Let’s take this campaign to the next level

Save the Trails Update

Many in Bellingham live near undeveloped right of ways that can serve neighborhoods in many ways.  Outdated City Policies (that the City doesn't even follow) result in the loss of public rights on such lands and usually benefit developers with additional density. 

Such is the case here.  This is a test case and a first salvo at changing these archaic policies citywide.

Many would hope city development includes more than density, that public rights on reserved lands will lend themselves toward city amenities instead of private profits. Such is not the case here.

Please note that this online petition is advisory only and anyone can sign.  Please use the link below to print (two sided or two pages stapled) the legal petition found at;
https://nwcitizen.com/images/fileuploads/REFERENDUM_PETITION.pdf and return as indicated.  Only signatures of registered city voters on these sheets will count.

Please share these links and help us spread the word. Take a look at the issue and see how bad local government can be.

If you are with a neighborhood association, walking or outdoors group, or just know folks interested in good government, please see the link below for more information and see if you want to avoid suffering the same indignities in your neighborhood.  Help us help you! Let's qualify this referendum.  Approximately 3,000 valid signatures will do it.

We are already getting warned off.  Good, full speed ahead!

City Attorney Marriner writes, “It is unclear whether a referendum petition can be used to reverse a City Council decision to approve a street vacation made at a closed record hearing. Second, it is unclear whether a referendum petition filed after the street vacation ordinance is recorded with the Whatcom County Auditor can reverse the street vacation.’

As City Attorney, he says this in spite of the Bellingham City Charter at 10.08 guaranteeing, “The second power reserved by the people is the simple referendum which may be exercised and ordered as to any ordinance which has passed the City Council and the Mayor, or which has been passed over the Mayor’s veto”, and ‘The fact that the ordinance is already in effect shall not bar the referendum procedure.”
https://bellingham.municipal.codes/Charter/10.08

Here’s the link to more information https://www.change.org/p/city-of-bellingham-save-the-trail-protect-public-property-rights