6/20 Fairhaven Farmers' Market Report

First day of summer brought out significant crowds today. In just under four hours of tabling, another three dozen petition signatures were obtained. We'll be at the downtown Farmers' Market on this coming Saturday, 6/23 and back to Fairhaven next Wednesday, 6/27. Later . . .

An Eye Doctor Weighs In

Recently, Dr. John H. Hodge, MD, a local Ophthalmologist, signed a petition and offered to be quoted on this website as follows:

"Fireworks injuries are common, painful and severe. Every 4th of July something happens."

Thank you, Dr. Hodge, for your support and personal input. Later . . .

A Few Things to Consider

As this year's 4th of July approaches, we would like to share a few things that Bellingham residents should consider:
• Did you know that Bellingham’s noise ordinance (BMC 10.24.120-Public Disturbance Noise) does not include or exempt fireworks noise?
• Did you know that Bellingham’s noise ordinance (BMC 10.24.120-Public Disturbance Noise) includes significant penalties: Up to $250 for a first offense and, for a second or subsequent offense, up $500 or imprisonment for 90 days?
• Since the noise ordinance is “silent” – pun intended – regarding the noise of fireworks, it’s no wonder that our City is overwhelmed by the noise of fireworks. So, what’s a City resident to do when the noise of fireworks becomes unbearable? Try this: Call 911 - or 676-6911 if you do not consider it an "emergency" - and report the noise, but not the the fireworks.  When you do call, you will need to supply an exact location - an address - from where the noise is coming.  Since the noise ordinance includes significant penalties, perhaps law enforcement can do some enforcement.
• In the interim, we continue to seek petition signatures to put Bellingham Initiative No. 2012-01, as Proposition No. 1, on the November General Election Ballot.

6/16 Farmers' Market Report

Another "rain-challenged" Saturday at the Market again today. However, three of us braved the wet and gathered another 40 petition signatures today. Our tattered yard umbrella and sheets of reinforced clear plastic successfully kept our petitions dry and "signable"!

We'll be at the Fairhaven Farmers' Market next Wednesday afternoon and back at the downtown Farmers' Market next Saturday. If you are a registered voter, live within the City and support the idea of getting Bellingham Initiative 2012-01 on the November general election ballot as Proposition No. 1, please stop by our table and sign a petition. THANKS! Later . . .

6/13 Fairhaven Farmers' Market Report

Once again, just one of us at this event today. Great crowds! Just under four hours of tabling netted just short of another three dozen petition signatures.  We'll be at the downtown Farmers' Market on this coming Saturday, 6/16 and back to Fairhaven next Wednesday, 6/20.  Later . . .

Locations Added to "Hard-Copy Petition and LOCATIONS" Page

Back in March, a posting was added to this site indicating where petitions could be found. Unfortunately, this information was not included in this Blog itself. That situation has be corrected - locations have been added to the "Hard-Copy Petition and LOCATIONS" Page.

Back to Fairhaven Today

We'll be back at the Farmers' Market in Fairhaven this afternoon. Come by and sign our petition to get an initiative - to limit fireworks in our City to professionally-staged public fireworks displays - on the ballot this Fall. Later . . .