Year in Review 2020: Whatcom County Executive

The past year has been a tumultuous experience for all of us in Whatcom County, disrupting every aspect of our lives. In local government, we have been challenged to learn something new every day and make consequential decisions, often without complete information or resources. It has been a humbling experience as we endeavor to meet the needs and expectations of our constituents.

That said, I believe Whatcom County’s public health response has been commendable. The health department and our countywide emergency response team were actively engaged before the first positive case was identified to plan and prepare. Quick actions resulted in lower case numbers relative to other counties in Washington and across the country. Even so, every death is a tragedy.

It is also important to recognize the pandemic’s economic impact, which has been particularly acute for our border communities. Many people are facing economic insecurity as they prepare for the holidays, having lost their job or struggling to keep their business viable. Let’s not lose sight of their hardships.

In an effort to support economic recovery, my administration has been working with our city administrations to achieve an unprecedented level of cooperation, as we pooled federal funding to have the greatest positive impact for our communities. I am grateful to all the mayors and municipal administrators for their cooperation and commitment to making things happen. Together we were able to help small businesses, our schools, and childcare organizations. The Port of Bellingham, for instance, was a leading partner in the effort to provide ferry service, albeit limited, for residents of Point Roberts.

In the coming year we will celebrate the Peace Arch centennial and the reopening of the border, when that occurs. I have strong personal cross-border ties and truly look forward to reconnecting and welcoming our Canadian friends and family members back to Whatcom County and to re-entering Canada.

Pandemic fatigue is real, and the holiday season has us yearning to be closer to others. Please remember that this year the best way we can show that we care about our loved ones and community is to wear a mask, practice social distancing and limit travel.