Well, if it was not apparent before it sure is now. The Office of Superintendent for Public Schools (OSPI) has failed our children in so many ways we cannot fathom what all of the families are experiencing at this time. That said, the OSPI has every intention of steam-rolling families some more when they adopt their new standardized, graphically detailed …
Common Threads & The Fourth Corner Presents
Common Threads NW and The Fourth Corner sponsored a forum on Feb. 23rd, 2020 featuring Tim Eyman, Glen Morgan, Craig Terry and Lars Larson. The forum topic was focused on Washington State’s threats to our personal 1st and 2nd Amendment Rights.
Op-Ed: A Drought Plan for Whatcom County, but Without Public Process…
This year has seen lower than usual rainfall locally, which has led Governor Inslee to add Whatcom County (actually, the Nooksack Watershed, aka WRIA 1*) to the list of state areas already under a drought emergency declaration.
By itself, the Governor’s declaration does not provide the robust response that a serious drought would warrant. What is needed is a local plan, understood and supported by the public, which guides preparation for drought years during years prior to a drought, and effective drought responses when one occurs.
The Whatcom Waterfront and Fishing Industry; is there a Future?
Last Thursday, May 23rd, Common Threads co-sponsored a forum that brought three local leaders together to talk about the issues faced and potential solutions for retaining a working waterfront and viable fishing industry. Panelists: Ken Bell, Port of Bellingham Commissioner (Pres.), Doug Thomas, President and CEO of Bellingham Cold Storage and Chairman for the private-nonprofit – San Juan Area Sea …
Ecology Agreement Provides Water for Skagit Well Owners
Looks like Seattle City Light has agreed to release more water from its 3 dams on the Skagit River in order to give existing homes with wells built between 2000 and 2013 legal access to their water year round. Of course, there’s always a catch. That would be as a first step for whatever mitigation plan Ecology has in mind.
Gary Hagland, Skagit CAPR
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Local Farmers Share Their Concerns for the Future
On Wednesday, March 6th, a panel of representatives comprised from local farming interests participated in the Common Threads Forum, Whatcom Agriculture – Is There A Future for Farming in Whatcom County?