President’s Update December 2004
Edgemoor Neighborhood Association
December, for
many of us, is the time of the year when procrastination is no longer an option. I think it’s fair to say that this is the
case with City Council as well. Major decisions were made and difficult issues
were addressed which will effect Bellingham
and, in turn, our neighborhood far into the future.
First, Council approved the Grimes Report
which was the product of the Growth Forums. They basically signed on to
pursuing an aggressive infill strategy for the city based on the concept of
urban villages.
Second, Council also formally agreed to partner with the Port of Bellingham to develop the GP
waterfront property. The Port has proposed accepting responsibility for the
site clean up and any future liability in exchange for the title on the
property. The City will be financially responsible for providing the
infrastructure and services as the area is redeveloped.
Third, Council approved a 2005 budget, which includes a
slight tax increase and some reallocation of funds thus delaying major cuts
until 2006. Council person Barbara Ryan
proposed and the council passed the formation of a citizens advisory committee
to bring public scrutiny and rigor to the budgeting process in 2005. Citizens
recommended that this committee be under Council control.
Major budget shortfalls are likely for the foreseeable future due
to state wide limits on the taxing ability of local municipalities. The
increased demand for infrastructure and services resulting from aggressive
growth strategies and future waterfront development on the GP site will
undoubtedly contribute to these shortfalls as well.
Fortunately funding is secure for the Fairhaven Library for 2005. However, there is no guarantee that it
won’t be in jeopardy again. Thanks to all who made phone calls, wrote letters
and spoke in support. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a commitment from city
officials to fund the Fairhaven Library long term?
At our
December ENA meeting Sarah Slevin of the Whatcom County Dispute
Resolution
Center presented an
overview of the neighborhood peer mediation program. The membership
voted to fund training for 2 neighborhood volunteers who would then be
available to mediate disputes between neighbors on a variety of issues. If you
are interested in becoming a peer mediator contact Paul Stephenson at diplomat@weirdpeople.com
Looking ahead
to 2005, I see budget and land use issues as a major area of focus
for our group. Changes to the
Comprehensive Plan, the rapid build out of Fairhaven, traffic and
parking concerns and the Chuckanut Ridge development are just a few of the items that
will keep our Growth and Land Use Committee busy. Consider joining the committee to work on
these issues. Contact Brad Rose at brad AT affoinfo DOT com If you would like to be on an email alert
list to be notified at critical times contact me. (see below)
The January
meeting will be held on Thursday the 6th from 7
to 9 pm at our usual
meeting place, the Fairhaven Pavilion in Fairhaven Park.
(I have attached the agenda.) The major item on the agenda will be a
presentation by the Bylaws Committee of the first draft of the
permanent bylaws for the association. Michael
Menard and the Committee have made a considerable effort to
craft bylaws to reflect the ENA’s unique member driven structure. Michael, the
chair of the committee, will review the document and answer questions that
relate to this draft. Remember, the monthly meeting is not a working
meeting so if you have significant changes or suggestions to recommend, please
send them to Michael Menard, or
attend the next bylaws committee meeting to offer your input. A copy of this
draft is included as an attachment. Please print your own copy and bring it to
the meeting. There will not be copies available at the meeting.
Also at this meeting Lois Miles,
our Treasurer. will present a draft budget for 2005 and the Growth
and Land Use Committee has a proposal for a presentation by city
officials on land use issues for the February 3rd meeting.
Under old business we will revisit the proposal for advertising on the website.
Finally, a
very important reminder. On Monday, January 10 at 7 pm, upstairs in the ballroom at the
Fairhaven
Library, a presentation will be given on the Neighborhood Watch Program. The presenting officer will provide an overview of the
program. The Safety Committee is sponsoring this meeting and has invited all
interested people from any of the Southside neighborhoods. Hopefully this
meeting will not only be informative but offer us a chance to meet and network
with other neighborhoods.
In closing, to those of you whose
new year’s resolutions include making a civic contribution in the coming year,
I’d like to offer you the opportunity to take immediate action. Become active
in our organization. If you have a good idea that is important to you and will
benefit our neighborhood or for that matter the city, the county, or the state
and you are looking for like minded people to work with you, call me. I will
happily help you to set up a committee and support you in your endeavor. If the
work of one of our existing committees is of interest don’t hesitate to get
involved, we always welcome new participants and new ideas.
I hope to see you at one or more of our meetings. As always you
can call or email me if you have and questions or comments.
Sue
Tercek
Interim President