Letters to the Editor

Pets R Us
The Editor:
Having a pet is a lifelong commitment, and that is something one should think about before taking on such a personal responsibility.
I have three dogs and two cats (all of my animals are strays in one form or another) and the animal population at my house was just what we could handle. However, this all changed on Sunday afternoon (4/14/02) when my boys discovered that a cat was under our house. The cat was coaxed out and fed, and after looking at her we realized that she was pregnant. We took her to the veterinarian the following day and found that she was going to have five kittens. That following morning in our laundry room she had her kittens.
Once the kittens were born, I turned to a non-profit agency for advice on care. I received the much-needed information and I am so grateful that there are private citizens out there who take the time to rescue and nurture these poor forgotten friends. We have several private agencies throughout Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Snohomish and Skagit county who have dedicated their lives and their own paychecks helping pets and picking up the pieces of irresponsible pet owners. The humane societies in these counties also do a wonderful job, but they are running on a very limited amount of money.
What am I getting at? Well, for one thing, it is time that people who decide to take on the responsibility to have an animal act responsibly. If one makes the choice to have an animal or pet of any kind they should realize that it is a life long commitment. Bob Barker has been spreading the word for 50 of his 70-year life to have your dog or cat spayed or neutered and it is time we pay attention.
It is easy to assist in preventing domestic animal over population. Get your pet spayed or neutered and be a responsible pet owner. Do not get a rabbit for your child on Easter if you’re not going to care for it, or a puppy just because it is cute, only to later dump it off somewhere (like my backyard) because it is pregnant.
If cost is a problem, there are plenty of places that will perform this service at a lesser cost or get an animal that is already spayed or neutered. But remember, animal ownership is a life long commitment; animals are not something to be thrown out with yesterday’s trash or to drop off somewhere because of inconvenience. Animals depend on us humans. So be humane, and help start slowing down our already over-populated domestic animal kingdom by taking care of the animal you may already have.
And to all the responsible pet owners out there, thank you.
Catherine Wheeler
Sedro Woolley

New & noisy?
The Editor and Port of Bellingham:
I’m writing you in view of your expertise in steel construction and engineering issues.
At yesterday’s joint Port/City of Blaine meeting, there was a presentation about Blaine’s new breakwater, scheduled for construction starting this summer. The speaker noted that design was by the same firm that did Pier 66 in Seattle, and it features the same type of construction – concrete pilings and flexible, jointed steel panels.
I tied up at Pier 66 (Bell Harbor Marina) for a week last summer, but found the marina so noisy that we had to leave early. The steel panels were constantly squeaking, grinding, and banging against each other, making it impossible to sleep or spend time out on deck.
While the racket was annoying even against the background of a busy commercial waterfront and cruise ship terminal, it would be disastrous in a small harbor striving to become a destination for tourists, environmentalists, and pleasure boaters.
The noise level I endured at Pier 66 would clearly impact our marina tenants, pier tourists, people at Marine Park, and perhaps most seriously, Semiahmoo guests immediately across the narrow channel.
I understand that Pier 66 recently made a major investment welding the panels to help reduce noise, and that the situation has apparently improved somewhat.
I wanted to make sure you’re aware of this problem, and can assure us that it has been corrected in the Blaine design. If they haven’t already done so, commission members should visit Pier 66 to verify that the objectionable noise has been permanently controlled. It would be a shame for something like this to negate the outstanding work the commission has done so far at Blaine Harbor. Thanks in advance for a reply.
Jeff Robinson
Blaine

Thanks...
The Editor:
The Blaine primary PTO would like to thank all of the primary school children and their parents who collected pennies for the Penny Drive this year.
Thanks to all of your efforts we raised a total of $1,032.63! A special thanks to Mobile Armored and Mobile Exchange for transporting and counting the pennies for us at no charge. The money raised will go towards re-stocking perishable items and upgrading the emergency kits that are located in each classroom.
Once again, thank you for all of your support that you have shown.
Jennifer Schmidt, PTO president
Blaine

Now unconfused...
The Editor:
The only confusion seems to come from Peace Arch Post #86. The American Legion, Pluma Sager Wacek Memorial Post 247, P.O. Box 2123, Blaine, WA 98231, does indeed have a temporary charter (all American Legion posts are started with a temporary charter). In fact, at the department midwinter meeting there were permanent charters authorized for three posts that had operated with temporary charters for several years. The members of this new post are not mad (that would take a psychological evaluation). And it was begun after several years of deliberation.
Post 86 falls within the boundaries of what will soon become the city of Birch Bay. The application for a new post was carried in the glove box of my pick up for four years prior to determining the need in town, as many of the older veterans were unable to travel the narrow unlit roads with no shoulders to a location four miles from the city limits of Blaine. The post members, auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 247 need a place to conduct meetings, and seeing as we do not have a home post building yet it is better to frequent the local businesses. Besides it brings dollars into their establishment than if we were to meet in the fire hall or the community center.
As for our membership, five are former members of Post 86 and all of the rest are brand new members except for one former member of Post 7 in Bellingham and he served that post as commander for two years. He is also prior adjutant at Arlington Post. Some day, hopefully today, we can work together as veterans for the good of the veteran and community according to our Constitution and Preamble of the American Legion. Drop by and visit with me, if you get the chance.
William Irwin
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

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 are limited to five individuals or groups. 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 email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com