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Aw,
shucks
The Editor:
We wanted to thank you for all of your support as we really
appreciate it. The recent article on new businesses was
great and has brought many people through our doors.
 It
is a pleasure working with you – we look forward to
many great years getting to know you all.
Gretchen Budnick & Chris Olason
Olason’s Corkscrew Willow
Blaine
Dumb
clucks?
The Editor and people of Blaine:
For those of you who decided to stay home instead of attending
the council community meeting at the senior center, you
did yourselves an injustice because you missed the chance
to see Blaine’s version of the famous TV show, The
Weakest Link or, in Blaine’s case, The Missing Link.
The discussion and goals of the meeting was orchestrated
by the same group that wanted to change the name of this
town last year and the same group that cares more about
homes for critters than jobs and homes for people.
The
whole thing was a sham. They would not allow any criticism
of their actions, nor picking on their recent decisions
that have made us worse off than before. None of the council
members spoke nor would accept questions for fear of putting
their foot in their mouths. It was a touchy, feel good meeting
by the members of the name change group, where the current
city manager answered all the questions and with the many
staff members there putting their own wonderful spin without
telling the whole truth. We were led to believe the council
was going to be there to field questions from the audience
which never happened. The city manager just asked the audience
for their wish list items of which there were many, but
no one including the staff knew how and where the money
was going to come from to pay for all of these wish list
items, except out of your pocket and mine. At least Frank
Bresnan had the good sense to stay home with his family
so he would not have to defend the innuendos thrown out
by Mr. Tomsic.
If
these people are not going to accept criticism of their
actions and listen to the people then why have these meetings
just to drag out the same wish lists they have been dragging
out for the last eight years? These people still have not
gotten it through their thick heads that without jobs and
residents to occupy Blaine, their wish lists are worth about
as much as junk bonds are worth.
Now
is the time to get rid of the dead wood that is ruining
this town and put people in charge who will be looking to
get businesses and people here to ease the burden we are
under.
Dave White
Blaine
On
the other hand...
The Editor:
Three cheers for Blaine. I want to express my appreciation
to Blaine’s city staff, and in particular to our city
manager Gary Tomsic, for the wonderful neighborhood meetings
held recently. The meetings were well attended, ground rules
for discussion were thoughtfully prepared, and every issue
raised by community members was addressed respectfully.
Meetings continued well beyond the appointed time so that
every voice could be heard.
As
a citizen, I feel I have been brought up-to-date on many
important issues regarding the future of Blaine and most
importantly, I know that our current city officials are
willing to listen and be responsive to those they serve.
Mary Terry Rankin
Blaine
More
thanks
The Editor:
Thanks to all the wonderful people who visited, brought
flowers, candy, letters, and called me at the hospital and
at home. I appreciated every one. Bless you all.
Vivian Fosberg
Blaine
Agin
it!
The Editor:
I urge the citizens of Blaine to vote no to an elected mayor
in the September 18 election.
Our
current city manager, Gary Tomsic, is doing an excellent
job. Currently, he is guiding the staff and council through
major projects such as a water contract, electric rates
with BPA, settling claims with the Lummi nation, participating
in wastewater discussions and negotiating contracts with
five employee unions, among regular administrative duties.
Besides the fact that Mr. Tomsic is doing a fine job, what
other reasons might there be to retain the city manager
form of government? Here are just a few:
If
a city manager does not perform as the council directs,
the council (your elected representatives) can terminate
his/her contract with only four of the seven members concurring.
That means you and your elected representatives have constant
oversight as to job performance. An elected mayor has the
power to hire and fire staff. On the other hand, an elected
mayor is answerable to you only once every four years. If
he/she doesn’t perform in a satisfactory manner, there
is no recourse until the next election. An elected mayor
can veto council action. A city manager is directly accountable
to council and so endeavors to operate in a cooperative
atmosphere.
Managing
the affairs of a city in the 21st century is not a job for
an amateur. The mayor’s handbook, put out the Association
of Washington cities, conveys the complexities with which
an elected mayor must deal. A city manager best understands
Washington municipal law who has a degree in public administration
or equivalent experience.
An
elected mayor cannot effectively manage a city without skilled
assistance. Without a doubt, a city administrator would
have to be hired. This has been the case in Ferndale, Lynden
and other cities with elected mayors. Paying a mayor as
well as a knowledgeable city administrator would mean added
expense for all.
We
all have a citizen’s right to complain and look for
a response from city government. But just changing a form
of government without even knowing our present system is
folly. We need more understanding of how to solve the complex
issues this and all cities face.
I
am amazed that those who signed the petition to put this
choice on the ballot, with few exceptions, have never appeared
in my five years on the planning commission or before the
city council during the past two years. Nor have most of
the signing for a change of government served on any commission
or short-term study committee to give input to issues before
the city. And why has only one of those sponsoring the petition
attended any of the three neighborhood meetings to hear
their fellow citizen’s ideas, suggestions and questions?
Why
change what’s working. Instead, commit yourself as
a Blaine citizen to participate more fully in the city manager/council
form of government that we currently have. You can have
a positive impact and make what’s good even better.
This council and city manager ask for your involvement,
help and cooperation.
Say
no to an elected mayor in the September 18 election.
Dieter Schugt
Blaine
Even
more thanks
The Editor:
The Birch Bay Discovery Days Arts and Crafts Fair 2001 is
over, but the memories will last forever. It’s a place
where you meet new friends and old friends.
I
want to thank the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce and the
directors for the great cooperation there was this year.
I want to thank our own Washington state park ranger Ted
Morris and his staff for allowing the craft fair to be at
this location and all the preparation for it.
A
thank you goes to the parking attendants: Lisa and Brian
Kent, Cody Larson, Russel Lowery, Cecil Robinson, Paul and
LaDonn Taylor, and Gary Croonsberry for the great job the
did. A thank you goes to the artist who handcrafted their
wares themselves who come from the local area and from long
distances. A thank you to Pat Palmer, Julie Gerity, Raven
Wolf and Cheryl Ryan for manning the chamber of commerce
booths. Last of all, a big thank you to my husband Earl
Ball who put up the street signs advertising the event and
his support.
We
appreciated all the visitors who stopped by. Without the
cooperation of those who helped, this event could not have
been the success that it was. Thank you one and all.
Bea Ball
Birch Bay
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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