On Monday night, the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission held a special meeting that focused heavily on a question many voters may not have considered: Should Whatcom County adopt ranked-choice voting?
Author: Greg Thames
Democracy in Action: Inside Whatcom County’s Charter Commission
Have you ever wondered how local government really works? At a recent Whatcom County Charter Review Commission meeting, citizens and commissioners wrestled with tough questions about fairness, transparency, and how to improve local governance for everyone.
Whatcom County Charter Review: Halfway Through the Rulebook Overhaul
Picture 15 Whatcom County residents, clutching notebooks and coffee mugs, gathered in libraries and community halls to rewrite the county’s governing charter.
Whatcom County Charter Review: Money Talks (But How Much Should It?)
In the government office space in the Executive Building across from the Whatcom County Courthouse on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Charter Review Commission tackled the age-old question that makes everyone squirm: “Who gets paid what, and why?”
Ready to Shape Your Whatcom County? Your Chance to Lead Starts Now!
Tired of feeling like your voice doesn’t matter? What if you could directly influence the decisions that impact your everyday life right here in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County’s Charter Review: A closer look at the Proposal to Pay Commissioners
At the next meeting of the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission, Commissioner Maya Morales will introduce a significant proposal: to transition the commission from a volunteer-based body to a salaried one.
The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission on the ancestral lands of the Nooksack Tribe
The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission convened in Deming, Washington at the Deming Library, on the ancestral lands of the Nooksack Tribe, where they received a warm welcome from Nooksack tribe’s Vice Chair Anna Brewer.
Love From London Soft Opening Serves Guests Ahead of March 1st Grand Opening
BMN volunteer reporters joined the soft opening winners for an exclusive first look at Bellingham’s newest dessert destination, enjoying sweet treats and lively conversations before the official launch.
Alma Clark: A Trailblazer for Equality in Education
In 1906, Alma Clark etched her name into history by becoming the first Black student admitted to the New Whatcom Normal School in Bellingham (now Western Washington University). At a time when racial segregation was prevalent in education, Clark’s admission was a significant stride towards equality.
Charter Debates Hit Home In Lynden: Citizen Commission Gets Down To Business
“Remember the small cities,” urged Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis, setting the stage for a Charter Review Commission meeting that would grapple with fundamental questions of local representation and power at the Lynden Library. Mayor Korthuis painted a portrait of a county at a crossroads, highlighting concerns about rapid growth, water rights, and housing costs that have “gotten crazy.”