City Councilmember Stan Snapp Speaks About the Community

Stan Snapp, city councilmember for Ward 4 of Bellingham, highlighted in an interview yesterday what occurs behind the issues that affect Happy Valley.
As a councilmember for the past three years, Snapp has direct contact with the neighborhood issues brought to council. This spring, Proposition 1 and the 10th Annual Dine Out For Maple Alley Inn were events Snapp was involved in and reviewed that affected the Happy Valley community.
Proposition 1 and the Dine Out
Proposition 1 was a proposed minor tax increase to support the faltering WTA funding. Voting occurred during late April, and the proposition did not pass. As a result, several bus lines will be cut this September by 15 percent.
As a board member for WTA, Snapp reviewed Proposition 1 and voted in favor of it. During the voting period, Snapp said that he hoped it passed and that he and his fellow board members all voted in favor of it.
The 10th Annual Dine Out For Maple Alley Inn was an event originating with the Opportunity Council. Restaurants throughout Bellingham, including Happy Valley, donated 20 percent of their profits that day to the Maple Alley Inn program to feed underprivileged individuals.
Snapp inherited the position of vice president of the Opportunity Council, a move that was “almost mandatory” on his part. He enjoys being able to help people with needs in the community, and “having a real say in developing a voice” for the neighborhood.
Concerns Over the Safety of Drinking Water
One of the major issues facing Happy Valley is the water quality of Lake Whatcom. As the main drinking water source, Lake Whatcom provides all of Bellingham with freshly treated water. In recent years, phosphorus levels have risen in the lake due to an overgrowth of algae.
Snapp is particularly concerned with this issue. “This is not an issue to turn around quickly,” he said. It will take the implementation of new treatment systems and residential infiltration systems over the next several years to make a difference.
Outside the Office
When not working on reviewing city or neighborhood issues, Snapp enjoys the constant contact he experiences with the community. “I’m invited to things all the time,” he said. He has steady contact with Western Washington University professors and students and enjoys forging new connections throughout the city.

Restaurants rally for Maple Alley Inn

Local restaurants in Happy Valley and Bellingham served a steady flow of hungry customers for the 10th Annual Dine Out for Maple Alley Inn yesterday.
Over 40 restaurants across Bellingham participated in the annual fundraiser for Maple Alley Inn, donating 20 percent of their profits to Maple Alley Inn. These donations will help Maple Alley Inn provide hot meals for under-privileged individuals in the community two nights a week.
How big of an influence does this fundraiser have?
The scope of serving such meals biweekly adds up quickly. “Last year we served over 15,000 meals,” said Sheri Burgler Emerson, Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Opportunity Council.
Maple Alley Inn is part of the Opportunity Council, a private and non-profit Community Action Agency spanning Whatcom, Island, and San Juan County. “We are hopeful that it will be another great success this year - it has raised about $20,000 in past years and this is a huge boost for our Maple Alley Inn program,” said Emerson.
Local business experienced increased business for fundraiser
On Rice Thai Cuisine on Harris Avenue experienced a busy dinner for a Tuesday evening. A sign on the door notified guests that absolutely no coupons would be accepted that night, as On Rice was participating in the fundraiser.
Nearly all the tables were filled and live piano music filled the air space. “It’s very full tonight!” said Corbin Roskam, a local resident of Happy Valley. “I’m kind of surprised it’s this busy, but I’m enjoying the piano music.”
Restaurant worker Matt Schimmel worked the past two years at On Rice and said that the restaurant experiences a boost in business on fundraiser day. “We put on extra staff – quite a bit more than a normal Tuesday.”
The majority of customers who come in know about the fundraiser occurring, and those who find out upon arrival are genuinely happy to be contributing, he said. “I love it [the fundraiser]. We should have more opportunities for restaurants in the community to help out with this good cause,” he said.
On Rice was among several restaurants in Happy Valley to participate, including the Sehome Diner and Mambo Italiano. In the greater Bellingham area, restaurants such as the Bayside Café, Fiamma Burger, and the Shrimp Shack participated, according to www.oppco.org.
Helping the community
The Opportunity Council “acts as a catalyst for positive change both in the community and in the lives of the people it serves,” said its website. It is one of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies beginning in 1965 as a volunteer project within Whatcom County.
According to www.census.gov, 21 percent of individuals and 9 percent of families live below the poverty lines in Bellingham. The Opportunity Council aims to help these community members to become self-sufficient while supporting them through rough times.

Residents wonder what Proposition 1 outcome will be

Tuesday April 27 marked the last day that residents could cast their votes on Proposition 1, which encourages an increase of sales tax to fund Whatcom Transportation Authority.

These buses are a common sight to many Happy Valley residents. “I am 100 percent dependent on buses and use them at least once or twice a day,” said Aliza Pilisuk.

However, with the voting on Proposition 1 occurring this week, public transportation may become a less frequent convenience in Happy Valley if the public votes against the proposition. Cuts of 14 percent on bus lines may occur if it does not pass.

Due to the recession, revenues for the WTA have decreased, according to the WTA April Fact Sheet. With 90 percent of revenue coming from local sales tax, this is no small matter. Since 2007, reserve funds have been a crutch for the lacking WTA revenue. This reserve will be entirely depleted by late 2011 if no additional tax gets implemented to replenish funds.

The current sales tax is six-tenths of one percent, with a proposed increase of two-tenths of one percent. This means that 6 cents out of every ten dollar purchase goes towards WTA currently. An additional 2 cents would be added on top of that if Proposition 1 is passed.

WTA ridership has been steadily increasing during the past two years and 2008 showed the highest increase in ridership in the state. These statistics show that cuts will affect a significant percent of riders.

WTA said that a 14 percent cut would occur during fall 2010. As a result, Sunday lines would be non-existent and entire lines like lines 3 and 4 to Maplewood and the hospital would disappear. Further cuts would continue through 2012 by as much as 20 percent.

“It would be really bad if I needed to go to the hospital. I would ride the bus normally but if the bus doesn’t run there anymore then I don’t know what I would do,” said Pilisuk.

City Councilmember Stan Snapp, who sits on the WTA board, said that he voted in favor of Proposition 1, as did many of his peers. “I certainly hope it passes. Such a huge cross-section of our community depends on WTA for transportation,” he said. “I voted for the measure as did everyone that I know. The City Council passed a Resolution supporting Proposition 1.”

Residents of Happy Valley like Sam Payne have expressed concern over the possibility of cut Sunday lines. “I really depend on the bus for transportation because I don’t have a car. It wouldn’t be so bad in the summer if Sunday lines were cut because I could ride my bike, but it would be harsh in the winter with all the rain.”

Voting ceased on Tuesday and the results are still being tallied.