Edgemoor Neighborhood Association Newsletter

August 2006

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Read the latest issue of Just So You Are Aware from the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Council

Here is my report for July 2006.  It summarizes the ABN’s accomplishment during the month and reviews my activities as your President and as a concerned citizen. 

ABN’s Accomplishments: Kathryn Hanowell, Coordinator Designate for the newly created Office of Neighborhoods, attended our July meeting to discuss this new function. Richard Maneval updated us on key issues in the local criminal justice arena.  Iain Davidson, our Secretary/Treasurer gave a Power Point presentation on his recent visits to Departments of Neighborhoods in Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA, and Seattle and we had a lively discussion of his discoveries. Our NPUP (Neighborhood Plan Updating Process) Committee presented the draft of a third deliverable for submission to the City, a proposed, master outline for neighborhood plans.  We will discuss approval of this draft at our August meeting.  Members of the NPUP Committee will be meeting with staff members of the Planning and Community Development Department early in August to review the three deliverables NPUP has created to date.  Kathryn Hanowell indicated that she would be attending this meeting also.      

Neighborhood Visits and Contacts:  During July I attended the Fairhaven Neighbors’ board meeting, had lunches with Kevin McClain, VP of WWU Associated Students, Jay Hallowell of the Downtown Renaissance, and Michael McAuley of the Lettered Streets NA. I participated in the second, annual “Tour de Fairhaven,” led by Brad Rose of the Edgmoor NA, to check out permitted and pending development projects in Fairhaven.

Community Meetings and Contacts: During July I attended the City Planning Commission session on the Shoreline Master Plan and the first of five monthly briefing sessions being held by the CPCDD.  The July topic, presented by Chris Koch, dealt with changes in residential zoning codes.  I also attended the MNAC meeting, at which Mayor Mark introduced the new Office of Neighborhoods, and a meeting of the Community Boating Center and chaired a meeting of the Southside Shoreline Stewardship Taskforce, attended by Joan Beardsley, Tim Stewart from the COB and Greg McHenry of the POB.  I had lunches with Joan Beardsley, Malcolm Fleming and Hal Hart and an appointment with Chris Fairbanks, the newly elected Chairman of the Waterfront Advisory Group.

August Meeting: Tim Stewart will come to discuss the proposed Planning Academy sessions tentatively scheduled for the fall.  Tim has encouraged neighborhoods to submit their questions and comments about the Planning Academy, either to him or to Kathryn Hanowell.  Lisa McShane has asked for time on our August agenda to discuss the Initiative on Bellingham Bay Cleanup.

I hope to see you all at our next ABN meeting on August 22^nd.

Cheers! 

Ralph Thacker, ABN President        752-1114 

Visit the Association of Bellingham Neighborhoods website at www.aobn.org

ENA still needs a representative from Edgemoor Neighborhood to attend the monthly ABN meetings. Without representation, we have no voice. If you have the time and interest, please let us know. 

In September, the City of Bellingham, Sustainable Connections and Puget Sound Energy will begin the  Bellingham Green Power Community Challenge.  As part of that Challenge, the neighborhoods with the highest percentage of households buying green power will be eligible for 2 - $1000 grants to plant trees in the neighborhood.  Buying green power is easy, helps to promote energy security and a healthy environment, costs as little as $4 a month and now it can help us beautify our neighborhood!  For more information, call 1-800-562-1482 or visit http://www.sconnect.org/practices/greenpower/.

Bellingham’s Planning & Community Development Department is hosting a series of engaging lunchtime presentations on the third Wednesday of each month, from July through November.  Hosted by staff, these interactive presentations will be lively and informative opportunities for Planning and Community Development staff to present information and answer questions from other city employees and the public about ongoing projects and programs. 

The hour-long presentations will take place at noon in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, and will include time for discussion.  The topics are:

Noon, Wednesday, July 19 – Priority Residential Code Fixes.  Hosted by Planner Chris Koch, this broad overview will define current housing trends, detail problems with outdated regulations, and describe code solutions now underway that will enable the types of residential development that we want in our existing and new neighborhoods.

Noon, Wednesday, August 16 – Community Housing Report.  Hosted by Bellingham’s three housing gurus, Block Grant Programs Manager David Cahill, Kulshan Community Land Trust’s Director, Paul Schissler, and Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authority’s John Harmon, this fascinating presentation will describe and discuss Bellingham’s current housing situation.  This presentation is a must for any folks who love diving into the details. 

Noon, Wednesday, September 20 – Adventures in Addis Ababa.  Tim Stewart, Planning & Community Development Director, will engross us with tales from his adventures in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, teaching urban planning and realizing the true meaning of democracy and sustainability.

Noon, Wednesday, October 18 – Home Rehabilitation Program.  Joyce Bennett and Matthew Bautista of Community Development will present several home rehabilitation success stories from this wonderful city program.  Information will be provided regarding who can qualify for this low-interest loan program.  

Noon, Wednesday, November 15 – Historical Buildings in Bellingham.  Katie Franks, a Development Specialist in Community Development, will host this historical review of some of Bellingham’s most interesting historic buildings.

Each noontime presentation will be aired on BTV10 and available at the Bellingham Public Library.  The Planning & Community Development Department is committed to improving public information and outreach, so please come and help make this series a success.  

For more information, contact: Nicole Oliver, Department: Planning & Community Development, (360) 676-6982, Email: noliver@cob.org

Researching the History of your Home or Property

The Washington State Archives is offering a free workshop: Researching the History of your Home or Property on Saturday, August 19th 8:30 am  - 12:30 pm.

The Whatcom County Health Department is searching for individuals who would like to participate as a speaker on the Whatcom County DUI Victim/Survivor Impact Panel. The Victim Impact Panel (VIP) is dedicated to reducing DUI (driving under the influence) related injuries and fatalities in Whatcom County. Speakers on the VIP share personal testimonies on how a DUI has impacted them, either personally or through the loss or injury of a family member or loved one. We also include professionals (EMS, law enforcement, etc) that are willing to share how they have been personally impacted through their work. Currently, VIP Speakers participate in monthly panel nights attended by individuals arrested for DUI offenses.

If you have been impacted by a DUI and are interested in speaking on the panel, please contact Joe Fuller at the Whatcom County Health Department at 676-6724 ext 30684 or at Jfuller@whatcomcounty.us. If you know of others who may be interested, please pass this information along to them. We need your assistance in keeping this program strong. Thank you

Joe Fuller, CPP
Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator

Whatcom County Health Department
509 Girard Street
Bellingham, WA 98225-4005
(360) 676-6724 ext. 30684
fax: (360) 676-7646
JFuller@co.whatcom.wa.us

Tara Fleetwood
Crime Prevention Officer
Bellingham Police Dept.
360-676-6924