Satpal Sidhu is the candidate with the greatest technical expertise to enact policies and execute changes needed to meet the demands that growth will create in the near and distant future of Whatcom County. The committee agrees that he is a brilliant visionary who looks ahead with a 10 year view. He has the credentials and the ability to understand and explain  our most pressing issues; we believe the County would be in good hands with Satpal.

His impressive analytical skills, administrative experience, and policy knowledge will enable him to carry out his vision. He explained his understanding of county issues in depth, and advocates planning for unconventional solutions. He understands the financial grip of corporate control on our food distribution system, so advocates for increased support for local growers.

With a long time commitment to civic involvement and participation in local government, he has a record of bringing together diverse communities both professionally and in his personal life. He is responsible for the hiring of a Punjabi speaker in the Sheriff’s Department. He raised significant funds to build the Arch of Reconciliation which brought him the Peacebuilder Award. He recognizes our synergistic relationship with Canada and the synergistic needs we share with each other as a community.

We enthusiastically endorse Satpal Sidhu for County Executive.

Rebecca Xczar has both professional experience as a third generation real estate appraiser and elected experience on the Ferndale City Council to bring a fresh and needed voice to an open seat. She will modernize the office as she noticed the need for an updated database to streamline, improve access, and provide more information to county taxpayers. Her experience serving on Planning Commission with elevate her work as Assessor. We loved that she is an advocate for nonpartisan valuations, civic education and engagement.

Brian Estes is a believer with courage, as he’s running in a newly created position as a progressive in what is considered one of the most conservative districts in the county. He is a champion for mental health and disabled services, and will ensure that outreach and services are available in District Four.  He is a longtime member and volunteer for NAMI, and believes those experiencing mental illness are among the most marginalized in our community.

Well-acquainted with the Whatcom County Health Assessment’s report on the inequities in outcomes for both our city and county communities, he sees Public Health as being one of Whatcom County Government’s most important mandates. Brian is also a passionate advocate for 39% of our county population who are employed, yet still experiencing poverty. He believes no one who works full time should be in or near poverty, and data from ALIC supports his view that this requires a laser focus on wages.

We wholeheartedly recommend Natalie McClendon for the position 5 seat on the county council.  Natalie’s beliefs, particularly her record as an environmental advocate align with our platform.  We’ll need her voice on the council to maintain a progressive majority to continue to limit expansion of fossil fuel exports from Cherry Point.  Natalie recognize the need to do better at monitoring and enforcing current environmental regulations.  And she understands and respects the protected treaty rights of our local tribes, seeking to work collaboratively for inclusive solutions to our current water challenges.

Riveters Collective is thrilled to re-endorse incumbent Carol Frazey for Whatcom County Council At-Large position. With her enthusiastic and infectious energy, Carol told us her motto: “Whoever you are, we will help you.” She’s resourceful, seeking input from a wide variety of sources. We like her strong focus on solving upstream problems. She is thoughtful about the needs of people with disabilities.

Her concerns are our concerns. We valued her impressive commitment to public health responsibilities and mandates of county government. It seems that the theme of community health ties all her priorities together.

She loves doorbelling – an indication the value she puts on reaching out and communicating with her constituents. She is generous, warm and an advocate for hands on service to those most vulnerable in our community. She is just getting started service of great value to our wider County community and we believe she would serve us well in a second term.

Ferry deckhand Anthony Distefano’s lifelong maritime background, experience working with tribes, and commitment to protecting our most valued lands and sea contribute to our strong endorsement for his candidacy for Port Commissioner Dist. 3.  He communicates expert technical knowledge about threats to orcas and gray whales, and is an advocate for environmental clean up measures that exceed federal standards. In addition, he stands for proactive strategies rather than reactive measures with respect to point source pollution in our sea: replacing culverts, dealing with run-off, supporting activities such as those of the River Keepers.  He favors sustainable economic development, but not to the exclusion of managing public lands and waters in ways that honor the community’s values for preservation, conservation, and equitable access. Even as a candidate, Distefano is convening technical experts from county schools, WCLS, business, small cities and residents to a work group next month to ensure that this plan will be put into action.

In a crowded field of competent candidates, we’re excited to endorse April Barker for Mayor of Bellingham. April is passionate, articulate, and literate in progressive cultural change beyond policy and procedure. She is a seasoned community organizer with deep ties to her neighborhood. April has successfully built bridges between communities in the Birchwood neighborhood. She is anticipating future changes in our demographics and wants to lay groundwork for meeting the needs of an aging population and a young, more diverse workforce.  April believes it is vital that everyone in our community belongs and has a voice. She envisions herself as a bridge builder who forms partnerships with government and non-profit organizations for the benefit of the entire community, including those most vulnerable. She made a strong case for increasing city staffing and committing resources to HR to expedite hiring and job development, and offer more trauma-informed and diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all staff. We believe April is the leader Bellingham needs.

We’re excited to endorse Ali Hawkinson for Ferndale City Council. She has strong values around centering marginalized citizens. She has a track record of action to support her values. She seems to us like someone who genuinely cares for others and tries to bring unheard voices forward. She’s a champion of the underprivileged and would serve Ferndale well in this position.

NOTE: Anya has withdrawn from the race.

We enthusiastically endorse Anya Milton for Ferndale City Council Position 3. Anya proved herself to be focused and action-oriented in our interview with her. We appreciated her vocal concern for under-represented community members. She demonstrated her experience advocating for and supporting those marginalized communities. Any was vocal about her respect for native communities in our area and how she hopes to honor them through her service. She wants to focus on youth in our community.

We enthusiastically endorse Maralise Fegan for Ferndale City Council Position 7. We perceived Maralise to be a thoughtful advocate for what community improvement should look like in Ferndale. We appreciated that she brought forward specific plans for moving Ferndale toward improved transportation and housing. Her experience as an active member with the Community Emergency Response Team show her ability to plan and respond to the big picture and long-range plans on behalf of the community.