The deadline for requesting a ballot is Wednesday, February 7, 2018, no later than 4 p.m. Registered voters that have participated in previous Whatcom Conservation District elections do not automatically receive a ballot.

Mail-in ballots can be obtained on-line (http://www.whatcomcd.org/board-elections), by phone (360-526-2381, ext. 101) or at the district office. Ballots are mailed in bulk after Feb. 7, 2018, don’t expect to receive the ballot in your mailbox until after that date.

If you do not receive your ballot by February 20, contact the office at 360-526-2381, ext. 101. Ballots must be postmarked on or before March 13, 2018 to be counted. Registered voters also have the option of voting at 6975 Hannegan Road, Lynden on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Polls will be open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The filing deadline for board candidates has ended.

Three Candidates Vie for Supervisor Seat on WCD Board

Alan Chapman
As I move toward retirement, I retain a strong interest in using my experience in water quality, water quantity, fish habitat, and flood hazard management planning to lead to a win-win resolution of conflicting views. I believe that the right to own property carries with it the responsibility to use that property in a manner that does not adversely limit the enjoyment of others to use their property without their agreement. Cooperation among landowners is better than development of a costly and perhaps ineffective bureaucratic regulatory system to ensure that all landowners respect each other’s rights. My objective for seeking this position is to assist the Conservation District in their support of a viable agricultural community that contributes to the economic and environmental health of the County. If you agree with a non-confrontational constructive approach to achieving the full benefits of the beautiful area we live in, please support my candidacy.  Thank you.

Elected Experience

• None

Other Professional Experience

• Biologist, International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission
• Senior Scientist Fisheries, USAID, UNDP
• Chief Marine Resources, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
• Director, Palau Maritime Authority
• Fisheries Officer, South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency
• Fisheries Manager, Nooksack Indian Tribe
• Fisheries Management Biologist, Lummi Natural Resources

Education

• BA, Master of Arts and PhD Candidacy, University of California, Los Angeles, Biology

Community Service

• Boy Scouts of America – Cubmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster
• Whatcom Marine Resources Committee
• Ten Mile Clean Water Program

______________________________ 

Larry Helm

I was raised on a small dairy farm, but I chose to spend my professional career as a State Park Superintendent in California where I spent 30 years dealing with environmental issues on overused State lands.   We strived to attain practical, science based solutions.  When I retired at 55, I moved to Bellingham, purchased a small 20 acre farm and started raising Scottish Highlanders, bees, and fruit trees.  Five years ago I was elected as a Supervisor to the Conservation District (CD) Board.  I have learned a lot.  We have a great CD staff!   They support economic farm viability; but they are guided by the domineering environmental regulations in this State/County.  The farmer’s profit is regularly negatively impacted by fees and environmental regulations which, generally result in higher food prices.  We need to focus on our goals!  If a farm is not polluting-producing clean water downstream-then government should minimize their impact to that farm operation.  Without a healthy profit margin our farms will slowly disappear.

Elected Experience

• Conservation District Supervisor Chair
• Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) NW Chair
• Precinct Committee Officer #164
• County State Committee man GOP
• State Executive Committee GOP
• Overseer Rome Grange
• Chair WRIA Water Association Caucus

Other Professional Experience

• Peace Officer Standards Training:
• Management Certificate
• Internal Affairs Certificate
• Fire Ecology, UC Berkeley
• Program Management Certificate
• Cross Connection Control Certificate

Education

• AA, Wildlife management, Sierra Junior College
• BS, Oceanography, Humboldt State University

Community Service

• Elder, Trinity Lutheran
• Vice Chair-County Coordinated Water System Plan
• Staff County Cattleman Events

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David Kroontje

My family’s history in Whatcom County begins in 1915; my wife’s predates statehood.  Nancy and I grew up on Everson dairies where we learned to work, to value a dollar, and to treasure family.  We, and many in our extended families (Kroontje, Dykstra, Sterk, DeVries, Rader, VanDyk, Seigman, Nace, Strom), have always been intimately tied to Whatcom County’s land — and to the farming and forestry it hosts.  Preserving rural land, lifestyle, and the associated amenities is important to me. The survival of Whatcom family farms and forestry, and retention of the many benefits emanating from those activities (benefits which accrue to all county residents), depends on favorable economics.  The Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) offers landowners capable assistance in balancing their operations’ economic needs with the environmental imperatives and societal demands stemming from an ever-growing population. Maintaining a vigorous forestry and agricultural economy provides access to fiber, healthy food, and recreation — great blessings to us all.  I believe that my lifetime of local perspective, and my varied experience, education, and interests, would be useful to the WCD in helping landowners responsibly maintain the economic viability of their farms and forest.  I would be honored to serve on your WCD Supervisory Board.

Elected Experience

• None

Other Professional Experience

• Manufacturing Engineer, Zodiac Aerospace
• Airline Pilot, Empire Airlines
• Freelance Flight Instructor
• Business Founder, Master Electrician, Crown Five Corporation
• Retail Salesman/Buyer & Department Head, Bellingham Sash & Door
• Real Estate Broker, Cloverleaf Realty
• Farm Laborer, Crew Supervisor & Machinery Operator, Boerhave Farms

Education

• BS, Industrial Technology, Western Washington University
• Diploma of Graduation, Nooksack Valley High School

Community Service

• Admissions Liaison Officer, U.S. Air Force Academy, 2003-2014
• Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, Everson Troop 27, Boy Scouts America, 1991-2002
• School District Levy Committee, Jr. High and Elementary School Site Committees, Mt. Baker Public Schools, 1993-2000