News

November 8, 2024 Dear Executive Sidhu and councilmembers, The Riveters Collective Justice System Committee continues to follow the County’s progress toward reforming the local justice system.  After reviewing the October 8, 2024, Justice Project Legal and Justice System Committee meeting, it is apparent to us… Read More »Letter to County re: public defender system

School districts around the state are hitting the panic button as they learn details about the 2025/2026 state budget for school funding. It appears big cuts are coming and education advocates are asking for our help. The Washington State Legislature is legally obligated to fully… Read More »Budget Challenges Coming to Bellingham Schools in 2025/2026

August 5, 2024 Dear councilmembers, We are writing to express concern that it has been six months since the City Council suspended all activities performed by the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), seemingly, without any progress towards developing a workgroup with IAB members or plans for… Read More »Letter to City Council re: IAB Workgroup Progress Update

August 5, 2024 Dear Mayor Lund, We are writing to express concern that it has been six months since City Council suspended all activities performed by the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), seemingly, without any progress towards developing a workgroup with IAB members or plans for… Read More »Letter to Mayor Lund re: IAB Workgroup Progress Update

For the 2024 election, we are using two positive designations for candidates: endorsed and recommended. We have given the “endorsed” designation to our true champions – those elected officials that have received our endorsement previously and have shown an unwavering commitment to advancing the values… Read More »Riveters Collective 2024 Endorsements & Recommendations

On June 26, our Justice System Committee met with Sheriff Donnell Tanksley for some updates on his work, projects in progress, and hopes for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). Since coming into the office, Tank has made a number of changes that we’re excited to… Read More »Sheriff Tanksley already making positive changes

Two months ago, the Whatcom County Council voted unanimously to conduct an independent investigation into Whatcom County’s handling of sexual harassment reports involving their former Public Works Director, Jon Hutchings, which resulted in the County paying $250,000 to settle a lawsuit with the accuser. County… Read More »Demand transparency in county council investigation

On April 19, Cascade PBS reported on Whatcom County’s handling of sexual harassment claims against former Public Works Director Jon Hutchings that resulted in the County paying out $225,000 to settle these allegations. The article also reported that Hutchings resigned the day before a third… Read More »Whatcom County Council must investigate mishandling of sexual harassment allegations

Dear Mayor Lund, We appreciate the city’s efforts to set standards for advisory groups and believe the Expectations of City Advisory Groups document (pages 4-6 of City Council’s April 8, 2024 agenda packet) could set the stage for success of any volunteer advisory group member.… Read More »We provided feedback to Bellingham about its proposed advisory group standards