The city’s community and economic development department has secured a $10,000 grant from the state Coastal Zone Management program for improvements to Blaine Marine Park. The dollars will go to stabilize the beach and develop a boardwalk connecting the park to the municipal pier.

The city of Blaine has turned down a request by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) to contribute to lobbying efforts against aluminum companies’ (Direct Service Industry, DSI) efforts to get a tiered rate structure. “Blaine cannot contribute to the lobbying effort against DSIs. Our funding the lobbying effort to oppose them is tantamount to opposing many of our own citizens and neighbors,” wrote city manager Gary Tomsic in a May 14 response, endorsed by city council, to a May 7 letter from AWC executive director Stan Finkelstein.
AWC opposes efforts of companies like Alcoa to get the Bonneville Power Authority to alter their rate structure and continue to supply the smelters’ electrical load. Finkelstein stated the proposal would mean higher rates for all municipal utilities that get their power from BPA and result in higher rates for their customers.
While Tomsic acknowledged the proposal could lead to higher rates for Blaine’s electrical customers, he also said the closure of a major local employer like Alcoa Intalco would “have a devastating effect on our economy.” Alcoa has announced its intention to close the local plant in October if its power supply needs cannot be met.

Blaine city council will hold a series of neighborhood meetings this summer to find out what Blaine citizens have on their minds. “The public priorities aren’t always totally in line with what your or my priorities might be,” said city manager Gary Tomsic. “We need to open it up and let the people set the agenda. What do they want to talk about?” Council unanimously endorsed the meetings, to be held in each ward in June. Tomsic said feedback gathered at the meetings will help with budget and goal-setting processes later in the year. .

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