News - Elections - Elections candidates

POSTED: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

Q&A with Charles Hawkins, Blaine City Council, Ward 2

To help readers better understand where candidates stand on the issues in the 2009 election, The Bellingham Herald provided questionnaires to candidates.

Charles Hawkins is a candidate for Blaine City Council, Ward 2

Question: City Council has eliminated water and sewer fees and is now considering doing the same with impact fees. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?

Eliminating the impact fees for parks and streets is not an economically sensible idea at this time. The idea that new construction does not burden the existing taxpayer is false. New construction needs to pay its fair share for the impact it puts on the cities parks and streets.

Impact fees are the only way the city can insure that the citizens of Blaine do not subsidize new construction. For this reason I will continue to support impact fees.

Q: What is your vision for growth and development in Blaine, and how would you accomplish it?

Measured sustainable long term growth needs to be the goal of the City Council. Development needs to follow the set standards and rules. Development should not be at the expense of the environment, the taxpayer or those who live in Blaine.

Hopefully the availability of prime industrial land in Blaine will entice business to Blaine that will provide a needed boost to the economy and our sales tax revenue.

The city has made positive steps toward encouraging development in the downtown and wharf areas with the elimination of hook-up fees.

Q: What do you think the city should do with the airport property?

Finishing the Boblett St. connector across the former airport property will enhance the access to the East side of the industrial property. This new access will open up the area for future development.

Working with the Port of Bellingham with their expertise and abilities to help with the marketing of this area would be a positive approach.

Q: What are some of the unique challenges Blaine faces as a small border town, and how would you overcome those challenges?

The many citizens of Blaine realize that Blaine is unique because we are on the salt water. Preserving this beautiful waterfront with its abundant bird life, sea life, beaches and recreational areas is our biggest challenge.

It is important to have rules in place such as the Critical Area’s Ordinance and to support the Shoreline Act to preserve the quality of our creeks, streams, bays and open waterways.