Front Row: Councilmembers Paul Shuey, Herb Porter, Kate Bishop and Ramon Llanos.
Back Row: Councilmembers Ryan O’Larey, Erin Gunter, Mayor Greg Hansen and Councilmember Ali Hawkinson
Applications are now being accepted to fill a vacancy on the Ferndale City Council due to the resignation of Councilmember Ramon Llanos.
The vacant seat will be on the November 2021 ballot as a new 4-year term; therefore, the appointed Councilmember will serve only until the November 2021 election is certified, at which point the candidate who prevails in the election will take office and serve for the rest of 2021.
Applicants should plan to attend the January 4, 2021 regular City Council meeting, during which they will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and be briefly interviewed by current Councilmembers. The selected applicant will be sworn in that evening and will begin to serve immediately. For instructions and an application packet, please click here. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 7.
City Hall and the Police Station will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday, although first responders are always available when you call 911. City employees will be reachable by phone and email, as usual, once again on Monday, November 30th.
We urge everyone to make safe and responsible choices this Thanksgiving – help protect our community by keeping your gatherings small and if you meet with folks outside your household, please keep your gathering small, wear a mask and observe social distancing as much as possible.
We know this holiday will be different, but we want all of you to be safe and healthy throughout this holiday season. Thank you for doing your part to protect your friends and neighbors.
The Ferndale Police Department received multiple reports of mail theft on 11/22/2020. In response to inquiries, lost batches of mail were recovered by residents and turned in to local authorities. Mail destined for addresses in Marysville, Bellingham and Ferndale was recovered.
Ferndale officers ultimately gathered two large bags of mail, dozens of opened packages and have begun contacting victims.
The Ferndale Police Department would like to remind everyone that during the holidays, there is often an increase in mail theft. With the increased use of online ordering due to the pandemic, it is especially common this year. We encourage everyone to be diligent and check their mail daily. This will reduce the likelihood of residents being victimized.
If you have any information to assist in identifying the vehicle or any suspects, please contact Officer Brown at (360) 483-5731 or via email at sbrown@ferndalepd.org.
Mobile Grocery Delivery Truck Sparks Online Rumor Mill
On 11/19/2020, Officers from the Ferndale Police Department responded to the 2300 block of Douglas Rd. It was reported that a male and female in a white van had lured children into their van with candy. It was also reported that the subjects asked the children for money. As you can imagine, this alarmed many parents in the area. Some have taken to Facebook and posted about this incident in an attempt to protect our community.
The Ferndale Police Department conducted an investigation and determined that the subjects are operating a mobile grocery store. The vehicle was actually a repurposed delivery box truck. The owners admitted that they allowed children inside the box truck. They also stated they allowed the children to look around and that they told the children to ask their parents for money to purchase candy. Ferndale officers confirmed the owners have a valid reseller permit from the Department of Revenue.
The Ferndale Police Department would like to remind everyone that what you read on the internet is not always what it seems. During these hard times, people of our community are doing whatever they can to get through this crisis. Yes, some of these ventures are legitimate and some not. If you see something suspicious, report it to the Police and allow them time to do a thorough investigation. If you participate in something going viral on the internet, you may be harming someone in your community unnecessarily.
“The City of Ferndale is a wonderful place to live. In these hard times we need to do our best to have a positive outlook and project that on our neighbors. If we talk to one another, ask the appropriate questions and have some compassion for those around us. We really will have a ‘Stronger Community Together,’” said Police Chief Kevin Turner.
UPDATE 11/19/2020: The class has filled up but if you still want to participate using your brushes and canvas, you are welcome to register and follow along.
WHAT: The Ferndale Arts Commission is hosting a Zoom Painting Class
WHO: The class will be led by local artist Sandy Peppar
WHEN: Saturday, November 28, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: This is a virtual event that you can attend from the comfort of your own home
TO REGISTER: Email Susan Duncan at susanduncan@cityofferndale.org with your name, phone number and email address. Supplies will be available to pick up at the City Hall parking lot. You will be provided a time for pick-up once you’ve registered. Registration is limited to 55 participants, so don’t delay, sign up today!
HOW MUCH: It’s free!!! All of the supplies needed to complete the painting pictured above will be provided
We are finishing up the 2021 City of Ferndale budget and we want to hear from you! City budgets can be dense documents and we want to get all your questions answered before the City Council has their final public hearing on the budget at the Dec. 7th council meeting.
Post your questions about the budget on the City facebook page or send them in email to Communication Officer Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org and next Monday, Finance Director Sirke Salminen and City Administrator Jori Burnett will answer them live the City’s facebook page.
The Ferndale Arts Commission has completed its latest downtown mural and the final one for 2020. The newest piece, titled “Tennant Lake” was painted by local artist Kelly Hoekema and is a celebration of local flora and fauna. It can be found on the side of FrinGe Brewing, facing Alder St.
“I love that I get to be part of a town that truly enjoys the arts.” said Hoekema. This is the fifth mural completed in 2020 and the twelfth mural completed as part of the Downtown Mural Project.
