INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

Wendy Jones & Barry Lovell  Chief Corrections Deputy, Corrections Lieutenant 

Wendy Jones is the Chief Corrections Deputy at the Whatcom County jail, and she’s been there for over 40 years. Barry Lovell is a Lieutenant who’s been at the jail for over 20 years. They share their background knowledge of its history and current conditions.

Bill Elfo  Whatcom County Sheriff 

Bill Elfo has been in law enforcement for 50 years and he’s been Whatcom County Sheriff for five full terms. Sheriff Elfo has been trying to change conditions at the jail the entire time he’s been in office.
 

Andrew Reding Chair of Whatcom County Democrats

Andrew Reding spent 20 years in public policy and is now the Chair of the Whatcom County Democrats. Reding insists systemic issues need to be addressed before building a new jail. 

Maialisa Vanyo  Whatcom County Chief Deputy Defense Attorney

In 2019 Maialisa Vanyo was appointed Chief Deputy. She has a unique perspective on the crime rate in Whatcom County— a very personal one. 

David Goldman  Jail Education Program Facilitator and Teacher

When David Goldman first arrived in Bellingham, he expected the job of Jail Educator to be temporary. Ten years later, he has a lot of experience dealing with inmates.

Barry Buchanan Whatcom County Council Chair

After 14 years on the Council, Buchanan has an institutional memory of the various attempts to address the jail issues and has been active in bringing the community together to find a solution.

Brooke Eolande Jail Abolitionist

Brooke Eolande has spent many years working directly with some of the most marginalized people in our community, including those with mental health issues and the incarcerated. Eolande has some very strong opinions about a new jail.

Janine Daniels-Moore Victim Services Coordinator, Victim Support Services

Janine Daniels-Moore is a Crime Victims Support Services coordinator and shares a range of perspectives on the justice system from those most affected by crime– its victims. Monday

Malora Christensen Whatcom County Health and Community Services

Malora Christensen is the manager of both the GRACE and LEAD programs—two innovative jail-alternative strategies that are making a difference among the most marginalized people in our community.

Steven Simmons Outreach Manager, Community Action of Skagit County

Steven Simmons is the Outreach Programs Manager at Community Action of Skagit County. A formerly incarcerated person, Simmons is working on his Master’s degree, as well as working with the unhoused in Skagit County.

Tony LEAD Program Client Wednesday 4/12

The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program pairs social workers with those who have multiple low-level criminal offenses. Tony’s experience with LEAD started after years of living on the street in Bellingham.

Keith Williams Assistant Police Chief WWU Friday, 4/14 at

WWU Assistant Police Chief, Keith Williams is a veteran police officer with over 30 years of experience. As a Black man working within law enforcement his understanding of the justice system is multidimensional.

COLLABORATORS

Kendall Welch
Kendall is a full-time Anthropology Student at Western Washington University who volunteers with KMRE on community projects while working as a Purchasing Manager at a construction company.

Marina Sanders
Marina is a Bellingham WA resident and college student pursuing her BA in journalism, she is passionate about reporting on the unknown.

Halley Jordan Halley is a Western Washington University journalism student.

Jenelle Baumbach Jenelle is a senior at WWU majoring in political science with a minor in news/editorial journalism. Jenelle was previously a reporter and editor for Western’s The Front, covering city news. Next quarter Jenelle will be Editor-in-Chief of The Front.

Staci Baird
Staci is a journalist and a techie passionate about education and local news. As the managing editor for Cascadia Daily News she oversees daily news production and helps coordinate special projects.

Ralph Schwartz
Ralph has worked for 15 years at newspapers on both sides of the Cascades. As a government reporter, Ralph has seen the insides of jails in two counties.

Hailey Hoffman
Hailey is a visual journalist taking photos, flying her drone, and reporting on education for Cascadia Daily News.

Robert Clark Robert B. Clark is an award-winning video producer with over 25 years of experience and is currently the Manager of Digital Video Services at Western Washington University.

Susan Lindsey Susan is a broadcast veteran and volunteer producer and newscaster for KMRE. When she’s not reporting, she’s hiking, sailing, and beer-tasting.

Suzanne Blais Suzanne is a producer/director with years of experience living in Whatcom County and she believes the most powerful stories are local ones.