News In Brief

City to hold project review public meeting
In an effort to educate the public about development and project review, the city of Blaine is holding an informational meeting on April 23 at 7 p.m. at city hall. “Essentially this is a workshop, and it will be designed to inform and educate the community with respect to project review,” said Blaine’s community development director Terry Galvin, adding the reason for this is that Blaine has had a lot of development proposals.

Elfo announces bid for sheriff
Whatcom County sheriff Bill Elfo announced last week that he will seek election in November. “I am grateful to the county council for appointing me to do this job, now I want to continue to use new and creative solutions to combat the tough problems facing us in the county,” he said. Elfo will be opening satellite stations in the outlying areas of the county and will use new grant funding to update the criminal justice computer system. He first became a police officer in 1974 and came to Blaine as its police chief in 1996. Gary Tomsic, Blaine’s city manager, said Elfo was the finest police chief or sheriff he had worked with in 30 years as a city administrator. Sheriff Elfo lives outside Blaine with his wife and two children.

WSDOT to work on Mitchell Street bridge
As a result of a citizen’s inquiry, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducted a preliminary investigation as to whether protective screening would be warranted on the Mitchell Street bridge. Investigations have shown that protective screening is warranted and therefore will be installed. The Mitchell Street bridge runs over Interstate 5 and is a route for many Blaine school district students. Several incidences have been reported to the Blaine police department and the state patrol about individuals throwing objects off the bridge. WSDOT plans to install protective fencing that will likely be installed sometime in June. Bid for the contract started on April 9, 2003.

Goldstar Resorts plans expansion
Goldstar Resorts recently applied for a shoreline conditional use permit and plans to add 62 timeshare resort units and remodel a restaurant, if approved. Before the plan can move forward, Goldstar must have approval for the shoreline permit and the shoreline substantial development permit. The resort is located at 7386-7866 Birch Bay Drive.

Discipline program schedule for parents
The Blaine school district and the family service center will jointly sponsor a three-session presentation of 1-2-3 Magic, a discipline program for parents of primary and elementary-aged children. Designed for parents who are tired of yelling and lecturing to get kids to cooperate, 1-2-3 Magic provides effective strategies for successful parenting. Three evening sessions will be offered on the Blaine school district campus, running April 24, May 1 and May 8 from 6­8:30 p.m. There is no charge for this program; however, there are only 25 spaces. Please call the family service center at 332-7179 for details.

Great Northwest Travel Show next weekend
The Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Bellis Fair Mall presents the third annual great northwest travel show on April 26 at Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham. Bellis Fair Mall will host up to 30 exhibitors from British Columbia and Washington state representing travel destinations and attractions, hotels and resorts and travel services. Exhibitors will be on-hand with information and to answer questions on exciting regional travel opportunities, upcoming festivals and getaway packages close to home. The show will feature thousands of dollars in travel prize giveaways, and will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Bellingham/Whatcom County Visitors Bureau at 671-3990 or www.bellingham.org.

Cajun Night to benefit Boys & Girls Club
The Blaine Boys & Girls Club will be having Cajun Night at Dakota Creek Roadhouse on Friday, April 25. There will be a Cajun style dinner from 6:30 ­ 8 p.m. and live music provided by Crystal Tricycle and The Rockafellas will start at 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $25 per couple or $15 per person, and can be purchased at the Boys & Girls Club, Blaine Cost Cutter and Pacific Building Center. For further information contact the Boys & Girls Club at 332-3008. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Boys & Girls Club Playground/Garden Project.

State looking for marine park hosts
Washington state parks is looking for people who love exploring the waterways with their boats to volunteer as hosts at marine parks this summer. In exchange for serving a minimum of two weeks (28 hours per week), marine park hosts receive free moorage, use of the park and are covered by labor and industries for job-related medical costs. The hosts assist park managers by greeting boaters, furnishing maps and monitoring moorage self-registration. In addition, they teach park visitors how to use specialized marine facilities, help with interpretive information, clean campsites, pick up litter and alert rangers to potential problems. State parks staff will train hosts. For more information, send an email to sarah.oldfield@parks.wa.gov or call 360/902-8583.

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