|
Just
say No!
The Editor:
A few people still seem to have trouble with the word no.
There is no valid reason to change our form of government.
There are many good reasons to vote no on Proposition 2
and keep the council/manager form that is working well for
Blaine.
 The
council/manager form of government is responsive to the
citizen – in a more reasoned deliberate way –
and not so subject to a personal knee jerk reaction that
can happen on a whim with a mayoral form.
To those who say nothing on what’s happening here,
please open your eyes and look around. Better yet, go to
council meetings – not just one – and watch the
process work. When one becomes involved and is a part of
a solution instead of a problem, positive things happen.
A
few positives – the agreement with the Lummi Tribe,
the careful working toward a long range sewer solution and
the new more positive sign ordinance. In addition, the business
license fees, impact fees, parking fees and hook up fees
are scheduled to come under review. Things are being done
in an usually quiet constructive way – with a few exciting,
noisy exceptions. But hurray for a system that works.
Get
to know your council and city manager. We have qualified
and thoughtful people in charge. We are moving ahead. We
don’t need a disruptive change. I can’t think
of anything much more damaging to our city than having this
issue come up every two years. Think. People who are considering
a business venture in Blaine are better served by a well
established competent staff and system already in place.
We have that now. The foundation is so good. People are
working together and are going in the same direction. Let’s
keep our form of government. Vote no on Proposition 2.
Alma Wagner, ex-council member mayor
Blaine
The
Editor:
I think that the city-manager form of government should
be continued, because the manager, the planning commission,
the city employees, and the city council are making a noble
effort to bring improvements to Blaine. And also, the mayor-council
form of government would cost as much or more than what
we have now, because the mayor would have to hire an administrator
to do what our city manager does.
Blaine
is a beautiful little town – wide streets, sidewalks,
lawns and trees, nice homes, but not exclusive either. And
there is a pleasant small town feeling here. I moved to
Blaine in June of 2000, but my acquaintance with the town
began in 1944, when my parents retired here.
In
the past, Blaine had much more Canadian trade, and the border
town image to go with it. Loss of that trade has been hard
on the local economy. However, in the long run, the disadvantages
could be out-weighed by the advantages of revitalized, home-based
businesses and an improved town image.
I
think that much of the frustration that Blaine people feel
over lack of progress is due to the size of the job and
to waiting for priorities to be established. Improving Blaine
is a big challenge: the sewer, downtown beautification,
new business needs, mobile homes, tourism, children’s
recreational needs, the boardwalk, re-zoning some businesses,
clean up of vacant properties, the visitor’s center,
etc. It is a long list, and rather intimidating; but people
are not afraid of a challenge. The city council, city manager,
and planning commission have just this summer encouraged
and received public input on these many issues. Priorities
are being established right now. When there is a clear go-ahead
for certain projects, people will come forward, and put
their shoulders to the wheels. Things are moving in the
right direction. Let’s give the council-manager form
of government a chance to show what it can do, with our
help and cooperation. People working together have built
America; and working together, we can re-build and revitalize
Blaine.
On
September 18 I plan to vote no on Proposition 2 and I hope
you will too.
Warren Terry
Blaine
The
Editor:
“We do not want the old style of mayor-council form
of government in Blaine.” This is the consensus of
many with whom I have spoken over the past several months.
If
the concern is that someone is unhappy with a council member
or the mayor-chairman of the council, then you have the
privilege of using the voting process to replace that member.
An elected mayor, on the other hand, is in place for four
years, regardless of his job performance.
However,
a city manager may have his contract terminated for poor
performance. A mayor without education, experience and management
skills can be in place for the full four years, without
any way of being replaced if they perform poorly. We need
trained, professional people leading ours and other small
communities.
Today,
the requirements of state, federal and outside agencies
demanded of small towns is unbelievable. In a time of grant
writing, reporting and compliance, a lay person would not
be prepared for such duties, thus being a detriment to the
people and town of Blaine. Other small towns in Whatcom
County who have gone back to the mayor type of government
have not had the results they enjoyed in the past. There
has been a slow down when “booming times” preceded
the change over.
We
must appeal to talented, qualified candidates who are ready
and able to represent us on difficult council matters when
called upon. If a paid staff is not performing to our best
interests, then I urge you to attend council meetings and
“get involved.” We cannot live in the past and
continue to think the “good old days” were the
best. As in all aspects of life, we must learn from the
past and use the tools of today and the future. Times
continue to change, and we must change and go forward. We
need a professional in a job which requires a professional.
I urge you to consider Blaine’s future and to do your
civic duty by voting on this important issue.
Again,
we do not want to go back to an elected mayor form of government.
Jerry Wolten
Blaine
Just
say Yes!
The Editor:
The members of North Whatcom Professional Firefighters IAFF
Local 3867 fully support and endorse the proposed bond issue
in favor of providing the city of Blaine a new fire station.
We
feel that the safety issues surrounding the old station
located at city hall, and the temporary station on Yew Avenue
are significant enough to ask the voters in Blaine to provide
their firefighters with a new facility for the following
reasons:
1)
The facility at city hall is inadequate because of the potential
for damage to the fire apparatus and the exposure to firefighters
should the building suffer catastrophic damage in the event
of a natural disaster.
2)
The firefighters that respond in the city deserve a facility
that provides for a safe and efficient response to any location
within the city limits. The Yew Avenue location restricts
that ability because of the frequent back-ups on the truck
route and the high potential for an accident at the intersection
of Boblett and the truck route. 3) The training and living
facilities at both locations are inadequate. The Blaine
firefighters deserve and need adequate training facilities
and living quarters. A new station can provide them with
a place where they can gather to train, perform other fire-related
duties, relax and even socialize. This helps ensure that
the station is adequately manned to provide a quick response
when called upon to do so.
We
encourage the voters of Blaine to support this very important
proposal. In doing so, your fire department will continue
to grow and provide the city of Blaine with the best service
possible.
Henry Hollander & members of Local 3867
Blaine
Just
say Thanks!
The Editor:
We just wanted to say a big thank you to all the people
at Birch Bay that made our year a fun time. We have lost
our space to a barber (just what is needed on the beach
front of Birch Bay). We sold beach toys, kites, windsocks,
used books and rented bikes and clam shovels. Most of the
kites we sold were to people who had not flown a kite since
they were a kid. The used books were a hit, thank you everyone
who brought me books to sell and trade. The kite fly day
was really fun. Thank you to all the locals who came and
flew even though it was cold and rainy. If anyone knows
of a space that might be available next year please let
us know.
Otherwise
we won’t be back and that makes us really sad. Birch
Bay needs retail, not a barber. Thank you again everyone.
Ed and Tammy Vevag
Birch Bay
Thanks
a bunch!
The Editor:
It is pretty sad to think your vehicle isn’t safe in
your own town! While my family and I were out enjoying the
beautiful Sunday afternoon in the islands, some cowards
hit my truck while it was parked at the boat launch, and
left no information about themselves, instead chose to leave
a note filled with vulgarity.
If
anyone saw the cowards who hit my truck on Sunday afternoon,
August 26, please call the Blaine police department.
Rachel Wydur
Blaine
Speed
it up!
The Editor:
As a “many years ago” past resident of Blaine,
my brother and I enjoy receiving your paper. Even more so,
we enjoy the posting of it to the internet. Unfortunately,
that posting is not done on a timely basis. Would like to
see you work on that improvement so we could see it on Friday.
What
do I like to read on the internet? Schedule of coming events,
obituaries, Jan Hrutfiord articles (classmate), and city
council news.
You’re
doing a good job. Keep up the good work.
Bernie Durnan
Blaine
(Ed. Note: We’re working on it. Thanks.)
Move
it!
The Editor:
I support the current proposal to relocate pornographic
businesses to another site.
People
are obliged to drive past the Blaine Book Store either in
driving from the border or around town. What does this say
about our city? I do not believe it reflects the wholesome,
small-town feeling of Blaine.
The
Blaine Book Store detracts from the quaint, family feeling
of downtown Blaine and counters all the hard work that went
into the Victorian-theme beautification program. This is
detrimental to the surrounding businesses and negative for
the business climate in general. Relocating
pornographic businesses to a less prominent site is a win-win
solution for Blaine.
Thank
you for your consideration.
Karen Carlson
Blaine
Dump
it!
The Editor:
Your city is a beautiful, friendly place to visit and I
enjoyed my recent vacation here from start to finish. Except
for the adult book store, which greets one’s eye first
on after going through the Peace Arch from the Canadian
border.
Blaine
gives the visitor a wonderful view of what a U.S. city should
be, except for this eyesore. I especially liked the Victorian
theme and the lovely flowers.
Margaret A. Carlson
L.A. County, California
Setting
it straight!
The Editor:
As suggested by the Kerr letter of last week, anyone checking
the mentioned family diary at our library will be very disappointed
in not finding the “90 pages of reasons not to change
the Blaine name.”
With
due respect to the family, the entire document may be that
long and is indeed an interesting record of the family travels
from the mid west to around our area. However, Blaine is
only mentioned once on page 81, comparing a Victoria, Canada
church to the local Methodist one.
Then
on page 85 there is just one paragraph detailing the commercial
activity of Blaine on June 10, 1914, as well as expressing
the hope the town “never will get any more big booms.”
Also, “thank God we have no saloons and I hope we never
will” with reference to coming statewide prohibition.
The writer then goes on with travels to San Francisco.
All
this merely to set the record straight and to say that at
this stage the name issue is simply not active. Which does
not mean that, at some point, a progressive spirit may not
again emerge, so the city awakens to the clear potential
benefits of capitalizing on the Blaine Harbor destination
name.
Edmond Root
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
|
