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Lynden operates with a mayor-council form of government. The part-time mayor (Scott Korthuis as of January 2010) is assisted by a full-time city administrator (Bill Verwolf since October 2001) and professionals who head the city's public works, parks, planning, finance, police and fire departments. The City Council's seven members receive compensation on a per-meeting basis. The mayor and council members are elected to four-year terms in odd-numbered years. Plans for Lynden's future development also are being developed and updated. For more information about Lynden's city government, call (360) 354-4270 or visit www.lyndenwa.org. The Lynden Parks Department maintains over 300 acres of parks in and around the City of Lynden. Parks Director Vern Meenderinck and his staff also maintain the Jim Kaemingk, Sr. Trail, the grounds of Lynden City Hall and the grounds of the Police and Fire Departments. With over 150,000 spectators and visitors to the Bender Fields Regional Outdoor Complex to participate and view baseball, softball, soccer and even a match or two of bocci ball, the parks staff is always on the move making sure the recreational needs of the community are met. The 260+ acres of the Hans and Lida Berthusen Park are a sight to behold. The Park serves as the home of the Antique Tractor and Machinery Show every August and has year round static displays courtesy of the Puget Sound Anique Tractor and Machinery Association. The Lynden Model Flying Club also calls Berthusen Park home. The 10 acre Lynden City Park is home of the Millions Smiles Playground (pictured above) and located beside beautiful Fishtrap Creek. Many of the parks have kitchen and shelter facilities for rent. Contact the Lynden Parks Department at (360) 354-6717.
The Lynden Police Department, headed by Chief Jack Foster, has 14 full-time officers, four civilian employees, three reserve officers, and eight volunteers. Lynden historically has enjoyed a low crime rate. The crime rate dropped from 27.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2001 to 24.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2003. New statistics just out show the crime rate in Lynden has fallen even farther to 22.3 crimes per thousand in 2005. That is a 17.7% decrease in crime in the last 5 years. Violent crimes remain steady 0.6 per 1,000. City of Lynden dedicated its new state of the art police station, located at 203 19th Street, to Officer Jack G. Martin on June 3, 2006. For more information about Lynden’s police department, call (360) 354-2828.
The Lynden Fire Department is operated by Chief Gary Baar, two full-time fire captains, two full-time firefighters and a support services manager. About 40 Lynden residents provide fire-fighting and emergency medial services as voluntary members of the department, although they are compensated on a per-call basis. Their service and dedication to the Lynden community sets the standard for selfless devotion to community. These volunteers put in hundreds of hours of training and calls annually, saving Lynden taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Lynden’s fire department is located at 215 4th Street adjacent to the City Hall Annex. For more information about the fire department, call (360) 354-4400 or visit http://www.lyndenwa.org/FireDept/FireDept.htm. |
