The Editor:
Bridgette and Devin Sanford of Busy B & Company have recently purchased Northern Meadows Specialty Gifts and Wine shop from me. The decision to sell was a difficult one as I have enjoyed being a part of downtown Blaine. Life’s many changes had brought me to a place where I needed more time for family. With a daughter recovering from cancer and the arrival of my grandson Kane, my time is more precious than ever.
I would like to thank all of my customers who have supported Northern Meadows over the past two and a half years. Without you, I wouldn’t have all the wonderful memories. I am truly going to miss visiting with each and every one of you.
My husband Rodny and I are staying in Blaine and I will remain involved with the downtown merchants. My passion for Blaine is stronger than ever and now I might have more time to help out and plan for upcoming festivals. Perhaps I’ll even see you at the next wine tasting.
Please continue your local support by stopping by and meeting the new owners Bridgette and Devin. I welcome them to downtown and wish them every success.
A bittersweet farewell to all my customers. Thanks again!
Christy Lonquist, Northern Meadows
Specialty Gifts & Wine
Blaine

The Editor:
This is in response to the police report (The Northern Light, April 17 – 23) regarding Boss Construction trucks speeding down H Street.
To those living on H Street, it might be more helpful to contact Boss Construction directly by calling 360/398-2841. (The owner/management might not even be aware of the problem.) They could then talk to their drivers and free our Blaine police for other matters.
Denise Adams
Blaine

The Editor:
We recently were at the Cabana Club at Birch Bay and I was in need of medical care. On Monday, April 14, I visited the office of Lynden Family Medicine on Harborview Road and learned they do not take walk-ins.
I was directed to two clinics in Bellingham and learned that the address of Express was incorrect and they also do not take Medicare patients. After some time I was finally seen at the Walk-In Clinic on Northwest Avenue in Bellingham.
It appears to me that there is a need for an emergency facility at Birch Bay.
June M. Boskovich
Tacoma

The Editor: 
It is wonderful to see that your lead story in last week’s paper celebrates the improved public access to the beach and trails on the Semiahmoo Spit as a result of the new developments by Trillium. It sounds as if Terry Galvin and the city are very pleased with their results. 
There is no question this spit is a magical place that all residents and visitors alike should be able to freely enjoy it. I am thankful that after all of the development that is going to take place there will actually be room left over for public use, small as it may be. Hopefully there will still be some wildlife left to view and enjoy. 
What is most disturbing to me is that after all of these public trails, pathways, viewing stations, etc. are installed the residents of Semiahmoo via the SRA are being asked to pay for and provide the maintenance for them. These are public trails for everyone. Why should only the residents of Semiahmoo (who pay for the SRA) bear the cost of a public trail? That does not even begin to make sense.
Maybe the city can use some of the extra funds gained by the enormous tax increases all of the homeowners have been hit with this past year to help pay to maintain these trails? Maybe Trillium can pay to maintain these trails.
It would seem they have gained the most by this development of the spit. The only thing I know for sure is that the residents of Semiahmoo alone should not foot the bill. The SRA notified the city in writing as early as 2005 that they would not accept this responsibility. 
I noticed in last week’s article you never mentioned who was going to pay to maintain these trails. Maybe you thought you could just slip this one by the residents of Semiahmoo?
Penny Senov
Blaine

The Editor:
Last Saturday many Blaine businesses set up tents at the Wings Over Water festival and were apparently surprised to be competing side-by-side with several Bellingham businesses.
Were non-Blaine-based businesses lured here through processes administered by our civil servants using Blaine taxpayer dollars?
As a newcomer to Blaine, I confess my surprise at the official approach to attracting vendors to Blaine-sponsored events. Apparently, it's through existing lists and ill-broadcast applications available through several entities, including the visitor center, the chamber of commerce and at least one Blaine city staff person. (The process is not documented anywhere that I can discover.) Where’s the purposeful outreach to Blaine business licensees, so that business owners who pay for licenses to conduct business in Blaine – to generate revenue in Blaine – are invited, encouraged and supported by active inclusion in Blaine (taxpayer dollar)-sponsored events?
I recommend a thoughtful overhaul of the existing process, so that each and every business licensee becomes known to Blaine civil servants. With every new business license, a new (and some existing) licensee needs guidance and direction about how to participate in community events paid for by Blaine taxpayers.
Event participation options by businesses licensed to do business in Blaine must become more widely known, more thoughtfully encouraged. Millions of tourist dollars will be spent in this geography over the coming years. Blaine businesses deserve as many opportunities as our civil servants can identify or create, to participate in that revenue stream.
Elle Tracy
Blaine

The Editor:
Blaine Community Theater (BCT) extends a huge thank you to Jim Kenoyer and the custodial staff of Blaine school district for their patience and help with our production of “The Gift.”  We really appreciate the standard they maintain for upkeep of the buildings and grounds.
Another huge thank you to the Blaine merchants who bought ads in our program.  Please shop and dine out locally – we need each other!  Thanks too, to the patrons who came to see the show.  Without you, where would we be?  Come join the fun of community theater.  Our next meeting is Monday, May 3, at 7 p.m. at 1147 4th Street.  For info, call 392-0582.
Mel Finnson, VP,
Blaine Community Theater
Blaine

The Editor:
We’ve heard countless rumors over the past two and a half years that our cafe, Blackberry House is closed, or that we're having to close down. Stop the rumors! One woman even came in and said she hadn't been in for a year because someone told her we were closed.
We are actually very much open, thriving, and would love to have you come enjoy our homemade soup, sandwiches, coffee, amazing cinnamon rolls and more!
Thank you for supporting us!
Aaron and Kelly Tuski
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. 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