From Paben

Alan Black, the Blaine City Council member who threw his hat into the ring challenging Barbara Brenner for her seat on the County Council, sent out the following announcing his candidacy:

Blaine City Councilman Alan Black filed on Wednesday as a candidate for the County Council District 3, Position B. Concerns about the future of Whatcom County and the challenge of preserving its rural character while developing family wage jobs, led to his decision to run.

Black

He is a retired 747 Captain and also served in Vietnam. “During my life I have demonstarted my leadership abilities by making accurate judgements and decisions that have resulted in successful ourcomes. I have learned that good ideas can come from many sources and that all ideas should be considered. It is easy to follow a simple philosophy in good economic times, it is not so easy to find solutions to our community’s problems in these most difficult times,” says Black. He said that we must provide a safety net for those who are in need today for it reflects directly on our image of ourselves as a society. He looks forward to this opportunity to serve Whatcom County, to work toward renewed economic vitality based on sound environmental principles and a renewed faith in our ability to overcome economic challenges by working together for the common good. He has been a resident of Whatcom County for five years. He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 12 years and between them they have three children and six grandchildren.

He’ll challenge Brenner, who is the longest-serving council member and who was first elected in 1991. Click here to see my last post about her campaign for re-election to the District 3, Position B, seat.

From Paben

Here are some photos of J. Lynne Walker’s campaign kick-off event. Walker, legislative administrator for the Bellingham City Council, is running for county auditor. Debbie Adelstein, chief deputy auditor, has also filed to run for the auditor position being vacated by retiring Shirley Forslof.

The photos of the event:

(more…)

From Paben

Here is a wrap-up of some of the recent candidate filings:

Steve Harris, who filed to run for Whatcom County sheriff yesterday, will be holding an event tonight that’s open to the public.

The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse at Zuanich Point Park.

“He looks forward to meeting with our community members to discuss his plans for returning our Sheriff’s Office “Back to the Basics,” according to a press release from his campaign.

Click here to see a flyer of his.

He’ll run against incumbent Sheriff Bill Elfo, who was first to file his candidacy as part of filing week at the county Auditor’s Office. Bob Taylor, who, along with Harris works at the Sheriff’s Office, has also filed to run for the position.

County Council Chairman Sam Crawford has filed for re-election. Crawford first took office in 2000 at the council. In 2007, he beat Ken Mann for re-election to his seat, District 2, Position B (Mann in ‘09 beat Mary Beth Teigrob for a spot on the council).

Also, Tony Larson, council newcomer, filed for re-election to the District 1, Position B seat. Larson beat Jean Melious, former county Planning Commission member, last fall. His replaced Ward Nelson, who was appointed to fill-in after Bob Kelly resigned from the council in 2009. An election was required for the seat at the first general election after Kelly’s resignation. But, as you can see, it was for a short term. Larson has to run again this year if he wants to serve a full four-year term on the council.

Larson owns Northwest Business Monthly.

Elfo filing for re-election

From Paben

Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo has scheduled his re-election campaign kick-off for Wednesday, June 22, at the Squalicum Boathouse at Zuanich Point Park. It’ll be from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Pete Kremen, county executive, will be the moderator.

According to an Elfo press release, he was the first to file his candidacy today, which is the start of filling week. He was there by 5 a.m. to ensure he was first to file.

“Keeping Whatcom County one of the safest places to live in Washington State and in the
Country is my first priority. Being the first to file for elected office in Whatcom County was one
way for me to demonstrate that my first priority is the safety and well being of all citizens of
Whatcom County,” he stated in a press release.

Steve Harris and Bob Taylor, who both currently work in the Sheriff’s Office, have filed to run for sheriff. Taylor filed with Whatcom County not long after Elfo did, according to the Auditor’s Office.

Fleetwood

A couple more candidates have filed to run this year since my last post. Bellingham City Council member Seth Fleetwood filed to run for re-election. He has the at-large spot, so he has to run every two years, rather than every four years for the other council seats.

Also, Everson City Council member Eric Oettel has filed to run for re-election.

Click here to see the candidate filings list.

From Paben

Barbara Brenner, the longest serving member of the County Council (she first took office in 1992), will run for re-election, she announced.

Following is her press release on her announcement:

Brenner

USA Weekend Magazine once described Barbara Brenner as, “…the hero next door…sacrifices long-term for the common good…thinks of others constantly…creative,energetic, independent-minded…takes big risks to make things better.” She hasn’t changed a bit, except her hair has turned grey.

Barbara has spearheaded efforts to: reduce health risks, curb unfair cable practices, improve phone service, reform regressive property taxes, create affordable housing, promote and incentivize low impact development, and especially to stand up for individuals who need a voice. She works obsessively to protect those who are generally ignored by government, as well as all other residents.

Persistent, investigative, responsive, and still improving her people skills.

“Everyone is important to me! I have never taken endorsements and owe no favors. It is about trust, not political double-speak. I have also always limited my campaign spending.” (more…)

From Paben

It’s filing week. I got a call from longtime County Council member Barbara Brenner today saying she plans to file for re-election today. I’ll have more on that later.

Keith M. Willnauer has filed to run for re-election as county assessor, and Steve Oliver filed for re-election at county treasurer.

Andy Rowlson has filed for re-election to Everson City Council. Ron De Valois and Brent Lenssen have filed for re-election to Lynden City Council. Scott Bodven has filed for re-election to the Nooksack City Council.

Click here to see the full list of candidate filings.

Meanwhile, here are some photos of Tom Anderson’s kick-off yesterday at The Ridge Wine bar of his campaign for county executive (Jack Louws has also filed to run, and state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, is contemplating a run for it): (more…)

From Paben

Reporter Kie Relyea just wrote this up to run soon about Ferndale City Council member Mel Hansen running for re-election:

City Councilman Mel Hansen said he will seek a fourth term to his Position 2 seat.

“I am excited about the direction Ferndale is headed,” the 69-year-old incumbent said via email.

Among the accomplishments he counted in the past four years were major street projects — the Second Avenue extension and improvements on Main Street from Third Avenue to Douglas Drive — as well as the completion of the Pioneer Pavilion building.

He also pointed to work that was underway to switch the city over to well water by the end of this year, and efforts to build a new Ferndale police station.

“Perhaps the most notable accomplishment over the past four years was the 2011 general fund budget,” Hansen said.

“Council, working with the mayor and city administration, balanced the budget without any additional layoffs,” he added, attributing that to “prudent spending practices, use of some reserves and general belt tightening.”

The general fund pays for the daily operations of government.

From Paben

Reporter Kie Relyea just wrote this up about the kick-off of Brent Goodrich’s campaign for Ferndale mayor:

City Councilman Brent Goodrich, who is running for mayor, has set his campaign kickoff for Thursday, June 16.

It begins at 5:30 p.m. at Correll Commons Clubhouse, 5692 Correll Drive No. 104 in Ferndale.

Goodrich said the event will be a meet and greet.

So far, three candidates are seeking the seat — incumbent Mayor Gary Jensen, Norbert Rojsza and Goodrich.

From Paben

Steve Harris will hold the kick-off for his campaign for Whatcom County sheriff on Tuesday, June 7. It’ll be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 Harbor Loop.

Click here to see his website.

From his press release:

Please join me in celebrating the kickoff for my campaign for Whatcom County Sheriff. Following my official filing with the County Auditor, we’ll be meeting at the Squalicum Boathouse at Zuanich Point Park to enjoy some food and drink. I look forward to meeting with our community members to discuss my plans for returning our Sheriff’s Office “Back to the Basics”.

Harris is running against Sheriff Bill Elfo and Robert Taylor. Harris and Taylor both work in the Sherrif’s Office.

From Paben

Greg Anders, head of the Heritage Flight Museum and son of astronaut Bill Anders, announced today that he’ll run against U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, in 2012.

In his announcement, he stressed the importance of job creation, strengthening our national security and showing fiscal discipline.

Anders, a Republican, has launched his campaign page (click here to see it).

He and his father both have long military careers. Greg Anders spent the first 15 years of his military career in the active duty Air Force flying the B-52 “Stratofortress” for nine years. He then cross trained into flying the F-15 “Strike Eagle,” a plane he used on deployments flying over Iraq enforcing no-fly zones.

He then transitioned to the Idaho Air National Guard flying the A-10 “Warthog.” Flying the Warthog, he flew combat sorties during second war in Iraq. He flew 27 sorties during the major combat operations.

His father was a crew member on Apollo 8, which circled around the moon. He took the famous “Earthrise” photo.

“It’s time to change it up in Washington – it’s time we stop sending the same politicians to Washington while expecting different results. Times are tough and we need a leader to represent the 2nd District that understands the need to build jobs, strengthen our national defense and stop the out of control spending,” Anders stated in a press release. “Over the next few months the people of Washington’s 2nd Congressional district will get to know me and my family and we will have a serious and frank discussion regarding the direction of this country and why we need different leadership in Congress.”

CORRECTED AT 6:20 P.M. ON MAY 25: I misread a sentence in Louws’ press release. Louws Truss, the family business, was started his Louws’ father, John Louws. I had the wrong person in the post below. I’m sorry about the error and the delay in getting a correction up here. It’s been a very long day. - JP

From Paben
Jack Louws will run for county executive.

Louws, a local businessman and former mayor of Lynden, will run against Executive Pete Kremen and Tom Anderson, former manager of the Whatcom County Public Utility District.

“Dozens of friends and colleagues approached me over the past year to encourage me to run,” Louws stated in a press release. “I’ve worked with Pete Kremen for many years and consider him a friend, but I believe the challenges County government is facing require a fresh approach and a new energy.”

According to the press release:

Louws, 53, works in the commercial division at Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance. He transitioned out of day-to-day leadership at his family’s business, Louws Truss Inc., in late 2010 to make way for the third generation. Louws’ son, John (BJ), now runs the business founded by his grandfather, John Louws, in the early 1950s

Louws

Jack Louws’ father, John, was Whatcom County’s first County Executive in 1979, the year the County converted to home-rule governance. During his four years as County Executive, he is credited with installing a new computer system in the courthouse, researching a 9-1-1 system that ultimately was approved by voters, overseeing an updated land use and zoning plan, and unifying three road districts into one. John passed away in 2003. (more…)

From Paben

UPDATED AT 3:30 P.M. ON MAY 17: In response to the articles pasted below about his attendance record at Ferndale City Council meetings, Malpezzi said the following: “My overall attendance record is as good or better than any other current or past council member(s). I have attended as many, if not more meeting, than any of my peers on an annual basis. And per the Ferndale Council Rules and Procedures, I have always been excused by my peers for any absence.” He pointed to this article to support the comment I wrote below about him being controversial.

START OF ORIGINAL POST

Ferndale City Council member Steve Malpezzi called me earlier to announce that he’ll run for re-election this year.

Malpezzi

Malpezzi says voters should give him another four years on the council because “I believe the city needs a little bit of conservative fiscal responsibility.” He brings a common sense approach to the city, in terms of its spending, he said. He’s afraid that the city has overextended itself and is going into too much debt.

He opposes issuing an additional bond of $10 million for various purposes. “I’m just not supportive of going further and further in debt,” he said.

Traffic congestion

He believes Ferndale residents are still concerned about traffic congestion, but the city hasn’t done enough to address the issue of congestion on Main Street. The Second Avenue-extension project was billed as reducing traffic by 29 percent on Main Street by luring commuters away from it, but he doesn’t think that’s happened.

The city just completed improvement to Main Street that make it a little safer, extend bike lanes and add some parking, but it doesn’t relieve congestion, he said.

“It was never a project to increase capacity and relieve traffic,” he said.

He wants traffic engineers to look at possible fixes for reducing congestion on Main Street. While he said he’s not endorsing these ideas, he suggested creating a dedicated lane from the Main Street bridge to Vista Drive, so commuters could bypass the signals and blocks of the downtown core. It would require buying land and businesses and demolishing buildings, including the city hall annex, he said. He suggested options for converting streets to one-way streets, as well as building a second bridge over the river. He said the city needs to put a higher priority on upgrading traffic signal hardware so signals can be better coordinated to move traffic. He also questioned whether the city needs the three signals between First Avenue and Third Avenue, less than a quarter mile.

Commercial growth

I asked him about the city’s planning for commercial development, specifically large-scale commercial. He said he has concerns about the planned action study looking at large-scale development near Interstate 5 and Main Street/Axton Road. He doesn’t believe that area is appropriate for large-scale retail. He noted that when a study was being done on the proposed Pioneer Plaza development in the southeast quadrant of the interchange, it called for tens of millions of dollars in traffic improvements, including to the freeway overpass. He questions whether this study will come to a different conclusion.

He thinks the Slater and Grandview roads interchanges are better locations for major commercial development.

Missing meetings

Malpezzi has been what you could call controversial on the council. Here is the last article written by former Herald government reporter Sam Taylor, who is now city clerk for Ferndale, on how the council was considering admonishing him for missing meetings: (more…)

From Paben

Starting this Friday, people can file by mail their candidacy for public offices, according to the county Auditor’s Office.

Previously, candidates filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission, which tracks campaign spending. But they also have to file with Whatcom County Auditor Shirley Forlosf’s office.

The mail-in filing begins Friday, May 20. They must be received by the office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10.

Candidates can also file online. They can do that starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 6, through 4 p.m. on Friday, June 10. File online by clicking here.

For people who want to file in person (that’s sooooo 20th Century!), they can do so on filing week, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 6. It closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10. To file in person, go down to the ol’ Auditor’s Office in the county courthouse building, 311 Grand Ave. (the office is near the rotunda at the north end of the building).

Click here to see offices that are up for election, candidacy forms and filing fees.

Walker

From Paben

J. Lynne Walker, candidate for county auditor, has scheduled her official campaign kick-off for May 26.

Walker is running for auditor against Debbie Adelstein, currently the chief deputy auditor. Walker has been the legislative administrator to the Bellingham City Council since 2004.

Walker’s event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 26, at the Squalicum Boathouse, which is down in Zuanich Point Park at Squalicum Harbor.

According to her press release:

“I’m very excited to announce our campaign kickoff event. We’ve been active since early March, but holding a formal event really provides the campaign with momentum into the summer months. I look forward to the opportunity to answer questions about my campaign and energize my supporters.”

Click here to see her campaign website, which has been updated and has lots of info on it.

Click here to see my last post on Adelstein.