My wife works at the county and today she came home and told me that a fellow I used to be a friend with, in the 1970's, died. This is a man who, like me, worked in radio broadcasting for many years. His name was Joe Bates and he had become the spokesman for Whatcom County. Joe and I, early 70's, college guys, drove clear up to Diablo Lake, up in the mountains in Washington, to watch them film a movie called Parallax View starring Warren Beatty when he was young. The movie involved Beatty, and the bad sheriff, being flooded as they stood at a river. I will never forget watching all the Hollywood stunts, and how the poor stuntman for Beatty and the camera crew about drowned in filming the movie. The opened a dam and flooded the valley. The movie, which you can rent on Netflix, was a political drama. Then, for years, Joe and I worked in broadcasting, for awhile at the same station. The ironic thing about it, that has my wife upset, is that he was one of two serious ladder accidents this weekend -- he hit his head when he fell off a ladder. In another one, a Whatcom County judge is now in the hospital. Being a home inspector, my wife is always upset by ladder accidents. I only saw Joe occasionally in recent years but, when I did, he was always friendly, decent and a real honorable guy. I feel bad. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith





I can understand her concerns! I'm sorry about the loss of your friend! Be safe out there!
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Posts like this are an important reminder that safety comes first.
Really sorry for your loss. It is sad to lose someone you know, whether you have been really close or not. One of my high school friends died last week too. Maybe we are just getting to "that age"....sad.
Hi Steve, So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. jay
Sorry to hear about your friend. Things happen so fast. We are barely here...and almost not.
Steve, what a bummer. One can never have enough respect for ladders. I think the older we get the more careful we have to be.
Sorry for your loss Steven. I cringe when I hear about ladder accidents myself!
Yes, Steve, a real downer. I have a healthy respect for ladders as I too have to use them on a daily basis. I make sure that my understanding is rather solid...