Whatcom County Executive candidate Q&A: Satpal Sidhu and Dan Purdy

The Northern Light asked Whatcom County Executive candidates why they are running for the four-year position in the November 7 general election. The candidates provided written responses to the questions. 

Satpal Sidhu

Satpal Sidhu is finishing his first term as Whatcom County Executive and served as a county councilmember from 2015 to 2020. Sidhu has spent his career working in manufacturing, solar and technical education for four decades. He is the former dean of engineering at Bellingham Technical College. 

Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those?

1. Public safety: I would like to prioritize construction of a new building for the current jail. Also funding the LEAD, GRACE and Alternate Response Team programs to offer treatment services rather than incarceration.
2. Mental/behavioral health treatment facilities: Starting immediate construction of the 23-hour sobering facility next to the Anne Deacon Center of Hope. Completion of Way Station in mid-2024 and build a new re-entry building for people released from jail.
3. Affordable housing: Update the land use zoning codes to allow more density, smaller lots and smaller homes with lower prices. Use EDI funds for affordable housing.

Q: What do you believe are the biggest concerns facing Birch Bay and Custer residents, and how will you work to address those needs?

Both these communities are unincorporated areas and need infrastructure like Everson or Sumas. This will require assistance from state and federal grants. I know Birch Bay residents have started a petition to become a city. So, we must wait for the decision by residents. The other issues are transportation and storm water infrastructure. I will do my best to leverage county funds with grants from the state and federal government to implement these projects.

Q: Birch Bay residents have voiced that they feel unheard by Whatcom County over the past year. How do you plan to improve communication and prioritize the needs of Birch Bay residents?

I recently visited and listened to the proponents of Birch Bay as a city and shared our thoughts on how the process will work. I don’t think the county should have any objection to Birch Bay becoming a city. However, this needs a lot of study for the cost of self-governance and city operations. I offered all our help to citizens to go through this process. I plan to increase the interaction of county admin with the citizens on various infrastructure projects in the future.

Dan Purdy

Dan Purdy is an entrepreneur and businessman who has worked at businesses ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies and has owned four small businesses since 2005. He is director of partnerships at Cultivate Advisors and management consultant and executive coach at Daring Business Strategies, according to his LinkedIn. 

Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those?

I’m focused on setting the P.A.C.E. for Whatcom County: Increasing public safety; promoting accountability and fiscal responsibility; reducing the cost of living; and advancing environmental stewardship. After much listening, I’ve created a plan for my first 100 days. 

“Dan’s Plan” includes 1) create an actionable plan to tackle homelessness in Whatcom County and 2) implement targeted crime prevention strategies. This plan prioritizes solutions that provide shelter, mental health/addiction services and pathways to rehabilitation for our homeless neighbors. To reduce homelessness, local organizations and stakeholders need collaboration and leveraging of proven strategies. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home in Whatcom.

Q: What do you believe are the biggest concerns facing Birch Bay and Custer residents, and how will you work to address those needs?

After engaging with many residents and small business owners, I’ve identified many key concerns facing Birch Bay and Custer: Flood management, access to emergency funding and the need for supportive density regulations for future growth. We’ll prioritize flood infrastructure enhancements, creating an emergency response fund, and collaborating with local agencies to boost disaster preparedness. Additionally, I want to engage with the community further to establish balanced regulation that both supports growth and preserves our agricultural land. Together, we can promote a safer and more prosperous future for our neighbors in Birch Bay and Custer.

Q: Birch Bay residents have voiced that they feel unheard by Whatcom County over the past year. How do you plan to improve communication and prioritize the needs of Birch Bay residents? 

Justly, residents in our northwestern communities feel largely unheard by Whatcom County. Should Birch Bay’s voters choose to incorporate, I’ll actively support their inclusion, ensuring their unique geographic needs are considered. Additionally, we need to bridge the gap by hosting regular meetings and soliciting feedback, improving direct lines of communication. I’ll create an emergency response fund to prepare for our next inevitable natural disaster, giving the folks of Custer, Blaine and Birch Bay the support they deserve. I will prioritize strengthening the bond between each small city, bolstering a more responsive and cohesive community.