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Gone
to the dogs
The Editor:
Several months ago I wrote a letter to The Northern Light
poking fun at Blaine’s seemingly constant canine issues,
suggesting a humorous fictional future where the city had
completely “gone to the dogs.” With news that
the local police force is raising funds for a canine cop,
complete with a bulletproof Kevlar vest, it appears that
the truth is stranger – and more unbelievable –
than fiction.
 Take
a look at a typical police report in this paper and try
to imagine where a bulletproof dog would have any place
or purpose: traffic accidents, unruly children, abandoned
bicycles, bums being handed a bus token, and the ultimate
‘crime’ to call out the cops, people talking too
loudly.
The
real point of this pooch patrol seems more closely related
to crimes against your personal rights and privacy. As mentioned
in this paper’s report, the dog will also be used to
sniff down Blaine schools and businesses, essentially putting
the entire town under a wet nose of suspicion.
And
why stop there? Perhaps the dog could also be positioned
by the Blaine Book Company and trained to snarl at potentially
armed-and-dangerous porn shoppers. Maybe it could even sniff
out porno products in private homes, tracking down the culprits
who are helping to keep that dreaded bookstore’s doors
open.
The
future of Blaine appears clearer than ever: citizens up
against the wall in a vulnerable position, while the powers-that-be
go sniffing for a clue, mindlessly searching out places
for blame.
Keith Bacon
Birch Bay
Good
old boys, bad
The Editor:
Come off it, fellows, you write as if the old council/mayor
system was perfect. It wasn’t. One example: it was
a mayor/council decision to install Blaine’s present
unsatisfactory sewage treatment plant. It was a mayor/council
decision to arrange financing so that for the first 15 years,
only interest was paid on the loan. The city council members
of that time probably felt they were doing the citizens
a favor by keeping sewer rates low; the city ratepayers,
including you and me, are paying for that decision now.
Surely, a professional city manager could have advised the
council better.
So,
please, fellow citizens of Blaine, keep the council/manager
system; vote against reverting to an outdated good-old-boys
system. Vote no on proposition 2.
Janet G. Hansen
Blaine
Good
old name
The Editor:
We would like to suggest to Blaine residents that before
they make the decision on whether or not the name of Blaine
should be changed, they should go to the Blaine library
and read the Boblett/Kerr diary (reference 979.7). There
are 90 pages on reasons why NOT to change the name.
Garret and Monica Kerr
Birch Bay
L
of a disgrace
The Editor:
Our small community has local and international infamy focused
on the former Oertel Meat Market building located on Peace
Portal. However a second questionable location has become
prevalent and may negatively affect our youth! Drive by
our library (directly behind the police department), and
note the L is missing from “PUBLIC”. Disgraceful!
Please join the movement to return the L to “PUBLIC”
and once again make our city morally upright.
With tongue in cheek...
Karen Penno
Blaine
Fire
station boosting
The Editor:
I urge the voters to approve the fire station bond issue
on September 18.
The city of Blaine was not doing adequate 24-hour service
prior to contracting with district 13 to take over fire
and emergency medical service.
Our
coverage now is much better and will continue to improve
with the other organization changes district 13 and others
have under way. I support this positive regional step that
will give better 24-hour paid coverage as well as an expanded
volunteer base to pull from.
Our
fire station building next to City Hall is not safe from
quake possibilities. The temporary Yew Street facility is
just that, temporary. There
are no sleeping facilities to make it a 24-hour station
for paid staff and volunteers. District 13 is prepared to
help the project by purchasing the property. Those who mention
a cheaper pole building forget about weather and adequate
sleeping quarters, etc. for personnel, both men and women,
on 24-hour duty. We are building for the 21st Century, for
decades to come. We want to be proud of an adequate fire/emergency
medical service facility for our community of Blaine.
I urge voters to approve the fire station bond issue.
Dieter Schugt
Blaine
The
Editor:
May the citizens of Blaine vote on September 18, 2001, to
approve Proposition No. 1, which is the Fire Safety Obligation
Bonds - $1,600,000 to construct a new fire station. As one
who ministered in Blaine’s United Church of Christ
for 29 years, I’ve watched dedicated volunteer and
career emergency service personnel give aid and comfort
to resident after resident. It is in the best interests
of Blaine folks to have a station where the men and women
who respond to our life and death crises, can catch their
breath, clean up, and prepare for the next call. The next
call can be for any one of us.
Pastor Emeritus Donald E. Walter
Blaine
What
a nice guy...
The Editor:
Again, probably for the second and last time in my life
I must write to say thanks to the Blaine police department.
I did a rolling stop at a stop sign, and instead of the
traditional ticket, which is almost guaranteed, the Officer,
like in days gone by, gave me a warning! I was so thankful,
that instead of judgement, there was mercy extended, that
I have since made it a point to carefully and systematically
always watch my driving.
A
rousing thanks again to the Blaine Police department for
their fairness, and especially to Officer Jon Landis, who
again restored my faith in law enforcement.
Keith Morris
Blaine
Back
to the dogs...
The Editor:
It infuriates me when I read of the elderly and blind being
victimized by irresponsible dog owners’ dogs. These
jerks allow their dogs to run loose threatening and scaring
people as they walk in their own neighborhood. Furthermore,
the dogs poo in other peoples gardens and on the sidewalk.
The owners ignore the county bylaws because penalties are
just the small fines.
The
best way to put more bite into the county bylaws to have
new down-to-earth members on county council who will make
required changes to the bylaws.
One
such person is Sharon Roy of Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay.
Support her at the next election for Whatcom County District
3.
Jack Ackerman
Blaine
Letters
Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however,
the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters
must include name, address and daytime telephone number
for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and
may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length
and good taste. Thank-you letters should be limited to 10
names. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest
to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication.
Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters
will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding
names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one
letter per month from an individual correspondent will be
published.
Please
send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com
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