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The Editor:
I am writing concerning your front page article in the
February 23 edition, titled “Local leaders call
for delay in border ID requirements.”
I noted some irony. First, the representative from the
governor’s office (Ginatta) fails to mention that
Washington has not complied with the requirement to make
its driver’s licenses “secure travel documents.” Why
not?
Second, he talks of an “artificial deadline,” that
is 2008, for compliance with federal law in this regard.
He is probably the same person to complain that since September
11, the federal government is not working fast enough to
make the borders safe. But, is it not true that Washington
state is not doing its part to comply?
Thirdly, the chamber of commerce representative Ken Oplinger
paints a doomsday picture if passports are required. He
notes, for example, that a passport costs $100. He fails
to mention that this cost provides a passport valid for
10 years, or about $10 per year for the privilege of a
passport? He then discusses “spontaneous travel.” If
travelers got passports, then they could travel “spontaneously.”
Both of these representatives are not being objective.
They have vested interests, none of which includes safeguarding
our borders as a priority. Yes, good interviewing techniques
at the border can prevent some criminal intrusion. However,
standardizing personal identification in the form of a
passport seems a small investment in complementing this
strategy.
Doug Tomaso
Blaine
The Editor:
There are several reasons why I ask the city of Blaine
to adopt Pugwash, Nova Scotia, as its sister city. I
therefore beg your attendance at city hall, March 16
at 7 p.m. Let me address possible pitfalls.
1. Fears that Blaine may be overrun with students vandalizing
it during radical demonstrations are unlikely to occur.
I have thoroughly studied the history of our Peace Arch.
Only in May 1970 did a group of demonstrators ever invade
Blaine. But that wasn’t because we had a sister city
in Canada. It was related to Nixon’s order to invade
Cambodia.
2. It is commonly but erroneously thought any program that
doesn’t cost money is of little worth. The sister
city concept doesn’t entail a fixed expense. This
doesn’t eradicate its importance. It is extremely
important; its implications are immense.
3. Frankly, I do not enjoy robust rapport with our city
council. I can only hope the members will overlook my shortcomings,
try to consider the sister city concept apart from the
person who proposes it, and give the proposal serious attention.
4. Some people believe world peace will never dawn, therefore
it isn’t worth the effort. I agree, world peace may
never become a reality. The world is filled with egocentric
individuals in ethnocentric societies. I disagree that
it is not worth the effort. We must give world peace our
best effort. It constitutes honorable action in the face
of crying need.
5. Communities commonly curtail their social boundaries.
A sister city offers refreshing opportunities to gain another
perspective, to broaden our boundaries and enrich our Peace
Arch city. It won’t break the bank, and it could
help us better objectify our place in the sun.
6. Without community support, the sister city concept will
fail. Support of clergy, council and educators is absolutely
crucial. I no longer have the energy effectively to promote
the sister city cause, nor am I a talented team worker.
I can only propose an idea that is potentially powerful
for the good of all. And I can only rely upon your participation.
Richard Clark
Blaine
The Editor:
I was in the fourth grade math champs group and I would
like to thank Pam Amundson-Cochran for stepping up and
coaching the fourth grade math champs. I appreciate Pam
getting up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to teach a
whole bunch of kids algebra, probability, geometry, and
the other things we needed to know to go to the competition.
I thank her for doing the math champs fourth grade so much!
Thank you Pam!
I would also like to thank Bill Wright for starting math
champs in this county 24 years ago. It is such a fun event.
I will be going to it until I can’t go anymore. So
I would like to thank him for doing this every year for
the past 24 years. Thank you Mr. Wright!
I would also like to say thank you to the team of 11 that
went through three months of extra-curricular math work.
We should all be proud.
Nick Butschli
Blaine
The Editor:
I want to thank fire district #13 and the Bellingham paramedics
for all their help and for using such great care for
my husband on the way to the hospital. Also thank you
to the hospital staff who tried to save the life of my
husband, James K. Leighton.
I want to thank his sons Rick and Lenny, and my friends
(verbally adopted son Duane Taylor, goddaughters Linsey
Pike and Lacey Taylor and Laird); Eileen Queen, Neil Smyth
and Garry and Pauline Hummer for their support at the hospital.
Thanks to all my friends and family that came to Jimmy’s
service at the Legion. Thanks to Legion Post #86 and Unit
#86 for all of their help.
A special thanks for his friend Lou Parberry of some 30-plus
years for coming to his service.
Thanks to Pam Christianson for getting the wake okayed
by Homestead. Jim always spoke of wanting a wake on the
family property at his shop. Thanks to the Homestead developer
for letting us have the wake there. Thanks to Shauna Pilante
and Linda Muir for your help in setting it up. Thanks Linda
for the signs and thanks friends for showing up.
Thanks to my friends, co-workers and shop manager at Montigo
Del Ray Corp for their caring and support during this difficult
time.
Thanks for all the wonderful cards. Thanks and God bless.
Charlene Leighton
Blaine
The Editor:
A poem called “I am Meth,” was recently brought
to my attention. I do not know who wrote it, but with all
the Homeland Security and border changes that are in the
future, it seems to me we already have our guard down and
not much is being done to stop the terror we already have
in every state, almost every town in the U.S. and worldwide – meth.
It seems to me that all the money being used to build our
fences bigger from terrorists has already failed; we are
not fighting the epidemic that is here to stay unless more
is done now.
Leslie Oberholtzer
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.
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names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one
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published.
Please
send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
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