A Kinder, Gentler Futurewise?

Here's to the 1st Amendment

     The headline at the Bellingham Herald reads, "Under new leadership in Whatcom, Futurewise to try cooperation". That might just work, following the last election, what with the county council now stacked with sympathetic syncophants. (No, not all, but WE think WE know who you are.)  Given the massive amount of outside money spent on the ugly tactics of last fall's election, nobody should make the mistake of assuming the results were a genuine mandate from the electorate. The perspective of this council has become very narrow, in most ways deaf and blind to the self reliance of "county" people who don't share their Bellingham addresses. There's little knowledge, fondness, or respect for the rich diversity of county life outside Bellingham's city limits (in the small cities, small towns, for farmers and their rural residential neighbors).

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Futurewise wants to be a "resource" for government, promoting their brand of environmentalism, "to prevent urban sprawl before legal action is needed". If that isn't a veiled threat, WE don't know what is. Very cooperative.  Given that Futurewise has a constant and imposing presence at our county's department of Planning and Development, the word "co-opt" would be more accurate.

Sensible planning is one thing, but WE reject the premise that Futurewise, or any other person or group, should claim authority to direct and dictate where people live and whats best for the county. Not everyone wants to live in cities. Those who want to live in urban villages or pack & stack cubicles, fine; enjoy that lifestyle if it’s your desire.

But WE find vigilante public-private policymaking neither appropriate nor healthy for community planning. Why should the Growth Management Act – a state law - need this self-appointed enforcement arm?  On what authority? Is the GMAFB not adequate? (oops, that should read GMHB) (Google it!)

WE have to ask, who runs this county? Bellingrad? A bunch of legal eagles from who-knows-where? Or is local government accountable to citizens from all across Whatcom County?

Under new leadership, instead of being an environmental watchdog, Futurewise says it wants to have "broader appeal". Really? The best way WE see that happening is to butt out, and allow the local community to develop with the control and consent of its people as it sees fit, without special interests and self-anointed authority figures trying to influence the lives and settlements of the citizens in a supposedly free country.

According to the report, Futurewise has now decided to focus its efforts on helping to "solve" the water rights dispute. The "dispute"?  That's rich. Futurewise has been a central protagonist in the dust-up. And they claim to represent whom, exactly? By what process did the public request this "help"? WE will lay dollars to doughnuts that the rights of individual citizens won't be defended or championed in their efforts -- just a SWAG. 

Meanwhile, Futurewise previous local chapter director has moved on to RE Sources for Sustainable Communities -- which could be another fine organization, if they'll just live and let live. WE don't think it's in their nature to do that, unfortunately.