No Coal! initiative blocked from Bellingham ballot

The Bellingham Herald. August 3, 2012.

The Whatcom County Superior Judge Charles Snyder granted the City an injunction blocking the Whatcom County Auditor from putting the No Coal! initiative on the ballot this November.  Before making his decision, Judge Snyder listened to the arguments of attorney’s from the coal initiative backers and from BNSF and the City.  Judge Snyder concluded that the coal transport ban and the associated Community Bill of Rights were beyond the scope of City government.  He also stated that allowing a the initiative on the ballot would be misleading to voters.

John Stark’s article in the Herald provides an interesting review and great detail into the arguments made by Judge Snyder and the No Coal! backers on August 3rd.