This is Bellingham, Washington.
I will add as I find more information.
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12:23 PM PT: Can you say overkill?
For a population of 80,000 +/-
Whatcom County
Population in July 2009: 80,055. Population change since 2000: +19.2%
Statement from Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike regarding Occupy Bellingham notice to vacate Maritime Heritage Park:
This morning (Dec. 27, 2011), City officials notified the Occupy campers in Maritime Heritage Park that as of 9 a.m. tomorrow, December 28, any campers remaining would be subject to eviction from the site. For better or worse, I accept responsibility for the decision, which was a challenging one to make, and not one made lightly.
People ask me: Why do this now? Some suggested I could leave this for Mayor-elect Kelli Linville. In fact, I could not. For four years I have prided myself on taking what I felt was the right course for Bellingham, regardless of what it meant to my personal image with some groups or individuals. The test has always been, 'What is in the best interest of the entire community, on a sustainable basis.' I am not going to switch standards now.
In this instance, I am in sympathy with many of the reasons for the Occupy movement. Our City and country are suffering because of misdeeds of a few in positions of power, and the system could benefit, in my opinion, from some significant fixes to how decisions are made, and the equitability of the distribution of power. At its inception, the protests in Bellingham, and the encampment at Maritime Heritage Park, served to stimulate important discussions in our community. As an elected official, though, I was always caught in the tensions inherent between the Occupy group and the interests of the larger community, including those in disagreement with Occupy.
On December 1, City officials shared with local Occupy representatives that it was time to look at other options to get their message out, and to move on from the park. In addition, as a condition of tolerance of the trespassing in the park, the City let the Occupiers know that we had expectations of how the park property and surrounding property owners were to be treated.
While the group has worked laudably to minimize the damage to the park and surrounding businesses, inevitably that damage has mounted, and agreements were strayed from. Surrounding businesses—small businesses of the type promoted by Occupy in their speeches—are suffering. Other park users feel unable to use the park facilities their taxes provide for. And frankly, the venue is losing its resonance as a platform. With so many intelligent, capable people involved in the movement, I am confident they can develop a follow-on strategy to keep their message moving forward, while not continuing the damage to the park and surrounding businesses—damage which unchecked damages their own credibility.
Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike
December 27, 2011
Office of the Mayor
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-8100
Fax: (360) 778-8101
Email: mayorsoffice@cob.org
Map
Mayor
Dan Pike
Office of the Mayor
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-8100
Biography
Police Department
505 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-8800
Fax: (360) 778-8701
Hours:
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Mon - Fri
Chief
Todd Ramsay, Police Chief
Police Department
505 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-8600