Letters to the Editor

Kind, generous act
The Editor:
My husband and I just want to give thanks to the two good samaritans (two separate cars) who, on Wednesday, July 2 at 6:30 a.m. were probably on their way to work along Birch Bay Drive, but took the time to stop and help my 81-year-old husband who had fallen at the entrance of our driveway and was unable to get up. He had sustained some nasty bruises as well.
This was a very kind and generous act and really touched our hearts. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we hope you had a wonderful day.
Mr. and Mrs. E. Wilson
Birch Bay

Support Bill Elfo
The Editor:
Last December the Whatcom County Council unanimously voted to appoint Bill Elfo as interim sheriff of Whatcom County until the 2003 elections.
Since his appointment, he has given himself entirely to serving the people of Whatcom County and laying the ground work for future improvements to the sheriff�s department in order to insure and maintain a high quality of life for anyone who lives in, works in, or visits Whatcom County.
While waiting for the council�s approval for additional man power to adequately staff patrol and investigations, Elfo has found ways to keep deputies on patrol during the hours when historically there has been no one on patrol. He has worked to raise the level of service that the department provides to our citizens.
Sheriff Elfo recognizes the extreme need of improved and additional jail facilities. Every day officers from agencies through out the county encounter people who should be arrested and held in jail, or at least positively identified, but they are turned loose because the jail is unable to hold or even process them. So far we have been fortunate, but without improvements, upgrades and increases of manpower our good fortune may soon end.
I urge the citizens of Whatcom County to support Elfo and to encourage our council members to fund his requests, and make the sheriff�s Department capable of doing everything reasonably possible to keep Whatcom County a safe and peaceful place to live, work and visit.
Cliff Langley
Bellingham, WA

Show n' Shine a success
The Editor:
I want to thank all of the participants and everyone who donated trophies, dash plaques, gift certificates, coupons and giveaways for the Show �n Shine on July 4. I don�t want to name individuals because I know that I will miss someone. Personally, I think the whole day was a great success and the Show �n Shine went beyond my highest expectations. Thanks for your help and remember that I�ll probably be around next year looking for the same thing.
Cheryl Fischer
Blaine

A fabulous fourth
The Editor:
A fourth of July to remember! What a great turn out and superb weather for our parade, activities and fireworks.
As president of the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, I feel honored to have been a part of an event that reflected the community spirit of our town so positively and uniquely. There is no other town in Whatcom County that can hold a candle to our Old Fashioned Fourth of July, of that I feel certain.
It would have been impossible for any one person to have pulled all the pieces together to make the day the success it was. There are many who contributed long hours and hard work as volunteers and, in particular, I would like to thank Pam Christianson who willingly accepted the responsibility to chair the organizing committee and put together a first-class team consisting of Laurie Hart and Carol Solomon. The chamber and the people of our community owe them a hearty thank you for their efforts in making the events of the day go so smoothly. The fireworks display was bigger and more spectacular this year, thanks to Pam Christianson, who also took on that responsibility.
Thanks also to Martin Conyac for providing his corvette as the chamber charriot. I hope everyone had the opportunity to see the Show �n Shine. Many beautiful sports cars as well as antique and restored autos were on display to the delight of the crowds and exhibiting car owners. Thank you Cheryl Fischer for pulling that show together with such enthusiasm and joy.
There were many other helping hands that made the day and my job go smoother than it otherwise would have. In particular, I want to thank Al and Ruby Dahl for their help in setting up the beer garden and helping in other tasks. As usual, Leroy Dougall was there to extend a helping hand when needed.
Also, our thanks to chief Mike Haslip and the members of his force for the great job they did in setting up street barriers and keeping the day safe for all participants.
Hats off to Pam Taft and the Port of Bellingham for the use of their tables and chairs for the event.
There were many others who helped throughout the day, including Roger Ellingson, chamber vice-president, Gary and Renata Tomsic, councilman Bruce Wolf, Christina Alexander of the United States-Canada Peace Anniversary Association, and Mike Johnson of Cost Cutter. Certainly we want to thank Marvin and Debra Adams of the Pizza Factory for the use of their property for the band platform and beer garden.
If I have unintentionally overlooked mentioning others who helped out, please forgive me. It was a busy day.
To all those who participated in the parade and those who just came out and enjoyed the day, we say thank you. Looking forward to next year.
Ron Leach
Blaine Chamber of Commerce President

Sliders is safe, fun
The Editor:
In response to Elizabeth Massett�s letter published in The Northern Light on June 19, I too reside in Birch Bay and have so for many years, and I also describe Birch Bay as a piece of heaven.
My wife and I are also long-time patrons of Sliders, and at no time have we witnessed or heard of children being harassed or exposed to intoxicated men and women. When our children were younger they also swam, played and enjoyed their summer at the water slides, where Sliders is located and they grew up to be well-adjusted adults.
Maybe Ms. Massett should take her daughter for lunch or supper to Sliders restaurant and see for herself, that the patrons at Sliders are well-behaved adults that are parents themselves and in most cases, grandparents.
I wonder Ms. Massett, do you allow your daughter to walk the main street of Blaine, where there are three or more bars?
Please do have more faith in people.
Dennis Jensen
Birch Bay

A memorable day
The Editor:
The Old Fashioned 4th of July parade in Blaine was once again a great success. This success was based partly on the participants, partly on the audience, and largely on all the people that helped to make it so.
I have a long list of people to thank beginning with Jerry Huls, our emcee, his assistant Darlene VanDyk, the check-in crew of Sue Cushman, Caroleeann Jenkins, Bernie Weaver and Elaine Murphy, the barricade and parking lot folks Doug Benton, Rodrick McDiarmid, Laurie Arsenault, and Melanie Moaquin, the judges Gary and Renata Tomsic, and Marsha Fischer.
Also behind the scenes, folks such as Tye McWilliams, and Sgt. Ryan King and Sgt.Wayne White, Rev. Nan Geer, Leroy Dougall and Bingo.
A special thank you goes to Robert Fordyce, Little Caesars Pizza and last but most important my co-workers at Stafholt and my husband Don. Thanks again for your support and help to make this a memorable July 4. Laurie Hart
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