm count.
4. Save it for a strong signal. When reception is bad (such as in a rural areas or when you’re driving) use your phone for emergencies only. The weaker the signal, the more the radio frequency has to boost itself to get connected, increasing your exposure.
5. Protect the kids. Do not let children use cell phones next to their heads. For older kids, it shouldn’t take much encouragement to get them to text more than they chat.
   

Dr. Mehmet Oz is vice-chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University. He directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He is a research and practising heart surgeon, performing over 300 heart operations annually.

As a former x-ray technician, I know that distance is your friend here. Even a small separation between you and the phone is effective in reducing the potential danger from the radiofrequency radiation.

This warning is given under "precautionary principle". That is a policy applied when there is a need to take action without awaiting the results of scientific research when the potential hazard is known.

For the complete story, see www.doctoroz.com/videos/link-between-cell-phones-and-cancer

rah

Will Pete Kremen's endorsement of Michelle Luke enable the insurgents to defeat Carl Weimer?

The “insurgents” in our Whatcom County lexicon are the folks protesting the restructuring to meet the requirements of the Washington state Growth Management Act, particularly the LAMIRD rural zoning. In a July letter to the county planning commission and the planning department, Bill Henshaw, a Republican activist wrote,”This is the most flagrant land grab perpetrated on the citizens of Whatcom County that I have witnessed in 35 years following land use regulations.”

          “The changes in permissible uses of commercial properties,” he went on, “in effect a down zone making literally hundreds of properties non-confirming is not good public policy and certainly will have a significant impact on the economic viability of Whatcom County. Additionally, it would cause a significant re-distribution of the real estate tax burden to others in the county.”

          On Grandview Road coming west from I-5, the insurgents are represented by the signs proclaiming “We the People” (from the preamble to the Constitution). Some others in yellow and black say, ”Property Rights ATTACKED! By County Government,” and most are accompanied by signs for County Council candidates Kershner, Knutzen, Luke and Teigrob. In some quarters, these insurgents are called the, “Gang of Four.”

          At the annual dinner meeting of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce last Tuesday, Oct. 20, one-on-one, I asked County Executive Kremen why he let his picture be on a mailer for Michelle Luke's campaign. He said he has known her for some time and  he thinks she is a thoughtful person who can represent ordinary people. He added that she is only one of two people he has endorsed in 25 years in public office – and he couldn't remember the name of the other.

          But this is not about Michelle Luke. It is about Carl Weimer, her opponent. Weimer, who is probably the most popular council member among Birch Bay progressives, is a political science teacher's example of the kind of person who should be in public office. He has a long list of accomplishments in public life, always standing tall on right side of environmental issues.

          Kremen thinks Weimer is preparing to run for County Executive in two years. While claiming that he does not want to run for a fourth term, Kremen resents that Weimer is not collaborating with him on important issues. “I am a Democrat, a moderate Democrat,” said Kremen suggesting that there is no reason for Weimer to go his own way. Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, another of the four endorsed by Whatcom Democrats, is one member of the Council he mentioned by name as collaborative.

          That led to a discussion of the reductions to the size of the Birch Bay UGA that some folks view as too radical. Earlier that day, Lisa Guthrie, knowing that the County Council would be receiving recommendations on UGA revisions from the Planning Commission, had sent a memo to Council members and the planning department with a copy to Kremen. Guthrie, president of the chamber,  who heads development planning for Homestead Northwest, Birch Bay's most significant builder, is lobbying to keep the Double R Ranch in the UGA as well as Homestead property at the east end of the golf course. 
 
         Five minutes after clicking “send” her phone rang and it was Kremen. (Photo of Pete Kremen talking with Lisa Guthrie at the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinner. Photo by Tiffani Stauffer)

          In our discussion, Kremen said that he thinks the planning department and the County Council went too far in reducing some UGAs, suggesting he wants to cut back.

                                                                                   

          On another front, an analysis of “record breaking dollars” raised by County Council candidates published by the Herald last Wednesday found that all of the “insurgents” backed by Republicans have more dollars to spend than their opponents. Michelle Luke raised over $47 thousand versus Weimer's $28 thousand.

          Generally, the dollars that have gone to the “Gang” are attributed to real estate interests who want to see more building in the county, on land the insurgents don't want to see “grabbed.” In a detailed scrutiny of the campaign literature of Luke and Weimer, Sam Taylor in his current Herald blog, finds Luke is criticizing Weimer's policies as detrimental to the county economy.

         Mr. Taylor concludes that, if three of the four win, the county's politics could change dramatically.

                                                                  

         Let us hope not.

                                                         

ak

A non-candidate’s answers to our questions:

10.6845

Editor's note: Frustrated that none of the “Gang of Four” –  Kathy Kersher, Bill Knutzen, Michelle Luke and Mary Beth Teigrob – responded to our questions, we asked our friend Alowishes Anonymous, to represent their views.

A.A., a long-term libertarian and a backer of Ron Paul in Whatcom County, takes credit for thinking up the, “We the People” campaign. His girl friend, Betsy, claims to have designed flag signs, and A.A. says he composed most of Ms. Teigrob's note cards that she uses in debate.

1) With growth inevitable, do you distinguish between desirable and undesirable development?

The market decides. You have marvelous examples in Birch Bay. When the Bay Crest communities were built, the goody goods complained there were no parks and playgrounds, but the low cost housing attracted many people who take good care of their homes. Now the communities look great. (Kids enjoy playing in the wide streets.) And in the D.B. Johnson sections they are still building and selling homes.

On the other hand you have the the Bovencamp project, Semihmoo Something, that the goodies loved, with big lots, marvelous views and “rain gardens.” The last time I looked there were only two buildings – the sales office and one demo home.

2) Building a berm to protect the beach and enhance walking, cycling, etc. for residents and visitors is a primary objective of leaders of the Birch Bay community. What would you do to help the community achieve this objective?

Nothing. When developers, like Bill Grant think a berm is needed, they will build it.

  3) With the goal of increasing infill, would you vote to prevent the fire district from charging mitigation fees for homes and other structures built within the 2031-revised Birch Bay UGA boundaries?

Yes, great question. Our motto is: FEWER, NOT MORE TAXES. Make those fire commissioners learn to economize. (“A penny saved is a penny earned!”) Let them start by selling off redundant fire stations. One is in the center of Lynden's industrial area; the city has its own fire department. The little used Semiahmoo station would be an ideal location for a restaurant.

4) Those who want Birch Bay to become a city are frustrated. Two years ago, the county invested $100,000 in a study that found incorporation would be financially feasible. Now, with the economic recession, some of the premises of the study may not be valid. Would you favor a select committee of county officials and knowledgeable community representatives being charged with updating the 2008 recommendations?

Who's frustrated? Bet if you took a poll, you would find that most of the homeowners want to live by our motto and keep taxes and services as they are. Establish a fund with volunteer contributions to keep Kathy Berg and Doralee Booth on the job pestering the county for “Birch Bay's Fair Share.”

If you really want Birch Bay to become a city, start by gerrymandering the UGA boundry in a corridor out the Birch Bay-Lynden Road beyond I-5. With control of the County Council, my Four could help Birch Bay with that. The addition would include Birch Bay Square and other commercial properties – Bill Henshaw says the total is 140,000 square feet.

Property owners, irate over LAMRIND, would gladly fund a study to demonstrate feasibility. With those additions, your tax base would be expanded quickly and offer the opportunity to create more. Every Monday the Seattle Time reports on startup tech companies. Some of those could be lured by low-rent and the Birch Bay environment. Bill Grant and angel investors, bored playing bridge on rainy days in Semiahmoo, could fund incubators to nourish more startups.      

A.A.

                                                

A huge relief

One of the  great pleasures of attending class at Western Washington University is the opportunity to walk the Sehome Hill Arboretum trails. A recent robbery prompted a warning from Western Washington University police to avoid the trails until the perpetrator was apprehended.

Last week, Detective Ferguson of the Bellingham Police Department, cooperating with the Western Washington University police, said they had many tips and were working the case, but they did not have anyone in custody.

To my great relief, yesterday the Bellingham Herald reported that two suspects have been arrested. See WWU student arrested in Sehome Arboretum robbery - http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=12B83FD7A300AD98&p_docnum=2

Now I can go back to the trail - thank you.

rah