November 7, 2003
The election this week was something to celebrate, to rejoice in our traditions of democracy and free elections, to re-affirm that the best government has been--and shall always be--for the people and by the people.
With nearly all of the absentee ballots tallied, the voters made a choice between two candidates running for the most important office in our community, and I support their wisdom.
I do not view the outcome of the election as a defeat. It can only be a positive for our city when ideas are debated, viewpoints are clarified and positions on our future are expressed.
That the voters chose to re-elect the current mayor is not a repudiation of my views or the reasons why I decided to run for office. It does not mean the problems facing our community do not exist. We do have a problem with people not being able to afford to buy homes. We do have a need to bring higher paying jobs to our city. These are real problems affecting real people.
My hope is that those who voted for Mark will not ignore the thousands of people who cast a ballot for change. That we must deal with the hard issues facing our community in a truly non-partisan way that will benefit not only those who already have a home and a good paying job, but also those who are just starting out on the road to prosperity.
We must begin Bellingham's next four years with a spirit of cooperation--a spirit that casts aside partisanship to focus on what promises to be a very bright future. We must recognize that while we may have small differences, most of us truly want the same things. By working together, by having a dialogue and a real exchange of ideas, we all can have a place called Bellingham for a Lifetime.
In that spirit, I congratulate Mark Asmundson on his victory. Mark is a capable administrator and an intelligent man. We may have minor disagreements on policy, but I truly believe that Mark--like me--deeply cares about our community and the people who live here. I pledge my support to Mark as our chosen Mayor, and wish him Godspeed over the next four years.
Brett Bonner