Letters to the Editor

Cheers for Gail
The Editor:
Last year, Blaine elementary resource room teacher Gail Greer sent an email to the department of transportation regarding her concerns about the overpass on Mitchell Street by the school.
Children were constantly leaning over the railings, waving to cars below and it was a dangerous situation. Ms. Greer asked if the overpass could be enclosed for safety. Within a month, she received a reply that the matter would be investigated to see if an enclosure was warranted.
We are so pleased to report that �one person really can make a difference,� because the enclosure is finished. It only took one week in October to make the Mitchell Street overpass safe in our community. We are proud at Blaine elementary school
Billie L. Rowell and Gail Ginther,
resource room staff members
Blaine

Coverage disappointing
The Editor:
As a parent of a varsity football player, a middle school football player and two boys and girls football players, I feel that you did a very poor job in covering the Blaine football teams this year.
The varsity football team had another down fall season, lucky to even score one touch down per game. It was discouraging to my son and many others for you to only comment on how they lost and the fact that some key players (or whom were thought to be key players) were out for part of the season or all of the season.
What about those boys who went out there and played their hearts out, blood, sweat, and tears each and every game only to come away the losers again, and feeling if they had only done this or not done that the outcome would have been different? A child regardless of age can only take defeat so many time before they break down. And in reading your newspaper they got no credit for trying their hardest and taking a beating each week.
Would you continue to show up and put forth the dedication and relentless effort that all those boys did, if the outcome was always the same - defeat? Come on, give each and every one of those boys who played in the varsity games some credit. If for nothing else at least for the dedication to the team and the game of football.
Then there are the middle school teams, not once this year did I see anything printed about their games. And one of those teams of boys who played just as hard as the other teams took first for the county I understand. What kind of community paper can this be if you don�t even recognize a winning team regardless of age? For the boys and girls club teams even a little mention of the score or something good about those teams would be nice for the little guys.
Without community support for these sport players and showing a little appreciation of these children, it�s no wonder half of them no longer play when they reach high school. Or is the question �Do you only get recognized according to your last name and how high your family stands within the community?�
To the football players � all of you played like pros and I personally would like to say that you were composed on the field, holding your heads high, playing with all your heart, and regardless what the outcome was going to be, you did an exceptional job. All of you made us proud by not giving up and fighting to the bitter end with all your might. That shows everyone not only in Blaine but in Whatcom County that you take pride in what you are doing and will not give in to defeat!
My family will continue to watch your games even when all my boys are out of school. I take pride in our football teams, the final record doesn�t do you boys any justice and certainly doesn�t reflect the way you played. Good luck next year, we will be there to see you play. Remember, it�s not the score at the end of the game, it�s knowing you did your best and gave it your all.
Angela Hicks
Blaine

Problem with system
The Editor:
I am writing in response to last week�s letter, titled �Unhappy with System.� In my own personal opinion, I agree with you 100 percent.
My daughter attended Blaine school since 1999. She has had so many problems at the school that I decided I had enough! My only options were to home school her or send her to her father out of state. First I home schooled her and her grades shot up. Then I realized that kids need to be in a school with peers. I sent her out of state, so she could get a fair chance. My daughter is half Hawaiian, so automatically she had a tough time. She cried every day for the first month. She then got into trouble and it was definitely held against her for the remaining three years. For instance, some boys on the bus were saying very nasty things to her. She stood up for herself and was suspended for it. The vice principal did not listen to her side and apologized to her after I went and confronted him (the boys never got suspended).
After that, the vice principal saw her in the office and asked, �What did you do this time?� (She had a doctor�s appointment.) I had to ask him never to talk to her again because of the unhealthy relationship between them. This gave my daughter low self esteem and did not help her grades, to say the least. I am now proud to say that she is an A - B student since she left Blaine. In short, I feel that once a student of Blaine is targeted by teachers, students or whomever, it�s too late! You are not alone in how you feel about this school. Your son has rights, too!
If you decide to transfer your son, hopefully you can get his transcripts sent to the new school in less than two semesters.
L. Ericksen
Birch Bay

Support Blaine
The Editor:
David White�s letter of November 20, I believe, is saying the city wasted money in exploring sending our wastewater to Canada. Yet in the November 1, 2001 edition of The Northern Light, responding to a question about �which direction should Blaine go to address its sewer problem?� Mr. White said, �There are two scenarios that the council did not look at seriously enough and that is sending it to Canada and a wastewater treatment plant down near Marine Park.�
Also, since when is the city responsible for the U.S. economy and Canadian dollar, both of which affect Blaine businesses? Blaine now has lower start up fees than others in Whatcom County. We have increased business licenses being issued and retail sales are up.
I wish to thank the citizens for your vote and support in my re-election. I appreciate the calls about your concerns. I cannot always answer your questions or concern, but I will listen and get you a response.
I ask each of you to continue to support Blaine businesses and services. This benefits our citizens, economy and city of Blaine.
Dieter Schugt
Blaine

Thanks for help
The Editor:
This year�s dance to benefit the Giving Tree was a great success. Once again the Rockerfellas delivered a fantastic performance! Our heartfelt thanks go out to David Chapman, Dave Swartos and Tim Walter, you�re very much appreciated. Many thanks also to Karen and Walter at the Border Town Tavern for your donation and letting us hold our dance at your establishment. We would also like to thank Beth the Barber and Robert Fordyce for your donations for our raffle.
Laurie Hart, Debbie Graff and Kari Johnson-Dick
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