At the last two Whatcom County Council meetings, I and another member from the community have requested that council member Pete Kremen recuse himself from comment and voting on the reconveyance. The reason is due to the perceived conflict of interest from his role in promoting the land purchase as the past county executive, prior to becoming a voting member of the council that will determine the outcome of the issue.

Council member Kremen spent 30 minutes or more at the last council meeting trying to convince the other council members that there could be a conflict of interest with one of the individuals selected by Executive Louws for the salary commission. The intensity and the persistence of his effort was overwhelming to most in attendance. The related article "Salary panel conflict alleged" in the Oct. 5 Bellingham Herald is further exposure and explanation of the complaint by council member Kremen.

It seems hypocritical that council member Kremen can see a possible conflict in one case, but not the other. I think we would all be happy if the appointee to the salary commission would just step aside and that council member Kremen would recuse himself from the reconveyance issue.

What would be fair for the gander would be fair for the goose?

Greg Brown

Bellingham