Represents: At-Large
Term: Jan 2008 - Dec 2009
Louise Bjornson is a long time Bellingham resident, living in Bellingham since 1966. She is a Magna cum Laude graduate from Western Washington University with a degree in Science Education and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society. She has served on the Bellingham City Council for almost 22 years and previously served on the Planning Commission for 5 years.
Bellingham City Councilmember Louise Bjornson currently chairs the Public Works/Public Safety Committee and is a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Planning & Community Development Committee. In addition, she has several other Council assignments, including serving on the Mt. Baker Theatre Board, the Open Space Committee, the Council of Governments, the Parks and Recreation Board, the City/County Emergency Medical and Ambulance Advisory Board, Whatcom 911, and as Liaison to the Port Airport Advisory Committee.
Louise also serves on the Washington State Municipal Research Board, which provides professional consultation, research and information services to local officials in Washington State (6 years).
Louise previously served as City Council President, Mayor Pro Tempore, chair of the Finance Committee and the other Council committees. She also is past chair of the Whatcom Transit Authority Board (9 years on Board). When Louise served as chair of the Lake Whatcom Watershed Committee, she helped write the Goals and Policies that guide the joint actions of the County, City, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District in our efforts to protect the water in Lake Whatcom Reservoir.
Louise recently (2009) received the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). She completed over 118 hours of training credits to earn this distinction (only 60 hours are required). The goal of AWC is to create and maintain livable cities throughout the state.
Louise previously received the core Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities, a Distinguished Alumni Award from WWU, and an Environmental Hero Award from RE Sources (2007).
Councilmember Louise Bjornson has always been interested in serving her community. When her children were young, she wanted to keep Bellingham a safe place for them to grow up. Then her interest extended to the whole city, working to enhance our quality of life in all of Bellingham.
Councilmember Louise Bjornson's top priorities as a Councilmember include:
Councilmember Bjornson has been involved in many projects in Bellingham. Her goal to create a healthier environment led to her involvement in all 3 Greenway initiatives. These were successful grassroots efforts to raise money for parks, trails and open space for people and wildlife.
Councilmember Bjornson was one of the initiators of the curbside recycling program and helped run it for two years with volunteers. She was on the VISIONS Steering Committee, which brought together over 200 community members to lay the foundation for Bellingham's Comprehensive Plan update and received state awards for citizen participation.
Bjornson is known for her interest in transportation issues. She is a long time advocate for pedestrian and bicycle amenities. "I want to make it safe for people to walk to school, the store, or the bus stop. We have made a lot of progress, but there is more to do." She supported the Bike/Pedestrian bridge over Alabama Street, the bridges on each end of Railroad Avenue and other areas to connect our trail system. After being appointed by the Governor, she served for four years on the Washington State Air Transportation Commission, looking at transportation issues state-wide and advocating for the return of AMTRAK to Bellingham. On the Whatcom Transportation Authority Board, she advocated for more Sunday and evening bus service.
Louise is proud of the improvements to our historic Mount Baker Theatre and the new Children's Museum that are still in progress.
The Downtown Master Plan, Downtown Design Standards, Multifamily Design Standards, Civic Field Improvements, Maritime Heritage Park, Fairhaven Village Green, Neighborhood Parks, Roosevelt Park Improvements, Taylor Street Dock, and Depot Market Square for our Farmers' Market are more of the projects that Bjornson has worked on, making sure that Bellingham will continue to be a great place to live.
"I love Bellingham. It is a place where people care. We can do wonderful things for our community when we work together. Please keep in touch."
Louise Bjornson
2829 Birchwood
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 733-7756
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Louise Bjornson
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