Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
After reading about Christina Alexander’s invitation to participate in the Peace and Cultural Festival in Barcelona, Spain, I feel a need to make several comments concerning this event.
Knowing the work she has done over the last several years and enjoying the artwork she has brought to the Peace Arch Park and downtown Blaine, I believe it is an honor that she has been invited to attend this event. Christina’s efforts to bring people to the park and the Peace Arch is worthy of recognition. Since it is the only monument in the world dedicated to peace, it is an honor to her, to Blaine and our country to have her tell its story to peace advocates in Europe and Asia who will be in attendance in Barcelona.
What a wonderful opportunity it is for us to share the experience of our two nations having an undefended border over 3,000 miles long. Would it seem unreasonable that some of those in attendance at this festival also may be attending the Winter Olympics in Canada in 2010 and would be encouraged to visit us here in Blaine at that time?
The Peace Arch and its story is a wonderful gift for us who live here in Blaine and Whatcom County to share with the world. We now have the unprecedented opportunity to do just that by giving generously to the USCPAA (U.S./Canada Peace Arch Anniversary Association) in order for Christina to attend this event.
Ron Leach
Blaine

The Editor:
First of all, thank you for the great little paper you are. It is my hope that your circulation includes decision makers and action people at Birch Bay or perhaps, simply people like us who can put pressure on to solve a problem.
There are no public bathrooms at Birch Bay except in the state park. We love the area. I have been having fun there since the 1940s and my wife and I since the 1960s.
Recently we spent several days there and took many long walks, which required much strategic ‘bathroom planning.’ We had many encounters with signs on businesses which say, “restrooms are for customers only.” Business owners seem frustrated with the problem as well, so I’m surprised nothing gets done.
The new “Welcome to Birch Bay” signs are great. The arrows direct one to all sorts of places - but not to bathrooms.
Thank goodness for construction sites. We ended up using some of their port-a-potties.
Is there a better long term solution to make a great place better?
Peter Peterson
Bellingham

The Editor:
Why you are limiting the number of letters to the editor? Two or three is too few. Thank you.
Cathy Seemann
Birch Bay
(Ed. Note: We print all of the letters we receive. The natives aren’t very restless these days.)

The Editor:
Been stung lately? I’m referring to a blatant sting operation by Blaine municipal police a stone’s throw from the border, where officers staking out an intersection nab drivers turning from the right hand lane toward the nearby gas bars. My alleged violation last Wednesday afternoon? Well, a sign 100 yards back up the road says turns are prohibited from this ‘trucking’ lane, as does a fading sign painted on the road surface. What piffle! Then, to top it off, exactly one minute after I was stung and pocketed my $100 citation I observed the officer rolling back to his location and nabbing another (Canadian) victim who, like me, was probably paying closer attention to actual traffic then trying to decipher a fading sign painted on the road.
This is a despicable and irresponsible practice. Is Blaine tired of attracting Canadian visitors and dollars? I am astounded at the audacity of citing alleged ‘violators’ – and visitors – at this near-border intersection, and in this way. I urge Blaine municipal leaders to condemn this practice by local police who surely can find more significant matters on which to concentrate.
Michael Maser
Gibsons, BC

The Editor:
OK, here the way it is.
The excess waste fuels that are burned at the refinery at Cherry Point is a blatant asinine slap in the face to the residents of Whatcom County who pay high electric prices. This is the main reason I am going to be real adamant in opposing the power plant proposed for Sumas.
The flames burned for 15 days straight at the refinery - that is a whole helluva lot of wasted BTUs. This happens wherever there is a refinery and our government is to blame! The company building the Sumas power plant has personally, in my opinion, a low regard for the environment. Kelli Linville - defend the public, not the corporations. By the way, that is an order! We, the people, are your boss.
Hey, John Kerry are you going to let this practice of wasted energy continue when you’re elected? Rick Larsen – are you for people or corporate profit? Let’s see your true colors. Something my grandparents taught me is just because someone has possessions and money does not make them right or mean they are good people - usually it is the opposite.This is something that I firmly believe.
Lewis Leroy Armey Jr.
Birch Bay

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