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Wait
for Dubya’s deal
The Editor:
George W. Bush’s education plan has just been
introduced. What impact will it have on finances and on
the number of students that attend your schools three years
from now?
Of
course you don’t know until the government bill is
passed, funded, and you see how your students pass the education
tests.
What
you do know is that too many students can not read and write
at graduation, at least 45 percent of property tax dollars
are going to education, or how much new federal financial
aid will become available. Also you are well aware that
there are many other property tax funded community services
that need financial help like law enforcement and social
services.
Therefore
it would be wise to be patient and wait and see how George
W. Bush’s education bill will affect your school’s
finances, also how many students pass the education tests
before going to the taxpayer with new long-term debt bond
issues. Then go to the public with a realistic budget.
You
taxpayers who have no financial income interest in the schools,
do you think it would be wise to wait?
John F. Ackerman
Blaine
About
that bookstore...
The Editor:
My husband and I moved to this city less than a year
ago. We have been very impressed by the changes that have
taken place in just this short time. The streets are a delight
to drive on, the decorations and lights on Peace Portal
Drive are spectacular and the small businesses starting
up are to be applauded.
With all this going on we wonder how much longer are we
going to put up with the eye-sore of the adult film building
on our main street. We don’t know who owns it but surely
whoever it is must realize that it has given this community
a sleazy reputation for too many years. Can anything be
done about this? This is merely the opinion of a couple
of newcomers and perhaps the rest of the community likes
it there. We would really like to know what other people
think.
Bill & Anna Knight
Birch Bay
More
airports, less trees
The Editor:
Tree-huggers in Blaine? Nope, just another vote for
no progress.
Let’s
not change anything, and maybe if we wish hard enough the
good life will return to our deserted little town. Maybe
if we hold our breath all the gas stations will return,
a tavern on every corner and line ups two blocks long for
the XXX movie theater. (Wouldn’t that be grand?)
But
we do have some permanent assets:
1. Our harbor. 2. Our pristine views of Mount Baker, the
islands of Puget Sound, and the rocky peaks of northern
Vancouver. 3. We have millions of cars going by, looking
to spend some loot. 4. And we have an airport.
Blaine
by any other name would still smell as sweet, but if something
doesn’t change, moss will begin to grow. A. James G.
Blaine, (our namesake) who really cares? B. Borderites ...
How about “Harborites?” C. Blaine airport (Dodd’s
Field) or maybe “Field of Dreams?”
I
think we should find some way, by hook or by crook, to buy
the property south of the airport. Then we should lengthen
the runway by twice its size, close the western portion
of Pipeline Road (or build a tunnel under the new runway)
and promote some air freight company, and even some commuter
flight company, with services to Seattle, Spokane, Portland
and even further.
This
is of course a long-term goal ... A fully facilitated, commuter/freight
oriented, centrally located airport, between historic downtown
and our busy cross town mall. (Of course to finance this,
we may all have to pool our recent lottery winnings.)
But
if we close the airport ... Well, we all know how that movie
ends. So meanwhile, back to the tree-huggers ... I’d
say that the only community-spirited thing to do would be
for the owners of the property south of the airport to voluntarily
top their trees. (And mail the bill to James G. Blaine.)
Sean Smyth
Blaine
Local
4H news
The Editor:
The Trail Blazers would like to welcome new members
Dustin Newel, Brandy Puller and Christina Willand.
On
January 13, the Trail Blazers (TB) held their Tack Sale
at Meridian middle school. We would like to thank the community
for their support, as well as the school for the use of
their cafeteria. Thanks also to Kellen DeZarn for putting
out signs, Hannah Hathaway for her help with the refreshments,
Chelsea Judge for putting together the bake sale, Brittney
Wydur for making and distributing posters and all the members
who donated items for the Bake Sale. We couldn’t have
done it without you! Thanks also to leader Patty Johnson
for supervising the day. Thanks everyone!!
On
January 20, the County 4-H Horse Leaders held their semi-annual
basic training day for anyone interested in horses. Basic
training day was an all day class about horses and showing.
It was a great event for new 4-H members who are interested
in horses or in a horse project.
Stephanie Hiner
Lynden
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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