After losing a remarkably close election in 2004, former state Sen. Dino Rossi, a Republican, is already campaigning hard for the office of governor this year.

Rossi will be in Bellingham on Wednesday to speak at the Northwest Business Club’s monthly luncheon.

Our editorial board liked Rossi during the 2004 campaign, but endorsed now-Gov. Chris Gregoire based on her promises to streamline government middle management and her experience in state government.

Rossi's new campaign is at least partially based on the fact that he believes Gregoire has not delivered on her promises and that taxes have increased under her leadership. He has already received donations from more than 32,000 people.

>> Northwest Business Club

11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Bellingham Elks Lodge, 719 Samish Way.

Little Squalicum answers are needed at meeting

The recent scare of an alleged sexual assault near Little Squalicum Park raised the long-standing issue of who is in charge of public safety there.

The assault turned out to be a false report.

But the issue it raised in the community about jurisdictions and safety at the park and on nearby lands and trails remains a real concern.

Tonight four Bellingham neighborhoods are holding a joint “town meeting” in search of answers to the questions of who is responsible for the park and who is responsible for public safety there. Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike and police and parks officials will be on hand to listen to citizen concerns and answer questions.

The park is on land owned by a bunch of different entities, including the city, the county and the Port of Bellingham, and is not considered inside the Bellingham city limits. But it is most easily reached by roads that are inside the city.

It is a beautiful spot, though it has a history of pollution problems that are blamed mostly on industrial neighbors. But safety at that park has never been assured because of the confusing land-ownership and policing issues.

At a meeting with our editorial board last week, new Bellingham Police Chief Todd Ramsay said his department will get out of the business of policing the park and turn that responsibility back over to the county Sheriff’s Office, since the park is not in the city.

It's long past time for officials to solve the jurisdictional problems over Little Squalicum Creek Park. We hope tonight’s meeting will be a step in that direction.

>> Town meeting on Little Squalicum Park

7 tonight at Bellingham Technical College, 3029 Lindbergh Ave.