With a price-tag of $102,116, the City of Bellingham has seen fit to give the eco-activist, non-governmental organization RE Sources a three year "ecology grant" contract to develop a "target list" of businesses and industries "not currently covered by local source control efforts" -- and then school them about "best management practices (BMP's)..." The reach of this Bellingham-paid project extends into Skagit County too (oh-my). Read through the actual contract for yourself. WE found this at Page 8:
Exhibit A
Task 1- Business Sector Stormwater Outreach and Trainings RE Sources for Sustainable Communities (RE Sources) will develop 4 sector based trainings focusing on stormwater best management practices (BMPs) for minimizing pollution. These trainings will be delivered twice in both Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
A. Develop a target list of business and industry sectors that are not currently covered by local source control efforts. Focus on specific technical, language and cultural aspects of each selected business type. Sectors may include rental equipment companies, auto detailing, fleet washing, boat repair facilities, window washing services, janitorial services, drain, gutter and duct cleaning services, pressure washing and steam cleaning, and mobile businesses such as carpet cleaners, garbage/ dumpster companies, grease recycling companies, and construction-related (drywall, masonry and painters). Using this list RE Sources will target sectors for trainings.
B. Develop both a classroom and field training component for 4 types of sectors including a training outline and brochure, as well as an instructional checklist, and/ or facts sheets, where appropriate, that details the BMP’s for each sector....” (more...)
WE post this - and think it's very important -- for a number of reasons.
To alert the businesses being targeted. Obviously Bellingham doesn't think you're under enough scrutiny already. No matter how conscientious or good stewards any (or all of you) may be, Bellingham thinks RE Sources and Baykeeper should "reach out and touch you" some more. These private citizens -- not city employees -- have already been out, looking for miscreants. Now they are going a step farther. They're being paid to tell you how to operate, which is packaged as "best management practices" (BMP's). You're already subject to inspection at any time, for a "visit," without a warrant.
We also think it's important to raise public awareness that agenda-driven, activist "non-profits" are being employed, at very great expense, to do this kind of self-directed "work." Most people probably don't realize how many tax dollars are drained at a time when state and local budget short-falls risk the loss of more basic and necessary services. Competitive bids aren't necessarily required for a public-private grant project like this. That, in itself, is a troubling matter.
Last, we're concerned about the sea change underway from "government as service and servant" toward "government agencies and their partners directing the private sector." We see this kind of unaccountable, agenda driven policing and governance as a serious and growing trend.
Do you find any or all of this alarming? If you do, share the story with others -- and don't be shy about telling those who are supposed to be representing you what you think of it. Please do share your comments here, too.
Exhibit A
Task 1- Business Sector Stormwater Outreach and Trainings RE Sources for Sustainable Communities (RE Sources) will develop 4 sector based trainings focusing on stormwater best management practices (BMPs) for minimizing pollution. These trainings will be delivered twice in both Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
A. Develop a target list of business and industry sectors that are not currently covered by local source control efforts. Focus on specific technical, language and cultural aspects of each selected business type. Sectors may include rental equipment companies, auto detailing, fleet washing, boat repair facilities, window washing services, janitorial services, drain, gutter and duct cleaning services, pressure washing and steam cleaning, and mobile businesses such as carpet cleaners, garbage/ dumpster companies, grease recycling companies, and construction-related (drywall, masonry and painters). Using this list RE Sources will target sectors for trainings.
B. Develop both a classroom and field training component for 4 types of sectors including a training outline and brochure, as well as an instructional checklist, and/ or facts sheets, where appropriate, that details the BMP’s for each sector....” (more...)
WE post this - and think it's very important -- for a number of reasons.
To alert the businesses being targeted. Obviously Bellingham doesn't think you're under enough scrutiny already. No matter how conscientious or good stewards any (or all of you) may be, Bellingham thinks RE Sources and Baykeeper should "reach out and touch you" some more. These private citizens -- not city employees -- have already been out, looking for miscreants. Now they are going a step farther. They're being paid to tell you how to operate, which is packaged as "best management practices" (BMP's). You're already subject to inspection at any time, for a "visit," without a warrant.
We also think it's important to raise public awareness that agenda-driven, activist "non-profits" are being employed, at very great expense, to do this kind of self-directed "work." Most people probably don't realize how many tax dollars are drained at a time when state and local budget short-falls risk the loss of more basic and necessary services. Competitive bids aren't necessarily required for a public-private grant project like this. That, in itself, is a troubling matter.
Last, we're concerned about the sea change underway from "government as service and servant" toward "government agencies and their partners directing the private sector." We see this kind of unaccountable, agenda driven policing and governance as a serious and growing trend.
Do you find any or all of this alarming? If you do, share the story with others -- and don't be shy about telling those who are supposed to be representing you what you think of it. Please do share your comments here, too.
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