Retired teacher and incumbent Edwin “Skip” Williams III is running for re-election to the Bellingham City Council from Ward 4. Williams has served since 2022, when he became the first Black man to serve on the city council. His professional and community leadership background includes serving on the boards of the Pipeline Safety Trust and Northwest Youth Services.
Williams has been a thoughtful voice on the council, often seeking a deeper understanding of the issues facing Bellingham and its solutions. He has been part of the council's efforts to address the affordable housing shortage, including approving zoning changes that allow for more middle housing throughout the city. Williams also voted to approve certain tenant protections, such as preventing landlords from charging excessive security deposits and "junk fees." In our interview, he highlighted his ability to listen to the community and explore different options as one of his strengths during his time on the council.
Additionally, Williams has supported the city's efforts to reshape the police department, including funding more community health officers. His perspective is built on decades of community activism, and he believes that community-oriented policing must not serve as a band-aid solution but address the systemic factors impacting residents.
We lean toward re-electing Skip Williams to continue the council's important work to make it easier and less expensive to build homes throughout the city of Bellingham.
Retired teacher and incumbent Edwin “Skip” Williams III is running for re-election to the Bellingham City Council from Ward 4. Williams has served since 2022, when he became the first Black man to serve on the city council. His professional and community leadership background includes serving on the boards of the Pipeline Safety Trust and Northwest Youth Services.
Williams has been a thoughtful voice on the council, often seeking a deeper understanding of the issues facing Bellingham and its solutions. He has been part of the council's efforts to address the affordable housing shortage, including approving zoning changes that allow for more middle housing throughout the city. Williams also voted to approve certain tenant protections, such as preventing landlords from charging excessive security deposits and "junk fees." In our interview, he highlighted his ability to listen to the community and explore different options as one of his strengths during his time on the council.
Additionally, Williams has supported the city's efforts to reshape the police department, including funding more community health officers. His perspective is built on decades of community activism, and he believes that community-oriented policing must not serve as a band-aid solution but address the systemic factors impacting residents.
We lean toward re-electing Skip Williams to continue the council's important work to make it easier and less expensive to build homes throughout the city of Bellingham.