Letters to the Editor

Kudos all around
The Editor:
Just a note to thank those who so beautifully decorated their homes and businesses for the holidays. They helped Blaine look as wonderful as any of our neighboring communities. It was a real treat to drive around town in the early evening and enjoy the lights, their work was appreciated.
Don and Barbara Jacques
Birch Bay

The Editor:
Thanks, I like your on-line site. This is great. I try to pick up a paper weekly to keep up with the Blaine news...but now if I miss a copy I can read online. I have just sent my friends the Plover information. I took them on the Plover last summer when they visited. I live in Vancouver and have a small home in Blaine as well.
Pat Smith
Vancouver, BC

Airport commish replies
The Editor:
This is to correct errors in a letter regarding the Blaine airport, which appeared in the December 19 issue of The Northern Light.
The writer described the airport as a drain on city finances, a misuse of valuable land, a play toy for a wealthy few and a roadblock to developing Blaine’s business potential. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The airport is completely self-supporting (through land leases, tie-down fees and fuel sales), owes nothing to the city’s general fund and serves a growing body of pilots from across the northwest. If it were expanded, it could accommodate commuter passenger service, air freight and other services beneficial to the community.
The author also urged that airport land be used for development. Why? The city is already filled with “for sale” signs, including lots on all sides of the airport, but without takers.
Simply designating land “manufacturing” or “industrial” doesn’t generate development, jobs and increased revenue for city services. To do that, we need a spark plug to get the process started, and that’s where the airport can help.
Industrial development tied to a revitalized airport represents one of Blaine’s best opportunities for the future. We have the unique chance to follow prosperous cities like Friday Harbor, Burlington and Eastsound where airport related activity has been the catalyst for exciting industrial and tourism development.
Our airport’s border proximity represents another opportunity. A revitalized airport could support flight operations for government agencies, including the border patrol, customs, the arms and national guard.
Who would pay to revitalize Blaine’s airport? That’s the best part of all. Federal and state funds would cover up 95 percent of the cost and the project itself would immediately inject millions of dollars into the local economy.
The airport commission has worked long and hard on plans to expand the airport and bring growth to Blaine, all in an environmentally friendly way and without cost to local taxpayers. We think it’s a far better idea for the future than more of the same tired old “for sale” signs.
Jeff Robinson
Member, Blaine Airport Commission
Blaine

Back To Top

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