The following is a response I wrote to an anonymous poster on the Bellingham Herald website on 24 August 2011. First the post then my reply.
Lillias , ┐('～`；)┌
Very disappointed in Mike McAuley.
I wasted my vote when I gave it to him.
Shame on you POB; let's see how you change your tune when the trains make you late for work and soots your building.
I wasted my vote when I gave it to him.
Shame on you POB; let's see how you change your tune when the trains make you late for work and soots your building.
......................................................
Hey Lillias.....while I share the same environmental values as many others in this community, I also took an oath to serve as a Commissioner to the Port of Bellingham. To me, then, I feel I must help balance the Port's core mission with the greater needs of the community and planet.
For example, when a new parking lot is designed at the airport I ask for native plantings, stormwater reuse for watering, LED lot lighting and so on.
Sometimes I win, sometimes I don't but it's important for people to remember that the Port isn't a social organization or like other governments, it is a special purpose government with some pretty specific state law governing its operations.
So while I will continue to push for ever more and better environmental standards at our port it is important for all to know that it must be in context of what the port does.
The following is the Port's mission statement:
The Port of Bellingham’s mission is to fulfill the essential transportation and economic development needs of the region while providing leadership in maintaining Greater Whatcom’s overall economic vitality through the development of comprehensive facilities, programs, and services.
In so doing, the Port pledges to work cooperatively with other entities – within the framework of community standards – and to be a responsible trustee of our publicly owned assets.
Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/08/17/2146052/re-sources-disputes-port-position.html#disqus_thread#ixzz1W19TZGF9
For example, when a new parking lot is designed at the airport I ask for native plantings, stormwater reuse for watering, LED lot lighting and so on.
Sometimes I win, sometimes I don't but it's important for people to remember that the Port isn't a social organization or like other governments, it is a special purpose government with some pretty specific state law governing its operations.
So while I will continue to push for ever more and better environmental standards at our port it is important for all to know that it must be in context of what the port does.
The following is the Port's mission statement:
The Port of Bellingham’s mission is to fulfill the essential transportation and economic development needs of the region while providing leadership in maintaining Greater Whatcom’s overall economic vitality through the development of comprehensive facilities, programs, and services.
In so doing, the Port pledges to work cooperatively with other entities – within the framework of community standards – and to be a responsible trustee of our publicly owned assets.
Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/08/17/2146052/re-sources-disputes-port-position.html#disqus_thread#ixzz1W19TZGF9
