Soundings (8/26/08)

Bucks in the Bay
John Templeton daughter finished her new CD coming to visit, see her at Fairhaven Martini Bar;
Eddie for missed meetings, thanks to Anna for helping cater an event on his boat;
Tim Krell's daughter anxious that mom is leaving, but she is making progress!
Ken Oplinger daughter Rachel starting kindergarten, and he is expecting a new baby!;
Mayor Dan for missed meetings (but where is Todd and Bill Boyd today?);
Ed Zech for son the Marine who is covering Western Iraq in aviation intelligence - always tell the ones you love you love them;
Bill Geyer for being elected to board board member of Aluminum Chambered Boats;
Frank Chmeilk: Ed Grimmsman died yesterday;
Mike Kirkland thanks Eddie, and thanks Barry Kramer and Karen Haggen for organizing last week's Pro-Am fundraiser at the BGCC;

SAA by Bill Unrein
Fines for Mike Werner, Mayor Dan, Brad Cornwall received a double fine, table#2, Sehome's grads, John Sleeth, Denise Bosman for stealing her son back from Roger Jobs Motors, Olympics trivia.

Program Tim introduced Nancy Larsen from the Whatcom Housing Authority; this is a local government agency that serves roughly 3,000 residents in Whatcom County. The Bellingham Housing Authority and the Whatcom County Housing Authority work together to provide needed housing in our community, using sweat equity and a subsidized loan. Some people we serve are:
Low-Income Families
Elderly People
People with Disabilities
Working families in need of affordable housing

The organization was started in 1976. In 2003 we took over the Skagit organization, so now we cover two counties. Since inception, we have helped over 500 families build their own homes. Families' income must be at or below 80% of county's median income (family of 4 max income is $50,000). Develop lots in the county acceptable to USDA, assemble groups of 7 to 9 families, coordinate the purchase of construction supervisor, obtain building materials, etc. Everyone works on everyone's house in the group. Families must agree to work 35 hours per week (usually after work or on weekends) - very challenging! They must attend group meetings every Saturday morning. WHA has done recent projects in Blaine, Ferndale, Seedro Wooly, Mt. Vernon, etc.

WHA tries to vary the house types in each subdivision, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom types. Homeownership really helps these families, gives them skills, self-confidence and pride.

Respectfully submitted,
StoweTalbot