PUD commissioner candidates talk broadband coverage

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The Northern Light asked the candidates running for Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1’s third commissioner district about their top priorities, if elected, and how they will ensure the needs of north Whatcom County residents are met. The position is nonpartisan and served for six years. The November 8 general election candidates provided written responses to the questions. 

Jaime Arnett

Jaime Arnett is the executive director of Animals as Natural Therapy, which provides animal-assisted mental and behavioral health services, and is a former Blaine city councilmember. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University. 

How will you work to expand broadband coverage in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts?

There’s no single solution to expanding broadband in Whatcom County; rather, it will take partnership with many local governing organizations and employ different models. For instance, the city of Blaine would be a good candidate for municipal broadband as they offer electric as a public utility and therefore own required infrastructure. Birch Bay and Custer may benefit from a local utility district model, like the one currently being used in Kitsap County. Whidbey Telecom was recently awarded a $1 million grant to construct a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in Point Roberts. The PUD has had authority to provide broadband for over 20 years, but partnership will be key in its deployment. 

What are your top three priorities if elected? How will you work to ensure those priorities are met? 

The first priority is securing open access fiber optic internet infrastructure to all of Whatcom County with “dig once” policies, interlocal agreements and open access policies that preclude private monopolization. 

The second is to provide fair and equitable water stewardship. We’re facing many complex water rights and quantity issues, during the adjudication process we must still seek solutions to balance our heritage industries of fishing and farming to ensure enough water for everyone. 

The third is to provide better communication to the community about what services the PUD can offer and what your local PUD is currently doing. Public input is vital to public office.

What else do you want people to know about your campaign? 

My family has lived in Blaine for generations and worked in fishing, farming and water quality. I share your values. We know that we will have more droughts in summer and floods in winter, we know we must find balance to protect our resources and we know that without reliable internet our community cannot thrive. We can let these trials be devastating, or we can plan for the future with our PUD. I want to do that planning, which is why I’m running for office. 

Eric Davidson

Eric Davidson is a registered nurse and has served on Blaine City Council since 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from California State University Stanislaus and his associate of science in nursing from Whatcom Community College. 

How will you work to expand broadband coverage in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts?

I have been working on this on the Blaine City Council for some time. It is important to me and the citizens of this county. We need to adopt policy that will ensure homes built have adequate broadband, but we also need to look at new and inventive ways to ensure that underserved areas have affordable access. Working with current infrastructure, having a “dig once” policy and careful future planning is part of the solution, but we must also ensure we work with government, community organizations and private enterprise to ensure an affordable, innovative solutions.

What are your top three priorities if elected? How will you work to ensure those priorities are met?

Water rights, quality, and conservation ensuring agricultural needs are met and the protection of fish and wildlife habitats.

Affordable, high-speed internet accessible to everyone. PUD needs to take the lead and work with several municipalities, private enterprise and citizens to continue to accomplish.

Clean, efficient, affordable electrical energy to ease the financial burdens on our citizens’ households and the environment.

Working together not as separate communities, but as a bigger community trying to create a win-win scenario rather than win-lose, investing in new technology and long-term vision will be key with water rights, clean affordable electrical and high-speed internet. 

What else do you want people to know about your campaign?

My 10 years’ experience on the Blaine City Council and public works board gives me a good insight into public utilities. Blaine runs their own water, sewer, electrical and wastewater facilities. My experience and years working to ensure a safe, environmentally friendly and economical utilities for Blaine will only help me on the Whatcom Public Utility Commission. I choose not to seek the endorsement of a political party because my only goal is to help serve all the citizens of Whatcom County. I have no interest in party politics. I love Whatcom County and want to serve its citizens.

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