By Josh Hughes
A “hot-button” issue signifies something non-political that has become politicized and relevant to a given group of people. Stemming from anything from economic to theologically driven topics, hot-button issues affect us all— whether we like it or not— and they always permeate the political environment.
Western’s Representation & Engagement Programs (REP), Western Votes and the Speech and Debate team want to help spread information about hot-button issues relevant to Western students. Consequently, they will be holding a Hot Button Issues Debate in the Underground Coffeehouse this coming Thursday, October 12 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
If the word “debate” scares you, no need to worry. The ultimate goal of the event is to spread awareness about local, relevant issues, so the Speech & Debate team will engage in discussion over all the nitty-gritty aspects of a handful of topics while you, the student, eagerly watch and eat free food.
With so much oversaturation in the news cycle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about how much is going on, both on a local and global scale, so the debate plans to focus on three topics, and three topics only: the development of the Bellingham Waterfront, Bellingham’s Sanctuary City status and the proposed mega-jail in Whatcom county. Without spoiling too much of what the debate will center on, here’s a brief rundown of the three issues and what makes them relevant for Western students in 2017.
Whatcom’s Mega-Jail
Despite a failed proposition for a sales tax increase in Whatcom County that would’ve gone to go towards a new jail, the County Council is going ahead with a second try by putting the proposal on fall ballots.
County and City Council collectively believes that Whatcom County’s current jail does not fill the needs for the county because of disrepair and size, and the new jail being proposed would cost taxpayers a collective $100 million. In addition to funding issues, there is also controversy over whether a new jail would help more with crime in the county than other solutions such as restructuring of the justice system, or if increased incarceration is the solution at all.
If any of the above issues seem particularly relevant to you, be sure to stop by the Underground on Thursday night to learn more about some of Bellingham’s hot-button issues and get involved with the community.
The Waterfront
The Port and City of Bellingham are in the process of redeveloping 237 acres of land on Bellingham’s waterfront as a long-term project, but much of the actualization of planning has yet to take place.
Issues like funding, investment, job opportunities and the future of Bellingham’s industry are at the forefront of hundreds of topics and issues that relate to the future of the waterfront. Even Western has bought land from the proposed neighborhood/district. Additionally, this will be a large topic of interest for the upcoming Port Commissioner election, which will take place during the general election in November.
Sanctuary City
Bellingham, while not a defined “sanctuary city”, considers itself an immigrant friendly city that has expressed its beliefs in keeping immigrants safe. In February, the City Council decided that Bellingham would not be strictly called a sanctuary city, but that police would not enforce Federal immigration laws.
“Our job is to protect the residents of Bellingham and it’s not to do the work of immigration,” said Terry Bornemann, City Council member when asked about the city’s partial-sanctuary state in an old interview with the Herald.
This creates an uncomfortable tension in Bellingham’s position on immigration between the City Council’s vote against terming the city a sanctuary and officials claiming Bellingham as an immigrant welcoming place. Western’s own Blue Group representing undocumented students has been heavily involved in this issue, sending members to City Council meetings to express the strong undocumented community that will not tolerate being silenced or treated disproportionately in Bellingham. This topic will continue to be of interest as immigration laws change on a federal level and local elections take place.