Young Dems like forest tax

Written by Ralph Schwartz | The Bellingham Herald | February 11, 2013

By Ralph Schwartz

The Young Democrats of Whatcom County and the Western Washington University Democrats issued a statement Sunday announcing that the groups have endorsed “Proposition 1″ on the Feb. 12 ballot. (Hey, that’s tomorrow!)

Proposition 1 is the property tax measure that would help pay for Chuckanut Ridge/Hundred Acre Wood. Voting is limited to the part of Bellingham south of WWU and west of Interstate 5.

The younger groups departed from the main body of the Whatcom County Democrats, which did not vote to endorse the ballot measure with the required two-thirds majority. The county party officially takes no stand on the measure.

Here’s the Young Dems’ press release:

Young Democrats of Whatcom County and WWU Democrats Endorse Park Measure

BELLINGHAM – Last week, the Young Democrats of Whatcom County and the Western Washington University Democrats unanimously endorsed Proposition 1, the formation of the Chuckanut Community Forest Park District.
“This measure would provide the financial resources to ensure that the Chuckanut Ridge park stays a part of our community for generations to come,” said Young Democrats Chair Lauren Hatch.
The Young Democrats of Whatcom County is made up of self-identifying Democrats under the age of thirty-five and those still young at heart. Western Washington Democrats is an on campus club that helps unite and give opportunities to liberally minded students. While they have a seat on the County Democrats executive board, they are their own separate organization that makes endorsements, fund-raises and organizes for political candidates.
“This is an important step towards defining who we are as community and what things we value.” Hatch noted that the boundaries made sense and that this measure deserves the full support of the potential district.
Ballots for Proposition 1 have already been mailed out and are due back to the auditor’s office February 12th.