A rock and a hard place.
Damned if we do and damned if we don't.
Sophie's choice.
Commentary by Sharon Crozier
Oct 4, 03
No matter which mayoral candidate I'm listening to, I become certain I should vote for the other guy. Then the other guy talks and I'm back to square one.
Wednesday's Bellingham Herald mayoral debate began as a contest about which candidate loved Bellingham more/longest. The audience's questioning was astute and, within a few minutes, those present got to see many of the pair's strengths and vulnerabilities.
Mayor Mark Asmundson had a rough start, with an ineffective attack on challenger Brett Bonner's voting record and his inexperience at being mayor. Bonner correctly pointed out that any new job has a learning curve and that he would appoint knowledgeable, capable people to staff.
On the other hand, Bonner's familiar "living wage jobs and affordable housing" litany soon wore thin, revealing his unsubstantial grasp on many current issues except how difficult it is to get a building permit. Likewise, the mayor's avowed concern about the reservoir was put into question when Bonner asked why so much of the 21-point plan to protect the watershed was just coming to light during an election year.
Asmundson pointed out a Seattle P-I article that cited Bellingham as a wonderful place for business. Bonner said the P-I writer must not live in Bellingham. Then Bonner showed a story in Forbes saying Bellingham was not a good place for business. Asmundson said Forbes doesn't live here either. And so it went in the first part of the debate, with both speakers playing "Can you top this."
On a more specific note, Bonner said he would reverse the current policy of requiring companies who do business with the City to pay a $10 per hour minimum wage ($11.50 if no benefits). Asmundson responded that it was hypocritical to espouse higher paying jobs if the City is giving business to companies who submit the lowest bid because they have the lowest labor costs. Bonner said there could be other incentives for companies to voluntarily pay higher wages.
When asked what two actions he would take on protecting the watershed, Bonner said he would work for better logging practices and build storm sewer systems faster than they are being built. Asmundson pointed out that the City, County and Northwest Ecosystem Alliance already are working with the largest watershed property owner, the Department of Natural Resources, on logging issues. (Neither candidate found it in their interest to mention that excessive storm drain construction could open the way for more watershed development.)
Asmundson's frequent response to questions of intent was to point out that he is just the middle man - the idea guy - between citizen groups, commissions and staff and the City Council: It's Council members who are responsible for City actions and policies, he said.
Again, the part of the process not mentioned is just who it is that appoints committees, commissions and consultants. Perhaps the mayoral position is one of greater influence than we are led to believe.
And there it is, isn't it: The reality of November 5 is that the mayor of Bellingham will be responsible for steering our group ship. What we need to know is, who do we want at the rudder - someone who thinks we'll believe the $30,000 he got from builders and developers isn't going to influence just which "knowledgeable, capable people" he says he'll appoint to committees and commissions? Or, do we go around again with the guy who often has had his way with us, but manages to keep an eye on the lake and the trees often enough to appease us?
Bonner says Asmundson has been duplicitous. I feel Bonner's wide-eyed, down-home just-a-guy speeches are also a bit ingenuous. With the mayor, we now know better where to keep our watchful eyes. In Bonner's honeymoon period, zones could be changed, roads cut and buildings erected before we can say, "BIA." It could be done as fast as, well, as fast as an unwanted building could go up on Railroad and Holly.
Oops, that already happened, didn't it...
So, I guess the turning point for me last night was when Asmundson said the City should consider helping Sudden Valley with costs of remediating their sewer system so that community wouldn't have to build so many new homes on the watershed to pay for their LID. That's actually a progressive idea on the cheapest way to protect our water: through prevention. It also may be the first proactive measure he, himself, has suggested on the reservoir.
So, okay, Mark: Let's take another little stroll around the lake. I hope you don't mind if I bring along my tape recorder this time.
Sharon Crozier is a journalist and former mayoral candidate.
You can email comments to her at: geezwakeup@yahoo.com
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