Editor,
The Bellingham Herald recently produced an article about 22 North. The assertions made by the Opportunity Council should be questioned.
The article states that public and privately funded 22 North has “yearly operation cost of about $1,760,000.” This doesn’t reconcile with the figures outlined by the Health Department on July 9, when it was stated that the county provides 31% of the budget of 22 North with $650,000 (indicating the annual budget is $2,100,000). One argument for the Housing First model is the “savings” to incarceration or EMS. It costs the community $44,000 — $52,500 per unit annually — higher than the national figures for annual cost of incarceration at $42,672 and omitting the cost of first-responder activity at the facility.
The article points out that “Permanent Supportive Housing programs have higher mortality rates than average apartments according to the Opportunity Council.” On its face, that may be true. But how do the most recent death rates at 22 North compare to the annual mortality rate of being homeless in Whatcom County?
The article indicates that 34% of 22 North residents have substance use disorder. If that figure is accurate, 22 North had a 35%-44% overdose mortality rate for addicted people over a year (based on estimates of 40-50 residents, sixth overdose deaths, and seventh death investigation pending)! 22 North is not serving addicted populations well. That deaths are to be expected with this model comes across as crisis management mumbo jumbo to me.
Since 2018, 22 North has been rife with policy, procedures, security and staffing gaps. The 2022 homicide report of Kasaundra Booker indicated staff abandoned the facility at night. In the last year, four of the seven residents found dead hadn’t been seen in three days. Negligence is the term that comes to mind.
Adam Bellingar
Business owner neighboring 22 North, Bellingham
Editor,
It is certainly past time to clean up that eyesore-tattered-tarp-partly-covered-landfill toxic mess that is oozing into Bellingham Bay. How short-sighted were our forebears to dump garbage on the edge of our waterfront to be eroded away by the waters of the bay! We have been told now that it should cost $19 million to “clean it up.”
It sounds like magic. What has not been told by our leaders is what they plan to do with this mess. Are they going to try once again to contain it and build a park on top of it, or will they cart it away to some hole in Eastern Washington and leave it there for posterity? I have heard both answers but nothing definitive. I ask that our politicians disclose what methods will be used to sanitize the area. Will it indeed be safe to go to the new beachfront park in 2027 when they say it is ready for us to do so?
Jeanie Bein, Ph.D
Bellingham
Editor,
Interest in voting reform, especially ranked choice voting (RCV), has grown significantly in recent years. Although RCV is not a hot-button political issue, its positive long-term benefits for our political landscape should not be underestimated.
This November, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon could join Alaska and Maine by voting to adopt RCV for some or all of their federal and state elections. The Colorado and Idaho ballot measures mirror Alaska’s system: nonpartisan top-four primaries leading to an RCV November general. Nevada’s measure is similar but with a top-five primary. Oregon will vote to adopt RCV for some federal and state elections, and also permit local jurisdictions to use RCV if they wish.
Washington voters will not see voting reform on their ballot this year. But because Whatcom County is one of seven charter counties in Washington, Whatcom voters can help advance RCV locally via the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission races. This 15-member commission is elected every 10 years to review the county’s administrative procedures and propose changes. Proposals would need voter approval to take effect but would be, as charter counties are, largely unrestrained by statewide statutes. The commission could, for example, propose RCV for county elections if 10 commissioners (a supermajority) agreed.
Three commissioners will be elected from each of Whatcom County’s five districts. If you feel RCV is better than our existing plurality-takes-all voting, you might want to know before you vote how the Charter Review Commission candidates in your district feel about RCV.
John Whitmer
Bellingham
Editor,
In our present state of war-like politics have we crossed the Rubicon of civil discourse? The majority of causalities come from the lower strata of the commonwealth. The lower strata die from serving our country, suffer from lack of affordable medical treatment and are further wounded by living expenses. The survivors’ wounds are held open and irritated with the avarice of monetary and power of the K Street lobbyists to the venture capitalist to the money merchants. Indeed, the money changers have not only established shops in the temple, they have purchased the temple, and the temple is not open to the commonwealth. It is members-only, like an exclusive country club.
Capitalism should not be thrown out with the proverbial bathwater, yet as Theodore Roosevelt said, some regulation must be in force.
Never underestimate the power of denial. Those who parrot utterances from opinionated news sources, and do not verify, are nothing more than a simplified, subjective billboard of dubious validity.
Yet, we assume, we hope, we desire that an individual or a group, or a policy or two, will be the pill to feed and fuel and shelter the commonwealth.
Without civil discourse leading to compromise, peace will be denied.
History does repeat, lessons learned are forgotten. The travesty is that very few heed history, and if avarice is allowed to run full-range-wild we shall reap what we sow.
“Civil dissention is a viperous worm that gnaws at the bowels of the commonwealth.” — Henry VI, Shakespeare
Jerry Dale McDonnell
Everson
Editor,
Leaning left in politics, I hoped there would be a truthful exchange of contrasting viewpoints in the presidential debate. Instead, the performance of one person reminded me of a passage from Deuteronomy: “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people.”
Our former president made the case for wisdom and discernment as we the people consider the language and demeanor of each debater. Each of us needs to digest the fabrications of, and the visible lack of respect, by the impeached ex-president. Which candidate is the best choice not only to be our respected president but also to be the leader that people of the free world will look to with respect and confidence? My choice of Ms. [Kamala] Harris was confirmed by Mr. [Donald] Trump’s abysmal performance.
Reinforcing this decision is the GOP vice-president candidate who callously asserts that guns are not the problem underlying school shootings and deaths. Rather he wants to arm teachers and “harden” school buildings. How many current dedicated teachers will leave the profession rather than being forced to carry a deadly weapon? How many current aspiring teachers will forego the profession for the same reason? Is it possible to “harden” school buses? Will concrete walls akin to prisons surround playgrounds and athletic fields? Is this the American way to protect the life, liberty and happiness of students and staff members?
Supreme Court originalist justices, conservative politicians and guns are the problem. It will take time to change the Court’s makeup and political decision makers. Wisdom and discernment are needed and the time starts in the Nov. 5 election.
Jerry Hunter
Bellingham
Editor,
It’s truly baffling that someone would go out of their way to enter a Birch Bay business solely to complain about the presence of an information booth run by the Birch Bay Incorporation Association (BBIA) outside. This scenario, though it sounds absurd, unfortunately highlights where some individuals seem more interested in stifling dialogue than engaging in it.
A recent BBIA survey that was completed online by 639 Birch Bay residents (May 7 to July 7) on the incorporation of Birch Bay, showed 43% wanted more information before they could decide. Having an information booth to provide resources so residents can form their own educated opinions just makes sense.
The BBIA’s mission is to explore the idea of Birch Bay becoming a city. This is not a clandestine operation or some covert attempt to force a particular agenda. It’s a public service, aimed at ensuring that residents are well-informed about an issue that could significantly impact our community. If someone disagrees with the concept of incorporation, that’s their prerogative, and they’re welcome to share their perspective. The booth is simply a conduit for information — nothing more. But to complain about the existence of an information booth? That’s not just ridiculous; it’s counterproductive.
Let’s focus on encouraging open dialogue, not silencing it. After all, an informed community is a stronger, more resilient one. Complaints that seek to shut down information-sharing only undermine the process of making thoughtful, collective decisions for Birch Bay’s future.
Sharman Burnam
Birch Bay
Letters to the Editor are published online Wednesdays; a selection is published in print Fridays. Send to letters@cascadiadaily.com by 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Rules: Maximum 250 words, be civil, have a point and make it clearly. Preference is given to letters about local subjects. CDN reserves the right to reject letters or edit for length, clarity, grammar and style, or removal of personal attacks or offensive content. Letters must include an address/phone number to verify the writer's identity (not for publication).
