David and Celia with John and Karen Steensma at the Steensma Dairy Farm in Lynden

(Whatcom County) – David Stalheim, candidate for Whatcom County Executive, added a number of key endorsements to a rapidly growing list of supporters today, including Planned Parenthood Votes, Teamsters Local 231, the Nooksack Tribe and Progressive Majority. In addition to those, Teamsters Joint Council 28, Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters, DemocracyForAmerica-Bellingham and others have all endorsed David Stalheim.

“David Stalheim is dedicated to bringing more family wage jobs to Whatcom County,” says Leonard Kelley, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 231. Local 231 represents more than 2,000 working men and women in Whatcom County, from Americold to County Corrections to Whatcom Builders. Few people realize that as a Bellingham city staffer David Stalheim is a proud member of Teamsters Local 231. “David Stalheim is a well-respected planning and transportation expert at the city of Bellingham,”

“We like Stalheim’s vision for a prosperous Whatcom County, a beautiful place that attracts long-term growth and good paying jobs,” says Kelley. “We think David Stalheim will be a balanced, fair and open county executive for all of us.”

Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest also announced their endorsement today: “Whatcom County deserves a County Executive who will protect the health and rights of women and their families,” said Dana Laurent, Political Director for Planned Parenthood Voters Northwest. “David Stalheim will fight to maintain the safety net and ensure women have access to the care they need.”

Progressive Majority Washington State Director, Noel Frame, says, “It’s not often that there are candidates with David’s level of leadership, experience and expertise on the issues that matter to the people of Whatcom County. We’re proud to endorse his campaign for Whatcom County Executive.”

David Stalheim has raised over $30,000 to date in his bid for the County Executive seat with help from over 200 supporters and contributors from every corner of Whatcom County.

He has over 24 years of community development and management experience and was appointed as the Director of Planning at Whatcom County by Executive Pete Kremen.

Currently, he works as the Block Grants Manager for the City of Bellingham where he distributes grant money for low income housing needs.

He is the only Whatcom County candidate who has committed to donating $50,000 of the County Executive’s salary back to the community through organizations like United Way and Whatcom Community Foundation.

Stalheim lives in Bellingham with his wife, Celia, and son, Ben.

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David Stalheim, candidate for Whatcom County Executive, will be in Birch Bay starting at 5:30pm on August 5^th to talk with small business owners about their ideas on how Whatcom County can improve the business climate in their community.

Later, at 6:30 pm, he will meet with local residents for coffee and conversation at the C Shop at 4825 Alderson Road, Birch Bay. The public is encouraged to attend this informal gathering to discuss ideas and issues with the candidate.

“I’d like to hear from folks throughout the county, so my campaign is holding a series of visits to businesses followed by coffee with the community,” said David Stalheim. “We’ll be in every corner of Whatcom County. I’ll be sending out announcements with the details over the next week and I hope to meet with many of you to hear your ideas and answer your questions.”

David grew up the son of a small business owner and understands that small business is the backbone of our economy. “I saw the impact government decisions had on my father’s business,” he said. “Because of a government decision to route the freeway away from his commercial district, he and other businesses declined and eventually closed up shop. I saw how that affected him and our family. I want to make sure that when I’m County Executive, that we help small business grow and thrive.”

David has 24 years of community development and management experience. He was appointed by current County Executive Pete Kremen as Director of the Whatcom County Planning. For his revitalization of the Wenatchee business core, he received the “Great American Main Street Award.”

He recently signed a contract to donate one third, or $50,000, of his Executive salary back to the community through organizations like the United Way and the Whatcom Community Foundation and issued a challenge to other campaigns to step up and set an example for county government.

Currently, Stalheim works as the Block Grant Programs Manager with the City of Bellingham where he oversees the grant money for low-income housing.

David lives in Bellingham with his wife, Celia, and his son, Ben.

David Stalheim’s campaign has gathered a number of significant endorsements in the last week. Whatcom County Democrats, State Senator Kevin Ranker, Nooksack Tribal Chair Bob Kelly Jr. and Jon and Karen Steensma of Steensma Dairy in Lynden all endorsed David Stalheim’s candidacy for County Executive.

Senator Ranker lauded David’s management experience and judgment saying, “There is no better choice for Whatcom County’s future than David Stalheim. We can rely upon his principled management and his decades of actual professional experience to steer us through the tough issues we face.”

This round of endorsements followed a successful kickoff party and another strong week of fundraising, putting the campaign over $25,000 raised.

Small businesses and local jobs continue to be the top focus for David’s campaign. He has been spending the last few weeks touring the County, meeting and talking with local business owners. To setup a visit, please contact the campaign.

Stalheim has 24 years of community planning and project management experience. He was appointed by outgoing County Executive, Pete Kremen, to head the Whatcom County Planning Department and previously received the “Great American Main Street Award” for his redevelopment work.

Currently, he works for the City of Bellingham as the Block Grant Programs Manager where he oversees the distribution of grant monies for low income housing.

He recently committed to donating $50,000 of the Executive salary back to Whatcom County through agencies like the United Way and Whatcom Community Foundation.

Stalheim lives in Bellingham with his wife, Celia, and son, Ben.

Last Thursday, July 14^th the David Stalheim for Whatcom County Executive Campaign held its kickoff party at the top of the Bellingham Towers Building, the former Nimbus restaurant. Nearly 200 people attended and donated nearly $5,000 to the campaign. State Representative Kris Lytton introduced David Stalheim, telling the crowd how much she would appreciate working with David as the next Whatcom County Executive.

The $5,000 in donations has pushed the total raised by the campaign to over $18,000. Food was donated by over a dozen volunteers and by Jalapenos, Café Caffe, Ralph’s Bakery and other local businesses.

Attending the kickoff were a number of candidates and current elected officials. Mayor Dan Pike, as well as Mayoral candidate Kelli Linville stopped by to talk with Stalheim and supporters.

Stalheim stressed the importance of small businesses in a strong local economy.

“We’re standing in a once strong local business. Our main streets need to be our economic engines. When they are, we all benefit.”

Having grown up the son of a small business owner, Stalheim discussed the struggles his family experienced.

“My dad was a small business owner who lost his business when local and state government decided to put in a freeway that forced him to close. I understand how important government decisions are.”

Stalheim has 24 years of community planning and project management experience. He was appointed by outgoing County Executive, Pete Kremen, to head the Whatcom County Planning Department and previously received the “Great American Main Street Award” for his redevelopment work.

Currently, he works for the City of Bellingham as the Block Grant Programs Manager where he oversees the distribution of grant monies for low income housing.

He recently committed to donating $50,000 of the Executive salary back to Whatcom County through agencies like the United Way and Whatcom Community Foundation.

“Whatcom County voters deserve an executive who doesn’t take advantage of the taxpayers. I ask the other candidates in the race to join me.”

Whatcom County Executive Candidate David Stalheim Announces Kickoff Party at Former Nimbus Restaurant Space

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

scott@davidstalheim.com

For more information call: (360) 303-1430

Whatcom County Executive candidate, David Stalheim, will be celebrating the official kickoff of his campaign 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14 in what was formerly the Nimbus Restaurant space, 119 North Commercial St # 1500 in Bellingham. Boundary Bay beer, snacks and music will be available for attendees.

Stalheim brings 24 years of community and project management experience. He was appointed to head the  Whatcom County Planning Department by current County Executive Pete Kremen. He is now the Block Grant Programs Manager for the City of Bellingham, where he helps provide housing and public services for low income households.

David worked as the Community Development Director in Wenatchee where he oversaw community revitalization of the waterfront, low-income neighborhoods and downtown, which won the city the “Great American Main Street Award.”   He plans to make job growth his main objective while in office. “When we invest in our cities – small and large – they become our economic engines, providing vibrant homes for small businesses, industry and commerce. When they are successful, we are all successful.”

David showed Whatcom County the type of principled leadership they can expect when he committed to donating one-third of the Executive’s salary – nearly $50,000 – back to Whatcom County, through programs like United Way and Whatcom Community Foundation.

“Principled leadership includes managing our resources in a way that reflects our community’s values,” says Stalheim.

David has received broad support from the community.

Llyn Doremus, Chairperson of the Mount Baker Group of the Washington State Sierra Club said “David Stalheim’s service with the Whatcom County Planning Department demonstrated his knowledge and commitment to the future of Whatcom County at a critical time for determining whether the agricultural, rural and wild character of Whatcom County will be protected for future generations.”

You can learn more about David Stalheim at www.davidstalheim.com, or by calling (360) 303-1430.

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Candidate David Stalheim Will Donate Nearly $50,000

of the Exec Salary Back to Whatcom Charities and Challenges Other Candidates to do the Same

If elected, Whatcom County Executive candidate, David Stalheim will donate one third of the salary as executive  – nearly $50,000 –  to county charities such as the United Way and Whatcom Community Foundation.

“In times like these, we have to help our neighbors in need” Stalheim said. “As your executive, I’ll focus on making sure we streamline government and deliver more for less.”

Stalheim also supports the Whatcom County Council’s proposal for a citizen commission to establish fair and reasonable pay for elected officials.

“The pay for this position is too much. The Governor only makes $19,000 more than Whatcom County Executive, and manages a budget more than 400 times as large as ours and serves more than 6 million more citizens,” Stalheim said. “That’s not right.”

“Principled leadership includes managing our resources in a way that reflects our community’s values,” Stalheim said. “It is my hope that we will all consider our ability to give in these trying times as we work together to provide much needed public services and plan for a sustainable future for Whatcom County.”

Stalheim also challenges the other candidates in the race to accept his challenge and agree to giving one-third of the current salary to charity until the salary commission is established and sets a more reasonable compensation for the executive.

“Whatcom County voters deserve an executive who doesn’t take advantage of the taxpayers. I ask the other candidates in the race to join me.”

Whatcom Conservation Voters announced they are endorsing David
Stalheim for Whatcom County Executive, calling him the “most qualified
candidate” to protect our environment.

“There is not a more qualified candidate to face Whatcom County’s
difficult choices. We were excited to back a candidate who’s 24 years
of experience and principled leadership has produced a track record of
positive results for many communities,” said Alex Ramel, board member
of the Whatcom County Chapter of Washington Conservation Voters..

Whatcom Conservation Voters is the local chapter of Washington
Conservation, the statewide political voice for the environment.

The Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club announced they are
endorsing David Stalheim for Whatcom County Executive.

The Sierra Club, founded in 1892, is one of the nations oldest,
largest and most influential grassroots conservation organizations.

Stalheim has already been endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters,
the statewide political voice for the environment.