Year in review: Whatcom County Council

By Barbara Brenner

Happy Holidays, Birch Bay and Blaine residents! This year, for a change, I want to share my feelings regarding the past year and what I wish for the future.

This has been a strange year for me. Numerous worldwide events have had a more profound effect on me than usual. There have been too many tragedies and too much political spin on pain inflicted on real people. I even caught myself sobbing uncontrollably after listening to a recent news story. But it made me realize much more on a personal level how fortunate I am to have a family who loves me and a community who allows me to serve.

I am bipolar and that could have easily left me broken. Instead, my mental illness became a gift of obsessively working on county issues. I could never have done this without my very loving (and tolerant) family and my community that was able to acquire a taste for my unique ways and learn to trust me as I learned to trust you all.

My recent extreme emotional reaction to the sorrow in so many places reminded me how fragile life is and how important it is to love as much as possible.

Since this is also the time of year when love, peace, and unselfishness is most appreciated, I want to share with you my love and appreciation for all of you. Time together, the sounds of friends’ voices and hugs really matter.

Since the recent election I will be your council representative for four more years so, in addition to thanking you for believing in me, I just want you to know that I believe in you, our community, and the future.