The Nominations & Elections Committee (N&E) has finalized dates for the Candidate Events planned for 2026. Over the month of October, two forums and a “Meet & Greet” event will be held to give the community a chance to get to know the candidates.

The dates of the events were chosen to ensure that members have received their 2026 voting materials, including photos, biographies, and vision statements of the Board candidates, as well as photos and biographies of Architectural Control and N&E candidates.

—– Event Dates —–

Candidate Forum #1: Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 3:00PM-5:00PM in the Dance Barn & on Zoom

Candidate Forum #2: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 6:30PM-8:30PM in the Dance Barn & on Zoom

Meet & Greet: Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 2:00PM-4:00PM in the Dance Barn

The N&E Committee hopes that the range of times and dates will make it easier for community members to participate in the candidate events this year. While the forums focus on the candidates, if members have questions for the candidates the Meet & Greet offers the opportunity to sit down and speak with the candidates face to face.

At the direction of legal counsel, SVCA took action to exclude candidates for the Nominations & Elections Committee (N&E) from the 2026 election. Today, CSD Law informed the Association that their interpretation of Washington State’s WUCIOA statutes was mistaken, and that SVCA is required to elect members as it has done in the past.

Effective immediately, SVCA requests that members of the Association who are interested in serving on the N&E Committee complete and submit a candidate application before 4:30 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Update: The submission window is now closed.

On August 17, local news outlets reported a black bear encounter on “a trail north of Lake Whatcom.” Unofficially, other sources are reporting that the encounter was an “attack.”

During a routine patrol at around 1:30 a.m., Sudden Valley Security noticed large broken branches and rustling in the woods at AM/PM beach. While the animal was not visible, according to Security, the height of the branches broken indicates a black bear or cougar.

Due to the recent reports of bear activity, SVCA would like to caution Sudden Valley residents and visitors to stay away from the parks and wooded areas at night, and to be cautious while on the trails during the day.

Work has begun in preparation for the replacement of the bridge connecting Honeycomb Lane with Area Z/Community Garden. During construction, different types of access to the Community Garden will be allowed. For some periods, the bridge will be closed to all traffic during the work day, but open at night. At others, the bridge will be fully closed both day and night. When the bridge is fully closed, individuals who want to access the Community Garden may do so at night, after work ends at 6:30 PM, or in the morning, before work begins at 7:30 AM. There will be no VEHICLE access during this period, but individuals can walk there from Area Z. We expect, but cannot guarantee, that the bridge will be open for access on Labor Day Weekend, September 5th and 6th.

Bridge Work Taking Place

August 12 – 14: Daytime Closure/Open after work hours

August 15 – 16: Bridge Open

August 17 – 21: Daytime Closure/Open after work hours

August 22 – 27: Foot Traffic Only

August 28 – Work Completed: Full Closure – No Access to Bridge. Park at Area Z