News - Elections

POSTED: Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Bellingham City Council candidate cited for suspended driver's license

Bellingham City Council candidate Catherine Chambers was stopped by Bellingham Police on Saturday, Oct. 24, when a routine license plate check showed that Chambers was driving with a suspended license.

Chambers is running against Michael Lilliquist for the Ward 6 City Council seat being vacated by Councilwoman Barbara Ryan.

Chambers was pulled over shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday in the 2100 block of James St., according to police records.

An officer had run a license plate check and discovered that Chambers - the registered owner of the vehicle - had her license suspended for an unpaid ticket, said Sgt. David Richards of the Bellingham Police Department.

Chambers was cited for third-degree driving with a suspended license, given a court date and released, Richards said.

When contacted Sunday, Oct. 25, Chambers said she had been sent a notice about an unpaid speeding ticket but "just forgot about it because I have been so busy."

She said she didn't know her license had been suspended, and that she would take care of her outstanding fine Monday, Oct. 26.

"It's just a big, horrible mistake," she said.