charlie

About Charlie Crabtree

Long time observer of State and Local Politics. Charlie was born and raised in Whatcom County Washington. Served in the US Air Force in the 70's and served for 12 years on the Meridian School Board (north of Bellingham Washington) and a stint on the County Charter Review Commission. Retired except for Blogging and enjoying life.

Charter Review Update… Will there be Change in the Charter Review Amendment Requirements

One proposal that has been approved for the ballot has to do with the signatures required to bring a Charter Amendment to the Ballot for voter approval.   Proposed Amendment 13 One of two amendments that has been passed to the voters Modify Signature Requirements for Charter Review Amendments from the Public Proposed by Andrew Reding Description: Change the required number of signatures for putting a charter amendment proposed by the public on the ballot ...

By |2025-05-20T15:13:20-07:00May 20, 2025|Fourth Corner News|0 Comments

Filing for Office Done: What are the key Primaries?

As a result of filings 823 Candidates are vying for over 500 offices in all counties in the Fourth Corner. So what offices and candidates are running in the Primary? A BreakDown by County: County: WHATCOM Whatcom County Council DISTRICT 2 Elizabeth Boyle Whatcom County Council DISTRICT 2 Maya Morales Whatcom County Council DISTRICT 2 Mike Cullum Whatcom County Council DISTRICT 3 Tyler Byrd Whatcom County Council DISTRICT 3 Jessica Rienstra Whatcom County Council ...

By |2025-05-19T15:55:11-07:00May 19, 2025|Fourth Corner News|0 Comments

Budget includes Highest raise in Taxes Ever

  From the Republican Caucus in the State Senate: Voting for the bill in the Fourth Corner: In the Fourth Corner voted to pass…Sharon Shewmake(42nd), Liz Lovelett(40th),Derek Stanford(1st),Marko Liias(21st),Jesse Salomon(32nd),June Robinson(38th),John Lovick(44th) Their (Democrat) budget relies on MASSIVE property-tax increases that will also hit renters; a capital gains-style tax on innovation; cuts student aid for tuition at state-run colleges and universities; business tax increases, and much more, like a 38% fee increases on hunting ...

By |2025-04-28T13:15:58-07:00April 28, 2025|Fourth Corner News|0 Comments

More Water Adjudication information here and… online resources

Saturday Morning Live Covers some of the Questions involved in being served by the Department of Ecology concerning water rights... The Fourth Corner Version of Saturday Morning Live covers the issue with Perry Eskridge who works with the Building Industry Association and the  Realtors in Whatcom County. The Podcast of the show is here... Over 40,000 households have been "served" and will have to go to court for a state mandated adjudication as to ...

By |2025-04-27T15:48:52-07:00April 27, 2025|Fourth Corner News|1 Comment

Status of Jail Project Causes Concerns

When do our taxes, voted in 2023, go to work on our "Justice Center"? Skagit Jail Are any of you as tired as I am paying taxes for projects that get postponed continually? What does it take to get that Jail built?!  In 2023, voters approved a 0.2% tax to pay for a new jail by 63%. "Total cost to build the jail, on land that Whatcom County owns on LaBounty Drive ...

By |2025-04-27T15:11:50-07:00April 27, 2025|Fourth Corner News|2 Comments

Lynden School District Resolution: compliance with State; may lose Federal Funds

Lynden School District No. 504 Resolution  #06-25 Local Governance and Legal Clarity In Public Education WHEREAS, the Lynden School District Board of Directors' highest duty is to provide a quality public education to all students and to foster trust and transparency with the families we serve; and WHEREAS, the Board affirms the inherent worth of every child and their right to learn in an environment that prioritizes academic excellence and student well-being; and WHEREAS, ...

By |2025-04-20T08:44:05-07:00April 20, 2025|Fourth Corner News|1 Comment

Family Farmers: County Farmers Face Quagmire…

WA State Officials Fail To Provide Leadership as Whatcom County Farmers Face Water Rights Quagmire (EVERSON, Wash.) Washington state officials have failed their duty to support negotiations toward critical solutions for fish, farms and the community in the water rights legal quagmire unfolding in Whatcom County. This, despite the fact that the state itself began the damaging litigation in the first place. It’s been over 5 years since the Washington State Department of Ecology ...

By |2025-04-13T12:55:39-07:00April 13, 2025|Fourth Corner News|0 Comments

April 10th Bill Bruch on the SAVE Voter Act Passage in the House Of Representatives…

House of Representatives Approve Bill Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote! Educate. Advocate. Mitigate. Activate!  Bill Bruch Apr 10, 2025 Today the House Republicans passed a bill that will require voters to have proof of citizenship in order to vote in federal elections. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act was passed in a 220-208 vote. The vote included four Democrat Reps who sided with Republicans. The bill It is meant to prevent non-citizens from voting and ...

By |2025-04-13T10:45:00-07:00April 13, 2025|Fourth Corner News|0 Comments

FULL March 26th Response of Washington Secretary of State Hobbs to the Voter Integrity Executive Order

  Secretary of State Steve Hobbs’ Statement Reacting to Presidential Executive Order on Elections    Secretary of State Steve Hobbs’ Statement Reacting To Presidential Executive Order On Elections March 26, 2025 OLYMPIA – Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs issued the following statement on the recent Presidential Executive Order pertaining to elections, announced March 25, 2025: Secretary Of State Steve Hobbs “Washington’s elections are secure, transparent, and built on the work of ...

By |2025-04-13T09:46:02-07:00April 13, 2025|Fourth Corner News|1 Comment
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