What’s at stake in this election? PLENTY!

Planning for growth — Protecting drinking water — Saving farmland from Development — Creating Good Jobs

But all the great progress we’ve made in Whatcom County over that last decade could slip away if we can’t turn out the votes for our endorsed County Council candidates – Carl Weimer, Ken Mann, Dan McShane and Laurie Caskey-Schreiber.

The political climate is very volitile right now, with fear about job losses, frustration with health care reform on the national level, and confusion about  zoning proposals on the local level. It will only take a few disaffected voters to switch to the right, and we’ll have lost a majority on the County Council. That’s why your effort to get out the vote is vital.

Let’s look at the alternative, opponents Bill Knutzen, Kathy Kershner, Michelle Luke and Mary Beth Teigrob. Where do these four candidates stand on the lssues? No one really knows. Luke and Kershner’s websites contain vague statements about enhancing the environment, bringing back public process, and applying common sense to government decisions.

Public records demonstrate that Knutzen doesn’t vote in local elections. When pressed by a local reporter for an explaination as to why not, he replied, “I’ll have to ask my wife.”

At the LWV forum, Luke froze in silence for 40 long seconds when asked by Weimer to list her qualifications for public office.

Kershner told the LWV audience, “I know what government needs to do to provide necessary services for people who have challenges and cannot provide for themselves....I’m not in favor of providing for those who can’t.”  Huh?

None of the conservative candidates have a record that voters can examine. And they have little to no experience making public policy decisions. When an elected official has no experience, they’ll look to others to advise them.

So who is anxious to get them into office, and advise these neophytes? The four like to present themselves to the media and the public as independent candidates, not involved with special interests, or political organizations.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Last June, the Whatcom County Republican Party Candidate Development Committee minutes (Luanne Van Werven and Chet Dow) stated they were pleased to report that four outstanding candidates,Teigrob, Kershner, Luke and Knutzen, whom they had been working with for several months, had filed to run for county council positions.

Bill Knutzen was endorsed unanimously by the Republicans at the July Central Committee meeting, but neglected to report the endorsement on campaign literature or to media.

The Republicans, Building Industry Association of Whatcom County (BIAWC) and Whatcom Realtors (WAR) have been uncharacteristically quiet during this election cycle. Nevertheless, prominent members of all three organizations have been actively forming new PACs, like Chet Dow’s newly formed Rural Neighbors PAC.

A group of property rights supporters recently formed the Whatcom Chapter of Citizens Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR). To signify unity, they wear yellow shirts to public hearings. They are also associated with the big, yellow “Land Grab” signs that are posted in many rural parts of the county. Bill Quern from the local BIAWC and Perry Eskridge, from the local Realtors Association (WAR) are deeply involved.

The CAPR website proudly proclaims that CAPR envisions “the leaders of supportive organizations coming together to form a central command to plan and carry out mutually agreed upon campaigns.” Recently, a rash of new yellow signs reading, “Property Rights under Attack!” popped up surrounded by campaign signs for the conservatives. The website on the property rights sign lacks any identifying information – another anonymous, but well-funded attack against our candidates.

Other stealth campaign tactics include anonymous emails designed to spread lies and misinformation about Caskey-Schreiber, Weimer, McShane and Mann. One email lists 25 Reasons Weimer, Caskey, Mann and McShane have failed the citizens of Whatcom County. Another falsely claimed that Critical Areas Ordinance enforcement was being funded by layoffs of Whatcom County public safety employees. Neither email contains accurate facts.

It will take all of us, talking to our neighbors, friends and co-workers, to answer questions and tell them about the good works of Carl, Ken, Dan and Laurie, to win this election. Please come to the October 15th meeting, and join in the GOTV fun!