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.
