BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Bellingham City Council will convene today, Monday, September 20th, for the first in series of sessions strictly limited to public comments.
The special sessions are a brainchild of Council President Hannah Stone who says the traditional 15 minute public comment period during meetings isn’t sufficient.
“In a lot of ways we’re just checking off a box to say we’re doing it, we checked it off and now we’re going to proceed with the rest of city business,” says Stone. “It doesn’t serve the public.”
Her proposal got a mixed reception at the council’s August 30th meeting.
Member Gene Knutson said he’s supportive.
“Any kind of town hall, or whatever you want to call it, open comment night, whatever. That would be a better avenue,” says Knutson.
He says people with an anti-vaccine agenda have been the latest group with an agenda that have overwhelmed the traditional public comment period.
Member Dan Hammill says that group is what makes him opposed to more public comment.
“The subsequent high-jacking of the anti-scientific folks who’ve threatened the loss of our access to Youtube now,” says Hammill. “I don’t know why we would invite more of them.”
But the council will go ahead with the online sessions.
The first is today at 7pm and they’ll continue on Monday’s with no scheduled council meetings.
For information to join and comment visit the City of Bellingham’s website.