Letters to the Editor

Support the levy
The Editor:
Just around the corner, February 3 to be exact, a levy to support our community�s children will be on the ballot. As a fellow homeowner I thought I�d point out that this is not a new tax. It is an extension for basic operations required to serve our children�s educational and safety needs. Consider one aspect of the levy equivalent to the routine maintenance we perform on our own homes and the running of our households. To vote yes is to say we are interested in continuing to provide the safe educational environment our children are accustomed to learning in. Thank you.
Lila Salmonson
Blaine

Hats off to you guys
The Editor:
Over the past two years as president of the White Rock-South Surrey (WRSS) chamber of commerce I have had the honor and privilege of working with two of the city of Blaine�s finest civic leaders.
Both Ron Leach, president of the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, and John Choulochas, who was my chamber liaison on many projects, have proven to be outstanding citizens of Blaine, always working for the good of their community, and of course, cross border relations with White Rock, South Surrey, and the lower mainland of British Columbia.
Some of the highlights to be noted were their cooperation in the annual Independence Day-Canada Day celebration held under the Peace Arch at the border. This event started on January 1, 2000 as a toast to the new millennium and was so successful it has turned into an annual event the week of our national holidays.
As economic development and trade across the border were a priority following September 11, Ron and John stepped up and were central figures in the planning of the economic development forum held last spring at Semiahmoo Resort. They also gave vital cross border input to the following economic development forum held in White Rock this fall.
In July the Blaine chamber hosted a cross border joint �Business after Business� mixer with the White Rock-South Surrey chamber which was held at Blaine�s harbormasters building. It was so well received that a great number of WRSS chamber members attended the event.
Here�s hats off to Ron and John, the toast of the town.
Gordon A. Shaffer
President, White Rock-South Surrey chamber of commerce
White Rock

Story behind the ribbons
The Editor:
How surprised I was to see my home on the front page of the December 4 edition of The Northern Light. I have been asked by several people since then as to the significance of the yellow ribbons. Let me share my story.
On November 15, my nephew, Ronald James (Jamie) Workentin, Jr., was activated with the 81st brigade of the Washington State National Guard. It is supposedly for an 18-month activation. I tied 18 yellow ribbons around the trees, swing set, and pillars of my home � one for each month. Each month I plan on removing one ribbon. It is my prayer that when it is time for the last ribbon to be taken down, Jamie will be safely home again and able to remove the ribbon himself.
This is just my way of letting Jamie, as well as other young men and women of our community who are serving our country around the world, know that we will remember and pray for them as they are in danger each and every day.
Thank you for this opportunity to share this story with you as well as others in my community.
Kathy Richardson
Blaine

My proposol concerns
The Editor:
The problem with Ellen Shea�s letter in the December 18 edition of The Northern Light is that she paints a blissfully quiet and beneficial spa co-existing with no problems at all, with private homeowners all around her. In reality, this rarely works that way.
My concern is what happens if the spa fails? And, if the business does take off successfully, then we can see an eventual expansion in the number of guest rooms being built, which would lead to the construction of a four-story hotel (RC zoning includes a conditional use of a 75 foot building height). Once that tract of land goes commercial, it will mark the beginning of the end of our privacy, tranquility, safety and, of course, the value of our investment.
I suggest that we all show up on January 8, and make our voices heard; no to rezoning. If we don�t act, we will have to face the consequences. Are you ready to give up your idyllic life on the coast?
Alex Zane
Blaine

Thanks for support
The Editor:
We would like to thank all of our customers who bought salmon from us last summer and those who bought crab this fall and winter off the boat. There will be crab available on Saturdays for the rest of the season.
A special thanks to harbormaster Pam Taft and her staff for always being eager to help us. To all of you, we hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Gary Dunster and Lee Bouma
Blaine

Drive safe this new year
The Editor:
Impaired driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in America, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). MADD continues to fight the battle against drunk driving, which began in the early 1980s.
During the 22-year period between 1980 and 2002, there were 14,029 deaths on Washington roadways. Of those, 6,664 involved a drinking driver. In Whatcom County, since 1993, 193 people were killed in traffic fatalities, 102 of those were attributed to a drinking driver. During 2002, there were 19 traffic fatalities and 11 so far this year.
Nationally, impaired driving is like losing a major, fully loaded, jumbo airliner every other day. We should be outraged, yet, we have become desensitized to the horror of highway fatalities.
This must stop! To help prevent needless traffic deaths this holiday season, the Whatcom County sheriff�s office is organizing extra DUI patrols. Local law enforcement is providing 600 additional patrol hours, making our roads safer for responsible drivers. During 2002, DUI arrests by Washington State Patrol were up 35 percent compared to 2001.
This holiday season, join all Whatcom County law enforcement agencies for MADD�s �Tie One on for Safety� red ribbon campaign, symbolizing a commitment to safe and sober driving. Red ribbons are available at the Bellingham Chrysler Center, your five star dealer, and local law enforcement agencies.
MADD urges everyone to have a safe holiday season and new year, make sure you have a designated driver and heed the message �Drive Hammered. Get Nailed.� Don�t let that be you or someone you love.
Ann French Clemons
MADD Whatcom County
Ferndale

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