Our guests will be Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood and Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, who will discuss their first two years as the leaders for the city and county. Both of our guests faced a trial by fire as the pandemic raged during these two years which only exacerbated the dual problems of homelessness and lack of adequate mental health services that both had hoped to address.
Meanwhile, climate change dished up an unusual heat bomb in the summer of 2021, followed by extensive flooding in the fall. How did they do through these challenges and will 2022 be a new beginning for them?
Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood was born and raised in Bellingham and is a graduate of Sehome High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington, obtained his juris doctorate at Willamette University and practiced law in Bellingham for more than 25 years.
After serving on the Whatcom County Council (2002-2010) and the Bellingham City Council (2010 -2014), in 2020, Seth was elected Mayor of Bellingham.
As a purpose-driven advocate for the public interest, Mayor Fleetwood has a commitment to continual progress through thoughtful collaboration and compassionate leadership He has a proven record of championing successful initiatives that added critical community issues. His many years of public service and knowledge of our community has contributed to his ability to lead the City of Bellingham during these momentous times.
Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu was born in India and moved to Whatcom County in 1988 by way of Canada. His past professional experience includes work as an engineer, project manager, educator, business executive and owner of a small business He was recognized by two Washington State governors for his achievement in workforce development as Dean of Engineering and Trades at the Bellingham Technical College. Before becoming County Exec he served 5 years on the Whatcom County Council.
Satpal is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MBA. . Among his many contributions to the community, he is a founding member of the Meridian Public Schools Foundation and currently serves on the board of the Whatcom Community College Foundation.
He and his wife Mundir, married for 40 years, have lived in Lynden for 30 years. They have three grown sons who attended Meridian schools.