The Northern Light asked Whatcom County Council At-Large Position B candidates why they are running for the seat in the November 7 general election. The at-large position is a four-year term that represents all of Whatcom County. The candidates provided written responses to the questions.
Jon Scanlon
Jon Scanlon works as a consultant for conservation nonprofits and Indigenous communities on climate and human rights, and has two decades of experience in public policy and diplomacy. He earned his master’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those?
The top issue for my campaign is affordability and access to housing, childcare and healthcare. Whatcom County needs more affordable housing. I will advocate for a comprehensive approach that includes density in cities, permitting reform, tiny home villages, repurposing existing county funds for affordable housing, and advocating for state and federal funds.
The healthcare marketplace is failing our county. Small cities have lost their local access to care, many people travel long distances for specialty care, and our only hospital is cutting services. I would like to survey Whatcom County healthcare needs, identify gaps in services and work with the community to design a plan to fill the gaps.
Voters approved a new affordable childcare initiative in 2022. I’ll advocate for taxpayer dollars to go to their intended purposes.
Q: Where would you like to see funding prioritized in the Whatcom County budget?
In addition to my priorities regarding childcare, healthcare and affordable housing, I would like to ensure that Whatcom County pays county employees a living wage that allows employees to live in Whatcom County. Paying a living wage is the right thing to do, and can help with the county’s climate goals by helping county employees live closer to work with shorter commute times and potential to increase use of public transit, carpooling and other incentives that can reduce the county government’s carbon footprint.
Q: Whatcom County is set to update its comprehensive plan by June 2025. What changes would you like to see in the 2025 comprehensive plan update to plan for future growth?
Whatcom County should plan ahead for population growth. We live in a beautiful place between two large metro areas and we will continue to attract new residents. We must make the policy changes needed to make housing more affordable for current and future residents. The county should partner with the cities to plan for dense, walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods so that we can protect land across the county for drinking water, conservation, wildlife, parks, recreation, agriculture and bringing the jobs of the clean energy transition to our county.
Hannah Ordos
Hannah Ordos is a customer support manager at Vitamin Portfolio LLC. She is a fourth-generation Whatcom County resident who graduated from Nooksack Valley High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Western Washington University.
Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those?
Public Safety is my priority. It’s a complex issue that impacts all of Whatcom County. Three key areas are our fentanyl crisis, the need for an appropriate jail facility and increased demand for behavioral and substance abuse services. Progress can be made through accountability, transparency and collaboration. Accountability with programs we are funding regarding outcomes. Transparency in how tax dollars and our local, state and federal resources are utilized in these areas. Collaboration with community members, public and private partners and among the council. This will keep the county council engaged, community informed and everyone actively focused on creating real
solutions.
Q: Where would you like to see funding prioritized in the Whatcom County budget?
The current budget runs through 2024. The jail levy (if passed), as well as local, state and federal funds will already be allocated towards my priorities around the fentanyl crisis, a facility and needed services. My priority would be to ensure that we as a council are being held accountable for what we have promised the public in terms of how money is being spent and expected outcomes. If the jail levy does not pass, options to address a facility and needed services would be a priority discussion around funding and possible budget amendments.
Q: Whatcom County is set to update its comprehensive plan by June 2025. What changes would you like to see in the 2025 comprehensive plan update to plan for future growth?
In the at-large race, I am one part of the team. I plan to engage with staff, and fellow council members who represent their districts, to better understand what their constituents have shared and their goals for the comprehensive plan update. It is important that we plan for growth that is aligned with the Growth Management requirements and where it makes the most sense while preserving what we love about Whatcom County. This needs to be a collaborative effort to have the best possible outcome for those that live here and those joining us in the future.
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