ABSTRACT
Bellingham is a beautiful place with a lot to lose by not planning for the future. As a result of informal conversations with a member of the city council, this chapter explores with the city's planning and development commission the possibility of local year 2000 program. Bellirigham's location and natural setting are its greatest blessing and—at the same time — represent its greatest threat. In terms of the future, Bellingham is truly at a crossroads. Neither the city nor county have permanent comprehensive plans, nor does development continue to occur in a more or less random fashion. The least effective means of soliciting participation was newspaper advertising. Some participation was also gained by speeches to civic clubs and community organizations. In June 1976, Goals for Bellingham program were officially completed. Many citizens sighed with relief as they looked forward to sailing, hiking, gardening, and "business as usual" without periodically receiving notices or calls to attend policy team meetings or hearings.
