Letters to the Editor

Put the plant here
The Editor:
After reading about the different alternatives for our proposed sewer plans and the problems White Rock and Surrey are having with Vancouver Regional Wastewater District accepting responsibility for flooding and wastewater in the streets and homes, I think we should keep our wastewater this side of the border. If they won�t accept responsibility for problems on their own side of the border, why would they take action from a small city, Blaine, in a foreign country, USA.
The city has just purchased 5.43 acres across the road from the public works facility. This would make a wonderful site for a wastewater treatment facility. It is centrally located in Blaine city limits, away from the shoreline, not much chance of finding an ancient Indian village underneath it and would provide good jobs in the city. Semiahmoo could send their wastewater to Birch Bay or a smaller treatment facility could be built over on their side of the spit. The way Trillium is treating the city and its citizens regarding the proposed expansion on the spit, I can also suggest another place they can send their wastewater.
This project is going to cost in the twenty million dollar and up price range. The difference between sending our waste to Vancouver and building a proper site in Blaine is minimal in respect to the cost. I would like to see some jobs created for that much money. I don�t want to see it go down the drain, so to speak by having a foreign entity cut us off down the road because their facility is overburdened; as it already is.
The city is spending millions of our dollars trying to bring in good jobs and tourism to the city of Blaine. One way of doing that would be to create a wastewater treatment facility centrally located in Blaine.
Patrick Madsen
Blaine

Sewer alternatives
The Editor and Congressman Larsen:
The railroad coming from Canada, through our town of Blaine, stops and gets X-rayed three to six times a day often during business hours.
This blocks traffic on several critical railroad crossings for 20-40 minutes each time. The county approved of the x-ray site with no public hearing to our knowledge. There has been a public town meeting and everyone is furious. The railroad and U.S. Customs don�t care even though they could have moved the location less than a mile and avoided this burden on our towns (Blaine and Birch Bay).
I highly recommend you come to Blaine and find out what is going on and try to help us. U.S. Customs told the town there will be more construction in the next year which will make things worse. Our town has been devastated by the increased security measures after 9/11. Many businesses have closed and the surviving ones have seen revenues drop up to 50 percent. We are patriotic and understand this is our share of our county�s sacrifice for increased security. But the railroad X-ray situation could have been avoided and still can be rectified if someone had one ounce of consideration and sensitivity to our town who has already sacrificed more than most U.S. towns.
Please come address our town and review this situation for a timely remedy. I am sure we would be happy to set up a town meeting for you.
Bob Bailey
Blaine

Protect the spit
The Editor and Mr. Nelson:
I hoped it was not true when I first heard that there are plans afoot to ruin the beauty of the Semiahmoo spit by erecting multiple buildings! It is beyond belief that anyone would purposely disturb the wildlife and spoil the serene open space that humans have long enjoyed in that idyllic spot. The spit is even more beautiful than in the pictures, I discovered on my visit with friends not long ago. While there, my spirit was refreshed in that lovely, peaceful, uncluttered oasis. To think of that precious land losing its uniqueness by being converted to a small city on a strip is disheartening, to say the least.
I hope and pray that the city of Blaine remains strong in protecting the land and resisting this push to so-called progress.
Judy Holmblad
Buena Park, CA

Burned by the levy
The Editor:
Our fire commissioners, politicians and medical administrators are holding your feet to the fire. Don�t worry, the only burns you�ll receive will be that big hole burned in your wallet by the EMS levy.
Imagine suffering a major heart attack to the point of full arrest. Your life clock begins ticking down the second you hit the floor. Our selfless volunteer fire fighters arrive and immediately begin resuscitation measures. They have an ambulance, but can�t transport. In the time it takes a paramedic unit to arrive from Bellingham (30-45 minutes) with intubation gear and IV drugs, you will have aspirated into your lungs and are past the time where you can likely be saved to live a full life again. In severe cases of arterial bleeding, cardiac arrest and obstructed airway emergencies, you have four minutes to receive advanced life support care. It�s a simple equation that no fancy billboard on the Guide or glossy flyer in the mail can change.
A fire service EMS monopoly is not the answer, neither is a purely private system. Rather, the solution is in an integrated public-private EMS delivery system and a total rebuilding of the fire service in Whatcom County. We need to dismantle the current hodgepodge of 17 fire districts and amalgamate into a single Whatcom County fire department, under one fire chief with four battalions, serving the entire area outside the Bellingham city limits.
Don�t let the current EMS managers fool you; no paramedic unit can effectively replace the resources within the walls of St. Joseph Hospital. The paramedic�s job is to arrive quickly, stabilize you en route and deliver you to medical professionals who provide X-Ray, ER, surgical and lab services. The EMS levy is no solution and serves to continue funding a broken system.
Victor M. Baca
Blaine

Thank for support
The Editor:
I want to express my gratitude to the city of Blaine and the local community for your support as I started my barber shop business this September. I was especially pleased with the article The Northern Light ran profiling me and my services. The response has been terrific; everyone has told me what a great write up it was.
I also appreciate Judy Dunster and the girls at Bayside Beauty Salon for their support as I stepped out on my own. It�s been great fun so far and I look forward to serving the local community for many years to come. Beth the Barber
Blaine

My vote goes to...
The Editor:
In the 40-some years I have worked on and helped develop the waterfront of Whatcom County, I have never met a person with credentials more suited for the role of port commissioner than those of Jim Jorgensen of Blaine.
The breadth and depth of his education, learning, and experience in many fields, some closely related to port activities, qualify him as a stand-out candidate. Then add his fine reputation as a �doer� and a person of integrity and the voters of Whatcom County are offered the happy opportunity of a clear choice for this position of public trust.
Join me in voting to elect Jim Jorgensen our next port commissioner. Thomas J. Glenn
Bellingham

And my vote goes to...
The Editor:
I am writing to encourage voters to re-elect Ginny Benton as our port commissioner on November 4. We know her to be a kind, moral and compassionate lady. These attributes are reflected in her approach to her position as commissioner. Professional and considerate to the needs of all the people, her balanced approach is for everyone, not special interests. She has demonstrably kept all her promises to us. She is a strong Christian lady with compassion and consideration for all issues she encounters. Her record is virtually unsurpassed. She truly does deserve our thanks, our support and our votes. I ask for your support for Ginny Benton as we need her to continue her excellent work for us.
John Moore
Blaine

Thanks for Peace Arch book
The Editor:
I was pleasantly surprised to see my name mentioned in Richard Clark�s recent letter to the editor. It is a great honor for me to learn that Richard had listed my name among a group a people who I know have made a difference in this world.
The fact is we should all be congratulating Richard for taking the time and effort that he has given to the community in a variety of ways over the years. His recently completed manuscript Sam Hill�s Peace Arch: Remembrance of Dreams Past is a masterpiece that details the arch�s history and honors virtually all those who created, built and commemorate the arch. He has called much needed attention to a group of people who have remained unnamed for so long. His book will be appreciated by future generations in the two nations on whose border the arch stands in perpetuity.
Even though Richard did not list himself, I would submit that the list should also include Richard E. Clark. He too, is one of the dedicated people whose passion for the Peace Arch and its heritage has spanned more than two decades.
To this day, I believe much of my success with the United States Canada Peace Anniversary Association I owe to him. Why you ask? Had he not completed his first manuscript The International Peace Arch: A Historical Sketch, I would have had few or no resources that detailed the Peace Arch and the surrounding parks creation. His book aided the USCPAA in the creation of an educational curricula and The Peace Arch Rises video that continues to be aired on the History Channel.
Over the years, along with many others, I have agreed with Richard that our city fathers have demonstrated apathy towards the Peace Arch. As we know, a prophet is not honored in their own town and so it goes with the history of the arch.
This world renowned monument stands quietly in the space between two countries drawing visitors from around the globe every day. So ask yourself what community of 3,500 people across the nation wouldn�t want a Peace Arch in their back yard? In the face of a rejection, I will also ask �What in the Sam Hill?� is wrong with naming a street in Blaine in Samuel Hill�s honor?
While we may not agree with him on everything, in many ways Richard Clark has always been a bit ahead of his time. The history of the Peace Arch would never have been complete without his skill and tireless devotion to the monument and its creator.
Christina Alexander
Blaine

We believe in him
The Editor:
We have lived in Blaine for many years and have observed how Jim Jorgensen has been involved in our community. As a teacher, he has made a positive impact in the lives of his students. As a business person, he is a man of integrity and is hard working. He is not only a person with vision and ideas but one of action. He knows how to involve others in a team effort and get the job done.
We believe he will be a great asset to our community as a port commissioner. We encourage you to find out as much as you can about his contributions to this community and then � vote for Jim.
Ruby Dahl
Blaine

We believe in him
The Editor:
I think we should apply Blaine Airport Commission logic to other areas of concern in Blaine. The commission sets the price of aviation fuel at the city airport at approximately $2.09 a gallon, Bellingham sells self serve for $2.78 a gallon. So obviously they have no mark up on the fuel, no profit margin, or no need to make money for the city of Blaine. Why strive to break even, why not strive to truly become an asset and make money for the city. Maybe we should take the hotel/motel tax and give it to the gas stations and they can lower their price and bring in more tourists.
I would like to publicly thank Terry Galvin for his work in stopping the latest Trillium clear cut on Birch Point, and wish him the same luck with the Seagrass Cottages.
Jerry Amundson
Blaine

Peace Arch Assoc. needs help
The Editor:
The Peace Arch Association, working with Canada every year on the second Sunday in June has its annual event in the Peace Arch Park in Blaine.
We need at least five volunteers to assist us working with the children from both countries. We have one meeting a month starting in January and then work only one day, which is Sunday from about 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., which includes sales, registrations, directions and giving out American flags to the children attending. Please contact me now if you can assist or furnish a name of a friend. You can reach me at: George LaPold, president, Peace Arch Association, P.O. Box 1224, Blaine, WA, 98231-1224.
George LaPold
Blaine

Some ideas for Blaine
The Editor:
The city has a boardwalk investment of $1.5 million. Their business plan includes a comprehensive advance marketing study of the demographics illustrating the estimated draw of foot traffic, cost per foot traffic unit and estimated average spending per unit, then annualized income revenue estimates versus costs and where the break even and profitability estimates versus the investment expended. Properly planned and developed boardwalks definitely attract foot traffic. The overall plan I have yet to see entirely or honestly don�t know if there is prudent detailed A to Z plans that include advertising budgets and co-operate sponsorships with �built-in� on-going co-op television advertising campaigns that are directly related to the retail anchors annual gross sales.
I am new to the area, and I am sure our city council and city management has planned this and affected interrelated economics of the boardwalk, thus far I have only business owners I tend to think the city could communicate their overall plan and better explain details and reasons for cost increases/decreases/offsets.
For example, the costs of the plans roughly doubled from $30,000 to $60,000, why? Well, for a $1.5 million dollar project, $60,000 for plans is very reasonable. The studies and costs involved would be logical. Blaine has a bright future and is positioned well with the right city management team and their visions for the Blaine of tomorrow!
John George
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