From Stark
A public reception to mark the start in office of Kelli Linville as Bellingham mayor and Jack Louws as Whatcom County executive has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 9.
The reception will be from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 Harbor Loop at Bellingham’s Zuanich Point Park. Appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages will be served. The expenses are being covered by the leftover campaign funds of both officeholders. No public funds will be used.
(fyi: Jared checked with the Public Disclosure Commission, and a staffer there told him that this use of campaign funds is perfectly legit under state law.)
Both Linville and Louws won four-year terms in the Nov. 8 general election. Linville’s term began Jan. 1 and she will have her swearing-in ceremony during the Bellingham City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 9. Louws begins his term when he takes his oath of office at 12:15 p.m. Jan. 9 in the County Council chambers at the County Courthouse.
Louws is a former Lynden mayor. Linville formerly served as 42nd District state representative, and that district includes Lynden.
The two leaders said the joint reception symbolizes a new chapter in the relationship between Bellingham and Whatcom County.
“I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Mayor Linville on various issues and believe we can find common ground on the challenges and opportunities awaiting both governments,” Louws said in a press release.
“This is the beginning of a new working relationship between the city and the county,” Linville said. “We may not always agree on issues, but we will work together for the best interests of our community.”
..good grief, this is refreshing…
Here come the trains.
A positive first step!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
Looking forward to this event, and to the new leadership.
Are the best interests of Bellingham residents really harmonious with the wishes and machinations of the unincorporated county?
Maybe not
and you don’t need to look far to see the obvious conflicts.
When does cozy co-operation mean abdicating responsibility to your constituents,
selling-out your ideals and taking the easy road?
We’ll see how long this ersatz honeymoon lasts under the strain of everyday life in our corner.
This is wonderful! From what i understand the former mayor and county exec were not on speaking terms.
“… the former mayor and county exec were not on speaking terms.”
Yes, largely because they vehemently disagreed on the county’s capitulation to the development lobby and the consequences of the same for city taxpayers, not to mention the quality of life therebouts.
County government is still controlled by the lobby that bought it.
You’ll soon see what Linville means when she says there will be, “… a new working relationship between the city and the county,”
Good luck all you Growth Management folks who supported her!
Good work Kelli and Jack!
This is a breath of fresh air for Bellingham and Whatcom County. May we dare hope that Lake Whatcom reservoir might get some long needed joint City/County attention and action soon?