About Seth
Dear Fellow Bellingham Residents,
I’m Seth Fleetwood, and I’m excited to run to be re-elected as Mayor of our beloved city. I invite you to read on to learn more about my background, my values, and my dedication to creating a thriving, inclusive community here in Bellingham.
As a lifelong resident and public servant, I’ve been fortunate to witness and contribute to Bellingham’s growth and development. And during my tenure as Mayor, I have helped lead our community through the pandemic, one of the most significant challenges of our time.
My administration has prioritized increasing affordable housing, initiatives to address climate change, actions to improve public health and safety, and coalitions that address social and development issues which the community has brought forth to our office.
We’ve prioritized balancing capable, compassionate law enforcement with carefully crafted alternative response to mental health, substance abuse, and housing needs.
We’ve assembled a strong and capable team that has been a driving force in leading a resilient Bellingham response in the face of the global and economic challenges of the past four years. And we have more do to.
As we strive to shape a future where each resident plays a vital role in building a sustainable, equitable, and thriving City, I ask for your valuable vote in helping us achieve these goals.
MY PRIORITIES AS MAYOR
- Maintaining the highest quality level of essential public services for our residents
- Working towards collaborative and effective solutions to Bellingham’s homelessness problem and home affordability
- Committing to the creation of a robust environmental infrastructure of parks, trails and plazas
- Ensuring that as we grow, infill, and densify, we do so in ways that only improve the quality and livability of Bellingham
- Promoting an attitude and atmosphere that helps Bellingham become an inclusive, equitable and empowered community that values everyone
- Adopting policies that acknowledge the realities of climate change and ensure a just transition to a clean energy future
- Committing to Bellingham’s goal of maintaining a positive, competitive and sustainable business-friendly climate that will retain, grow, and attract high-quality, living wage businesses
QUALIFICATIONS
- Experienced in all levels of government with understanding of how to get things done
- History of public spirited leadership on many issues with an understanding of how to work with councils
- Clear vision of regional growth that improves our city and protects our natural resource lands
- Legislative oversight on county and city councils with broad insight into government operations
- Independent and genuinely sensitive to the feelings and opinions of others
- Highly diplomatic in the art of administration
- Sound and reliable methodology for analyzing issues of public concern
COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS
Growth – I sponsored and co-founded the Bellingham Growth Forums that began the community discussion on how to grow and resulted in recommendations in comprehensive plan for best practices to densify and infill
Affordable Housing – I sponsored and co-founded Countywide Housing Affordability Task Force that resulted in recommendations including creation of a Bellingham Home Fund
Zero Waste – I collaborated to draft, sponsor, and promote the Bellingham Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance that was replicated by Seattle and many other cities and is presently being considered for statewide adoption
Greenways – I was a chief proponent and architect of Bellingham Greenways Program that has made Bellingham a national leader in parks and trails and created beloved places like Taylor Street Dock, the Fairhaven Village Green and Birchwood Park, to mention only a few
Vibrant Waterfront – As City Council President, I collaborated to oversee the final process, negotiation, and timing of Waterfront Master Plan adoption that has resulted in commencement of the Waterfront development
Climate Change – I chaired the Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee charged with delivering recommendations on adaptation plans and how to achieve 100% renewable energy in Whatcom County
Protecting Lake Whatcom – I drafted and sponsored the resolution and funding amendment for the creation of The Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan for Lake Whatcom
Healthy, Thriving Economy – I am actively committed to the City’s goal of building and maintaining a positive, competitive, and sustainable business-friendly climate that will retain, grow, and attract high-quality, living wage businesses
GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE
Mayor of Bellingham, City of Bellingham, WA 2020 – Present
Attorney, Law Office of Seth Fleetwood, Bellingham, WA, 1995 – 2020
City Council Member, Bellingham City Council, two terms, 2010 – 2014
County Council Member, Whatcom County Council, two terms, 2002 – 2010
Aide, Congressman Al Swift, Bellingham, 100th Congress, 1987 – 1988
Legislative Intern, Washington State Legislative Session, 1986
EDUCATION
Juris Doctorate, Willamette University, Salem, OR – 1992
Bachelor of Arts, Major: Political Science, Minor: Spanish, University of Washington, Seattle, WA – 1986
Foreign Exchange Student, University of Guadalajara Language School, Guadalajara, Mexico – 1986
Foreign Exchange Student, Western Washington University Foreign Exchange Program, Greece – 1982
Graduate, Sehome High School, Bellingham, WA – 1981
CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS
Best Public Official, 2002, 2007, 2014 – Cascadia Weekly
Citizen of the Year, 2013 – Whatcom County Realtors
Workers Rights Champion, 2007 – Jobs with Justice
Governor’s Smart Communities Award for Housing Affordability, 2010 – State of Washington
Environmental Hero Award, 2013 – RE Sources for Sustainable Communities
Countywide Housing Affordability Task Force Award, 2008 – Whatcom County and City of Bellingham
Certificate of Appreciation, 2015 – Birchwood Neighborhood Association
Certificate of Completion, 2018 – Interest Based Mediation Training, Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
3rd Place Finisher, 2018 – 20th Annual Boundary Bay Extreme Croquet Tournament
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission, 2018 – 2020
Climate Impact Advisory Committee, Whatcom County, 2018 – 2020
Climate Reality Project Leader and Bellingham Chapter Leadership Boardmember, 2015 – Present
Chuckanut Conservancy, 1998 – Present
People for Puget Sound, 2010 – 2013
Whatcom Council of Governments, 2002 – 2010
Whatcom Transportation Authority, 2002 – 2010
Countywide Housing Affordability Task Force, 2007 – 2008
Bellingham City Club, 1999 – 2001
Washington Conservation Voters, Whatcom Chapter, 1995 – 2001
Greenways Advisory Committee, 1994 – 2000
Bellingham 2000-Millenial Planning Process, 1999
Kulshan Community Land Trust, Founding Member, 1999
Watershed Defense Fund, 1993 – 1998
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Pickford Cinema – Independent Film Enthusiast
Mountain Climbing
Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival Aficionado
30 Year Participant – Ski to Sea Race
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